Shirley Honey (front) made sure James A Mess didn’t help her check the catnip. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

Dry Catnip

It’s time to start harvesting herbs for later use. And in my house, catnip is the first herb on the drying racks.

Actually I have to keep the catnip in baskets on top of the refrigerator or the sprigs would not be left along long enough to dry. My cats enjoy catnip in many forms, from fresh, still growing in pots, to dry.

I don’t know yet what they would do if they smelled catnip in tea. This is my third year to dry catnip with the intention of enjoying some mid winter. In the past, by the time I made cat gifts and refreshed cat toys, there usually was little left.

Silica gel packets help to dry out the catnip faster. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

After cutting the fresh catnip, I wash and dry the stems and leaves in paper towels.

After dry, I place them in baskets to dry.. It’s helpful to have a way to encourage the drying. I save those silica gel packets and place them under paper towels to speed up the drying process.

The best place to dry catnip - or any herb - is on top of the refrigerator. The hot air from the back of the refrigerator will quickly dry out the leaves and keeps curious felines from supervising.