Do you want to grow your own catnip?
Growing catnip is easy and fun. It’s the perfect plant for beginning gardeners, kids, or anyone who wants a low-maintenance herb that can be grown in containers. Catnip is also great for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies to your yard. Plus it smells amazing!
You don’t need much space to grow this plant – just enough room for its roots (about 6 inches deep) and some sun exposure. If you have a small backyard or patio, consider growing catnip in a container on your deck or porch where it will get plenty of sunlight each day. And if you love cats as much as we do, you know they’ll appreciate having their very own supply of fresh catnip all summer long!
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
When is the best time of the year to plant Catnip
The best time of the year to plant Catnip is late spring or early summer. Catnip generally does best in full sunlight however it will survive partial shade.
Soil choice doesn’t matter much since Catnip is not picky about soil type, but should be kept moist. Water at least once a day to every other day depending on the rainfall for optimum growth, don’t let Catnip dry out or wilt.
Where in the Garden Should You Plant Catnip
Catnip is a perennial, herbaceous plant that is mainly found in the temperate regions of North America. Catnip has shallow roots and requires very little water outdoors, but does require plenty of sunlight. The ideal place to plant catnip is an area where it will receive at least six hours of sun each day. Catnip can be grown in pots to ensure its required amount of sunlight, or if you have enough space, it can also be planted in the ground.
When planting a catnip, be sure to loosen the soil before adding the plant and its accompanying soil. This will help ensure good drainage and prevent root rot. If you live in an area with cold winters, be sure to dig up your catnip plants and store them in a cool, dark place like a garage or basement. When spring arrives, bring them back out into the sun. You can also purchase a new catnip plant each year and discard the old one. Be sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy, as this will cause your catnip plants to rot. If you choose to re-use your catnip plants instead of buying a new one each year, cut them back to the ground in late fall so they can regrow during the spring.
Watering Catnip
Watering Catnip is easy. Just make sure to water it regularly, and give it plenty of water when you do. You can also water it more frequently if the weather is hot or dry.
How often is regular? I recommend you water it at least once per week. If the soil is dry, give it more water than usual, about 1/4 inch or more per watering. If it’s still wet after that (don’t worry that you drown out the Catnip), wait until it dries out a little before you water again.
During winter, watering may not be needed as often because your Catnip usually doesn’t grow much during this time. But it should still get at least an inch of water per week, either from rain or from you water it. When the weather is really cold and a freeze warning is issued for your area, stop watering your Catnip, or water sparingly so it doesn’t freeze.
It’s easy to determine if the soil is dry because you can feel it easily by sticking your finger in the dirt about 2 inches deep. If the soil feels dry, then give it some water! You can also tell if there’s too much water around the Catnip because the leaves will wilt and look like they’re drooping. You can use a moisture meter or you can stick your finger in the soil again. If the soil feels moist, don’t water it!
If you find that your Catnip is too wet everywhere except along one side, just take a shovel and cut a trench on the dry side, and put the Catnip in it. This will help direct the water to where it needs to go.
How to Harvest Catnip
To harvest catnip, the first step is to identify a healthy plant. The plant must have a large number of leaves. If the plant has many flowers on it, you can also use those as well. You want to harvest at least six leaves from the top section of the plant and four from the bottom. This will give you enough for three batches of dried herb. In some instances, you might be able to get away with harvesting four from the top and two from the bottom of your plants that are smaller or very bushy.
The next step is to place your leaves in a clean jar until it is fully stuffed. Put a lid on top of the jar and store it in a dry, dark place. Check on the leaves every few days and make sure they have not turned moldy. If they have, discard them and start over.
Once the leaves are dry, you can remove them from the jar and store them in a sealed container. Label it with the date so you know how fresh it is. The dried herb will last for up to six months.
Different Ways to Store Catnip
Giving your cat fresh catnip is the best way to keep them happy. However, you don’t have to give them fresh catnip all of the time. There are a few different ways that you can store catnip. The most common way is to put it in an airtight container. Another way is to freeze it. You can also put it in a plastic bag and keep it in the fridge. The airtight container is by far the best way to store it. The container should be opaque and have a sealed lid.
Catnip will lose a lot of its scent if you let it sit around for a long time before giving it to your cat. The best way to preserve the scent is to freeze it. You can also store it in a plastic bag and keep it in the fridge, but it will not last as long as if you freeze it.
Freezing it is the best way to keep it fresh because catnip is a herb and it will start to lose its scent over time. The fridge is a good way to store it if you don’t have room in your freezer, but it will not last as long.
It is important to keep catnip away from moisture because it will make the herb lose its scent. That is why airtight containers are the best way to store them. If you are going to store catnip in a plastic bag, make sure the bag is airtight and keep it in a dry place.
Other things of interest about Catnip
- Catnip is a member of the mint family
- It is an annual plant that grows to a height of about three feet
- The leaves and flowers are both used to make medicine
- Catnip can be brewed into a tea, taken as a tincture, or smoked
- Some people use catnip to treat anxiety, insomnia, and headaches
- Catnip is also a natural insect repellent
- When cats smell catnip, it excites them and can cause them to roll around, purr, and even drool
- Not all cats are affected by catnip; some are totally uninterested in it
- Some cats will become aggressive when they smell catnip
- Catnip is non-toxic and safe for cats to eat
- The active ingredient in catnip is nepetalactone
- Catnip can be used to make a natural dye
- Catnip is also used in some perfumes
Conclusion: Growing catnip is easy and fun. It’s the perfect plant for beginning gardeners, kids, or anyone who wants a low-maintenance herb that can be grown in containers. Catnip is also great for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies to your yard. Plus it smells amazing! This article will help you get started with growing catnip by covering everything from soil preparation to harvesting tips so you can enjoy this aromatic flower all summer long.