Winterizing Catnip Plants
It has been a fruitful year for catnip but as you know, all good things must soon start to come to an end. It is November which means the temperatures are starting to fall as are the snow flakes. Nepeta Cataria are tough plants and can keep growing through the winter. There are many herbs such as mint and parsley that keep growing even under a blanket of snow. However, snow slows the growing process which means less pickings. Winterizing catnip plants.
My catnip is resilient and is still holding its own. Nepeta Cataria is a hardy perennial cold weather herb. Sadly, the top of the plant will eventually wilt and die from the cold and snow however, the main plant will not die. Here is how you should winterize your catnip plants:
- As soon as the temps start heading into the 40’s you should cut your catnip back a few inches from the ground.
- Be sure the weeds are gone so they don’t suck up all of the nutrients in the soil.
- Cover the catnip with loose dried leaves to provide a blanket of protection for the roots.
Come the first sign of spring catnip will begin to emerge once again. Catnip plants self-seed themselves during the fall. When you see flowers on the plant this means that it is ending its life-cycle and seeding itself for next year. It has the same characteristics of a weed. In fact, many people see catnip as a weed because it will spread like one. If you do not control it it will control you. However, it is a very attractive plant and cats love it.
Catnip also does well in pots. I have some in pots that sit out in the summer then come indoors in the winter months. As long as they are kept warm (they like 60 to 70 degrees), given light, misted with water, and stay away from kitty cats they will be fine. Another catnip season is coming to an end.