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How to make catnip grow faster

Sly Pie ponders on catnip and
how to make it grow faster.
Ollie told him to sit and incubate!

How not to grow catnip, this kitty has it all wrong!

Last updated March 26th, 2018

Hello, friends! It’s me Sly Pie. You might be wondering why I’m sitting here in the catnip basket. Well, my friend Ollie told me that if I sit in the basket long enough, I will incubate the catnip seeds so that it will germinate quickly! I’m not quite sure about that but it’s worth a try. I’ll do anything for catnip!

happy easter catnip basket

 

Easter time is exciting for us because we know that very soon we will have our colorful kitty jungle in the catio. The Big Lady Cat always talks about how catnip can enrich your cat’s life and let me tell you, I couldn’t agree more! In my cat thesaurus, cat environment enrichment is two beautiful words:  Nepeta Cataria. Catnip lifts me up into a euphoric frenzy that’s hard to explain, it feels so good! I wish you could try it but I heard that catnip has a more sedative and calming effect on humans. Catnip tea anyone?

The Big Lady Cat started sewing our stash of catnip seeds a month ago indoors and it’s high up where I can’t reach. I suppose that’s a good thing as we would have probably shredded the sprouts by now.

If you would like to grow your own catnip from seed, pounce over to our fun post on growing catnip. In a few weeks you will have your very own all-you-can-snack catnip buffet! The Lady Cat hangs them high in our catio so that I don’t climb into it and make a bed, but I can still reach the delicious leaves. Catnip is my gateway to creating my own joy. And you can too! Just nudge the humans to get started on those seeds now!

 

catnip sprouts

These will be planted along the catnip tunnel in May when the last of the Spring frosts have passed.

 

There is another variety of Nepeta called Catmint (Nepeta Mussinii) which bears beautiful purple flowers and attracts butterflies and bumblebees. This is planted among the catnip to add a splash of color to our tunnel. Like catnip, they are hardy perennials and already sprouting!

See…

catmint

Nepeta Mussinii, known as catmint, bears beautiful purple flowers which attract honey bees and butterflies

 

Now, what’s happening to my ears!? They feel funny!!

Ollie!? Ollie!?

Where is he? Why? I’m a bunny!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sly Pie sits in the catnip basket

Sly Pie practicing his ‘incubation’ skills. All that’s left in there are last year’s dried up stalks which get a good nibble too.

The above photo of Sly Pie was the inspiration for his bunny cartoon. I think he has a face that could easily morph into a bunny with the addition of those elongated ears. So while Sly Pie is practicing his seed incubation skills, start growing your own catnip today, the right way!

Happy Easter, wishing all our friends peace and purrs!

Happy catnip sprouting!

About the author

Chirpy Cats

We are a clowder of cheeky chirpy felines sharing our space with two humans who adore us. We love to share tips on helping cats live enriched lives with their people and other fun cat stuff.

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