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When to Plant Catnip in Kearny 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.

Kearny County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 720 feet, Kearny County receives approximately 22.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season.

Kearny County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Kearny County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

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 (40 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 20

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
0.6″/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 ~1,278 GDD — county provides 3,157 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Kearny County, KS

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Sep 6

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
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 6a

Growing Season

173 days

Growing Tips for Kearny 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 Kearny County, KS?

Kearny County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kearny County, KS?

Kearny County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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