Date: 11:29 pm Sat Apr 13, 1996 Number : 78 of 100 From: Galen Starwalker Base : [PODS] Herbal Tips & Tricks To : All Refer #: None Subj: Culinary Herbs 24 Replies: None Stat: Sent Origin : 12 Apr 96 08:13:00 2.31 Catnip ----- Latin name: Nepeta cataria, Nepeta mussiniii ===== 2.31.1 Growing catnip ----- From snielsen@orednet.org (Susan L. Nielsen): To all catnip culture hopefuls... my own tale of woe. I guess the point was mainly to grow it for the cats, but I had anticipated waiting until the holidays and using it for gifts. The first time, I naively plunked the catnip among the mints and pennyroyals. The poor little transplant never pushed its roots out from the pot-shaped ball they came in. The neighbor cats ripped it out of the ground and played football with it all afternoon -- this I judge from its condition when I arrived home from work the second evening. Silly me, I thought then that a bit of wire would keep the cats off it. I tenderly re-planted the invalid Nepeta with a bit of poultry wire arranged over the top and staked into the soil. I have always wondered what happened to the wire... After this second violation, the plant did not look a likely candidate for survival. In medical terms, its condition was 'grave.' So I brought home another, and planted it in the top of a _large_, heavy imported Italian terra cotta pot. Filled with soil, this pot weighs in at about 75 pounds. Imagine my horror, when I returned home the following evening, to find the pot overturned, the soil excavated, the catnip plant nowhere to be found, but significant tufts of animal fur scattered among the wreckage. It passed through my mind that this might not be an ordinary cat at work, but, perhaps, Something Larger? The yellow tiger-colored hairs did, however, suggest a domestic visitor over an apricot catamount. I next (jaw set, grim determination in my eye) planted catnip in a plastic pot hung by 3 chains from the cross-bar of the clothesline. With pliars I closed the hook that passed through the eye of the bar. I arranged new chicken wire over the top of the pot. I put cast-off barbed wire at the base of the clothesline pole, and anchored it with iron stakes driven in at angles. I stood back to admire my work. It looked like an industrial construction project on the perimeter of a prison. I have always prided myself on effective design in the garden... On the following evening, I probably need not tell, the catnip had again been ravaged. The scene was improbable. The pot, still attached by one of three chains, hung at a debauched angle. Its contents had spilled into the barbed wire at the base of the installation. Among those wires were traces of catnip leaves, and quantities of yellow and white fur, soft fur, tinged with spots of blood. Bits of perlite from the potting medium clung to the red spots. The catnip, and the nipped cat, were nowhere in evidence. I adopted a philosophical outlook then, as I surveyed the result of the day's work. I decided it might be a better thing to not grow catnip in the garden. SuN. ----- From Jennifer A. Cabbage : Catnip is a very hardy perennial that is native to the dry regions of the Mediterranean, inland Europe, Asia, and Africa. Cataria grows to 4 feet tall and somewhat resembles stinging nettle. Mussinii grows to 1 foot, sprawls. It has a citrus-like scent and is sometimes called catmint. In order to keep cats away from catnip avoid bruising the leaves, which releases the oils. "If you sow it cats won't know it, if you set it cats will get it," is an apt saying. Catnip loves full sun but can tolerate partial shade, and does well in almost any garden soil (pH between 5 and 7.5). It is more pungent when it is grown in sandy soil with full sun. Catnip is easily grown from seed, and can also be propagated from root division. Plant seeds 1/4 in. deep or shallower, they will usually germinate promptly. Space seedlings 18 to 24 in. apart, they transplant fairly happily. (However, transplanting them brings them to the attention of the felines.) Catnip grows well in pots and windowboxes, and even though it is a perennial, it may have to be re-planted a couple times a year to replace those plants ravaged by the cats. ===== 2.31.2 Harvesting catnip ----- From Jennifer A. Cabbage : Harvest as needed for fresh leaves. Harvest flowering tops for drying, usually in July and September. ===== 2.31.3 Using / preserving catnip ----- From Jennifer A. Cabbage : Catnip can be used to add an unusual flavor to sauces, soups and stews. ========== 3 Gardening ========== 3.1 Herbs for groundcover ----- Also see Growing chamomile, 2.7.1, above. From: jera@ksu.ksu.edu I've found the following plants useful as groundcovers. Unless otherwise noted, all are perennial, and hardy in my Zone 5 (north- central Kansas) garden. pennyroyal, Mentha pulegium Don't fertilize this regularly, it doesn't need the encouragement). NON-EDIBLE. lemon thyme, Thymus x citriodoratus Otherwise known as the thyme that ate Cleveland; semi-evergreen in my garden. mother-of-thyme, Thymus serphyllum Semi-evergreen, turns a lovely bronzed-purple color in the winter. caraway thyme, Thymus herba-barona Used in the late Middle Ages to flavor baron of beef, hence the name. A very low, flat, spreading plant with a fascinating fragrance & flavor. oregano thyme, Thymus sp. Grows much like mother-of-thyme, wonderful oregano scent and flavor. common thyme, Thymus vulgaris Aztec sweet herb, Lippia dulcis Low, sprawling annual; odd, resiny scent; it's supposed to self-seed readily, cuttings root fairly easily. oregano, Origanum vulgare May be a bit tall for a groundcover, especially after 2-3 years; spreads vigorously; attractive flowers. germander, Teucrium chamaedrys NON-EDIBLE but fun, a broadleaf evergreen; great for rock gardens and retaining walls; attractive flowers. mints, Mentha sp. These may be a bit tall for many uses, but for a moist spot that's hard to mow, or that washes out frequently, give them a try - I've found that the candy-scented varieties are somewhat less invasive. chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile + Matricaria recutita These don't grow well in my area, it's too hot and dry; one is annual, one perennial. ----- From mflesch@mail.coin.missouri.edu (Mary A. Flesch): I can't believe no one has mentioned the mint family in this group. At my last house, I planted a tiny spearmint plant to have in iced tea (I'm originally from Louisville, KY and was also planning on juleps). By the time I moved 2 years later, I was able to dig it up and give to four friends while still leaving plenty for the new owners! ========== --- DB 1.58/003790 * Origin: The Rain Forest * Denver,CO * (93:9083/4)