Keeping cats out is asked quite often, especially in spring, when we have freshly laid borders out ripe for cats to toilet in.

I have found that only physical barriers stop them. I put out lots of Bamboo canes to stop them accessing the bits of garden that they use. Remove any poo and tidy any dug up parts. That will stop them quite quickly. You can remove the canes when the plants are big enough.

thanks !

Sonic cat scarers. Not cheap but they do work (from personal experience)

When I plant new plants I lay a section of green wire netting over the area until the plants come through.

this is just an idea originally used on squirrels and successfully deterred rabbits I use dried chilli flakes from the ethnic counter in the supermarket-- sprinkled liberally where they visit--- I'd love to know if it has any effect-- good luck!

We have dozens of cats (Mostly feral visitors), and we are fortunate enough to have a very dry, out of sight, sandy little side bed where we plant nothing, and which they have used for ages, and as long as we don't clear it completely of previous faeces, which dry out quite quickly, they continue to use it and leave the planted bits alone. Surprisingly, it doesn't smell nearly as bad as you might expect. Maybe if you could just leave them a little area of their own and spread the chilli flakes on the important, planted bits.....? It's as near as you can ever get to training a cat to do anything!

Well you might think having a dog would put them off visiting the garden - not my dog though. She is more afraid of them that the other way round. Someone told me to throw orange peel in all the beds, so I do and we don't have too many feline visitors.

i use orange peel too you just have to remember if it rains a lot that you have to put fresh peel out well to be truthful ever time an orange is eaten in my house the peel is put in the garden if all fails then do as i do always rush out side if i see one of our furry friends and shout go away :)))))))))))))))))))

thanks very much everyone ! I have tried orange peel - and can you believe one cat actually 'does his thing' on netting I have laid.
I agree that clearing the faeces away quickly helps.
I will try the chilli flakes also.
Kimola - I shout something worse than GO AWAy !

Tee he Granny,dont blame you if they arnt your own either. Cats do lurrrve freshly disturbed earth..I would too if I only had my nails to dig with,but they are great advantage takers too & wont make an effort if they dont have to + are habitual/stubborn. Like Gattina I leave a designated area of soft stuff(they like fine dry material). No go areas,newly dug, or planted,I lay my hawthorn,rose,& anything 'unpleasant' cuttings. Make brash 'cages' around plantings by laying branches & twigs crosshatch style around them for a week or so,which works. Also cats wont dig in wet,or damp earth,if they can help it to do their do's. On your protective netting though,I as ask you!!..& I thought my window box held the trophy for 'unusual places to go'!

Failing all else get a childs waterpistol and squirt them when you see them, I`m not being cruel, it doesn`t harm them, I have four of my own and even they had to learn that some areas are a nogo for them...

We tried that, Lincslass - didn't work for one minute! I think cats are basically very stupid - lovely but stupid - and can't learn ANYTHING, whatever lessons you dish out. I speak from a LOT of experience!!!

Pajo I think I have a more unusual 'place to go'. Some years ago I though it might be a good idea to try and grow mushrooms in one of those indoor compost things. It was on a worksurface and we got quite a few mushrooms - and then my dear, and long since departed, cat discovered it. Bless.

You've just reminded me, Pajo - we used to have a gorgeous little kitten called Francesca, who, when we found her was very, very sick. I allowed her to sleep on the bed wrapped in an old duvet, and put the sand tray on the floor nearby. She would get up in the night (don't we all?) and wouldn't pay the tray any attention, but would walk into the next door bathroom, and very carefully and accurately decorate the shower tray immediately next to the drain. Every time. We forgave her almost everything. How did she learn that? When she recovered, she returned to the wild and we rarely saw her again.