Confessions of a Cat

by Right

How Does My Cat Garden Grow?

My name is Right, and I am a cat. Although I am an indoor cat, I would prefer to be an outdoor cat with a very large garden to play in. My main crop of course would be catnip, but other plants will do also.

I found an article by Franny Syufy, about gardening for Cats' Safety and Pleasure. Anything done for my pleasure is important, so I had to stop and read the article. Now is the time of year when our thoughts turn to the outdoors, as tender leaves emerge on the trees, little timid slips of flower shoots peek through the ground. Gardeners generally fall into two categories: those who enjoy watching their cats sniffing and luxuriating in the greenery, and those who would be happiest if cats just gave their gardens a wide berth. I am of the first category, my human is of the second.

Your human must be a considerate cat owner. By this I mean if you are an indoor-outdoor cat, please be sure your human adequately supervises you when outdoors. Although you may be a perfect gentleman in your own yard, you may be using your neighbor's strawberry patch as your private outdoor litter box. There are a number of things your human can do to keep you happily (and safely) esconced within your own boundaries.

A Garden of my own!
Once your kitty gets a load of his very own cat garden, he won't have the urge to stray 'n' spray. Your human's first assignment is to give you your very own outdoor 'litter box.' It can be an official box with a 2" x 6" frame, or simply some sand dumped in a remote corner where you can have privacy to do your toilette. If you human chooses a framed box, have them lay a loose wire screen down and cover it with about 4 inches of sand. It will make it easier for sifting and disposing of solid matter.

Next, you'll want your human to plant some Kitty Grass for you to munch on-- your very own salad bar. Tasty, and much safer than eating lawn grass, which may have been sprayed with various insecticides and/or weed killers. Your human can purchase ready-made trays of wheat grass in health food stores or some pet outlets. Cattail Gardens offers both wheat and oat-grass kits on their web site, both in interesting containers, and in plain packages of seed.

Appetizer or Dessert
A cat's garden would not be a garden without catnip. Plants are generally available in 3" pots in nurseries, and catnip is also available by seed. Look for "catnip" (Nepeta cataria) or "cat mint". In the U.K. there is a tradition that catnip grown from seed will not be "used" quite as roughly by your cats, presumably because the chemical Nepetalactone, which is the substance that drives cats crazy, is released by crushing or handling (bruising) the plants. Theoretically then, the plants grown from seed will not have been handled as much. If you decide to use transplants, you might want to cover them with netting to give them time to grow and strengthen before turning kitty loose. Like most plants, they will grow bushier and stronger if you pinch out the tips a couple of times while growing. You can dry the "pinching's" for your kitty's indoor toys.

Catnip is a member of the mint family and has a mint-like scent. It has been widely used in the past as a tea for humans, and as such, is said to have an analgesic or sedative effect.

A sidebar link to the great U.K. Moggies web site shows a list of plants safe for cats. You may find plants on this list that your own kitty will enjoy, and certainly you'll discover a number of plants or shrubs that will be safe for your Spring Garden.

Other Plants Attractive to Cats
These are only from personal experience, from observing cats rolling around like fools in these plants.

Tip: Many plant nurseries have resident cats. If your local nursery has a cat, try to find out what plants that cat prefers.

* Creeping Rosemary
* Alyssum
* Heather

Top 10 Cat Repellant's
So you're human is not exactly a cat lover, or they like them, but not in their garden. Is your neighbor's cat using your humans rose beds as his own personal litter box? Do you feel as if you can't talk it over with your neighbor? There are steps you can take to discourage visits while keeping the peace with the neighbors. A combination of these will work to cat-proof almost any garden.

10. Cayenne Pepper
Sprinkle it around the soil where the cat walks. It's intensely unpleasant, but not harmful.
9. Vinegar
Spray a vinegar-water solution around the base of your acid-loving plants.
8. Orange Peels
Save those citrus peels and sprinkle them around shrubs and plants. Cats hate the scent of citrus as much as vinegar. To make the peels go further, grind them in a blender to release the citrus oils and mix with water.
7. Moth Balls
Another scent deterrent, but please, place them inside a covered can with a few holes poked in it. They can be toxic if ingested, and you just want to discourage kitty visitors, not harm them.
6. Rock Garden
If you want a low-maintenance yard, use rough-surfaced rocks as a ground cover. Guaranteed to keep tender pads well away.
5. Roses
Join the Rose Society and fill your garden with beautiful roses, particularly the thorny kind. (Be sure to wear gloves when tending them.)
4. Commercial Repellant's
The sidebar contains links to a couple of companies that sell repellants. Most will need to be re-applied regularly for maximum benefit.
3. Barking Dog
If you don't have (or want) a dog, record one barking, and play it loudly when you see Tom heading your way. This will require persistence on your part, but eventually Tom will get the message.
2. The Water Trick
This device is ingenious! It connects to a garden hose and uses a motion sensor to spray water when an animal is detected.
1. Be a Gracious Host!
Find a corner in the back of your yard where you can put an outdoor litter box. It doesn't need to be large or elaborate. Once kitty discovers his litter box, he'll stay away from the rest of your yard.

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