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When to Plant Catnip in Tooele County, UT

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.

Tooele County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 4,309 feet, Tooele County receives approximately 12.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Catnip successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Tooele County, UT (Zone 6a) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Tooele County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 28

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
0.3″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 337 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Catnip needs ~1,172 GDD — county provides 2,830 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Tooele County, UT

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 22
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Sep 11

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 6a

Growing Season

169 days

Growing Tips for Tooele 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 Tooele County, UT?

Tooele County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tooele County, UT?

Tooele County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tooele County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Tooele County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.