Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi there

Can anyone pls help a newcomer with a moggie problem?

I have built some new raised beds for my veggies and before I could even get my first seeds in, the local cat started using them as his own public convenience!

I have covered the beds with some home-made mini cages for now, but they're not ideal as it takes 2 people to lift them off for weeding etc.

Does anyone know of a better way to keep the cats off my veggies?

thanks
Jules2

Am having problems at the moment too as next door have recently got a new cat and it's having a turf (or bed!) war with mine. Currently I have put a load of canes at all angles in to make it difficult for the moggy and am keeping the hose at the ready for when I see him in action. Hoping I'll be able to train it out of it in the same way as I have managed with my own but it's really bugging me at the moment.

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Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

I bought some expanding willow trellis from instore ( poundstretchers) and have put that over the top of my veg beds. It cost me £3.00 each section, but I imagine it will last me for a couple of years. I have three cats of my own, and there must be at least 15 other cats round here. So far it has worked fine.

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Jules AKA Inca'smum

hi there!
im having the same problem at the mo too!
ive put netting over but i know it wont do much good,
ive also tried to collect brambles etc to put round the beds but its more of a pain in the arse for me than it is for the cats!
ar ethere any smells that they hate?
ill have a look!
cheers will get back to you,
buttercup

i 've found out a few bits of info that may help!
you can buy plenty of sprays etc but natural remedies include
citrus, cats dont like the smell so you can put lemon or orange peal round your beds,
or cayene pepper, coffee grounds , pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil.

i think im going to try out a few of these this evening and lay in wait, hose in hand ready for the hairy b*****S!
hope its of some help,
cheers buttercup

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"A good gardener always plants 3 seeds - one for the bugs, one for the weather and one for himself.” - Leo Aikman
Lauren

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"A good gardener always plants 3 seeds - one for the bugs, one for the weather and one for himself.” - Leo Aikman
Lauren

Good luck, I've tried all sorts and nothing seems to work permanently. Smelly stuff (citrus) works for a while but wears off, pepper only works till it rains or you water, Water sprays work but you need to be there most of the time and if (like me) you work full time the little bu***rs seem to know when it's safe to use the garden.

Shoot the b*ggers !!!!!

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Rat

British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God

Blog updated Wednesday November 13th

Laurengrows
I've used kebab sticks to good effect, but it does worry me if I should trip over or slip (not an unknown happening even when no drink taken) and get one in the eye or something. Still it does work so have just stuck to being very careful where I'm using them.
Sue

That's not nice!

Hows about blackberry/bramble twigs? I've heard this does the trick as the cats dont like the thorny bit when they.......sorry won't go into detail - you know what I mean!

Bernie aka Dexterdog

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

Your raised beds look good Lauren.
I fenced my kitchen garden off. I had to. We have the pesky deer around us and they eat everything. It was very expensive - but it does keep cats and foxes out too.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

Hi everyone

Thanks so much for all your advice. Sorry I haven't logged on before, but I've been spending all my time on my new hobby! Have now got dozens of tomato plants potted up, and chillies and peppers, and courgetttes too. In my new beds (still covered in cages) I have broad beans, radish, lettuces and spring onion....whoooo!!! Am going to try the kebab sticks at the weekend. thanks again.

Four cats have adopted us and I simply put lots of twigs in the newly planted areas until the veg becomes big enough to not need the protection.

I have had problems with cats at various places I have lived. The only thing that has ever worked for sure has been to buy bags of lemons, cut them in half, squeeze over the area then dump the lemons. Takes a few go's to work but they have never came back. Is cheap method too.

I like the kebab stick idea too though.

C

Never heard of the lemons trick - might try it! I thought they used it on vampires!

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Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 17th - The Big Dig

Ha, same problem here, about 4 cats used to do the rounds. I guess different things work on different cats! I found where they were getting in and sprayed 'cat off' over the area and on the gravel paths between the beds, I've not had any problems since, that was in February. I think I might need to spray again though, as I want to give them the message loud and clear.

I just but cheap trellis (£1 poundland) over my raised beds, my cats have stayed clear Now I wonder if the shop would do a deal on another 60 or so

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No mater when time you set out, you always get there at the same time

This might work it works on foxes it sounds gruesome but is safe if you can save some of your wee wee then sprinkle it round the outside of the beds
it is not a wind up it worked on foxes for me jacob

Ah but you're a bloke. Man wee has a threatening aura - girlie wee has different hormones and they're not scared of us ('cos we're pussy cats?)

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Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 17th - The Big Dig

I have the same problem too.just about everyone around here has a cat,myself included.My problem is im too soft to scare them off or anything like that.I did hear about a scaredy cat plant once but I dont know its proper name.I'd like to get hold of some to see if they work.Apparently cats and foxes dont like the smell and they work well in an organic garden.I just wouldnt want it to put my cat off so much that he doesnt come home!Same with the neighbours cats,I like them visiting!

galic flakes work but only till it rains

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Yo an' Bob
Walk lightly on the earth
take only what you need
give all you can
and your produce will be bountifull

I was adopted by a stray a couple of years ago and her friends are always over visiting too -I'm reliably informed that mothballs crushed up around the area work, and will withstand a shower though not a torrential downpour. You apparently only need to do it for a little while, they soon get the idea and find a new loo! I'm not sure how effective it is as yet, it's only been a couple of days but so far so good! I think I may invest in some kebab sticks too, less smelly!