Blog

When to Plant Catnip in Towner 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.

Towner County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 629 feet, Towner County receives approximately 23.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Catnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Towner County, ND (Zone 3b) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Towner County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 22
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 25
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 9

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
0.7″/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 ~595 GDD — county provides 1,113 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Towner County, ND

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 5
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 โ€“ Sep 25

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

131 days

Growing Tips for Towner 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 Towner County, ND?

Towner County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Towner County, ND?

Towner County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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