Catnip...(nepeta cataria)is an herb in the Mint family. Cats who eat, sniff or roll in Catnip, ingest a chemical called Neptalactone which affects the pleasure center of the cat's brain. It reaches the pleasure center through the Jacobsen's Organ, a duct on the roof of the cat's mouth. The result is that a cat that likes catnip will usually first get a little wild or frisky then act (slightly) stoned then finally fall asleep. It is pretty halarious to watch and the cats enjoy it.
Not all cats are responsive toCatnip. The exact percentage depends on the area of the world, and the breed of the cat. It can also depend on the brand of catnip being used.

It is rare that a very young kittrn will respond to catnip but there have been exceptions.

If Catnip doesn't grow wild in your yard you can purchase Catnip Seeds from Kiten Kaboodle or your local nursery or garden shop.It's east to grow bit I would reccommend buying the plants because of the length of germination time for the seeds. (A few weeks)

Catnip likes a lot of sun but will also tolerate partial shade. When the plants are starting to grow place a wire cage made from 2X4 wire around the individual plant and some type of slug bait or dimitaceous shells). Slugs LOVE to eat the baby plants and Cats LOVE to roll on them.

Have plants spaced about 18 inches to 2 feet apart. My plants average a height of 6 feet (the average is 4 feet) and approximately 3 feet around.

Harvest early in the morning after the dew has dried by plucking the leaves from the stalks and placing in a food dehydrator. (preferably the type witj a fan to circulate the air more efficiently. Drying time is from 1-3 days depending on the humidity. Place in air tight containers till ready to use.

Another way to dry Catnip is to cut the entire plant 18 inches from the bottom of the plant. Placce the total plant inside paper shopping bags (brown) that have been taped together then hang in a warm dsry place such as a barn or an attic.

Two more suggestions are place leaves in the microwave and stir every 2 minutes till dry.
Or
Place on cookie sheet on oven on a temperature between 200 degrees and 250 degrees. Stir frequently. Remove when crispy.

**NOTE I do not care for the last two methods of drying because it produces a products similar to commercial catnip which in my opinion is to be avoided.


Another way which I was just told about by a horticulturist is to take the Catnip and place it in a pillowcase then put it in the clothes dryer!!

They learned how to do this from their old p*t growing days.

NOTE!! I have never tried this method either for p*t or for Catnip. It is inserted just as an amusing anecdote.

catlady