Hey everyone! I've been putting effort into my garden at my little terrace house in London, but I'm dealing with a frustrating issue: cats and foxes keep using my planting bed as their toilet! I've covered the gaps with bark, but they seem to love it. I've tried some granules to deter them, but no success. It's really unpleasant and I need some advice on how to stop this. Are there any plants that grow quickly to fill the gaps? What else can I do to keep them away?
3 Answers
I’ve tackled this problem using coffee grounds in my garden, and it's worked wonders! Now, my feline visitors prefer my neighbor's driveway instead! Give it a shot; you might be surprised!
The gaps and bark chips are kind of like a luxury restroom for animals! I've dealt with cats, foxes, and other critters in my garden, and I’ve found that using green chicken wire, empty hanging baskets, or even spiky mats helps protect my plants. You can gradually remove them as your plants grow in. Also, try filling those gaps with dense plants; it makes it harder for them to dig. If you like the decorative style of bark, consider using larger stones or pebbles instead of small gravel since they can easily dig through that.
Using BBQ sticks can really help too! Just pack them in the gaps to make it uncomfortable for those animals to settle down. Plus, consider planting some annuals to cover those spaces until your perennials kick in next year. It’ll definitely improve the situation!