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When to Plant Catnip in Coos County, OR

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.

Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 242 days.

At an elevation of 96 feet, Coos County receives approximately 38.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season.

Coos County, OR (Zone 8b) Long season
242 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
242 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Coos County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 2

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
Catnip needs ~1,172 GDD — county provides 4,053 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Coos County, OR

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Aug 2

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
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 8b

Growing Season

242 days

Growing Tips for Coos 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 Coos County, OR?

Coos County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coos County, OR?

Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Coos County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Coos County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.