Discouraging cats from your garden
How can I stop cats from defecating in my garden?
**FULL QUESTION:**
Dear Gardening Life,
I rent the upper floor of a house. The tenant in the lower level likes to feed stray cats, which then use the garden as a litter box. What can I do to discourage this?
*—Heather Coulson*
**ANSWER:**
Hi Heather,
Cats prefer loose, dry soil, so keeping the garden well watered will help. Try covering areas you know they use (such as the dry strip under the eaves) with a coarse gravel mulch, thorny rose clippings, prickly pine cones or chicken wire mesh. All will deter them from digging. Planting densely helps, too, as it leaves the cats little space to work in comfortably.
One source I found claims that chicken manure spread around the plants is a deterrent. You can also install a motion-activated sprinkler (Lee Valley Tools carries one) that gives unwanted visitors a surprise shower.
Good luck!
*Karen York, GL Botanical Editor*
**Other questions recently answered by Karen York:**
The proper way to do begonia cuttings.
Protecting your sunflower seedlings from pests.
Where can I purchase Japanese maples?
Reducing mushroom growth
What to grow underneath evergreens
Growing healthy rhododendrons
Finding barren strawberry
Lilacs that just won't flower
Controlling weeds without chemicals
Getting rid of pesky iris borers
Finding crabgrass seeds
Planting under maple trees
(continued below)
Be the first to comment on "Discouraging cats from your garden"
Editor's note: This is a moderated forum, so your comments won't appear until approved by the moderator. Please help us foster a friendly environment by keeping your posts civil and on-point. We reserve the right to delete comments that include foul language, personal attacks on others, sales solicitations or any other inappropriate content. Posted comments reflect the opinions of the poster, not of gardeninglife.ca. Read our privacy policy for more information.