Can Nepeta be planted in July?

Nepeta tenuifolia, also known as fragrant nepeta and false nepeta, is a plant of the Lamiaceae family. The whole plant with flower spikes is used as medicine. Nepeta has strong adaptability and is cultivated in all parts of the country, north and south. So can Nepeta be planted in July? Let’s take a look together below.

1. Can Nepeta be planted in July?

Nepeta (Schizonepeta macrophylla) is a cool-season vegetable and may not be suitable for cultivation during the hot summer months. Generally speaking, it is suitable to plant nepeta in warm spring and cool autumn. July is the hottest period of summer, and the high temperature may have an adverse effect on the growth and development of Nepeta. Nepeta is prone to problems such as flowering and becoming bitter under high temperature conditions. Extreme high temperatures can cause the plant to suffer heat shock and become weakened.

2. Steps for planting Nepeta

1. Planting

Nepeta seeds can be sown directly or soaked before planting. The sowing depth is about 5 cm and water is poured thoroughly. The germination rate of Nepeta is very high. Do not sow too densely, otherwise thinning the seedlings will be troublesome. The best time to sow seeds of Nepeta is in April when the climate is slightly mild and warm. Generally, Nepeta sown at this time grows very vigorously. Nepeta can also be planted in autumn.

2. Germination

Generally, buds will appear in about ten days. Keep the soil moist after budding. The seeds of Nepeta are very easy to germinate. There is no strict requirement for the temperature required for germination. Generally, they will germinate quickly at room temperature and are not easy to wither. The most suitable environment for the growth of Nepeta is the temperature in early spring. Nepeta is also quite cold-resistant and is not easy to die even at a few degrees below zero.

3. Thinning seedlings

When the seedlings grow to 10 cm in height, they need to be thinned out and those that are not growing well removed. The spacing between plants is 5 cm. During the growing period of Schizonepeta, the environment needs to be kept ventilated and facing the sun. Three to four plants can be planted in one pot. The leaves of Nepeta are very lush when they are young. You can pick some of them appropriately, which will be more conducive to its growth, and the picked leaves can be eaten immediately.

4. Topdressing

When the Nepeta seedlings grow to 15-20 cm in height, they can be thinned out for the second time, and top dressing is needed at this time. Top dressing should be mainly nitrogen fertilizer, with appropriate use of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, so that the growth period of Nepeta tenuifolia will be faster and shorter. The root system of Nepeta is shallow. If you water too much after topdressing, the fertilizer will seep into the deep soil, which will affect the absorption of fertilizer.

5. Harvest

After the Nepeta flowers, it can be harvested. When Nepeta is in bloom, its flavor is strongest and the flower buds can be used as a condiment . The flowering period of Nepeta is generally the entire summer, and its color is light blue-purple. Its branches and stems are very thick and long, rich in water, and always feel soft to the touch. The cut Nepeta can be dried and used as medicine, and it has a certain effect in preventing colds. In fact, it can be harvested during the growth period. If you want to eat it during the seedling stage, you can use the leaves.

6. Pests and diseases

Nepeta has a special fragrance, so there are few insect pests during the planting period, and general insecticides can be used.

That’s it