If you’re fed up of cats fouling in your garden’s borders, a gardening expert has provided three solutions tips he claims will help keep your feline friends at bayThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
A gardening expert has highlighted three ways to deter cats from ‘ruining’ your garden (stock)(Image: Irina Nedikova via Getty Images)
Are you tired of cats causing havoc in your flower beds and on your lawn? If so, a gardening expert has shared some simple tips that he claims can prevent feline friends from “ruining” your garden.
According to the RHS, cats pose a number of threats, including scraping flower and vegetable beds to bury excrement, scent-marking their territories by spraying urine which can scorch foliage and damaging the bark of trees and shrubs as a result of scratching. Thankfully, horticultural guru, Ish, has taken to TikTok to share his beginner-friendly advice on how to deter them from your flower beds and borders without causing harm to them or your plants.
White VinegarContent cannot be displayed without consent
“Cats can’t stand white vinegar,” Ish revealed as he shared his first tip. “They’re just not a fan of the smell and anything acidic.”
With this in mind, Ish recommends filling a spray bottle about a third full with water, then topping it up with white vinegar. “Give it a really good mix and spray this on your gravel and edges – but not directly on the plants,” Ish advised.
He added that by diluting the white vinegar with water, it won’t smell to us, but our feline friends will certainly notice it.
Lavender
Ish went on to explain that cats also “detest” the smell of lavender, as well as similarly scented plants like rosemary and lemongrass. “The strong fragrance is a natural repellent,” he said.
“Also, they’re quite pretty in the garden.”
Densely-Packed Borders
The expert also suggested that densely-packed borders in your garden can discourage cats. Demonstrating with a section of his own garden, Ish pointed out that cats can’t actually navigate through areas of dense plantations.
“They’re not going to do their business there because they can’t even get in it,” he declared. Ish pointed out that for those new to gardening without a dense border, the solution could be as simple as scattering old, dried twigs and bits of bark around your plants.
“The sharp, coarse texture of it all will leave cats not really fancying walking on it,” he explained. “They’ll naturally avoid it – and another pro is these will rot into your ground meaning you will have a slow release of nitrogen, which will also deter cats.I
In closing, Ish emphasised the importance of considering the safety of cats. “So, none of these methods are going to do any harm,” he reassured his followers. “It will just naturally keep them away and they’ll go elsewhere. Keep your garden safe – and your cats too.”
One TikTok user responded by admitting: “My cat has absolutely ruined my garden by digging up the seeds and bulbs! I’m a cat lover, but it’s dramatically wearing thin.”
A second hailed the advice: “Ooh I’ll try the vinegar, I’ve tried everything!” A third person wrote: “Well done Ish yes they hate the smell of lavender so I spray lavender everywhere also liquid from the human helps too.
Whilst a fourth TikTok user offered their own suggestion: “I’ve used coffee grounds in the past. Works great.”
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