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When to Plant Catnip in Wabasha County, MN

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.

Wabasha County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 1,270 feet, Wabasha County receives approximately 34.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Catnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Wabasha County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Wabasha County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 25

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Catnip needs ~752 GDD — county provides 1,752 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Wabasha County, MN

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Sep 8

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 4b

Growing Season

163 days

Growing Tips for Wabasha 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 Wabasha County, MN?

Wabasha County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wabasha County, MN?

Wabasha County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 8.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wabasha County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Wabasha County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.