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When to Plant Catnip in Anderson County, KS

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.

Anderson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 466 feet, Anderson County receives approximately 23.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season.

Anderson County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Anderson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 2

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 1 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Catnip needs ~1,015 GDD — county provides 2,842 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Anderson County, KS

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Aug 22

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 Transplant Outdoors
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 6a

Growing Season

196 days

Growing Tips for Anderson 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 Anderson County, KS?

Anderson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Anderson County, KS?

Anderson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Anderson County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Anderson County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.