Whether it is your own loveable fur ball behaving impishly or a neighborhood stray, cats can cause real problems in the garden. Maybe you have intentionally planted plant varieties that attract birds only to find that you are providing the local cat population with a convenient food source. Or perhaps you have gone out to weed your well-manicured flower beds only to find that a cat has used the bed as a litter box and left you a surprise. Show
Whatever your reasons for wanting to keep cats out of your garden, there are several easy, inexpensive home remedies to keep cats away. Cats can be stubborn, however, so you may have to try several remedies or combinations until you find the formula that works. Keep Cats Out of PlantsPlants work to deter cats in two ways. One is to keep the cats out of specific areas by planting a few varieties they don’t like. Cats are not fond of lavender (Lavandula), rue (Ruta graveolens), geraniums (Geranium), absinthe (Artemisia absinthium), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) or marigolds (Tagetes). Rather than trying to keep cats out of one part of the garden, you also can use plants to lure them to another. Try keeping the cats out of your flower bed by giving them their own bed full of plants that attract them. Plants that draw cats include the obvious catnip (Nepeta cataria) and cat mint (Nepeta faassenii) as well as Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium), lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and flax (Linum). Scents as DeterrentsThere are several scents that cats find unpleasant and can keep them out of the garden. Many of these scents are food odors and easy to use. Citrus peels, used tea leaves and raw onions can all be spread around the garden to keep cats out. Black or cayenne pepper, as well as cinnamon can also be sprinkled throughout your flower beds to keep cats at bay. You will, however, need to reapply the peppers periodically and after rain showers. You can also try making a foliar spray by steeping 1 chopped garlic bulb and 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper in 1 quart of water. Strain the mixture and add 1 teaspoon of dish soap before spraying it onto your plants. This recipe is said to deter both cats and dogs. Though not a food, ammonia is also known to repel cats. To use it in the garden, fill small jars half full with a mix of ammonia and water and bury them up to the rim. Unfortunately, the downside to using ammonia is that you will smell it to, and many people find the odor as offensive as the cats do. Discomfort for CatsThe neighborhood cats are much more likely to stay out of your flower beds if they are uncomfortable there. Keep cats out of plants by making flower and garden beds more inhospitable. Spread prickly holly leaves throughout. This solution is completely organic, is not unattractive and can make it unpleasant for cats to walk on. Pine cones are another natural option. Gardeners who find pine cone or holly leaves in short supply can also plant pointy objects in the soil along with plants. Plastic forks, toothpicks, short sticks are all uncomfortable to walk on and can be hidden throughout your plantings. Barriers to DiggingOne of the primary reasons many gardeners are annoyed by cat visitors is the cat’s tendency to dig holes in the garden and use flower beds as a litter box. Physical barriers to digging can encourage the cats to go elsewhere and can be installed discreetly. Chicken wire or wooden lattice can be laid across the top of your flower beds and covered with a thin layer of mulch. This hides the barrier from view while still preventing digging. Heavy bark and stone mulches are also disliked by cats and can be used alone or in combination with a physical barrier. River rocks also make an attractive but dig-discouraging mulch.  We gardeners love the beautiful, the fantastic, and the unusual. For most of us, this includes cats. As gardeners, balancing our love of plants, the wildlife we encourage, and our amusing feline friends is sometimes challenging. Quirky, Peppy, and Unpredictable.From adorable, pampered companions to rogue neighborhood bullies, there are all sorts of cats. In the urban setting, well-loved cats are revered as domestic pets best kept safe and indoors. Out in the country, cats are important hunters that keep small rodent populations in check. In both urban and country areas, domestic cats do cause a challenge for wildlife, songbirds especially. Hard Working or Destructive and Damaging?Cats rule the roost and will nap wherever they like. They crush favorite plants or dig and trod anywhere they want. They leave their messes in their wake. Which is harmful to plants, soil health, and no fun for the gardener either. In the pro column, cats do help to deter and reduce small rodent populations. Notably, mice, voles, moles, and rats. These, too, are harmful to flower gardens, veggie crops, and can harbor diseases unwelcomed by humans. However, domestic cats do pose a significant threat to wildlife, importantly, songbirds. Striking the BalanceOf course, we want to be as friendly as possible to cats. Especially, when it’s your own fuzzy besty you want to keep out of the flower bed! Those neighborhood villains, tomcats, strays, and feral felines need our kindness too! The challenge, therefore, is to keep our beloved furry felines safe, make other cats unwelcome, all while protecting wildlife. Here are some strategies to accomplish these goals, for the sake of our beautiful, bountiful, blooming backyards! 1. Make a Cat Less Comfortable.Cats seem to lie down on just about anything. And walk just about anywhere. Well, maybe not. Sharp stone mulches. Prickly leaves. Spikey pinecones. Barbed, bristly branches. Try creating surfaces throughout the garden that cats won’t want to tread on or sprawl over. Sound emitting deterrents and motion sensor sprinklers will have cats waving the white flag in retreat. Cats can’t stand certain smells. Lemon peels, cinnamon, or old coffee grounds can be sprinkled around areas to protect them from cats. Cayenne pepper and black pepper are also unhospitable smells for cats but be gentle as too much might harm sensitive noses, mouths, and airways. 2. Grow Plants Cats HateStrong smelling plants can either be loved or hated by cats. Notably, Rue, Lavender, Artemisia, Rosemary, Geranium, and Marigold are apparently hated by cats. I have had excellent success in keeping my own cats out of the flower beds by growing Lemon Gem Marigolds, Tagetes tenuifolia, in borders with other bloomers. They have a delicious light lemony fragrance, not loved by cats! It is true, cats are weirdos. Your cat might love or hate some plants more than others! Avoid using plants cats, in general, love. Plants thought to be loved by many cats are, of course, Cat Mint or Catnip (Nepeta sp.), Jacob’s ladder, Valerian, and Flax. 3. Create a Cat SanctuaryHey! Look Over Here! Perfect Cat Distractors! Make areas that are cat-friendly and far away from your precious blossoms. Use plants cats love like Catnip and Valerian. Create smooth, comfy surfaces that cats might enjoy. Sunny spots to warm up in, and shady spots to laze away the afternoon. Oh, to be a cat! 4. Build an Outdoor Cat EnclosureIn urban areas, many vets recommend keeping cats indoors for their safety and comfort. In great weather, those cats might be restless to get outside. For them, you might consider building an outdoor cat enclosure. An outdoor cat enclosure protects your blossoming flower beds. In addition, it protects your kitty’s health. Wildlife, including songbirds, are also kept out of reach. Protecting WildlifeBirdfeeders, birdbaths, and hummingbird nectar feeders all add beauty and drama to the landscape and our flower beds. Placement is key as these garden objects can also attract predators, namely our fuzzy feline friends. House cats and other pets have a few advantages over wildlife. Wildlife spends 100% of their time outdoors, searching for food and safe habitat. Migratory birds travel incomprehensible miles during each migration. Weary travelers, migratory birds are at a high risk of predators. Keeping pet cats generally well-fed, well-rested, pampered, and kept in optimal health, is our goal as pet owners. For this reason, pets make formidable hunters on wild animals. As mentioned, our cats benefit us by working hard to keep rodent pests at bay. At the same time, it is necessary to protect small birds, songbirds, and migratory birds from our powerful feline hunters. Gardening for wildlife is a gorgeous and honorable endeavor. To this end, ensure to place birdfeeders, birdbaths, and hummingbird nectar feeders out of reach of cats. Creative and wily, it may be a challenge to outsmart some predatory cats. Try to hang feeders from poles and place birdbaths or feeders on top of inaccessible stands. Bird-friendly landscaping should include cat deterrents like using strong odors, sharp-edged mulches, and areas deemed less comfortable for cats. Finding friendly ways to keep cats out of flower beds helps protect not only our beautiful blooming backyards but also helps protect wildlife at the same time! How do you stop cats from pooping in flower beds?On that note, keep reading for all the effective ways you can stop cats pooping in your garden.... Don't offer them food. ... . Keep flower beds watered. ... . Install an automatic spray. ... . Make it difficult to enter the garden. ... . Use scent deterrents. ... . Install an ultrasonic deterrent. ... . Cover parts of your garden with pebbles and rocks.. What can you put around flower beds to keep cats out?Plants - Instead of making sprays you can grow some cat-repelling plants such as rosemary, lemon thyme, rue, lavender, or Russian sage. Or you can sprinkle the dried leaves of these plants around the spots you are trying to protect. Plants with prickly leaves like sea holly or globe thistle may deter them too.
Do coffee grounds keep cats out of flower beds?Coffee Grounds
The strong smell of coffee can be enough to keep cats off of your garden. Simply take your fresh, wet coffee grounds and distribute them around your borders and plants where you want to discourage feline attention.
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How to keep cats out of your flower bed
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