Kitty Kounter Kulture (or Grow Your Own)

Catnip, nip, herb,catweed...you know what I'm talking about.

Catnip is a herb that makes cat's high. As you know. Most cats get frisky and silly but a few are mean drunks. The effect lasts, oh, about 20 minutes before the kitty chills out. Some get the munchies and most will sort of nod out for a bit.
It's non-addictive (Right guys?) and no tolerance is built up even if used on a regular basis.
(Just to be safe, put a few days between each serious bender. You don't wanna be trying to score in an alley someday.)

About 75% of cats get high off nip. The rest are not interested. It's a genetic thing. Most cats under 6 months old don't respond which is ok because if you aren't old enough to roll your own, you're too young to hit it.

The magic in catnip is the oil nepetalactone or 4,7-dimethyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-1(4aH)-one.



^ This makes kitty happy! ^

How to Get It
The easiest way to get some is to buy it already processed from a reputable dealer. Just make sure it's fresh and has no fillers. (You don't want it cut with oregano unless you're making a pizza.)
You can even score on eBay.

And some garden centers have it already growing fresh in little pots. Very cool! (And some herb garden centers will even carry the aformentioned other kitty drug plants.)

The BEST Way
Grow your own!
Remember, catnip is a member of the mint family and can take over a garden, which is a good thing, of course. But you'll want to take that into consideration.

Soil and Sun
Catnip likes an average, well-drained soil and full to partial sun.

When
Sow seeds when the last frost is over or sow in the fall to sprout first thing in the spring. Catnip is perrenial and can grow for many years. In harsh climates you can treat it as an annual and sow it new each year.

Sow
Sow seeds about 1/8 inch deep and keep moist but not soggy. Baby plants called "seedlings" (cute name, huh) should pop up in abot 10-20 days. When the little plants are about 4-5 inches tall you can thin them to 15-20 inches apart.

The Secret to BUDS
When your little plants make the first set of true leaves, pinch the little stem that begins to grow from the middle of them. In a few days it will branch. Then, pinch those and on and on. Since catnip buds on the ends of the branches, more branches more BUDS!

The Shape of Things
You want to aim for a green, compact, and bushy plant. Too pale, too leggy and not dense means you need more light and more pinching.

Premium Nip
Just like grapes, if you want a sweet and strong harvest, grow it in sandy/well-drained soil and keep it on the dry side. Drench then let it dry between waterings. You want to encourage the nip to produce more oils. Yeah!

Harvest
It's all good but buds are the best. Cut early in the day and hang the stems upside down in a shady place to dry. (Some of you looking for an especially potent treat can try fresh nip straight off the plant.)

Her's an awesome step by step diary of catnip culture by a kitty named Stella Click It!

For Peoples
Since peoples also read this blog, I know they're going "but what about ME?".
So I want you to know I haven't forgotten you. Yes, peoples can use catnip for a variety of things.
In fact, the online drug-bible Vaults of Erowid * has an entry about catnip!



~Christopher

* The Vaults of Erowid is a valuable source of information about drugs from caffiene to heroin. Even a non-user like my mommy finds the first-person experience stories very interesting. There's medical and scientific information and indentification. The site isn't biased pro or con and shows all angles.
So find out about the world around you and educate yourself. You may even find some everyday things you ingest are in Erowid's Vault.