Growing in "tainted" soil?

[esmed]

I'm having a massive problem with cats pooing in my vegetable patch and i'm at my wits end now.

I've netted the whole patch off and secured it at all ends yet they still find a way in.

Now that my whole patch is seeded and awaiting the growing to start i put in extra measures to make it like fort knox but they still get in and leave daily deposits.

i can't use the ultrasonic things because we have a dog and he hates the noise. Any other deterrents we try will also need to be dog-safe. He's also a useless cat deterrent!!

What i want to know is whether it is safe to grow vegetables in my patch after i've dug the cat dirt out? I almost feel like I don't want to grow any veggies this year and have become very disheartened about my patch.

[Guttata]

There is a plant that is supposed to work. This is from a garden center near me so it may be worth having a look round your area:
http://www.shop.allinone.co.uk/eComm...oc=1&prod=5864

[HeyWayne]

I've no idea, but I can't get "Tainted Love" out of my head now. Soft Cell and Marylin Manson versions are both going round my head.

[Suky]

I have been told that a spray made of garlic infused water around and over the bed won't hurt plants but will deter cats. I know it would work with my cat as he hates it when I use garlic in the kitchen but don't need to use it as our cat deters other cats and is very particular where he goes. Luckily it doesn't seem to be my veggie patch

[weekendwellies]

my lottie has the same issue. I still grow and eat plenty. I just toss the cat poo away. I havent been poisoned by it yet, but there is still time.

[Nicki85]

We used a product from the garden centre- can't remember the name but it was pellets soaked in lion dung. Seemed to work Only had it down for a couple of weeks though as the wood pigeons moved in on the kale so we had to net it all!

[Nordmead]

these people have quite alot of stuff DIY Cat|Dog Pest Control Products|Repel|Deter|Stop|Get Rid|Nuisance|Problem Cats & Dogs UK the mega sonic pistol is quite fun to use

[womble]

my lottie has the same issue. I still grow and eat plenty. I just toss the cat poo away. I havent been poisoned by it yet, but there is still time.

I do the same, no matter how hard to try, some always seems to get through, I throw it away, use gloves and wash my hands well. My kids use gloves and wash their hands as well if gardening.
I'm just about alive as well

[BUFFS]

if you have a male in the house,the male urine sprinkled round the edges of the area will stop cats in their tracks,i was told this years ago by an old gardener,and it works.....

[taff]

chicken wire round the outside,they can't jump, but can push under netting. Pepper or chilli powder too.

[Currysniffa]

We used cheap curry and chill powder round our flower beds at home to keep the cats away, I've not seen any sign of cats on the lottie yet "touch wood"..

[BigShot]

esmed - how have you netted it? If it's low enough for the cat to still walk on the soil the net won't bother it. I've just built a frame of bamboo canes covered on all 4 sides and the top with netting to a height of about 4 feet. So far the soil remains poo-free.

A few other "sure-fire" methods had failed miserably including citronella oil and the ultrasonic - which it was pooing less than 2 feet away from - completely ineffective.

[esmed]

Thanks for all the tips and advice guys, it's nice to know i'm not the only one who has cat problems!! I'm not sure about getting the OH to pee on the garden however! I usually try to discourage that kind of behaviour!!

It's netted up as shown in the image below except that taking prior to a watering session so it looks "loose" in some sections.



I'm thinking of dropping the netting down so it starts underneath the railings and then is tightly attached to the fences and front of the raised patch but swapping the netting for chicken wire so it's easier to water.

[pjh75]

if you have a male in the house,the male urine sprinkled round the edges of the area will stop cats in their tracks,i was told this years ago by an old gardener,and it works.....

ha ha! I'm now picturing OH's face when I say "so, this is what I need from you..."

[Snadger]

Thanks for all the tips and advice guys, it's nice to know i'm not the only one who has cat problems!! I'm not sure about getting the OH to pee on the garden however! I usually try to discourage that kind of behaviour!!

It's netted up as shown in the image below except that taking prior to a watering session so it looks "loose" in some sections.



I'm thinking of dropping the netting down so it starts underneath the railings and then is tightly attached to the fences and front of the raised patch but swapping the netting for chicken wire so it's easier to water.

Does he do it regular then?

In this case, the netting spoils the look of the garden.........I couldn't look at that all the time! looks like something out of Brides of Dracula!
I would deffo look at an alternative!