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When to Plant Catnip in Montgomery County, KY

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.

Montgomery County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 3,192 feet, Montgomery County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Catnip root diseases.

Montgomery County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Montgomery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Catnip

Catnip needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Catnip Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 5.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 3.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Montgomery County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Montgomery County, KY

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Aug 27

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

193 days in Montgomery County

Growing Tips for Montgomery 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Catnip in Montgomery County, KY?

Montgomery County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montgomery County, KY?

Montgomery County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Montgomery County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Montgomery County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.