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When to Plant Catnip in Ashland County, WI

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.

Ashland County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 130 days.

At an elevation of 705 feet, Ashland County receives approximately 30.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Catnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Ashland County, WI (Zone 3b) Short season
130 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
130 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Ashland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 27
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 30
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 15

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Catnip needs ~648 GDD — county provides 1,202 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Ashland County, WI

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jun 10
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Sep 30

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 Transplant Outdoors
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 3b

Growing Season

130 days

Growing Tips for Ashland 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 Ashland County, WI?

Ashland County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ashland County, WI?

Ashland County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ashland County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Ashland County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.