Keeping Cats Out Of The Flower Gardens - Knowledgebase Question

Alburg, VT
Avatar for bchazard
Question by bchazard
May 31, 2001
I have plantes many different kinds of your flowers in my gardens. I have a vegetable garden and flower gardens. The problem I have is that the neighbors cat keeps using the gardens as its litter box, we've told the owners that we don't want it to do this, but they don't care. Is there some kind of plant I can plant in there to deter the pest. I really could use any suggestiions you have, as we really love the gardens and we use it to plant annuals for cut flowers as well as some perrenial plants to cut as well. Thankyou!


Image
Answer from NGA
May 31, 2001
Cats can be very destructive in the garden. Unfortunately, there do not seem to be any plants that are effective at keeping them away. You might try scattering thorny branches across the beds, or hosing down any freshly laid mulch to make it less fluffy and therefore less attractive. You could try laying wire mesh over the soil surface to make it less diggable. You could try the motion activated water sprayers. You could try the repellents, either commercially made formulations or home made with garlic as a base. Some gardeners report success by fencing in their yard and allowing a pet dog to patrol it; others end up talking to their neighbors about the benefits of keeping pet cats inside and also sometimes calling the local animal control agency. Sometimes showing the neighbor a bill for the damage is effective, too.

You must be signed in before you can post questions or answers. Click here to join!

« Return to the Garden Knowledgebase Homepage

Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by KGFerg and is called "Aesculus carnea 'Briotii'"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.