There are products on the market like this one:

http://www.valleyvet.com/Pet/Pet-Equipment-Supplies/Training/Boundary-Aids/Repel-Away-From-My-Garden-Dog-and-Cat-Repellent

Repel Away

I never tried it but I wonder if it is organic, etc.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2005/12/18/fresh_test_cat_feature.shtml

I read this little test. They said that moth balls and garlic cloves worked. I am a little surprised that the garlic worked. I even grow garlic in my garden. My cats loved garlic powder. It used to be in a product that is still on the market. Unfortunately, garlic is toxic to cats and dogs.

Nah, don't use moth balls. They are toxic. Instead try this, citrus peels of all kinds -- lemon, lime, grapefruit. Kitties hate citrus. Also, get some really, really prickly rose vines to lay down thither and yon. Kitties don't like prickly either!
Deb

Thanks for the info
I thought of a few things while I waited too. pine needles,
they are a little sappy and sticky and prckly figured that might annoy him. I also laid a few small mice traps underneath like little land mines HE HE!!
thanks for the Great Info! I think moth balls are good for mice in non gardening areas.
I like the citrus idea!!!

:-0

OWIE!

I sure hope you are kidding about the mice traps! That is a bit cruel of a deterrent! Besides that, you might find yourself in trouble gardening if you get just a little forgetful!!!

My cat slept in the pines, making beds on the stuff that built up over the years. The needles don't seem to deter cats at all unless perhaps you can get them to stick upwards?

I have often wondered about the information about repelling cats with citrus. Cats don't like to eat citrus. I never noticed them leaving the room when I ate an orange or grapefruit though. They just don't like the way it tastes. I am not sure they will stay away just because something smells like citrus. Supposedly spraying the base of the soil and plants with a potion make with hot peppers will be unpleasant to their paws. http://www.helium.com/tm/487346/regarding-felines-gardeners-sides I don't know anyone who has actually done this though.

It all comes down to poop fighting. I was emotionally involved with my little fighter.

I used to have gardening fights with my own beloved cat. I would go out to garden, he would join me. I would walk to the gardens, he would be at my side. I would dig. He would dig and poop. "THAT IS GOING TOO FAR!" I would say. He always had one area that he would dig up. The only way I could stop the little pansy pooper was to keep the garden densely planted enough that it would not be so lovely to dig in. All that loose, black soil, fluffy and soft to the touch is just too much to resist. THAT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL!

I lost the little guy this year and have taken complete control of my garden again. Of course, I would gladly go back to the poop fights if I could. I miss him.

What worked for me was crushed red pepper, the kind you buy in the spice section of the supermarket. I sprinkled it around the garden when I lived in Brooklyn NY, it kept the cats and dogs out. I had to reapply a few times but they finally stopped showing up. I even used cayanne powder one season. Of course now that I live in an area with what seems like millions of squirrels and chipmonks I kind of encourage the neighborhood kitty's to visit.

how about getting a dog?

A dog or a Supersoaker squirtgun. Or the garden hose.

My cats go outdoors and all our neighbors know them. They also know it's OK to give 'em a blast when they're where they shouldn't be. For the most part, though, they're pretty content to remain on our property.

Thanks I have a dog! HE stays on the deck and is not in the front yard on 24 HOUR alert, for when the neighbors cat come a calling at very sly moments of day or eve!
And same goes for the Home-owner. He doesn't stand around all day waiting to be Johnny on the spot with the hose.
I do have some better things to do with my time than be the neighborhood "CAT Nazi Patrolman"
So far the alternate methods seem to be working.
Thanks again!

cat gestapo