How Do You Grow Catnip For Homemade Catnip Toys?
It’s not a myth–cats go wild for catnip! You can grow your own catnip to make homemade catnip cat toys, and your furry felines will beg for more. Catnip (Nepeta cataria), sometimes called catmint, is an aromatic member of the mint family that contains nepetalactone, an organic compound that cats sniff for its semi-narcotic effect. (Humans can also enjoy catnip’s soothing quality by drinking tea made from fresh catnip.) With a few basic gardening supplies, anyone can grow catnip throughout the spring, summer and fall to fill easily assembled homemade catnip cat toys. Choose the location for your containers. Catnip, like most mints, appreciates full sun but tolerates partial shade. A sunny patio, apartment balcony or windowsill is ideal. Fill the containers almost to the top with sterile potting soil (available at hardware stores, garden centers and discount retailers). Add in a few handfuls of compost or other organic fertilizer and mix with the soil. Sprinkle catnip seeds onto the soi
