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When to Plant Catnip in Newton County, TX

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.

Newton County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 33 feet, Newton County receives approximately 77 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Catnip will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Catnip root diseases.

Newton County, TX (Zone 9a) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Newton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Catnip Planting Timeline — Newton County, TX

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30
Harvest May 18 May 18 – Jul 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Transplant Outdoors
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
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 9a

📆 Growing Season

252 days in Newton County

Growing Tips for Newton 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 Newton County, TX?

Newton County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Newton County, TX?

Newton County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 16.

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Your Newton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Newton County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Newton County, TX. 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.