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When to Plant Catnip in Crawford County, PA

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.

Crawford County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 336 feet, Crawford County receives approximately 39.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Catnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Crawford County, PA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Crawford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (42 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Catnip needs ~858 GDD — county provides 2,192 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Crawford County, PA

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Sep 10

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 โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Crawford 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 Crawford County, PA?

Crawford County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crawford County, PA?

Crawford County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Crawford County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Crawford County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.