One of my fondest memories from childhood is when a piece of mail containing catnip would arrive from my grandmother in Wisconsin. Growing wild along the shores of Lake Michigan, she would gather it on her walks and stuff a few leaves in with her letters. Our cat knew before we did, and would steal the envelope and try to rip it open.

Fresh or dry doesn’t matter to the cat, and each has its pros and cons for us humans who offer it. Pets and ferals alike seek it out.

If you purchased a potted catnip plant, keep it in the pot. Any of us that have tried to grow it in our gardens will know how attractive it is to all the neighborhood cats and also how invasive it can be.

If you already have catnip in your yard, my first suggestion is to dig up any established plant(s) and pot them. It is a mint, and can easily take over a garden bed. Gift any extra plants to your cat-loving friends.

Use a large pot, prune the plant back severely and cover it with chicken wire after planting. This protects the root stock from over-pruning by cats, yet allows for new stalks of leaves and flowers to grow through the mesh in an on-going cycle. Water it frequently.

If your cats are indoors, bring it inside to a sunny spot. This will be a treat for them, and they will keep it nicely pruned for you. If a plant remains un-pruned, a plethora of stalks will grow and it will become quite large.

Fresh catnip is eaten by the cat and any leftovers are easily picked up and thrown away.

You can also rub fresh leaves onto a tennis ball and scratching post or stuff into any refillable toy.

An easy toy is to put some into the toe of one of those mate less socks we all have, and tie or sew it shut. Baby socks are perfect; add a bit of stuffing along with the catnip and stitch closed.

To harvest and dry the leaves for future use, cut the stalks down to the base, leaving any new growth to regenerate. Tie them together in bunches and hang upside down in a dry place for about a week. When the leaves crumble easily, they are ready to package. (Note: the catnip must be thoroughly dry before packaging to prevent molding. If you are in a hurry, use a food dehydrator, following the instructions for drying herbs.)

Package only the leaves and flowers, discarding the rest. Put the dry catnip into airtight containers where it should last indefinitely. Of course, as with any herb, the potency will fade in time.

To regenerate old favorite toys, place them into the sealed containers of dry leaves for a few days. They will suddenly become irresistible again.

Use dry catnip in handmade toys or just sprinkle some on the floor for your pet. It is somewhat messy as it crumbles, is rolled in, and clings to the cat’s coat. Dry is best used in toys.