Growing catnip

[Mr. Twidge]

I have some seeds and want to plant some catnip for "the kids". i've been advised about how to dry it and what to do once it starts growing.
what i don't know is whether the catnip--green and growing outdoors--should be accessible to the cats? will they tear it apart before the stuff has a chance to grow enough leaves to harvest and dry?
i want to grow some nice catnip for the cats, but i don't want them to be "stoned" all the time from munching the leaves!

[MA]

It is not the best idea to have it accessible. I used to grow it, and I put wire covers over it, then I got horses and found out it is toxic to horses, so I know longer grow it. Now I just buy it and keep it in the house contained in toys. Some cats are not even affected by it, but others go bonkers.

[Guest]

Be careful with the catnip...it may be an herb but grows like a weed and will take over your garden and be hard to get rid of for years to come! I've been killing mine off for 5 years and always know when a new plant has sprouted by the number of neighbourhood cats suddenly around my lawn! I, too, grew it as a treat for my cat, but oddly enough she has never had any interest in it! If I could find a tree that grew turkey giblets...well that would be another matter!