[suzi]

Hi all,
just clearing my veg space and remembered from last year - open clear ground = cats mess

can anyone recommend a repeller?

looked on some websites and lots to choose from, would rather have a tried & tested one before spending out.

thanks in advance for any help

Suzi

[Elcie]

Hi Suzi and welcome to the site.  I havn't tried anything other than plants that are supposed to repel cats - they seemed to work ok, and sticks with thorns on (think they were from rosehip bushes??) laid across the top of the bed but it depends how big your beds are.

I pulled up outside my house today to find my neighbours cat in my square foot gardening raised bed in the front garden.  I was not happy at all!  Luckily I haven't planted anything yet, although I really don't want cats mess in my veg beds!

Good luck and I hope that you are able to find something that keeps veg growers and cat lovers happy!

[peapod]

I have a raised bed in my back garden. The only thing that keeps them off is netting the whole thing 

[mumofstig]

Netting is the obvious solution but, there's a few posts here that may help, the thread is about foxes but the deterrent will work against cats (see the youtube link, lower down the thread  )
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=73854.msg840861#msg840861

[Epona_4]

sorry but the best deterrent i have found is a jack russell called ralph with a deep grudge against cats, trespassing on his patch.......you should hear him eff and jeff if they dare even look in his general direction!

[freckledbeck]

Hiya, I reckon a physical barrier is best after digging, eg black matting, fleece etc as it'll keep the cats off, keep the weeds down and warm up the soil for you, plus protect any seeds/plants you have planted.
When any seeds/plants you have planted get bigger they should (hopefully) deter cats from using your patch as cats seem to prefer bare earth.
Good luck!