If its the plants - chuck them in the bin!! As for cats is there anything you can put over the plants (ie plastic netting) to keep them from using the garden as a toilet - which is probably what they are doing.

thanks will try netting over my plants

It may not work but curry powder or dried chilli flakes deters rabbits and possibly squirrels, maybe it would work on cats too??

pepper or chilli flakes are both good, these work on most cats including mine, if not I fear probably only a large fierce dog or competitive tomcat!

SHOTGUN, Derek.

My cat would never venture on to 6x fertilised patches.
She is long dead and I don't know if it is still available. It smells fabulous to mr but she hated it.

Sometimes putting prickles such as rose prunings round plants you are really particular about stops them digging.
I saw a new product for deterring them last week but can't remember the name - might have some effect.

Derek re shot-gun I totally agree but thought it would be too "non p.c." to say so! In my experience - as a dedicated long-time cat-lover - nothing deters a really determined cat... but chilli flakes do help with the less obstinate ones. Or holly leaves if you can be bothered...

Otherwise, if you can catch them at it, a spray of plain cold water from one of those bottles with a trigger that we use for misting plants sometimes surprises them enough to deter them... (RSPCA please forgive me!)

Alas, mine sits by when I'm gardening waiting for the tilth to be fine enough to receive her offerings - grrr!

I thought I might have got more comments actually, I don,t use a shot gun but it would make a very good deterrent, unfortunately it would be illegal in England. Derek.

thanks all for your help