Marge Says, "Catnip! I couldn't care less."

After much mewling, kneading and unrelenting stony stares I finally gave in to Marge’s demands to grow catnip in the garden.  While I’m a big fan of catmint (Nepeta mussinii) because of its spires of blue flowers and steel gray foliage, catnip (Nepeta cataria) has never really caught my eye.  I find it to be on the weedy side and it can be pretty invasive.  However, Marge insisted and really, who can say no to such a charming face?

What’s a girl have to do to get some catnip around here?  That’s what I’ve been asking myself ever since I moved in with Allen.    I wasn’t sure if the man was being obstinate or just couldn’t take a hint, but he would not go get me a catnip plant.  I’d have gotten the darn plant myself if I had a driver’s license, money and thumbs.  

Well, a couple of months ago he finally came home with a plant, potted it up and placed in a sunny spot in the garden.  I patiently waited for it to grow and when the time was right Allen snipped a few leaves for me to try.  Dang it all if it didn’t have any effect on me at all.  All that time and energy and NOTHING.  Not even a twitch of a whisker.  It turns out that I’m one of the 10 to 30 percent of the cat population that doesn’t respond to the aromatic oils in catnip.  Apparently cats inherit the catnip gene and my parents didn’t have it to pass along to me.  The worst part was conceding to Allen that we didn’t need to get the plant in the first place.  I just had to turn on my heels and sashay away as if I didn’t care.  And feigning indifference is hard for me; I’m very emotional.

Now this doesn’t mean other felines should give up on catnip.  It is a glorious experience for most of you and it’s easy for your parents to grow.  So there’s no reason in world you shouldn’t be able to have a little catnip on hand.

Catnip plants are readily available in garden centers during the spring and early summer.  Be sure to get common catnip (Nepeta cataria) and not a catmint such as ‘Six Hills Giant’ or ‘Walker’s Low’.  Catmints do not have the same effect on cats.  

Plant catnip in an area that receives full sun.  It’s not fussy about soil, but it must be well drained.  If you are going to grow it in a container, add some gravel to the bottom of the pot first to help improved the drainage.  Once established catnip is quite drought tolerant.

Catnip can also be grown from seed.  In late spring sow directly in the garden. Thin the seedlings to 20 inches apart when they are 2 inches tall.

Homemade Catnip Sachet

1. Be sure the plant you harvest from has not been chemically treated i.e. sprayed with bug spray.  If you aren’t growing catnip it can be purchased in bulk at pet stores, but it may not be as aromatic as homegrown.
2. Harvest stems when the plant is about 12 inches tall. After the dew has dried on the leaves is the best time to do this.  Cut more than you’ll think you need because once it dries there won’t be as much. 
3. Lay stems on newspaper in a single layer or bundle them together and hang them  upside down.  Keep in a dark, well ventilated, cool, dry room such as a closet, garage or laundry.
4. After about 2 to 3 weeks the herbs will be dry.
5. Crumble leaves.  Discard stems.  And store in a glass jar with a lid or a paper bag.
6. Fill a small muslin drawstring bag and toss to kitty.

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Showing comments 1 to 10 of 39 | Next | Last

Marge

Marcie Weichman

Reply #39 on : Sat February 27, 2010, 06:26:40

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I just found Marge's little articles and love them. We have one indoor cat and can relate to her thoughts. Thanks for these special articles.

I watch your show every week locally on PBS, and come here to your newsletter. My husband got me your "Bringing the Garden Indoors" recently for my birthday.

Keep up the great work on spreading the word to gardening friends.

Re: growing catnip outside

Sheri

Reply #38 on : Fri April 03, 2009, 19:10:56

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I grew cat nip or tried and had the plants destroyed by the local cats. They left nothing for my cat. Found a great solution: I put an upside down heavy wire portion of a hanging plant basket over the plant. The plant has survived for five years now.

Last Edit: April 06, 2009, 15:28:02 by PAllen  

catnip

Donna McCool

Reply #37 on : Sat March 07, 2009, 07:22:37

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Catnip planted around the base of buildings prevents termites. This oil is very expensive because there is so little oil in the plant. But back in my Grandmas days they used the plants all around the foundations. If the cats like it they can't destroy all of it. So be it if it grows wild it is a beautiful plant. Try it.

catnip

DONNA MCCOOL

Reply #36 on : Sat February 28, 2009, 06:19:06

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We had a cat , twin to Marge , named "huggie
bear" she was a Tiger. She loved catnip that was planted all around the foundation to keep away the termites. Iris are beautiful planted in with the catnip. Huggy had 5 litters of kittens that were litterbox trained by her. She put them in the litterbox. We had a big refrigerater box that she lived in, with her bed and litterbox. She was allowed out to play with the kids and to eat in the kitchen ,with us.She was very well trained and never was allowed to scratch the furniture or be on the furniture unless someone was holding her. They have to be trained just like the kids. We just took newspaper to tap her with to get her attention. This made noise but did not hurt her. The kids were trained by this too, not to allow her to destroy the house. She went out but we lived in town very close to the road. so she had to have somone with her. She lived to be 17.

Catnip

Princess Ann Buehl

Reply #35 on : Sat February 07, 2009, 17:41:04

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My parents have catnip all over our lot. I do not like fresh catnip. I like my catnip dried. At the end of the year when the catnip has died back, I rub and eat the catnip plants. You should try it dried.

Catnip

Cozmo and Bitzy

Reply #34 on : Mon September 29, 2008, 15:11:51

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We must be in the 70% bracket because we love our catnip plants which have purple flowers most of the summer (there are a few still left as we speak)- you might also try the white flowering variety - we have never had fleas and we eat catnip regularly from the garden where we nap and play! Bitzy & Coz

catnip

Mary Gibson

Reply #33 on : Tue September 23, 2008, 11:38:55

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I have many cats. I have trouble keeping catnip. They eat all of it out of the pot or they sit on it in garden until the poor plant dies. the cat nip plant does not last very long in my yard.

catmint

birdnest2001

Reply #32 on : Sun September 21, 2008, 19:07:36

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I find if I have at least one plant of catmint or varagated grass in a garden my cat spends more time there and always leaves a present for me ,Like a mole or a
vole. Not the other kind present. Cats are naturel hunters and can be a help in the garden.I have also found just by having a male dog can deture groundhogs.,belive it or not . Even if that dog onely voids in one spot.

Marge and Catnip

Elise Beron

Reply #31 on : Sat September 20, 2008, 19:15:05

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Marge, I love you, and if I lived near you, I would try everything to give you the pleasure catnip gives other cats. Since I have six cats, I know that some of them enjoy rolling in catnip and others do not. Ask Allen to try other things to make you happy! Love you!

Marge rules

Pam

Reply #30 on : Fri September 19, 2008, 16:31:48

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Marge, I'm with you. Catnip does nothing for me. I do like to roll on top of the petunias though, especially when the sun has warmed up the garden.

Your friend,

Meiko, the Siamese (if you pleeze)

Showing comments 1 to 10 of 39 | Next | Last