Welcome to another episode of Pantry Chat Podcast Short! Today, we’re going to tackle a common dilemma for garden enthusiasts: how to keep cats out of the garden. As much as we love these furry feline friends, their presence in our gardens can be a real headache. Fortunately, there are several proven strategies that can help deter cats from using your garden as their personal litter box. So, if you’re ready to reclaim your garden and keep your plants safe, let’s dive in!

Keeping Cats OUT of the Garden | Pantry Chat Podcast Short

Introduction

Gardening can soothe the soul, providing fresh air and a space to create beauty. Whether growing your veggies or flowers, creating and maintaining a garden can be a significant challenge. One obstacle gardeners often face is how to keep cats and other pests out of their garden. In this article, we’ll explore some tips from the Homesteading Family on how to keep these pesky critters out of your garden.

Mulch with Wood Shavings

One effective way to deter cats from using raised beds as their litter box is by mulching the beds with wood shavings. Cats do not like the texture or the smell and will avoid using your garden as their toilet. It’s a straightforward solution that can be both attractive and affordable.

Use Motion Sensors with Sprinklers

Another safe and humane way to train cats to stay away from raised beds is by using motion sensors with sprinklers. When a cat approaches the bed, the sprinkler turns on and sprays the cat with water, which they will not like. Eventually, they’ll learn to associate the sprinkler activation with the raised bed and stay away in the future.

Biologically Active Soil

If your garden soil is biologically active, it can handle any health problems related to cat scat in your garden. Biologically active soil is healthy soil that contains a variety of organisms like fungi, bacteria, and insects. Soil rich in healthy microorganisms will break down and neutralize any toxins contained in cat feces, leaving your garden healthy and happy.

Homesteading Family

The Homesteading Family is a self-sustainable family that lives in North Idaho. They provide free workshops on herbal medicine, bread-making, and canning. They also offer free PDF downloads of holiday recipes, self-sufficient living steps, and health and wellness checklist, among others. They have a variety of resources available on their blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Rumble.

FAQs

Q: Are there any plants that can deter cats?

A: Yes, there are plants that can deter cats, including rue, lavender, and pennyroyal. These plants have strong-smelling oils that cats dislike.

Q: Are cats harmful to gardens?

A: Cat feces can contain harmful toxins like toxoplasmosis, which can cause health problems in humans. Additionally, cats can dig up plants and use raised beds as their litter box, damaging your garden.

Q: Do motion sensors with sprinklers work?

A: Yes, motion sensors with sprinklers can be an effective way to train cats to avoid your garden. The sudden spray of water will create an unpleasant experience, and eventually, the cat will associate the garden with the unpleasant experience and stay away.

Q: Is biologically active soil safe for humans?

A: Yes, biologically active soil is safe for humans. It contains beneficial microorganisms that help break down toxins and create a healthy ecosystem for your garden.

Q: Do wood shavings attract other pests to gardens?

A: No, wood shavings do not attract other pests to gardens. In fact, the smell and texture of the wood shavings can deter other animals like rabbits and squirrels from destroying your garden.

Conclusion

Gardening can be a relaxing and fulfilling hobby, but keeping cats and other pests out of your garden can be a challenge. Using tips from the Homesteading Family, like mulching with wood shavings, using motion sensors with sprinklers, and having biologically active soil, can help keep your garden healthy and pest-free. Remember to always practice safe and humane methods when deterring animals from your garden.