If cats have become a problem in your flower garden, there are various solutions to keep them away. Some are straightforward and cost-effective while others require additional work.
Some steps will work better than others, so it is wise to experiment with various techniques until finding what works for your cat. All methods should be respectful and non-harmful for felines.
Physical Barriers
Physical barriers are an easy and effective way to keep cats out of flower beds. Mesh cloth can be laid over soil or mulch to form an effective barrier that is easily lifted for harvesting or maintenance, while chicken wire barriers may not look as appealing to the eye.
Plants that produce strong smells can help deter cats without endangering them, such as rosemary, lavender and the scaredy cat plant (Coleus canina). Scented geraniums may also help deter felines.
Vinegar spray can be an effective nontoxic deterrent against cats, though its effectiveness decreases over time once cats become familiar with its scent. Motion activated sprinklers may also work; just be wary if you forget to turn it off before walking into your garden! Thorny “barriers” are an effective method of discouraging cats from entering – simply lay cut branches of roses, pyracantha or holly on top of the soil surface (but watch where you kneel when weeding!).
Electric Fence
There are various electric fences that you can purchase and erect around your flower garden that are specifically designed to keep cats away. They typically stand three feet high with close-spaced slats that make it impossible for cats to squeeze through them, and some even have sensors that trigger short bursts of water when movement is detected in the garden area – cats don’t like being sprayed with water so will soon learn to avoid that area!
Cat-repelling materials can also help deter cats from entering your flower beds, including citrus peels or mothballs that leave an unpleasant odor when spread over soil surface, dried herbs such as rue, lavender and lemon thyme scattered or scattered about in areas that attract cats; or using mats with spiked surfaces designed to repel cats altogether.
Water
Cats can be quite curious creatures and easily get themselves entangled in gardens and flowerbeds, leading to plants being damaged from other animals or being damaged themselves. To keep cats out of your yard while protecting the plants themselves from potential hazards like chicken wire or netting.
One solution is to spray the area with deterrent spray. Many such solutions contain ingredients known to deter cats from entering your garden. Vinegar spray is another effective deterrent that won’t damage plants and flowers in any way.
As an alternative, you could create an “artificial scarecrow” of sorts in your flower bed by planting Coleus canina (the “Scaredy Cat Plant”) that emits a strong scent that cats find unpleasant; this helps deter unwanted felines from gardens and flower beds. Additionally, planting prickly plants around your beds or bushes such as holly or berberis to deter cats may also work effectively.
Tape
Protecting your flower beds from cats doesn’t have to be an impossible feat. A few simple hacks can ensure your garden remains feline-proof while keeping its appearance pristine.
One effective method of deterring pests from digging in your bed is making it more difficult for them to access it – using coarse mulch (which also benefits plants), chicken wire or netting to block access will effectively stop pests from digging up flowers as they’ll find it more challenging to gain entry. This should prevent them from digging too deeply into it!
Tape is another cheap and effective nontoxic deterrent that’s quick and easy to implement, without being harmful or toxic to cats. By spreading balls of duct or masking tape across your garden soil, this method can deter cats from digging up urns or window boxes your cat may have been using as their personal outdoor space.
Spraying cats with water can also help deter cats from coming near your garden, as motion-activated sprinklers can be set off when a cat approaches it. Cats dislike being sprayed, so quickly learn to avoid this area.