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When to Plant Catnip in Cheyenne County, NE

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.

Cheyenne County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 1,108 feet, Cheyenne County receives approximately 26.9 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.

Cheyenne County, NE (Zone 4b) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Cheyenne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 30

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.

Soil Compatibility in Cheyenne County

How your county's soil matches Catnip's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“7.8) overlaps with Catnip's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Cheyenne County is excellent for Catnip โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.7%). Annual compost additions will help Catnip.

How to Plant Catnip

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Catnip

2
successive plantings in your 146-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 16 to harvest before frost.

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 1,898 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Cheyenne County, NE

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 1
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Sep 21

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 Transplant Outdoors
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

146 days in Cheyenne County

Growing Tips for Catnip in Cheyenne County

Direct sow Catnip outdoors after May 11 in Cheyenne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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 Cheyenne County, NE?

Cheyenne County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cheyenne County, NE?

Cheyenne County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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