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When to Plant Catnip in Johnston County, OK

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.

Johnston County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 700 feet, Johnston County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season.

Johnston County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Johnston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26

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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Catnip needs ~1,330 GDD — county provides 4,389 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Johnston County, OK

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Aug 5

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 โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

231 days

Growing Tips for Johnston 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 Johnston County, OK?

Johnston County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnston County, OK?

Johnston County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Johnston County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Johnston County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.