Protecting our flowerbeds using a humane eco-friendly product

We love cats, squirrels and foxes, but how can we keep them from ruin our flowerbeds?

Cats make treasured companions. They’re playful, yet independent, and are adorable when they warm up to you for some behind-the-ear scratches. However, it’s easy for the affection to wane when they have rearranged a freshly planted flower bed in order to do their business.

Unfortunately, this can be a regular occurrence for those who live in an area with a high number of outdoor cats. Felines love to roam, which means that it can be difficult to keep them out of your garden if you’re not so keen on their presence. Nonetheless, there are effective, humane methods to deter cats from digging up flower beds - and they don’t involve laying down expensive tinfoil, like your parents might have done in the past!

Why do cats go to the toilet in flower beds?

Cats are very particular about their territories, so when a cat claims your garden as part of its domain, it will mark it with its scent. Unfortunately, this may involve leaving ‘presents’, a deliberate type of defecation known as ‘middening’.

While cats may go to the toilet anywhere in the garden, some cats have a preference for a certain area due to its level of shelter or the type of surface. Some cats even take a liking to the loose, soft soil of flower beds, especially those that have been freshly prepared. 

They may also enjoy going to the toilet in flower beds as this is where other animals, such as birds will roam for food. The act of marking their territory here allows them free reign to hunt as they like, without the interference of other cats.

The best way to deter cats from flower beds

If you don’t mind cats prowling your garden, but dislike them in your flower beds, there are a variety of natural deterrents that you could try. For example, some gardeners will introduce plants that have a strong scent to their beds and borders, such as lavender and lemon thyme. In some cases, this can be enough to keep cats out of the immediate vicinity, however, this is not a foolproof method, as some felines may be able to endure these scents.

Another idea is to wash away a cat’s scent using a hose. For one, cats generally dislike damp or wet areas, and secondly, if they find that their area is being repeatedly cleansed of their scent, they may not bother marking it in future. On the other hand, it can be time consuming to water your beds each time you spot a cat in it, not to mention the increase in your water bill.

All that aside, there’s one method that seems to trump all others when it comes to effectively deterring cats: the Happy Plants Plant Protector. We designed this lightweight spiral, made with 100% bamboo, so it can be easily inserted into flower beds and secured with pegs to physically prevent cats from entering. 

It is humane as well as sustainable, and it doesn’t encroach on the look and feel of your flower beds, thanks to its natural materials. As your plants mature, they will grow through and around the spirals, with the product eventually disappearing amidst the blooms and foliage.

Read more about the Plant Protector and Our Story here