Here are five special treats
for your kitty cat. Of course, everyone
knows cats love catnip, but that's only the
beginning. Cats need greens all year long,
and when it's winter or the lawn isn't
available, every cat loves grass. In fact,
cats need to chew and eat some grass to aid
their digestion. So simply sow these
easy-to-grow seeds in pots and you'll have a
ready banquet for your cat, whenever he or
she needs it.
1. Catnip.
This hardy perennial-a member of the mint
family- grows easily from seed, and, as you
know, just a few leaves will send most cats
into ecstasy. With a whole pot growing, you
can treat your cat with a sprig just for fun
anytime. (Plant some outside for a permanent
supply.) Packet is 300 mg.
2, 3, and 4.
Three Favorite Grain Grasses: Oats, Annual
Rye Grass and Wheat. Plant these
three in separate pots, and see which your
cat prefers. All three sprout quickly with
the tender, young grass shoots cats love.
These three will give your cat somewhat
different flavors. (Of course, cats'
interest in these grasses are quite
different than our own. While we wait to
harvest the grain heads that form later from
these food crops, cats particularly love the
first green grassy shoots.) As they chew the
grass away, more will appear. Packets are 2
g. each.
5. Lettuce.
Is your cat a salad lover? Many are. In
fact, common garden lettuce is a big cat
favorite, recommended by many veterinarians.
It's simply another easy-to-grow plant that
happens to satisfy a cat's need for fresh
green leaves. As your cat "grazes" over the
pot of sprouting lettuce, more and more
leaves will appear. Packet is 400 mg.
How to Grow your
Kitty Cat Garden: Use any
containers such as pots or cans, and good,
loose soil. Lightly cover the seed in each
pot, and keep moist. As seed sprouts, set
pots either outside in good weather or in a
windowsill for plenty of sun. Water as
needed as seedlings grow. Once plants are
somewhat established, put pots where cat can
enjoy them.
