Liquidambar seed pods. Blackberry prunings. Consumer products could be carpet tack strip, nylon fine-mesh netting, flypaper.

Dan

I don't know how it works outside, but tape with the sticky side up. Placed where you don't want the cat to be up will quickly teach them not to go there. Cats go absolutely insane when they get something stuck to their paws and learn the lesson quickly. You could also put a bunch of thorny prunings in the bed. Go find a something thorny, cut it into 1-2 foot long pieces and lay then all over the bed. They don't like that either.

I had this problem early on last year. Right after I made my strawberry pyramids, I saw cat droppings in the beds.

The problem was corrected for me by putting deer netting over the top of them. In my large beds, I have to use some PVC pipe as posts and then use deer netting all around the sides. This keeps all the critters out - not just cats.

Here is a link that might be useful: BsnTech Gardening Blog

I used to have a horrible problem with stray cats. I now use window screen rolled out, sometimes cardboard, and sometimes just sticks laid on bare spots. My neighbor uses indoor/outdoor carpet.

thank you everyone for the great ideas.

kathmcd7 - did you put it across the beds like row covers, or around the outside?

I'm glad you got some good ideas. I just lay the screen across the beds or cut it to size. It's only about $5.00 a roll at the big box stores and doesn't rust, so I can reuse it too!

one more question kath, I apologize for bothering you so much, but do you cut holes for the plants after you lay it across the rows? or just pull it off when the plants start to grow?

I love the screen idea, cheap, you can water through it...Thanks!

I use chicken wire cut into 1 ft squares when squares are empty or the seedlings are just starting out. When the plants get bigger, the cats generally stay out.

I hammered nails around the box and strung fishing wire across the beds and it worked.

I wouldn't mind as much if I had cats. I hate what I have to do b/c of other peoples animals!

Andrea

ezzirah - I just saw your question today. Sorry I haven't answered sooner cause I was out of town. I agree with codyg that the cats stay out after the plants get growing. Until then I just use pieces of screen and lay them where there's bare spots. Sometimes small pieces just to fill in. Hope this helps.

You didn't leave open spaces where plants are growing? or when the plants started growing you moved the screen to all the bare spots?

Yes, I cover all areas when I plant seeds and move smaller pieces of screen to cover most of the bare spots when the plants start pushing up the screen. I have lots of small pieces if I need them. The cats seem to go somewhere else just because of the screen, so it's ok if some small areas are not completely covered. The established plants, like bushes etc., I roll out the screen, cut 1/2 way in from the side, and then make the circle around the plant. I also use sticks laid on the ground. For some reason the cats don't like to move them or maybe climb over them. I hope this explains it better.
Kath

This may be a bit overkill just for cats, but it does keep them out (along with the groundhogs, raccoons, skunks, rabbits, etc).

"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRjXAZqXvXA&fmt=18"

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Here is a link that might be useful: sqftsteve's YouTube channel

kath - thank you very much, that does explain a lot better, I get it now.

steve - get on with your bad self!!!!