A garden for cats

While many people want to keep cats out of the garden, if you'd rather invite them in, here's what you do. Create a garden for your feline friends by planting catnip, catmint, and other plants they love. In fact, giving cats their own space may help keep them out of your flower beds and vegetable plot.

Because cats will want to eat, sleep and play in their garden, the plants may become bedraggled, bent or broken. So, you'll probably want to tuck the garden behind a garage or in a corner of the yard. It's also a good idea to isolate it from favorite flowers or your vegetable crops.

Although not all cats respond the same way to all so-called cat aphrodisiacs, most will go crazy over catnip. Long before anyone discovered that this plant triggered a response in cats, it was used for tea and as a medicinal herb to treat a number of ailments. It is also said to be an effective mosquito repellent.

Plant catnip in full sun in well-drained soil. Plants will grow to a height of 9 to 12 inches, producing tiny lavender flowers beginning in early summer.

Most cats also will adore catmint, which induces similar feline frenzies. The plant has silvery leaves, and flowers ranging in color from white to dark blue, depending on the variety. The compact plants, make a nice place for an afternoon catnap. For best results, this cultivar needs to be grown in a sunny location.

No cat's garden would be complete without cat thyme or valerian. The first is a member of the mint family and has deep green leaves and purple spires. A Mediterranean native, it may grow to heights of 1 to 2 feet if planted in full sun in a moist, well-drained spot.

In addition to planting a smorgasbord of favorite plants, be sure to leave a patch of loose dirt for rolling and digging.

Add some shade with a small teepee of boards or half a plastic culvert, burying the bottom few inches in the soil so it won't collapse in heavy rain or wind or by roughhousing by playful cats.

The culvert or similar structure also provides a secure hideout for them, or protection if being chased. It also provides cover in bad weather, as does an open area under a porch or nearby shed.

Consider adding a water feature like a small pond for drinking water for your cats.

Finally, cats like to nibble on grass. So, include some nice grassy plants in your garden, or leave a patch of unmown grass near the garden for munching. Then sit back, relax and watch your pets enjoy their new outdoor space.

Courtesy of The Green Mountain Gardener, University of Vermont.