Blog

When to Plant Catnip in Henry County, VA

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.

Henry County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 1,171 feet, Henry County receives approximately 46.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season.

Henry County, VA (Zone 7b) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Henry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Catnip

Catnip needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Catnip Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Henry County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Catnip Planting Timeline — Henry County, VA

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 – Aug 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 7b

📆 Growing Season

193 days in Henry County

Growing Tips for Henry 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 Henry County, VA?

Henry County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henry County, VA?

Henry County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.

🌱

Your Henry County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Henry County (Zone 7b). 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 Henry County, VA. 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.