Jeepers Creepers

Today's post is somewhat short and sweet, off topic and for those like me who will probably be labelled "The Cat Lady" in our senior years (although I am called it right now, so age may not be a factor!)

Hubby and I started late prepping and planting our veggie garden. But even though we are a little late, being in California with great spring and summer weather we still receive a 

bounty of goodies tardy or not.

Got the usual: corn, tomatoes, butternut squash, green and yellow zucchini, cucumber and a massive pumpkin patch (gotta have). I'm planting BLACK pumpkins this year and well as a HUGE ALTANTIC - fingers crossed! (that'll be another post!).

But there is one area of my garden that I couldn't think of what to grow in it. It's raised, behind the zucchini, so hard to get too once the zucchini is established - so I kept trying to find something pretty, attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds but benefits the family and garden...

Then it hit me! CATMINT! (NOT catnip, CATMINT).  When established, catmint is beautiful - lush green foliage with beautiful purple flowers! Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds love it - almost as much as cats!

CATNIP does indeed do the same as CATMINT - but CATNIP is not as ascetically pleasing as CATMINT - in fact CATNIP looks almost like a weed when matured.

Depending on your cat, catmint can provide quite a few health benefits for your feline friend. When ingested, the mellowing effect of catmint can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and even depression. 

Researchers suspect that the herb targets feline "happy" receptors in the brain. When eaten, however, it tends to have the opposite effect and your cat mellows out. Most cats react to catmint by rolling, flipping, rubbing, and eventually zoning out. They may meow or growl at the same time.

A concern is whether cats will ingest too much catmint - but from what I've read generally cats know when enough is enough and it's non-toxic 

(according to researchers). 

So I found what to fill that empty space with - and won't my feline family members be soooo happy! 

Yours can too! 

So you're not too late - start that garden today/this week - and don't forget to plant something that benefits everyone in your family, including 

the fur babies!