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Re: Cats in the garden

Hello everyone,

I've been following the thread about cats getting into seed beds or garden
beds. FWIW, I have two cats who live in the stable which adjoins my garden
site. This is a brand new site, so I am still forming raised beds, creating
paths, etc.

As I prepare the soil and plant/seed it, I sprinkle a thin layer of dry
alfalfa hay over it. It's not thick enough to interfere with emerging
seedlings, but it has definitely discouraged the cats. As things grow I
increase the depth of the mulch for all its other benefits: smothering
weeds, holding moisture in, etc.

As for the chicken wire solution, it doesn't work for me to just lay a
piece of chicken wire flat on the soil; the cats will sleep on it! But if I
prop it up on wire legs just a bit, they stay away from it. If it's up
enough for them to poke an inquisitive paw under, they'll fiddle with it
and do more harm that if they'd just slept on top things in the first
place!

They're doing a fine job of keeping the mice in the stable under control;
will they keep rabbits out?

irene bensinger
Sunset zone 4
lirene@halcyon.com
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