Conference misery::feline_v1

    Some pet stores have little packages of "grow your own kitty greens",
    but if you can't find them, you might want to try a farm supply or
    grain store like an Agway. These places will usually sell smal amount
    of "green manure" seeds for the backyard gardener, and I although most
    folks grow winter rye, I have heard of folks useing oats, too.
    
    By the way, you might want to try the GARDEN file, PICA::GARDEN.
    
    Deb

    Haddleigh house sells seeds.  I m not sure if it is rye or oats, I
    think they had different kinds.  You can usually find them at the cat
    shows.  I have had a bag of seeds for a while now and I like you idea
    of using the margarine tubs to grow them in!  Do you put drainage holes
    in and wht type of soil do you use?
    KRSW +5

    Tree House animal foundation sells a large bag of seeds (I think
    they're actually wheat seeds) thru their catalog.  My cats like the
    resulting green stuff a lot.  Somewhere in this file is the
    Tree House phone number.
    

    You'll get more for your money if you purchase wheat/oats from a grain
    or farm supply.  I've priced oat seeds in pet stores and they are very
    expensive.
    
    We've been planting oats for our bunch for years now and they just
    can't wait to go up to the deck first thing in the morning to munch. 
    We keep ours outside so they are in large planter boxes - and we always
    have one growing in reserve (covered with wire so they can't get into
    it) so they won't be without.
    
    Giudi +3

    I'm not sure about whether the seeds from grain/farmstores are
    pesticide free....
    

    reply/last
    If the price of oats is comperable to winter rye, I can tell you that I
    bought a pound or 20 cents, and that would be a lifetime supply for a 
    margerine tub.
    
    as for Karen's question, the most of the grain seeds are untreated but
    if you are unsure, all you have to do is ask. You can tell
    treated seeds since they are usually colored something like pink and
    must have a "not suitable for animal feed" message, but if you really
    want to be sure, ask for organic seeds. This may cost a bit more since
    to be considered/certified  organic in some states, the seed needs to
    have been grown on land that has not been treated with any chemical or
    inorganic pesticides or fertilizer in the past 10 years, nor may the
    seeds themselves been grown from treated seeds (the rules for organic
    labeling vary state by state)
    
    Deb

    All the seeds we've ever purchased have been untreated.  We get them
    from a grain/feed store on the way to Santa Cruz.  The oats that I've
    seen in pet shops have mostly come in kits - bag of dirt in a special
    sack that you poke holes in and a little (I mean little) bag of oats
    for something like $12.00.  So the sack is decorative but $12.00 for a
    bag of dirt and a handfull of seeds is stretching it a bit.  If I
    remember correctly (it's been a while since I've been there) the name
    of the place is called the Feed Bag - they also have these cute little
    mini burlap feed bags with catnip in them which my guys just love.
    
    Giudi

First, thanks for all the responses here and in Mail!  I really appreciate
the help and the kind offers.

Disclaimer:  I'm really busy right now and the following will be a
hodgepodge.

I called Agway and they said they sell oats, but they're feed-type oats
and they won't germinate.  I then called Blue Seal Feeds and they have
oats that will germinate but I'd have to buy 100 lbs.  That seemed a
little excessive, even for my cat....  However, they do sell rye by the
pound; I'll try that.  And in the meantime, I'm going to try Tree House as
a source.

Nope, I don't put any drainage holes in the tubs.  Actually, I think I
should change the way I plant these, but I'm not sure how.  It takes about
a week from planting to chow-down, and after a few sessions the oats look
like dead grass -- they just don't last long.  I try to have another batch
"cooking" so she never has to go long without her fix, but there are many
days when she has no oats.  BTW, I can't just plant more in the same tub;
the roots grow so thick that I just throw everything out and start over
with more potting soil and another tablespoonful of seeds.  There's gotta
be a better way....

Also BTW, I mentioned to a friend that since Kitty has had oats she's
had maybe one hairball -- pretty good for a longhaired cat whose hobby is
grooming!  

Gotta get back to work.  Thanks again for your help!

Susan

       Speaking from experience....(born and raised on a Minnesota farm..)
    
      Oats, wheat, rye, alfalfa, or even grass seed would be fine for a
    kitty to eat/rub/whatever with. It should also make little difference
    whether the seed is treated with a pesticide unless the SEEDS are given
    to the cat...the pesticide is only applied to prevent bugs from
    infesting the un-germinated seed...and it does NOT effect the sprouts.
    
      So...you could actualy use a handfull of grass seed...except it would
    take longer to germinate than wheat, oats or rye would....
    
    
      JMcD 

    I use the two rotating plastic dishes plan as well.  I poked holes in
    the bottom and rest it in a saucer to prevent mold from 
    inadequate drainage.  I find I can reuse the dirt a couple of
    times by breaking up the mats of roots.
    

    Jack,
    
    isn't treating seeds two-fold? Treated with pesticide as Karen asked
    about) and treated so that they won't rot? In either case, it doesn't
    really matter since the cat won't be eating the seeds, but reather what
    germinates.
    
    Deb

     Re .11
      Some are treated for both, but the most important reason is insects
    and some deterence to mice and rats. Some seeds ARE treated with a
    fungicide to prevent mold spores from proliferating though. In any
    case, these fungicides and pesticides used to treat seeds are not the
    sam as the nasty stuff that folks spray on your lettuce, apples, ornges
    and other veggies and fruits. The treatment stuff breaks down very
    rapidly when buried in the soil and watered...unlike the other stuff.
    
      Some seeds...such as beans and some other 'legumes', are treated with
    a "nitrogen-fixing bacteria" or they won't germinate and grow properly.
    I believe that most alfalfa seed must be treated this way.
    
      JM