Flowerbeds..not kittyboxes...

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My cat seems to really enjoy all the hard work I am doing cleaning up my flowerbeds..the problem is that I cannot get him to quit using them as kittyboxes and now, all the neighborhood cats think it is fun to use them too! What can I do to stop this? And will the "treasures" they leave behind kill the plants that I plant there? Thanks in advance....Harmony

-- Harmony (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), April 02, 2002

Answers

I read on this GREAT forum that placing orange peels in your garden would deter cats. And you know what?? It WORKED for me!!! YEAH!! No more cussin' at the cats every morning!

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), April 02, 2002.

Plastic forks! They work just great! I shove them in all over the beds so that only the tines are sticking out of the ground. That hurts their little paws when they try to dig. I buy them in bulk!

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), April 02, 2002.

You're right, they don't seem to like anything poking at them when they want to go. Some other suggestions that people have tried: cutting rose cane prunings into short lengths and laying them around the area the cats use; setting up a fishing line "maze" across the bed so they can't get in without becoming entangled; planting wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) or laying pieces of the plant in their favorite spots. Best of luck!

-- Marcia in MT (marciabundi@myexcel.com), April 02, 2002.

In containers (half barrels, etc.) I arrange pretty rocks, fist size at least, amongst the plants. No room for them. Just did some parsley seedlings that way.

Just planted a Mesclun mix in a very large strawberry pot. Cut a piece of two foot plastic coated wire (green) and formed it to create a dome on top. Doesn't look too badly.

On raised bed, I have pieces of tight fencing that lay on top until everything gets going. Not super convenient, but you've gotta do something!

Orange peel idea sounds good, but we don't buy that many.

Anyone try red hot pepper? I might try that.

-- HV (veggie@ourplace.com), April 02, 2002.


wormwood will work , but its invasive, so you have to watch it,

eggshells work ,small rocks will not deter them ,however a good layer of rocks will.

on the other hand , if its not killing your plants, its highly unlikely it will have enough in the bed to hurt the plants.. but you should wear gloves and wash thouroughly after working in it , due to the risk of toxoplasmosis

-- Beth Van Stiphout (willosnake@hotmail.com), April 02, 2002.



I have used mothballs to deter cats from going where you don't want them to go. Worked for me.

-- Carole Kington (kington@duo-county.com), April 02, 2002.

I've used orange peels AND used coffee grounds and both worked for me. I've also used plain black pepper if I don't have anything else and it worked too. Good luck with the cats! Its a constaint battle here at our place, only the cats aren't the neighbor's, they all 3 belong to us!! And one just had kittens! Needless to say, we're going to the vet as soon as possible to have the kitten problem remedied!! Michelle...ps , anyone want a free kitten?

-- Michelle Thomas (mpthomas83@hotmail.com), April 02, 2002.

....and don't forget oyster shell. Sharp on cat's feet, organic, also a slug deterant. An even layer will also keep weeds down, and looks just fine like a mulch. And it's reasonably inexpensive.

-- Bernie from Northern Ontario (bernadette_kerr@hotmail.com), April 02, 2002.

Sure enjoyed all the "ideas" on keeping those "darn cats" out of flower and veggie gardens, etc...I always use rocks to fill in empty spots,,and some natural looking cut logs,cutin half,(small) have also spread straw on garden and that worked,,sweetcorn grew right up thru it,,,cat stayed out,,,Yep,,it's a constant battle,,dogs are bad too, (puppies especially)they chew off anything growin "up" so have to fence off garden from them,,nothing else works for me,,any ideas on that?,Love my puppies and gardens,,want to keep them both,,Take care,

-- Patsy, MT (cozyhollow-gal@care2.com), April 03, 2002.

You can put down chicken wire between large plantings (small annual stuff can come up through it) covered over lightly with mulch. They can't scratch around in it. Also, sterilize sweetgum balls in the oven and use as a major part of your mulch. Ouchie!

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.


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