Baby loves her catnip which we grow on our balcony of our loft. It was planted in the summer of 2010 and actually survived the winter. The pots were moved right next to the building and it prevented them from freezing. Catnip has helped her relax and is very helpful since she hasn’t exactly embraced her new kitten yet! Baby will eat the fresh leaves as well as dried catnip. I found instructions online (author unknown) for drying some catnip and will try doing it.
· Wait until the plant is at least five inches tall. Make sure an
insecticide has not been used on the plant.
· Then, taking scissors
gently cut the plant at the base so you have long stalks of catnip. Be aware
that you will want to cut more than you think you need, because the plant is
going to dry up and it will turn out to be less than it was originally.
· Once you have all the
stalks you need, secure the catnip together with either yarn or heavy thread.
· Find a dark area (the
linen closet is always the best, but any closet will do). Keep in mind that the
plant must be hanging upside down and the door must be closed most of the time
for the herbs to dry properly. Also, the catnip will lose potency if exposed to
light.
· Stick a tack to the inside of the door, and tie your catnip around it. Keep it closed and let
the drying begin!
· Within four to eight weeks (or more depending on how dry your house is,
how little sunlight you expose the herbs to etc.) you will have completely dry catnip!
Enjoy the smell and watch your cats go wild for the favorite treat!
· Keep in mind that if you
plant this outside; you may have some feline friends from the neighborhood
frequenting your yard!
