When to Plant Catnip in USDA Zone 9a
Top priorities for Zone 9a gardeners in June
Your garden in Zone 9a is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.
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Basket week: catnip
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
- First harvests: catnip
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.
In Zone 9a, the average last spring frost is around February 10 and the first fall frost is around December 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.
Catnip Planting Timeline — Zone 9a
Where Is USDA Zone 9a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 9a. Click any state to see the Catnip planting schedule for that location.
Catnip Planting Calendar — Zone 9a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | February 17 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Harvest | April 21 | Apr 21 – Jun 23 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Transplant Outdoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 9a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 9a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Days to Maturity
60–80 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
20°F to 25°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
303 days (Zone 9a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Catnip in Zone 9a
Sow every 6.9 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Catnip in Zone 9a
Zone 9a offers a long growing season (~303 days). You can plant Catnip earlier and may get multiple harvests.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
- Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners
Saving Catnip Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Related Plants
Catnip in Other Zones
Catnip by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Catnip in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, plan your Catnip planting around the average last frost date of February 10. Transplant seedlings around February 17.
Can Catnip grow in Zone 9a?
Yes, Catnip can grow well in Zone 9a, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 9b. Zone 9a has a growing season of approximately 303 days, which is sufficient for Catnip (60-80 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Catnip in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, expect to harvest Catnip from April 21 – June 23. Catnip takes 60-80 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 9a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 9a is around February 10, and the first fall frost is around December 10. This gives a growing season of approximately 303 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Catnip?
Good companion plants for Catnip include Squash Summer, Pumpkin, Beets. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 9a Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 9a. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.