I used to have a nice patch of catmint growing happily next to the fence, wild and messy looking at times but enjoyed by both kitties. Here you can see Tiger having a bite for lunch.
One day after a zealous weeding frenzy, my husband asked me to come out and take a look at the fruit of his labors.
“Oh!” I replied. “I hope you didn’t take out the catmint!” – which of course he had as it looked like a weed to him.
So off I went to the store to buy some more but instead of finding catmint I found the better-known catnip and brought it home with other herbs and flowers. I left them in the box on the deck until they should be planted.
Benji was the first to discover the catnip. “What’s this?” he said to himself.
So I removed the catnip from the box so he could get a better look. And a taste. Until a state of euphoria set in.
The catmint never did that to him so I deduced that catnip was indeed more potent. I removed a few leaves for him to enjoy before bringing the plant into the house so as to save it. Enter Tiger who started sniffing around the kitchen looking for the goods.
“I know it’s here somewhere,” he said to himself.
“Fair is fair,” I thought and so I removed a couple leaves for him and off he went, to wherever cats go under the influence.
Good stuff that catnip.
Too bad there was none left to plant.
~ Susanne and Tiger and Benji from catsandtrailsandgardentales.com
We have a patch of catmint on the Princess’s grave so that her sister the Calamity Cat might spend a bit of time there now and then. It sends her briefly wappy, yowling and hurtling about (at 15, she doesn’t do that very often otherwise!) and then she flakes out. The two young ones seem totally unaffected and oblivious to it though
What a good idea! 🙂 How sweet that Calamity Cat visits hers sister’s grave. I think catmint is quite lovely and both my cats really enjoy it. I just replanted some and I hope it survives before being totally eaten! Thanks for your comment. 🙂
We’ve just planted some valerian in our garden. 🙂
Do they like that too? We have a lot of it under the hedge. It spreads like crazy though – be warned! ?
They love the root of it. And I’m keeping it in a plant pot 😀
I never heard of cat mint, or that you can grow catnip, I do grow cat grass, my cat loves it and the dogs love it to. Thanks for the idea.
You’re welcome. 🙂 I’ve always had catmint in my garden. It’s easy to grow and the cats love it! Catnip is good too, but seems to disappear in my garden before it can take root. 🙂
put a few fresh leafs or crumble/pinch dry catnip every couple of weeks. That way it’s a treat. if it’s always there, they get used to its and the novelty high wears off.
🙂
Hey! That’s my cat, Miss Kitty!?
The two divas have shown no interest in catnip. I shall have to see what Balzac things?
Apparently not all cats are susceptible to it – some must have more addictive personalities than others! ?
there are different types of cat attract that work on different cats. 🙂
Sure why not? Or maybe plant some catmint and try that too! 🙂
Looks like the cats liked the catnip the best. Maybe you should have told hubby what not to pull out. OH Well, E for Effort.
I hate to discourage any weeding efforts and his intent was good. 🙂 I’ve given up planting catnip in the garden as the cats eat it up before it has a chance to grow. I did plant some new catmint this week. They like it too, it just doesn’t make them quite as crazy as catnip does. And I have toys with catnip inside the boys play with. Pampered cats for sure!! Thanks for your comment. 🙂
When I first started growing cat nip I put cut down plastic bottles over them so they would at least get the chance to strengthen and grown. x???
Good idea! I may try catnip again. For now I’ve replanted catmint and so far it’s still there, though definitely nibbled on! 🙂
LMAO!!! That’s why most buy it in a tube so you can sprinkle a little bit
I’m sticking with dried catnip inside and growing catmint outside which seems to survive! 🙂 🙂