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When to Plant Catnip in Montgomery County, TN

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.

Montgomery County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 3,886 feet, Montgomery County receives approximately 45.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season.

Montgomery County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Montgomery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 31

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 ~1,278 GDD — county provides 3,759 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Montgomery County, TN

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Aug 17

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 7a

Growing Season

206 days

Growing Tips for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, TN?

Montgomery County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montgomery County, TN?

Montgomery County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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