Blog

When to Plant Catnip in Johnson County, AR

Catnip is a hardy perennial herb in the mint family known for its effect on cats. It also makes a calming tea and is a useful companion plant that repels some pests.

Johnson County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 1,347 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season.

Johnson County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Catnip needs ~1,278 GDD — county provides 4,051 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Johnson County, AR

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Aug 6

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

222 days

Growing Tips for Johnson County

Direct sow or start indoors. Catnip is very easy to grow and can become invasive. Harvest leaves before flowering for tea. Protect young plants from cats.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Catnip in Johnson County, AR?

Johnson County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, AR?

Johnson County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Johnson County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Johnson County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.