🌿 Catnip

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is incredibly easy to grow and spreads vigorously: 🌱 Climate: Hardy perennial, USDA zones 3-9 🌱 Temperature: Very hardy; tolerates heat and cold 🌱 Soil: Well-draining, average, pH 6.1-7.8; tolerates poor soil 🌱 Light: Full sun to partial shade 🌱 Water: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established 🌱 Spacing: 18-24 inches apart 🌱 Container Growing: Excellent in containers (helps control spread) 🌱 Propagation: Seeds, cuttings, or division 🌱 Seeds: Surface sow, needs light, germination 7-14 days 🌱 Growth Rate: Fast; vigorous spreader 🌱 Height: 2-3 feet tall 🌱 Self-Seeding: Will self-seed readily 🌱 Cats: Attract cats who will roll in it; protect young plants with chicken wire 🌱 Pruning: Cut back after flowering to encourage new growth Warning: Can become invasive. Container growing recommended!

Catnip dries easily and quickly: ☀️ Harvest Timing: Just before or during flowering for maximum potency ☀️ Best Time: Morning after dew dries ☀️ Cutting: Harvest top 1/3 of stems ☀️ Bundling: Tie small bundles and hang upside down ☀️ Location: Warm, dark, well-ventilated area ☀️ Duration: 1-2 weeks until leaves crumble ☀️ Dehydrator: 95-110°F (35-43°C) for 2-4 hours ☀️ Test: Leaves should crumble easily; stems should snap ☀️ Color: Should remain grayish-green ☀️ Magical Timing: Harvest during full moon for love magic, on Venus day (Friday) for cat magic ☀️ Multiple Harvests: Can harvest 2-3 times per season Catnip maintains strong scent when properly dried.

Store catnip carefully to preserve its volatile oils: 🏺 Container: Airtight glass jar or tin 🏺 Location: Cool, dark, dry place 🏺 Temperature: Room temperature 🏺 Shelf Life: 1-2 years for magical work 🏺 Light Protection: Essential for preserving oils 🏺 Whole vs. Crushed: Store whole; crush when needed 🏺 Label: Mark with harvest date 🏺 Cat Proofing: Store securely away from cats! 🏺 Magical Storage: Keep with other love herbs or alone Signs of Degradation: • Loss of minty, aromatic scent • Yellowing or browning • Dusty texture • Loss of cat attraction (if testing!) Fresh catnip is stronger, but dried works beautifully for magic.