You guys!
Did you know I garden? It’s true. We don’t have a yard, but I work in the medium of “container.” I’d like to share with you some of the things I’m doing this year, and first I begin with Catmint!
Did you know that catmint is the term for a larger group of plants, of which catnip is only one? True! Some types of catmints may give your kitty the giggles, but others are grown as ornamentals because of their lovely flowers and colors. Of course, the best one is – you guessed it – Catnip!
Catnip is, by far, a cat’s favorite plant in the garden and there’s quite a few interesting things about it that most people don’t realize. It is a perennial, meaning it comes back each year without requiring a replanting.
Known by the Latin-speaking peoples of the world (most of which are dead) as nepeta cataria, this lovely plant also acts as an attractant for butterflies. It’s like a double goodness for cats!
If your peeps don’t want to grow it for you, you can remind them that catnip can also be used as a tea for people (with caution)! True story. It has a history of being used as a relaxant and can be mixed into other teas to add that property to the drink. It also used to be used as a medicine for various ailments AND, apparently, some people smoke it, although it’s not a safe thing to do, according to WebMD. Don’t let your cats smoke it, either. Pregnant women should not use it as it can, apparently, stimulate the uterus. Thanks to MomFOD, I don’t have a uterus, so I’m cool. Also, in large amounts it may act as an emetic, which means things will start coming out of you real quick.
The oils extracted from catnip have been used to repel mosquitoes, and I’ve read that it can be up to 10x as effective as DEET, which doesn’t give anyone a good time.
Catnip has the same effect on tigers, lynxes, and other big cats as it does on house cats, although my research tells me that lions don’t much care for it. Poor fellows. Sadly, not all house cats will know the joys of the nip, either. Only about 66% of us are able to enjoy its properties, and the effect is hereditary. To keep dried catnip fresh, you may want to store it in the freezer since the oils dissipate quickly.
Earlier, I mentioned catMINT. Known in Latin as nepeta x faassenii, this mint is frequently grown around roses because it blooms upwards into lavendar, pink, and white blossoms that help cover the sparse bottoms of rose plants. This one is also fine to include in your kitty garden.
If you plan to plant anything for your kitties, make sure you identify it by its Latin name, even though most people will think you sound pretentious. It’s important to distinguish plants from one another in this way to be absolutely certain that they’re non toxic for your cats.
Happy planting!
Love,
Crepes.
**Disclaimer: While we have researched to the best of our ability, please use your own judgement in utilizing catmints in your own garden and for your own use. We are not responsible for any ill effects caused by your use of herbs at home. Also, we were not paid for this post. All opinions are our own and we provide the photo of the catnip we use at home for reference purposes only.**
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepeta_cataria
Cat safe gardens: http://www.wmassmastergardeners.org/0310.htm
Catmint plants: http://landscaping.about.com/od/groundcovervines1/tp/catmint-plants.htm
http://pets.webmd.com/cats/catnip-effects-on-cats
Ahhh… The wonders of the nip. Don’t have to sell me on this one. Generally speakin’, I AM NIPAFIED, for sure.
Purrs,
Nissy
You look so cute Crepes. I would probably have all the neighbor cats in my yard if I had some plants. LOL.
Sue B
We don’t have any catnip or catmint growing in the house, but we’ve got some growing outside. Of course that doesn’t help us.
The peep is tryin’ – once AGAIN – to grow me some of the nip. Prior to this, her nip-growin’ skills would likely have gotten her kicked out of the very worst of schools. But this year, things are lookin’ good and I have all paws crossed that some of that nip is gonna make it to harvestin’.
Purrs,
Nissy
Great post! We learned a lot! Hopefully we can get our parents to grow us some nip! It sounds like a win-win for everyone!
Great article! We grow our garden plants in containers too. And we’ve always had catnip. And yes, our Mumsy has drunk catnip tea for years. It’s really good. She loves it! So do we 🙂
(((hugs)))
My Mom grew nip a few years ago…and…killed it!! MOL! Mom wants to know what the name was of those cool pots you featured a few months ago. Love, Cody
they are Smart Pots! We have a strawberry garden in one right now with thyme, 2 types of berries, and borage. We’re companion planting!
Angel Loupi loved catnip, but me, Zorro, I don’t care… Mum thinks of planting a plant later for Pixie if she likes it. Purrs
mom is thinking about planting some of this stuff for us this year….
Our cats would LOVE a little catnip plant, better get gardening!
gram paw dude wuz a fresh leaf addict…..that kitteh couldna get enuff nip….sauce enjoyed a sprig ore two in hiz day…but me…tuna….frank lee eye get me high from grazz….CAT grazz….that iz 😉
You are just the cutest gardener ever, Crepes. I have the blackest thumb you will ever see. Nothing but dried flowers in my house…at least they’re already dead.
My Mom just planted two nice catmint plants in pots on my front porch – pretty purple flowers – No catnip out there though……besides, I’m one of those weirdo cats who doesn’t “appreciate” catnip anyway. Go figure. Anyway, I do think the catmint is pretty!
Hugs, Sammy
The head peep kills pretty much everything she tries to grow, especially in containers, so she hasn’t tried catnip. Everyone else makes it sound like the fresh stuff is the best, though!
My catnip plants are doing very poorly this year. The drought (and my human’s neglect when it comes to watering) has really gotten to them.
Wees hav nip gwowin’ in ow gawden, and it comes back evew yeaw. It also spweads like weeds, but mommy dusn’t cawe cuz da gawden is mostly fuw us anyways. Hav a Pawsum day!! 😀
Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses ♥♥♥
Dezi