Catnip
Catnip wich I lovingly call " cat crack " is one of the easiest plant I've ever grown. It has many uses and the butterflies, bees, and even humming birds love it. Also cats, well and this human.
The plant it self has cute little light purple flowers on it and the leaves are bright green.
I started my plants indoors in march then trans planted them in june.
This plant likes full sun. Now when reading up on herbs and it says full sun what they mean is full morning sun or full afternoon sun. For herbs you don't want both you'll fry them. Thats has been my personal experience.
Catnip is part of the mint family. It gets about 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide when it spreads. It can be invasive when it self seeds and it has runner roots. OOOOOhhhh it's drought resistant and not picky about what type of soil its in. If you want it in your garden it helps keep the bad bugs away.
Catnip is a perennial so it will come back and can be grown from zones 3-9. If you want the plant to look more like a bush you need to pinch down the stems before the flowers begin. Check out my references for more info on pruning.
Cats and the catnip plant- if you or neighbors have cats you might want to put fencing up around the plant. Cats tend to love this plant to death by rolling on it.
To collect the leaves you need to wait until the flowers are just coming out, which usually happens early summer. Pinch off leaves after the morning dew has dried or midday. I use a dryer to dry my herbs.
But you can also cut the stems at the base and hang them upside down to dry in a well ventilated area.
Fun things to do!!!
Make catnip tea to help you sleep or relax.
Put cut up leaves in salads, also in soups, and stews. I've only used it as a tea.
Make cat toys with the leaves in them.
Make bug repellent out of it.
references
http://www.livingspace360.com/index.php/how-to-grow-catnip-catnip-flower-bud-catnip-and-cats-ctanip-companion-plant-medicinal-herb-18942/
http://wellnessmama.com/4525/catnip-herb-profile/
http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_catnip.htm
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/5-catnip-plant-care-tips#b
Catnip is part of the mint family. It gets about 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide when it spreads. It can be invasive when it self seeds and it has runner roots. OOOOOhhhh it's drought resistant and not picky about what type of soil its in. If you want it in your garden it helps keep the bad bugs away.
Catnip is a perennial so it will come back and can be grown from zones 3-9. If you want the plant to look more like a bush you need to pinch down the stems before the flowers begin. Check out my references for more info on pruning.
Cats and the catnip plant- if you or neighbors have cats you might want to put fencing up around the plant. Cats tend to love this plant to death by rolling on it.
To collect the leaves you need to wait until the flowers are just coming out, which usually happens early summer. Pinch off leaves after the morning dew has dried or midday. I use a dryer to dry my herbs.
Im collecting for tea and my mothers cats.
But you can also cut the stems at the base and hang them upside down to dry in a well ventilated area.
Fun things to do!!!
Make catnip tea to help you sleep or relax.
Put cut up leaves in salads, also in soups, and stews. I've only used it as a tea.
Make cat toys with the leaves in them.
Make bug repellent out of it.
references
http://www.livingspace360.com/index.php/how-to-grow-catnip-catnip-flower-bud-catnip-and-cats-ctanip-companion-plant-medicinal-herb-18942/
http://wellnessmama.com/4525/catnip-herb-profile/
http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_catnip.htm
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/5-catnip-plant-care-tips#b
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