Catnip is an underrated herb with excellent properties. It can be used to stuff your kittens' toys or even as an infusion, for a tasty tea to make at home! In this article we will explain the technique to use to dry catnip - read on!
Steps
Step 1. Learn to recognize wild catnip growing in your garden or visit a nursery in the spring or summer and buy one or two of these plants
What if it's winter? Simple - buy seeds! It is very important to learn to recognize wild catnip, you will first need to make sure that it has not been treated with chemicals, which could be harmful to you or your cats. Don't catch catnip growing on the side of the road!
Step 2. Cut the plant at the base with scissors, so that you get long stems
Be aware that it is better to cut a little more than you need - after the plant dries up, it will shrink!
Wait for the plant to reach at least 12.5 cm in height before cutting it back
Step 3. Secure the stems together with thick wire
Step 4. Dry the catnip by hanging it upside down in a dark, dry place, such as a closet where you keep your clothes
Attach pins to the inside of the door so you can hang the plants on it.
Remember that the plant will need to hang from top to bottom and the door will need to stay closed most of the time so that the catnip can dry well. Catnip will lose its properties if exposed to light
Step 5. Wait four to eight weeks (or longer, depending on humidity and light) and the catnip will be completely dry
Enjoy its great smell and watch your cats go crazy for their favorite food!
Advice
- Try putting catnip in tightly closed paper bags. This way, you won't have to worry about the light and dry leaves won't fall to the ground, making a mess.
- If you need a small amount of catnip, go to a pet store. They have them all year round at reasonable prices. In addition, you can also find it in some supermarkets and grocery stores in the summer.
Warnings
- Only use catnip plants that have not been treated with chemicals! If you are not 100% sure about wild catnip or catnip grown by a farmer in the fields, don't use it!
- Make sure that while the catnip is drying out, your cats cannot reach it.
