How to Grow Catmint
Perennial, Biennial, Nepeta Musinii
If you are growing Catmint, all of the cats in your neighborhood will love
you. Cats love Catmint! They love to nip the leaves. They love to roll in
it. They sometimes will take a nap in a bed of it. They just plain love it.
And, you will too.
A member of the Mint family, Catmint is a strong smelling, aromatic herb.
It has clusters of purplish-blue flowers. The leaves have a lemon-mint flavor
and scent. It is fun to grow for your kitties, and for tea for you.
Catmint is a perennial, and grows one and one half to three feet tall.
It is native to North America. In addition to cats, bees are also fond of
Catmint.
Propagation:
Grow Catmint plants from seed. Sow seeds into your garden in the spring.
Space seedlings or thin plants to 12" apart.
Established plants can be progagated by division of the rootball.
When growing Catmint, allow for plenty of space. It will overcrowd nearby
plants in your herb garden if allowed.
How to Grow Catmint:
Catmint is easy to grow. They thrive in sun or partial shade. They prefer
average, well drained soil . Plants are drougt and heat tolerant. They
grow well with little attention, and will withstand crowding. Fertilizer
is not usually required, except in the poorest of soils. We always recommend
a little fertilizer at planting time, and a couple of times a year to promote
maximum growth.
After the plants have grown a few inches, pinch back the shoots to promote
bushy growth. It will first bloom in mid summer. After harvest, trim back
the plants again. With luck, you will get three harvests in a season.
Catmint are aggressive growers, crowding out other plants if given the chance.
Give them plenty of space away from other plants in your garden. Or, better
still, surround it with a border edging.
Harvest leaves as the flowers begin to bloom. Cut off the top leaves, stems
and flowers. They can be used fresh, dried , or frozen. Spread leaves out
to dry in a cool and ventilated area.
Main Uses:
The most popular use of Catmint is for cats. Rubbing oil on your cats' toys
will drive them wild.
Medicinal Uses:
Catmint is often used in treating colds and cold symptoms.
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