15 Methods to Pet-Proof Your Garden
Every gardener battles to protect their prized plants from their curious pets. The softness of newly turned soil is so inviting they often can’t refuse to investigate. Then some cats and dogs just like to munch on your plants. Here are some methods to make portions of your backyard less attractive to your pet, and other critters, without affecting visual appeal.
Start with Scent
Your pets navigate their world with their nose. You can to set up a scent boundary to stop them in their tracks.
Add Spice
Many of these you can source from your pantry this afternoon. Pet owners have excellent results by mixing equal amounts of powdered mustard with crushed dried peppers. Also, try black pepper or cayenne pepper. Since all other mammals, not humans, really dislike capsaicin, the active component in hot peppers, you will keep your pets off your plants and keep other critters like rabbits and deer. Just sprinkle the powdered spices around your bed and reapply after rain.
Go Bitter
If it’s the rainy season or you live in a wetter area, then try coffee grounds, used tea leaves, and/or orange peels. Bonus, they perform double duty as a mulch and will help fertilize your plants.
Purchase Repellent Scents
If your pet can’t take the subtle hint, it might be time to bring out smellier deterrents. Try cat repellent granules, fox urine, or essential oils like citronella, orange, lemongrass, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, anise. If you choose the essential oils method, mix one-part oil with three parts of water and spray on mulch.
Add Pet Revolting Plants
The number one anti-cat plant is Coleus Canina; it’s also known as the scaredy-cat plant. It’s the best place is anywhere you are trying to invite avian friends, like feeders and birdbaths. Other useful plants that you will love but your pets don’t appreciate are lavender, rue, geranium, and lemon thyme.
Rough Up Textures
Tender paws prefer soft, dirt, or sand. Anything bristly or pointy will help you keep naughty pets out of your flower beds. Here are the most attractive options.
Construct a Mulch Moat
Mulch moats made with pinecones, stones, or straw to separate your lawn from your garden beds will deter sensitive paws and look pretty.
Strategic Pruning
Save small branches and twigs and insert them into the soil at random angles is one option. If you have hollies and/or roses, you can lay their spiky clippings around your flower beds.
Employ Technology
Most of these options are motion activated and solar-powered.
Motion Activated Sprinklers
No one likes to be sprayed in the face with water, especially when it is unexpected. This is also a good solution if you have neighborhood cats that like to trespass into your yard.
Ultrasonic Animal & Pest Repeller
This is best if you have unwanted visitors; it might be too much for your pets. Consider using your landscape areas like your front yard to keep out deer, nuisance birds, cats, dogs, bears, vermin, rodents, and much more.
Electric fences
There are low voltage options that are independent or require a unique collar. You can use these to keep your pet in a specific area or out of others.
Glowing Night Eyes
You can place Predator Control Lights that simulate predator eyes, watching them hunt or feed at night. Great to keep out bunnies or other night munchers.
Physical Barriers
Building and planting require a more substantial investment, but they create more permanent solutions.
Build a Charming Fence
If you have always wanted an excuse to build a sweet picket fence, use your dog as that excuse. A low wall is attractive and can keep people from walking where you don’t want them.
Terraces and raised beds
This isn’t a foolproof solution, but it can assist. Higher beds might put plants out of reach and help your back at the same time.
Plant densely
If you plant your landscaped areas densely, dogs will generally stay out. Use perennials like ornamental grasses and romp-proof shrubs around the edge of the garden. Then put delicate plants in the center, where they’ll be more protected.
Give In
Okay, don’t give in, give your pets a place for them to be that’s all their own. Hopefully, that will keep them focused in that specific area.
Make a Dig Pit
Is your dog a digger? Then make them a unique backyard dig pit that you can hide toys and treats and where your pooch can dig til their heart’s content.
Build a Sandbox
Lure cats to where you want them and away from where you don’t. It might help contain the mess in one manageable location. You can even plant catnip in areas where you would prefer cats to be.