How to keep cat out of freshly planted vege garden

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omaria, Aug 27, 8:36am
Any Ideas? I just have it all nice and neat row after row of plants or seeds and the blasted neighbours cats think its a dirtbox. I tried pepper but doesn't seem to deter them. Other than having to cover the whole lot, what works for you?
articferrit, Aug 27, 8:46am
rose prunings on the ground? or try coffee grounds sprinkled around the veges.
trad, Aug 27, 8:59am
I stick fruit tree prunings in the ground around plants and small sized chicken mesh 'tents' over short seed rows.
cleggyboy, Aug 27, 9:01am
Citronella is something they do not like nor dogs.
omaria, Aug 27, 9:02am
Coffee grounds fresh or used?
lythande1, Aug 27, 9:05am
Sting or cotton just above the seedlings.
cats like a soft dirt to dig in, make them a little patch of their own.
articferrit, Aug 27, 9:10am
Used coffee grounds, you see them outside coffee shops etc, or get friends to keep theirs, I didnt think it would work, but I cleaned up the garden at sons flat and used the coffee grounds, when they moved out no more cat poo anywhere.
omaria, Aug 27, 9:11am
We have lots of other patches for them to dig in, they are not our cats. I could make a separate patch with a sign on it 'Dig only here' LOL
loose.unit8, Aug 27, 9:17am
Chilli powder
veejay13, Aug 27, 10:08am
I have the same problem. neighbour's cat. I reckon I've tried every cure there is. Citronella works really well, but has to be replaced fairly often, therefore becomes quite expensive. Probably the best method has been the baking foil. They hate the feel of it under their feet. If you've got the patience, run a strip of it right around the garden edges. I anchor it here and there with a handful of soil. Best of luck. I really understand how you're feeling.
Forgot to mention the Skunkshot (available at Mitre 10). seems to be quite effective, but again pretty expensive.
cleggyboy, Aug 27, 10:09am
A few rocks sprinkled with pepper, moggies come along sniff the pepper and sneeze & bash their heads in on the rocks. LOL
omaria, Aug 27, 1:18pm
Would you have a picture of how iT looks? Is iT Just a flat strip or hanging on string above the plants?
southerngurl, Aug 27, 2:03pm
https://assets.mitre10.co.nz/sys-master/productimages/h12/h4e/8977182425118/142876xlg.jpg this stuff is awesome, its sold in a bottle inside a bottle. Avaliable from both mitre 10, and Nicholls. freaking stinks.
omaria, Aug 28, 3:23am
When you say expensive, how much is it?
veejay13, Aug 28, 4:20am
Sorry, omaria, I'm not up to putting up pictures. I'll try and describe it. I put a flat strip along the ground where the cats have got to walk to get onto your nice fluffy garden where the plants are. The cats won't walk on it - they hate it. I buy a 50metre roll and keep it just for garden use. For extra protection you could "paint" it with citronella, but the first shower of rain renders that ineffective.

In another post you were asking "how expensive?". I think you were referring to the Skunkshot? It's $17 for a 250ml bottle, that's in the form of what looks like crunched-up shells and is to be sprinkled on the garden. As it's made from real skunk "stink" (don't ask me how! ) it's natural and safe for pets, although the smell will repel cats and dogs. Also safe for your plants. And because it's also shower-proof it's long-lasting. You can also get it in the form of a paste, but I found that not so easy to deal with.

Hope this is of some help. Cheers.
omaria, Aug 28, 4:40am
Thanks a bundle. I think hubby decided to cover it with netting for a while, at least to keep the cats out for now. But appreciate all the feedback. Also sprinkled pepper and chilly flakes, well at least it pre flavours the veges LOL.
amelda, Aug 28, 7:19am
Water gun. Squirt them when you see them. They'll get the message hopefully
viking60, Aug 28, 7:59am
Bamboo stakes around vege patch with a few rows of fishing line around it low to the ground.
onl_148, Aug 28, 8:07am
It all seems a lot of mucking around / expense to control SOMEONE elses cat ! A quick visit to the neighbour telling them to keep their cat to themselves, if that does not work have the cat shot and then do like the Chinese and send the invoice for the bullet to the neighbours !
omaria, Aug 28, 9:02am
How cruel. Neighbours work and have a cat door so that wont stop them. Rather cover the garden and keep good relationship with the neighbours. There is enough war in the world without adding to it.
terri01, Aug 28, 2:31pm
I made a small boxed separate patch filled with sand, the cats use that as it is easier to dig in than soil, I sift it out every now and then just to keep them happy
omaria, Aug 28, 3:15pm
How would you feel if I did that to your dog?
veejay13, Aug 29, 3:23am
omaria, I can't believe I forgot to mention the plastic forks.
http://www.harvestpower.com/forks-fantastic-deterrent-squirrels-cats/
I find I have to place them closer together than in the photos here. Otherwise the cat that visits here just gets in between them. They're pretty cheap to buy (I got mine from New World) and can be used again and again.
omaria, Aug 29, 5:12am
wow wish I had seen that sooner, just got home from the $2 shop on my way home LOL. Brilliant idea, but how does it scare them off?
veejay13, Aug 29, 5:21am
They realise they can't squat there without getting stabbed. It's not so good for large areas, but for a row of seeds or young plants it's ideal. I space them close enough so that the cat can't get between them.