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When to Plant Catnip in Graham 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.

Graham County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 891 feet, Graham County receives approximately 31.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Catnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Graham County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Graham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17

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

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Catnip needs ~910 GDD — county provides 2,288 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Graham County, KS

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Sep 3

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 โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

176 days

Growing Tips for Graham 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 Graham County, KS?

Graham County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Graham County, KS?

Graham County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Graham County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Graham County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.