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When to Plant Catnip in Chenango County, NY

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.

Chenango County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 841 feet, Chenango County receives approximately 38.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season.

Chenango County, NY (Zone 5b) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Chenango County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Catnip Planting Timeline — Chenango County, NY

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 – Jun 2
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Sep 22

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

148 days in Chenango County

Growing Tips for Chenango 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Catnip in Chenango County, NY?

Chenango County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chenango County, NY?

Chenango County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Your Chenango County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Chenango County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Chenango County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.