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When to Plant Catnip in Crawford 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.

Crawford County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 813 feet, Crawford County receives approximately 33.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season.

Crawford County, KS (Zone 6a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Crawford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 1

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Catnip needs ~1,225 GDD — county provides 3,517 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Crawford County, KS

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Aug 19

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 6a

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Crawford 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 Crawford County, KS?

Crawford County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crawford County, KS?

Crawford County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Crawford 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 Crawford County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.