I always plant catnip in several places all around the garden where I don't
mind if the cats lounge around--they're always out there watching me anyway.
I always try to set out at least one fairly large plant and give them access
to that one first. I put screened tomato cages on the others until the
plants are big enough to withstand the rolling around and nibbling. These
are usually big enough to be uncovered just before I put out the eggplant.
I snip catnip stems and leaves and scatter it on the ground around my
eggplant seedlings and plant more catnip between the eggplant. seedlings.

The result of all of this? The cats are wasted, I am entertained ( cats
under the effects of catnip are hilarious), the flea beetles stay away from
my eggplants, and I have anough catnip to dry for the winter so my cats
don't have to quit cold turkey. And I have cuttings to overwinter!

So far no skunks.

"Ol' Duffer" wrote in message
...
Planted a short row of catnip in the new grape arbor this year,
figuring our cat would enjoy it. After reading the planting
suggestions on the package, I thought I would try for an extra
good stand and bought three packages instead of one.

Germinated well, and when the sprouts looked big enough to fend
for themselves, I showed Fluffy where it was. She was suitably
greatful, however...

It is now apparent that I underestimated her ability and persistance
in grazing the little plants nearly flush with the ground. Moreover,
she has now determined that directly on top of the poor things is a
great place for a morning nap. And afternoon. And evening.

I guess I don't mind, as I planted the stuff mostly for her to
enjoy, but it is unclear whether any of it will survive long enough
to naturalize. I think I'm going to have to make a stronger run at
it next year. Maybe three rows with ten seed packs, about an order
of magnitude more than one might think reasonable.