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When to Plant Catnip in Kewaunee 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.

Kewaunee County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 950 feet, Kewaunee County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Catnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Kewaunee County, WI (Zone 4b) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Kewaunee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Catnip needs ~805 GDD — county provides 1,851 GDD Excellent fit

Catnip Planting Timeline โ€” Kewaunee County, WI

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Sep 13

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 4b

Growing Season

161 days

Growing Tips for Kewaunee 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 Kewaunee County, WI?

Kewaunee County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kewaunee County, WI?

Kewaunee County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kewaunee County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Kewaunee County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.