November 10, 2008

Though this summer I had the largest vegetable garden that I’ve ever had, I am looking to expand next year. Scary, considering it is already quite large for two adults and a cat!  My cat seems to get as much enjoyment over the garden as I do. During my trips to the garden for weeding, fertilizing or harvesting, my cat Grayii joins me for the fun. He is not a big help, though it is fun to watch him enjoy the wild catnip growing in all areas of the garden. For instance, I was picking a row of beets, and he was going crazy nearby with several bunches of catnip! Scratching and licking, he was excited to be “helping” me in the garden. He just goes nuts over the stuff! For a few minutes, I enjoy watching him and then he wants nothing to do with it for a few hours. Catnip is very similar to catmint, which is an excellent perennial for your flower bed because it blooms numerous times throughout the summer. The only downfall is how aggressive it grows. While it maintains a short height, it can become very wide. Catmint, also called Nepeta, is the best example of a perennial that should be cut back after it is done blooming. After the blooms fade, you should cut back the blooms and some of the foliage. This will keep the plant tidy and also encourage additional blooms instead of seeds forming. I should enlarge my garden to produce and dry catnip for my cat throughout the year, but I’m thinking he will also enjoy pumpkins! Lots of pumpkins!

Wendy Jasper
Future Pumpkin Grower
MNLA Certified Professional

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