Cat-Friendly Basket
If you want to truly spoil your cat this season, make a cat-friendly basket brimming with special plants chosen just for your furry friend.
Here´s what you´ll need:
- A Cat basket
- About seven cat-friendly plants (you may need more depending on the size of your basket). Choose a combination to include Cat Mint, Cat Nip and Cat Grass.
- A sheet of black plastic
- Plants Plus or Earthcore Potting Mix
- A bag of fairly large river pebbles.
- Showa Garden Gloves
- An Earthcore Trowel and Fork
1. Coat the basket with clear, water proof lacquer to protect it from rotting outdoors. Then line the inside with black plastic. Use a pair of scissors to poke a few drainage holes in the bottom, so the basket doesn´t collect water. 3 or 4 holes should do it.
2. Fill the basket with potting mix, but not too much. Remember there still has to be room for your cat! Form or push up the potting mix so that it roughly follows the contour of the basket and forms a hollow in the centre for your cat to sleep.
3. Plant out the rim of the basket with cat loving plants, leaving the hollow and front of the basket empty.
Cats love to chew on Cat Grass (Dactylis glomerata). It helps eliminate fur balls and keeps your cat healthy and happy. It is also a good source of minerals and vitamins that may be missing from their diet.
Cat Mint (Nepeta X faassenii) is both decorative and attractive to cats, with its soft grey-green foliage and lavender coloured flowers. Watch your cat rub against the leaves and purr contentedly.
Plant some Catnip (Nepeta cataria) and your cat will love you for it. Cats are drawn to a chemical called nepetalactone found in the leaves. When the foliage is crushed or rubbed against the leaves release a scent which has a euphoric effect on cats. You´ll see them roll around in the plant in a complete state of pleasure.
4. Line the hollow and front of the basket with river pebbles. Large flat ones work best. Water the plants in thoroughly and place the basket in a sunny spot outdoors. Let the pebbles warm up in the sun. It will be your cat´s favourite place to be.
Catnip
Plant some Catnip (Nepeta cataria) and your cat will love you for it. Cats are drawn to a chemical called nepetalactone found in the leaves. When the foliage is crushed or rubbed against, the leaves release a scent which has a euphoric effect on cats. You´ll see them roll around in the plant in a complete state of pleasure.
