Dr. Karen Bell
Keep Liberty Beautiful
Last week, someone wrote us after reading my article “To Fight the Bugs, You Can Do It Naturally!” and asked if there was a natural way to keep cats out of the garden. I did some research and found some good online articles. For many gardeners, cats can be both adorable visitors and unwanted guests. While they may look cute lounging among the flowers, their digging, spraying, and hunting habits can cause damage to plants and wildlife.
If you’re looking for humane ways to keep cats out of your garden, here are some effective strategies to protect your plants while being kind to your feline neighbors.
1. Use natural deterrents
Cats dislike strong scents like citrus, lavender, and peppermint.
Sprinkling orange peels or coffee grounds or applying essential oils around the garden can help keep them at bay. Some gardeners also swear by vinegar or cayenne pepper as a deterrent.
2. Install physical barriers
Covering garden beds with chicken wire or using small stakes in the soil can make the area uncomfortable for cats to walk on. Placing decorative rocks or thorny branches around plants can also discourage digging.
3. Motion-activated sprinklers and repellents A sudden burst of water or noise can startle cats and train them to stay away. Motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic cat repellents are effective, humane options that do not harm animals.
4. Create a cat-friendly zone If neighborhood cats frequently visit your yard, consider setting up a separate area with catnip or soft soil where they can safely dig and play. This proactive step can help redirect their attention away from your garden beds, making you a responsible and considerate neighbor.
5. Use plants that cats dislike
Some plants, like rosemary, lavender, and coleus canina (also known as the “Scaredy Cat” plant), naturally repel cats. Adding these to your garden borders can help keep feline intruders away.
6. Secure trash and food sources
Cats may be drawn to gardens looking for food.
To reduce this attraction, ensure garbage cans are tightly sealed and avoid leaving pet food outside.
7. Talk to your neighbors If local cats are persistent, kindly speak with their owners about keeping them indoors or providing alternative outdoor spaces. Many cat owners may not realize their pets are causing trouble.
In an online article titled “How to Keep Cats Out of Your Garden Without Hurting Them,” Lisa Milbrand mentions a few innovative strategies for stopping cats from turning flowerbeds into litter boxes and terrorizing the local wildlife.
One thing she mentioned was to plant some plastic forks. Putting several plastic forks into the soil tine-side up where the cat loves to hang out could do the trick. It doesn’t hurt them, but the cats dislike lying down on them.
What it does is teach them not to go in that area.
The article also mentioned swapping out regular mulch for pinecones or stones. Traditional mulch can be fun for a cat who loves digging and relaxing in gardens. But when you swap mulch for something bumpier, like stones or pinecones, the cats do not find it cozy to lay or dig in.
Another empowering way to keep cats out of the garden is to spend time in your yard. Outdoor cats don’t like to draw attention, so spending a lot of time in your garden can help encourage the neighborhood cats to seek quieter spots.
I hope these tips help and by combining these humane and effective methods, you can keep your garden cat-free while ensuring the safety and well-being of these furry visitors. With these strategies, you can play a significant role in creating a harmonious garden, demonstrating your responsibility and care.
Happy gardening!
Keep Liberty Beautiful has some upcoming events you may be interested in. The Litter Law Enforcement Workshop is scheduled for March 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Liberty County Community Complex.
The 19th Annual Earth Day Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bryant Commons.
The first Great American Cleanup for Liberty County is scheduled for April 5, for the City of Hinesville and the county. For more information or to sign up for any of the upcoming events, contact Keep Liberty Beautiful by calling (912) 880-4888 or emailing klcb@libertycountyga. gov. You can always get more information on our website: www.keeplibertybeautiful. org. We encourage you to share your experiences with these cat tips because we can’t wait to hear about your journey. Let’s build a community of responsible and caring gardeners together.
