It is easy to find catnip in spring. The majority of
garden-centers and large
nursery centers sell it, with other grasses. You can also get
the seeds via mail-order. However, be sure that you do not buy a
decorative catnip by error. There are now at least four types of
different catnip. Cats will not obtain the high from these strains.
You want the common catnip, from the Nepenta.
If you decide to cultivate your catnip, start approximately eight
weeks into spring to be safe. Plant seed in pots about two inches
apart and 1 inch down. The top of the refrigerator is a good place
so that the seeds germinate. Expose the young seedlings to the full
sun as soon as they start to push through the soil. But be sure to
gradually introduce to the growing catnip to the external weather
and plant outside when the danger of frost or freezing has
passed.
As with the majority of grasses, full sun, with proportioned
moisture, and reasonable ground are all that is necessary. Catnip
can virtually grown in any enviornment almost parasite-free, the
worst damage usually comes from the external cats which discover
the plants before they are ready. Catnip can survive long periods
of time.
You can start to harvest the catnip as soon as the stems obtain a
foot - or larger, and continue to cut all the summer. During the
summer, you can cut some bits of fresh catnip for the cat all the
times that you want to give him a feast.
When you cut the catnip hang upside-down in a quite ventilated and
shaded place to treat. Once completely dry and crunchy, you grind
up the plant and throw away the stems.
