Dogs & Cats

Man's best friends can also be your garden's worst enemy. An untrained dog can maul plants or dig up freshly planted bulbs, flowers, or your lawn. Cats won't do as much digging and damage in general, but they love to lie on freshly turned earth where your vegetable seeds were just planted. Both animals can use a garden and lawn as a litter box, making for dead spots in the lawn and very unpleasant surprises for you in the garden. Another concern is that male dogs need to "mark their turf". If your lettuce or greens have a strange ammonia smell, think twice about eating them. Dogs are usually responsible for brown spots on the lawn.

• The best control is to give pets their own yard or train them well.
• Try Dog Repair Grass for damaged areas.
• You can also repel cats and dogs with special repellents, such as Dog and Cat Repellent.
• A patch of catnip planted at a distance may lure felines away from your yard.
• To protect newly planted areas, lay down bramble stems, Cat Scats or wire mesh to prevent cats from using the area as a litter box.
• A solution of garlic, hot pepper, soapy water, or commercial repellent sprayed on prized plants may teach cats and plodding dogs to go elsewhere.
• Cats hate the smell of rue and citronella, so sprinkle these herbs in the garden. Beware, though—some repellents may encourage a dog to urinate on the spot more often to mark over the strange smell.
• For sure-fire protection, erect a wire fence with sturdy stakes.

Still have questions?: Ask our in-house gardening experts.