brian wrote:

Friends,

I recently moved into a new house. I use the square foot gardening
method, so I tilled up a nice little section and placed several wooden
frames for my plants (three 4x4, two 2x6 and two 2x8).

My problem is that my cat has decided that I've built her the seven
biggest cat boxes in the county. At first, it was no big deal. Most of
the garden doesn't have anything in it yet and it's easy to tell where
she's been digging. I just scoop out her business (check for
saltiness, of course) and smooth over the soil.

Yesterday, though, she just dug up two square feet of radish and
carrot seeds to plant her own cat poop plant. Needless to say, I was
ready to plant a cat bush about then (but I guess that next season,
I'd have an even bigger problem as all the cats got ripe).

I've read some back posts on some solutions, but I want to get some
fresh opinions.

Someone suggested chili powder or cayenne pepper would keep her out,
but also that she might lick it off of her feet and maybe get it in
her eyes. They went on to suggest that she might scratch out her own
eyes to relieve the pain.

How about black pepper or coffee grinds? Will these keep her out
without causing her to resort to self mutilation? Do coffee grinds
have to be fresh? (I hear that fresh coffee grinds keep snails away
too, so if they would work, that would be great.)

I don't want to hurt her, but I'm not above causing a little
discomfort (as long as she won't injure herself to avert it) or even
scaring the hell out of her (though I would probably prefer not to).

I chase her out of the boxes when I see her in them, but I can't watch
her twenty four seven. Locking her indoors is not an option. I'm also
extremely lazy, so building a fence or chicken wire covers is out.
Well, maybe chicken wire covers, but I'd rather pursue some easier
options first. I'm also completely organic, so mothballs or other
chemicals are out.

Anyways, what has worked for you?

Thanks,

b.

A blast of cold water smack in the face.
My neighbor lets his cats run loose & they love to dig up my
container garden. Each time I catch them, I blast them with cold
water. After several hard-pressured blasts, they stayed away
last summer.

Now spring is coming. This time, I plan to set out poison.
If the jerk won't control his cats, oh well. It's the cats
or the veggies I worked hard to grow, & I don't like cats
in any event. I want & need the veggies. Cat stew is also an
option. I've had it with this irresponsible cat owner.

Minteeleaf, not gonna take it anymore.