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When to Plant Catnip in Gray 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.

Gray County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 903 feet, Gray County receives approximately 30.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season.

Gray County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Gray County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 12

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
Drought risk

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

Catnip needs ~1,015 GDD — county provides 2,668 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Gray County, KS

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 29

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

184 days

Growing Tips for Gray 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 Gray County, KS?

Gray County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gray County, KS?

Gray County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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