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When to Plant Catnip in Scott 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.

Scott County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 797 feet, Scott County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Catnip root diseases.

Scott County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Scott County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 27

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Catnip needs ~1,120 GDD — county provides 3,344 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Scott County, AR

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 16

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

209 days

Growing Tips for Scott 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 Scott County, AR?

Scott County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Scott County, AR?

Scott County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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