Some cats are fools for catnip. Just a whiff of this mysterious mint turns many of them into zany, weaving, silly clowns. (Caution: It may even be addictive, so it's best offered only on an occasional basis.)

Learn how to grow your own catnip. Believe us, Kitty will thank you.

Start with seeds. You can usually get a packet for a couple of dollars from a local nursery or home supply store.

Plant outside. Sow the seeds in rows 18 inches apart in a garden or in one row down the middle of a flower box at least 16 inches wide and 10 inches deep. Plant in well-worked soil and in an area that receives moderate to strong sun. The seeds are fine, like basil seeds, so you might want to mix them with sand for easy sowing.

Mulch. The plants prefer rich soil but will settle for almost any soil as long as it's mulched with hay, dried lawn clippings, straw, or cocoa hulls.

Harvest. Catnip grows quickly and can reach a few feet high in a few months. When the plant reaches at least 18 inches high and has thumb-size leaves, but before it turns yellow, strip the leaves or cut the entire stalks.