How Does My Cat Garden Grow?

So you're not exactly a cat lover, or you like them, but not in your garden. Is your neighbor's cat using your rose beds as his own personal litter box? Do you feel as if you can't talk it over with your neighbor? There are steps you can take to discourage his visits while keeping the peace with your neighbors. A combination of these will work to cat-proof almost any garden.

1. Vinegar
   Spray a vinegar-water solution around the base of your acid-loving plants.
2. Orange Peels
   Save those citrus peels and sprinkle them around shrubs and plants. Cats hate the scent of citrus as much as vinegar. To make the peels go further, grind them in a blender to release the citrus oils and mix with water.
3. Moth Balls
   Another scent deterrent, but please, place them inside a covered can with a few holes poked in it. They can be toxic if ingested, and you just want to discourage kitty visitors, not harm them.
4. Rock Garden
   If you want a low-maintenance yard, use rough-surfaced rocks as a ground cover. Guaranteed to keep tender pads well away.
5. Roses
   Join the Rose Society and fill your garden with beautiful roses, particularly the thorny kind. (Be sure to wear gloves when tending them.)
6. Commercial Repellants
   The sidebar contains links to a couple of companies that sell repellants. Most will need to be re-applied regularly for maximum benefit.
7. Barking Dog
   If you don't have (or want) a dog, record one barking, and play it loudly when you see Tom heading your way. This will require persistence on your part, but eventually Tom will get the message.
8. The Water Trick
   This device is ingenious! It connects to a garden hose and uses a motion sensor to spray water when an animal is detected.
9. Be a Gracious Host!
   Find a corner in the back of your yard where you can put an outdoor litter box. It doesn't need to be large or elaborate. (See page one of this article for details). Once Tom discovers his litter box, he'll stay away from the rest of your yard.

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   Whether you love cats or not, I hope this article has been useful to you in planning your Spring Garden. Be sure to visit About's gardening sites for more information, and happy gardening!