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Windowsill Herbs and Cats!
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Gardenfun
Just Arrived
Joined: 03 Sep 2008
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:36 am Post subject: Windowsill Herbs and Cats! |
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I'm sure I'm not the only cat lover here who has faced this problem ... Does anyone have any unique suggestions on ways to keep cats out of your windowsill indoor type of herb garden. I've tried hand clapping, quick sprays with a water bottle ... even diversion with their own catnip plant. I just can't keep them from getting into and destroying the herbs I am trying to grow. Any thoughts are greatly appreciate 
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Droopy
Slug Slaughterer
 Regular Plantstew Contributor (over 1000 edits)
Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Location: Western Norway (Map)
Posts: 7163
PlantStew: 10067 |
| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:18 am Post subject: |
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The only thing I really know about that works, is to fill the sill up to such a degree that they can't get a paw up there.
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Gardenfun
Just Arrived
Joined: 03 Sep 2008
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the suggestion Droopy. Unfortunately my cats are so rambunctious that filling up the sill would likely end up with the plants all over the floor (this is sadly what happen to a ledge of collectible glasses I had over my counters in the kitchen). I figured it was a long shot, but didn't know if anyone had discovered some sort of all natural repellent/remedy or means to keep the curious critters away. Thanks again!
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gardengater
Highly Skillful
Joined: 30 May 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 1566
PlantStew: 28 |
| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome Gardenfun;
I've had the same problem, my cat slept on my tomato plants before I got them into the garden. Have you ever thought of the window shelf units they sell on the internet? I don't know of anything that repels cats, perhaps some awful smelling herb.
Gardengater
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Biita
Arctic-ally Challenged Forager
Joined: 31 Oct 2007
Location: Norway (Map)
Posts: 1954
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:40 am Post subject: |
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I have always heard that red pepper, the chili kind is supposed to keep them away. They get a sniff of it, and they don't like it. Shoot i wouldn't either. I don't have cats, so i honestly don't know.
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stratsmom
Flower Fanatic
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Location: Southern Oregon (Map)
Posts: 1487
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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We have several squirt guns at our house. We have to hide them from the nieces & nephews, they think they are toys  They are not toys!! They are cat training tools!!! When the cat starts shredding the furniture she gets a good soaking. If she even acts like she is going to do something bad we just say "Get the gun, get the gun" and she crouches down and squints her eyes because she knows what's coming
Deanna
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
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Location: Scotland (Map)
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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Is there any way you could perhaps cover up the plants on your windowsill Gardenfun? I was thinking along the lines of clear plastic 'hoods' that come with some planters. They have ventilation slits or holes that can be closed or left open. I think they are called something like windowsill propagators but I'm not 100% sure.
I hope you find a solution to your problem.
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glendann
Official Garden Angel
Joined: 19 May 2006
Location: Texas (Map)
Posts: 8819
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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Red pepper is a bad thing to use.If the cat gets it in there eyes they will claw their eyes out.You may have declawed cats but their back paws will do the same.
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TheBip
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 25 Mar 2007
Location: Indianapolis, IN (Map)
Posts: 631
PlantStew: 87 |
| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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Do you have any lemon scented herbs or maybe just pieces of lemon? I grew lemon catnip once, and the cats wouldnt touch it *lol* They dont like the smell of lemon.
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Gardenfun
Just Arrived
Joined: 03 Sep 2008
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll have to try out some of these. Red pepper sounds promising, but glendann has a good point about their eyes. I did once attempt to try the bitter apple spray that is used to keep puppies from chewing on furniture, but that isn't healthy for plants.
I've tried the squirt bottle approach, but my cats, stubborn as they are are not phased by that. They just give me a "what is your problem look".
The window sill propagators ... Hmmm not that is something I might have to try.
Gardengator ... I'm not sure I know about the window sil units you mentioned. Do you happen to have a link for one? Something like that with along with the propagator might work.
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gardengater
Highly Skillful
Joined: 30 May 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 1566
PlantStew: 28 |
| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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I don't have any offhand, but if you put in window shelf units, some should come up. Sorry I can't be more specific. Good Luck.
Gardengater
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bunkie
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 07 Aug 2008
Location: eastern washington
Posts: 440
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Gardenfun
Just Arrived
Joined: 03 Sep 2008
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks bunkie! TONS of ideas in that link! I've found several I may pursue further (yes chicken wire could be a good possibility). I'll be sure to report back if/when one of them works.
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