7 Tips on How to Keep Cats Out Of Your Garden

Cats are wonderful pets, but if you’re a gardener, you might not appreciate their visits to your vegetable beds and flower patches. Keeping cats out of your garden without harming them is achievable with a few strategic and humane methods. Here’s how to protect your plants while deterring neighborhood or stray cats.

Keep Cats Out of Garden Beds

To keep cats out of your flower bed, try several natural deterrents. Sprinkle citrus peels, coffee grounds, or dried rosemary around the area, as these scents deter cats. You can also place thorny plants, pinecones, or chicken wire on the soil surface to discourage digging. Installing motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic devices is another effective solution. Creating a designated area with soft soil for them to dig in can help redirect their interest away from your flower bed. These methods are humane, safe, and help protect your flowers from unwanted feline visitors.

1. Use Citrus Scents

2. Plant Cat-Repellent Herbs

Planting cat-repelling herbs is a natural way to keep cats out of your garden while enhancing its beauty and fragrance. Here are some effective cat-repellent herbs to consider:

• Lavender: Cats dislike the strong smell of lavender, and its beautiful purple flowers are an excellent addition to any garden.
• Rosemary: This herb has a strong, woody aroma that deters cats. It’s also a hardy plant that can thrive in various conditions.
• Rue: Rue is known for its cat-repellent properties due to its unique smell, but it should be handled carefully, as it can irritate human skin.
• Pennyroyal: A member of the mint family, pennyroyal has a smell that cats tend to avoid. Be cautious with this herb if you have pets, as it can be toxic if ingested in large amounts.
• Coleus canina (Scaredy Cat Plant): This plant was specifically bred to repel cats and other animals. It emits a skunk-like odor when touched, which most cats find unappealing.
• Curry Plant: This herb doesn’t smell exactly like curry, but it has a distinctive aroma that cats don’t like. Plus, it adds a unique look to your garden.
• Lemon Balm: Its citrusy scent can deter cats, and it’s also a useful herb for teas and other recipes.

How to Plant Cat-Repellent Herbs

• Strategic Placement: Plant these herbs around the edges of your garden or in areas where cats typically enter. Creating a natural barrier can help keep cats away.
• Companion Planting: Place these herbs near plants you want to protect. Many cat-repelling herbs are also beneficial to garden health, attracting pollinators and repelling certain pests.

By including these herbs in your garden, you can deter cats humanely while adding color, texture, and fragrance to your outdoor space.

3. Use Coffee Grounds or Vinegar

Using coffee grounds or vinegar is a natural, safe way to keep cats away from your garden. Here’s how to use them effectively:

1. Coffee Grounds

• Sprinkle Used Coffee Grounds: Spread used coffee grounds around the soil of plants you want to protect. The strong scent deters cats, and coffee grounds can also enrich the soil with nutrients like nitrogen.
• Refresh Regularly: As the scent fades, add fresh coffee grounds every few days to keep the deterrent effect strong.
• Avoid Using Too Much: Use a light layer of grounds so it doesn’t overwhelm the soil’s pH balance or prevent water absorption.

2. Vinegar Spray

• Mix Vinegar Solution: Dilute one part vinegar with one part water and pour it into a spray bottle.
• Spray on Garden Borders: Apply around the edges of your garden, near paths, and other areas where cats tend to enter. Avoid direct spraying on plants, as vinegar can be too acidic and may damage foliage.
• Use Sparingly and Reapply After Rain: Vinegar’s scent can fade quickly, especially after rain, so reapply every few days for the best results.

Both methods are inexpensive, natural, and effective ways to keep cats from wandering through your garden without causing harm.

4. Add Rough Mulch or Gravel

Adding rough mulch or gravel to your garden can discourage cats from entering since they prefer soft, smooth surfaces. Here’s how to use these materials effectively:

1. Use Rough Mulch

• Types of Mulch: Choose coarse mulch varieties like pine cones, bark chips, or wood chunks. These are uncomfortable for cats to walk on, making them less likely to tread in your garden.
• Place Around Plants and Beds: Spread the mulch around garden beds, especially in areas where cats have previously dug or rested.
• Natural Look: Rough mulch also adds a natural, aesthetic appeal to the garden and can help retain soil moisture.

2. Add Gravel or Small Stones

• Choose Rough Textured Stones: Opt for gravel or small, sharp stones that aren’t easy to dig in. Cats will find these surfaces unpleasant to walk on or dig through.
• Spread in Paths or Flower Beds: Cover garden paths or flower bed areas where cats tend to wander. The rough texture will discourage them from using these spaces.
• Benefits for Drainage: Gravel and small stones can improve garden drainage, preventing waterlogging around plant roots.

By adding rough mulch or gravel, you create a less appealing environment for cats while adding texture and visual interest to your garden.

5. Create Physical Barriers

Creating physical barriers in your garden is a straightforward and humane way to keep cats out while protecting your plants. Here’s how to set up effective barriers:

1. Use Chicken Wire

• Lay Chicken Wire Flat on the Soil: Cats dislike walking on chicken wire, as it’s uncomfortable underfoot. Lay it over areas where they tend to dig, like flower beds or vegetable patches.
• Cut Holes for Plants: Use wire cutters to make holes in the chicken wire for your plants to grow through. This allows plants to thrive while deterring cats.

2. Garden Netting

• Install Netting Above Garden Beds: Stretch netting about an inch or two above the soil in areas you want to protect. This stops cats from accessing the soil for digging.
• Secure the Edges: Pin down the edges with stakes or rocks to prevent cats from moving underneath.

3. Place Decorative Fencing or Low Fences

• Add Small Fences Around Flower Beds: Even low fences (12–18 inches tall) can be enough to deter most cats, as they usually prefer easy access points.
• Choose Decorative Fencing: Metal or wooden decorative fences can add style to your garden while serving as barriers.

4. Use Twigs, Sticks, or Bamboo Stakes

• Create an Uneven Surface with Sticks: Insert sticks or bamboo stakes into the soil at random angles to make the area difficult for cats to maneuver in.
• Space Closely: Place stakes or sticks every few inches to block access and make digging nearly impossible for cats.

5. Install Raised Garden Beds

• Build Raised Beds: Cats are less likely to jump into high, enclosed spaces, so raised beds can reduce their interest in your garden.
• Add Barriers Around Raised Beds: For extra deterrence, use a low fence or decorative edge around raised beds.

By adding these physical barriers, you can deter cats from your garden while keeping your plants safe and maintaining a pleasant garden appearance.

6. Lay Down Prickly Plants

Laying down prickly plants is a natural and effective way to deter cats from wandering through your garden. Here are some cat-repelling plants to consider:

1. Holly

• Sharp, Pointy Leaves: The leaves of holly bushes are spiky and uncomfortable for cats to walk over, deterring them from the area.
• Great for Garden Borders: Plant holly along the edges of your garden beds or pathways to act as a natural barrier.

2. Berberis (Barberry)

• Thorny Branches: This shrub has thorny stems that cats will avoid, and it adds attractive color with its vibrant foliage.
• Use as Hedges or Borders: Berberis can be planted as a small hedge or along pathways, creating a natural barrier for cats.

3. Thorny Roses

• Classic Garden Choice: Roses have beautiful blooms and thorny stems that cats find uncomfortable.
• Plant Along Fences or Beds: Adding roses around the garden’s perimeter can create a visual and physical barrier for cats.

4. Sea Holly

• Spiky, Blue-Tinted Foliage: With its spiky leaves and unique blue flowers, sea holly is a great addition to deter cats while adding color and interest.
• Perfect for Beds and Borders: Plant in clusters near sensitive areas to keep cats out.

5. Blackberry or Raspberry Bushes

• Thorny Vines: These berry plants have thorny stems that discourage cats. Plus, you’ll get delicious berries as a bonus!
• Great for Garden Edges: Use these around the edges of your garden or near places where cats tend to enter.

Tips for Planting Prickly Plants

• Strategic Placement: Plant these prickly options along paths, garden borders, or areas where cats commonly wander to naturally deter them.
• Combine with Other Deterrents: For added protection, use prickly plants along with rough mulch or barriers to create a comprehensive cat deterrent strategy.

These prickly plants will not only help keep cats out of your garden but also add structure and beauty to your landscaping.

7. Apply Essential Oils Sparingly

Essential oils can be a natural way to deter cats from your garden, but it’s crucial to use them sparingly and safely. Here’s how to apply them effectively:

1. Make a Diluted Essential Oil Spray

• Choose Cat-Repellent Oils: Lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus oils are known to repel cats due to their strong scents.
• Create a Spray Solution: Mix a few drops (5–10 drops per cup) of essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Adding a small amount of dish soap can help the oil mix better with the water.

2. Spray Garden Borders and Entry Points

• Avoid Direct Plant Application: Spray the diluted essential oil mixture around the garden edges, near pathways, and in areas where cats tend to enter. Avoid spraying directly on plants, as concentrated oils can harm foliage.
• Reapply Periodically: Essential oils will fade, so reapply every few days or after rain to keep the scent strong.

3. Use Cotton Balls Soaked in Essential Oil

• Place Cotton Balls in Problem Areas: Soak a few cotton balls in diluted essential oils and place them around the garden where cats commonly visit. The scent will deter them without saturating the soil.
• Refresh Every Few Days: Essential oil scents can wear off, so replace the cotton balls weekly or after heavy rainfall.

Safety Tips

• Use Essential Oils in Moderation: Overusing essential oils can lead to soil buildup and may affect plant health.
• Avoid Pet Areas: If you have pets, ensure they don’t have access to the cotton balls or sprayed areas, as some oils can be toxic if ingested.

Applying essential oils sparingly and thoughtfully can help keep cats at bay while keeping your garden safe and fragrant.