Keep Pets Out of an Organic Garden
Prevent Damage by Dogs and Cats Without Chemical Repellants
Dec 1, 2007
When it comes to animal pests in the garden, many organic gardeners are dismayed to discover that the number one offender isn’t deer or other wildlife, it’s the gardener’s cat or dog. Dogs cause garden damage on a macroscopic scale: digging, crushing, ripping, tearing, and general exuberant rolling around are common assaults. Cats are just as naughty: digging, making unwanted deposits, sampling, and frightening (or heaven forbid, devouring) beneficial birds.
Although gardeners can choose from a variety of chemical pet repellents on the market, these aren’t an option for the organic gardener. Choose one of the natural pet repellents on the market, and combine these with homemade deterrents until you find the most effective defense.
Barriers and Physical Repellents
For cats and small dogs, some of the insect repelling supplies you already use can perform double-duty to exclude pets. For example, you can use floating row covers to protect fresh seedbeds from digging or to keep pets from trampling small vegetable crops like lettuce and carrots. Although it seems like a floating row cover is a flimsy deterrent, the visual cue may be all the pet needs to find a new walking route.
If your cat relishes the fresh soil in your organic container garden, create your own scat mats from leftover rosebush clippings. After you prune your rosebushes, allow the clippings to dry in the sun for several days. Lay the thorny remnants in a crisscross fashion across the containers. Mittens will learn very quickly to find a new sandbox.
Scent Repellents
Animals have an exquisite sense of smell, so scent repellents can send the message that the garden isn’t a fun place to explore. You can consider some of the natural pet repellents on the market, or you can make your own repellents from cotton balls soaked in essential oils. Some pets have a higher odor tolerance threshold than others, so experiment with different scents. Most pets find any citrus oil offensive, and mint or menthol ranks a close second. Replace weekly or after rain to maintain efficacy.
Distraction and Training
Pets aren’t intentionally destroying your garden to be malicious, they’re fulfilling an unmet need. You can satisfy those needs in an acceptable fashion. For example, if kitty is nibbling your nepeta shoots to the ground, provide her with a dedicated catmint patch in which to frolic. If your flowerbed is her favorite litter box, build her a small bottomless cat box from wood scraps, and top it off with playground sand each month.
Dogs are creatures of habit, and are more amenable to training. If you normally allow your dog to wander about the yard and choose his favorite spot to relieve himself, you can implement a one-month leash-training program. Take him to the same corner of the yard, and praise him lavishly when he toilets in this area. Alternatively, take him for a walk and bag the droppings; you’ll both benefit from the exercise.
Benefits of Pets in the Organic Garden
If your pet repelling efforts fall short of 100% success, consider the benefits of pets in the garden. If your cat is an excellent mouser, you can bet that she is probably dispensing with some annoying mole and vole problems as well. If your dog announces his presence with a sharp yap, rest assured that neighboring deer and groundhogs will choose to browse elsewhere.
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