The only thing I've heard is to scatter moth balls in the garden but I don't know how toxic they are. If you happen to see the cats you could squirt them with a hose. Maybe that would make them think twice about using your garden as a litter box. Good luck.
Karyn

Or you could combine the two and squirt them with Naphthalene and Paradichlorobenzene.

What? Why is everyone looking at me like that?

The sarcasm above was directed (I assume) to the fact that outdoors is absolutely no place for highly toxic moth balls. Ever. Karyn1, that may have been perscribed in years past, but we know better now. I hope. ;-)

Anyway, if you do a search right here in the GardenWeb, using 'cat repellent' as your key words, you'll probably come up with a zillion past posts and some good suggestions.

Here! I'll do it for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Click here for search results

Placing a class 1 carcinogen in your garden is never a good idea aside from the simple fact that the label on the box, or package, of moth balls will tell you that that use is illegal, a violation of federal law.
Never, ever, use any product until you have read, and understand, the package label.

Buy a small gun. What? They have nine lives, right?

I found an excellent site with sevearl cat repellents. Maybe you'll find something there that will help with your problem.

http://www2.yardiac.com/show_category.asp?category=394

I was just going to post about this topic. Okay, the Plastic mesh is my next step - Thank You! I am not going to use chemicals and go to the time and expense because somebody else is a bad pet owner.

Do you think putting the mesh down and mulch on top is a final fix?
Sure hope so.

Hi, msbee. Yes, the mesh has certainly been a permanent solution for me. The square openings in the mesh are approx. 1/2" in width and the cat's claws get hung up in it, which annoys the heck outta them. They can't dig in it and that's the point...keeping them from digging and then pooping. They're fastidious critters and if they can't dig a hole and then cover up their business, they normally will find another place to go. If you do put mulch over it, don't put too much because that will defeat the purpose..the cats will find a deep mulch just as satisfying to dig in as dirt and they'll poop in your mulch. I barely cover mine with a dusting of pine bark fines, which hides the black colored mesh quite well. The thing is, the cats need enough space to turn around in, dig in, squat in...etc. I have found it is sufficient to only use the mesh in open areas between my plants that are large enough for the cats to comfortably use as potty area...they won't usually get too close to your plants to do their business because the plants brush them and poke them while they're at it, and they don't seem to like that. So try it in the larger open areas of your garden first.
This post has become a novella, so I'll stop blabbing now. It's only that I tried unsuccessfully for so long to keep cat poop out of my garden, and I'm thrilled to share something that DOES work. Does anyone want me to post photos?

RENEE

Renee, post a picture of this material.

Sorry I didn't get back here sooner, but the weather has been nice and I've been taking advantage of it : )

I just seeded a new annual patch, in the bed by our front entrance, and I put some of the mesh over it to keep the cats out. I'll take a couple of photos and post them today, if I get the chance.

Renee

OK - these aren't the best photos - it was late in the day when I took them and the setting sun doesn't present the best lighting for detailed images.
Anyway, the first photo is of the plastic mesh material with my blurry finger behind it - for sizing comparison.

The second photo is of the mesh installed over a newly seeded section of an annuals bed....notice that the mesh is very difficult to see. It isn't an eye sore in the garden and it works beautifully to keep the cats from digging.

The mesh is sold in rolls at Lowes, as I stated in an earlier post. I'm fairly certain a similar material could be purchased at other home improvement/gardening centers, if you don't have a Lowes near you.

Hope this info. helps somebody out....it has worked wonders in my garden.
Good Luck with whatever method you choose -
Renee

Thank you very much for the advice. I want to put in a small vegetable garden and was wondering how I was going to keep the cats out of it. They already go after my flower beds - my neighbor has 8 of the little beasts. Anyway I see by the date that this posting was over a year ago, but if you do see this can you tell me what dept. in Loews you would find this product. I think I've heard that chicken wire works too. Again, thanks for the info.

Hi, stepmis1955 ~ you can find rolls of this mesh in the gardening section at Lowes, outside with the fencing products. It's often labeled "bird mesh" or "deer fencing". Either will work. The difference is that the bird mesh is a finer material than the material labeled for keeping deer from eating your fruits and veggies. The bird netting is cheaper and will suit your purposes. By the way, I've purchased the same material at Walmart.
Apparently, the cats in my neighborhood got so used to this material covering my beds, that they no longer visit my property to poop. They're still assuming it's there but I removed it several months ago :) And yea....chicken wire works well, too, but my personal preference is the soft plastic mesh. I've worked with both materials and found the metal chicken wire difficult to handle.

Good Luck ~
Renee

Rue works great just plant it where they go they hate rue and wont come near it even kittens dont like it.

if you have clippngs from roses or other thorny shrubs these will work too. just lay them on the surface of the
garden and work around them. as rivers1202 said, the cats will move along if its too inconvienent for them

diggerb

I have had the same problem. I used some of the commercial repellent, just have to spray it daily. I bought plastic devices from a garden shop that are slightly prickly and placed them around the area. I have not had cat problems since (knock on wood).