getting catnip established when have a cat

[moosetracker]

Hi,

I would like to try to grow catnip again. My problem is my cats destroy it before it takes root enough to hold their own with them.

I was wondering if anyone else has had the problem, and found a solution. I would imagine most people who grow catnip, do so to benifit their cats, so I would think the problem must be a common one.

[petalfuzz]

I have not tried this yet but plan on it:

What you do is plant your seedlings and cover them with a wire basket such as this (upside down, obviously):


Then the cats can't get to the plant until it becomes established and grows out through the holes in the basket. I suggest anchoring it to the ground with landscape staples. Check out your local dollar stores, that's where I got some baskets--2 for $1!

[moosetracker]

Thanks for the suggestion. I was sort of thinking a wire of some type, but no idea what, and the garden staples is excellent. I have a few I got metal plant signage with.

[Kisal]

I have used cylinders/boxes made of hardware cloth or welded wire, but the overturned metal basket would be much easier, and certainly equally effective.

[Hugo]

Too funny, I've got two cats and they couldn't be bothered to go near my catnip, and it's been going for two years!