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This cottage garden perennial favourite, has soft waves of dainty flowers that appear from early summer. Catmint (Nepeta mussinii) is compact and hardy that’s ideal for a cottage border, a ground cover under roses or rock gardens and is a favourite amongst our feline friends. As an added bonus it is also perfect for attracting bees to the garden.
How to grow Catmint in a garden
Starting from a seedling or potted plant:
- Choose a position in full sun or part shade with well-drained soil.
- Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.
- When planting into prepared garden bed, ensure seedlings are well spaced – at least 20 to 30cm apart.
- Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most. Water in well.
- Water in gently and keep soil moderately moist at all times.
- Mulch with an organic mulch such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw to a depth of 5 - 8cm, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
- Feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.
Starting from seed:
- Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, lightly cover with mix, firm down and gently water in well. Keep moist at all times and place in a warm and sheltered position until seedlings have grown to 5 cm tall, then plant into the garden.
- Alternatively, sow direct where they are to grow in rows or in scattered clumps around the garden. Cover with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Lightly firm down and keep moist. Just be sure to enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed prior to sowing.
Planting in the garden:
- Choose a position with full sun and well-drained soil.
- Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food.
- When planting into prepared garden bed, ensure seedlings are well spaced – at least 20 to 30cm apart.
- Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most. Water in well.
- Water in gently and keep soil moderately moist at all times.
- Mulch with an organic mulch such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw to a depth of 5 - 8cm, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
- Feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.
Starting from seed:
- Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, lightly cover with mix, firm down and gently water in well. Keep moist at all times and place in a warm and sheltered position until seedlings have grown to 5 cm tall, then plant into the garden.
- Alternatively, sow direct where they are to grow in rows or in scattered clumps around the garden. Cover with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Lightly firm down and keep moist. Just be sure to enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food prior to sowing.
How to grow Catmint in a pot
Starting from a seedling or potted plant:
- Choose a pot at least 200mm wide with adequate drainage holes.
- Position pot in full sun or part shade.
- Fill the pot with a quality potting mix such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Remove the plant from the container. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down.
- Water in gently and keep mix moderately moist at all times.
- Feed with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
Starting from seed:
- Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, lightly cover with mix, firm down and gently water in well. Keep moist at all times and place in a warm and sheltered position until seedlings have grown to 5 cm tall, then plant into the pot.
- Alternatively, sow directly into the pot where they are to grow. Cover with a 5mm layer f Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Lightly firm down and keep moist.
Growing tips
- Cut back when the plant starts to get a bit leggy or after flowering to encourage new growth.
- Cats love rolling around in the lemony mint-scented leaves.
- The leaves of this herb can be used for brewing tea and for flavouring meats and salads.
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Lavender
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Recommended products
Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food
Specially formulated to grow all types of flowers. With high potassium for large & abundant flowers, added calcium & iron for stronger flowers.
Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food
Provides your flowers & roses with the balanced nutrients they require for healthy growth and flower production.
Yates Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed
A certified organic garden input boosted with NZ Seaweed to gently nourish plants, enrich the soil and encourage a strong healthy root system.
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