Keeping animals out of garden without putting harmful things to buns on them?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 11 months ago by jerseygirl.

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- 05/27/2013 at 5:44 PM
  Lis
  Participant
  439 posts
  So I’ve been having a small problem with my beloved patio garden. A neighbor’s cat has been eating our plants! We’ve caught him/her in the act twice now, and s/he’s destroyed 2 kale plants, 1 collard green plant, and has started on the jalapenos and bell peppers.
  
  However, many of the plants are intended for the bunnies. When I sit out on the patio, I often allow one of the buns out with me, and I don’t have problems with them eatng the plants (and I know what they’re eating). I don’t use any chemicals on them for the sake of the buns.
  
  How do I keep this darn cat from eating veggies intended for the bunnies and us, while keeping our plants safe for consumption? We only have veggies, herbs, greens, and strawberries. We can’t be constantly monitoring our patio to protect our plants, but I don’t wanna lose more plants.
  
  Here’s a picture of our (very crowded) patio garden (with a bonus Azura poking around it):
- 05/28/2013 at 5:23 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  I didnt think cats would eat that sort of thing!
  
  How about some jars of citronella oil placed in among the containers? You could remove them when you’re out there with the rabbits.
  
  There are some plants that are supposed to repel cats also. A type of catnip ive seen before. Also just read lavender does and a plant called “scaredy cat”.
- 05/28/2013 at 6:09 AM
  MoveDiagonally
  Participant
  2361 posts
  I found this:
  http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Homemade-Cat-Repellent
  
  I don’t know if it works or not but it might be worth a try.
- 05/28/2013 at 6:39 AM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  Lovely little garden.
  
  I love cats but they can be a nuissance when it comes to gardening. My problem is more with the cats using my garden as a giant litterbox.
  
  Maybe one of these natural suggestions would work for you?
  
  http://www.care2.com/greenliving/keeping-c…arden.html
- 05/28/2013 at 6:42 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  Could you anchor some type of chicken wire or something to either side of the patio and just block off the containers? That seems like the simplest solution. It looks like the house juts out on both sides so you’d only need something to go across the front.
- 05/28/2013 at 10:12 AM
  Lis
  Participant
  439 posts
  Jerseygirl – would that make a difference over having citronella candles strewn about out there? Those things up on my table are citronella candles and I gather them up and put them up when the girls are out. Granted, they’re not lit unless I’m there without the girls.
  
  Beka27- that sounds like a beautifully simple solution (especially because the apartment does indeed jut out). I’ll have to talk to the complex office today to see if it’s allowed.
- 05/28/2013 at 10:46 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  How about making something similiar to this? Basicallly shelves to stagger the boxes upwards out of the cat’s way.
  
  http://www.gardeners.com/3-Tier-Self-Water…lt,pd.html
  
  I know you can find something cheaper than this too if you aren’t handy – like me – these are kind of fancy. But I have bought some “shelves” like this before just cannot remember where – probably some nursery or garden shop.
- 05/30/2013 at 11:54 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  I think the oil would evaporate more easily giving if the citronella scent. You can always try popping the candles down near the plants when nit in use, since you already have them.
  
  Regarding the chicken wire, I also read cats don’t like walking on it and you can lay it on the ground as a deterrent. I didn’t think this would work for you as the grass would cushion a cats feet despite the wire. For a patio, prob better off erecting a fence.
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