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When to Plant Catnip in Ramsey County, ND

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.

Ramsey County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 649 feet, Ramsey County receives approximately 24.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Catnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Ramsey County, ND (Zone 3b) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 24

Ramsey County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Oct 6

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
0.8″/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 ~752 GDD — county provides 1,440 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Ramsey County, ND

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jun 3
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Sep 23

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

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 3b

Growing Season

134 days

Growing Tips for Ramsey 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 Ramsey County, ND?

Ramsey County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ramsey County, ND?

Ramsey County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ramsey County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Ramsey County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.