Catnip Farming In Kenya, An Easy To Grow Perennial Drought Tolerant Herb
Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a common herb that is a member of the mint family. It’s a plant that is easy to grow and has feather-like, light-green foliage with lavender flowers.
Catnip plants do best in full sun to partial shade and are drought-tolerant ground covers, making them a good choice for sunny, dry areas where many other plants would struggle. Like so many herbs, this perennial thrives in poor soil that is well-drained.
Catnip plants are not very fussy about the ground in which they grow, as long as their roots are not constantly sitting in water. Water catnip plants regularly, but be careful not to overwater. Allow the soil to go almost dry between waterings, then soak thoroughly.
The catnip plant is a fast and aggressive grower and can quickly spread throughout the landscape if not kept in check.
Note that, while many cats enjoy catnip, the oils of the plant are technically toxic to them.
It also has a long history of medicinal use, particularly in children experiencing colic, stress, fevers, and stomach aches. Catnip tea is readily available for sale, often marketed as an herb for digestive support, or it can be made at home.
Propagation of Catnip
Catnip is easy to propagate, and plants can be started in a number of different ways.
From Seed
Before planting, it is best to cold stratify the seeds by placing them in the freezer overnight, and then soaking them in water for 12 to 24 hours. This helps them to germinate more quickly.
Prepare three- to four-inch pots with seed-starting mix and sprinkle a few seeds on top, pressing them lightly into the soil. Barely cover the seeds, as light aids germination.
You can also direct sow seeds in a garden bed with about an inch of organic matter mixed in. Sprinkle the seeds on the soil surface, pressing them lightly into the soil.
Division and Cuttings
You can also easily propagate catnip by division and from cuttings.
From Seedlings/Transplanting
Whether you start from seed, take cuttings from an existing plant, or purchase nursery stock, catnip should be planted out in the garden after the danger of frost has passed.
Set seedlings in holes dug to accommodate the depth of the roots, spacing them about 18 inches apart. Water them in well.
How to Grow Catnip
Grow in full sun, in a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. Afternoon shade can be helpful in hot climates.
Catnip is tolerant of a wide range of soil types as long as it is well draining. Though this is not required, it is useful to mix an inch or so of compost into the garden bed to provide a boost of nutrients.
Provide about an inch of water a week for the first year. Established plants are drought tolerant and will only need water during long dry spells. There is no need for added fertilizer.
Add leaf, straw, or shredded bark mulch to improve drainage, maintain moisture, and suppress weeds.
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