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Post by Plocket on Mar 8, 2007 17:34:02 GMT
I'm sorry to bring this up but I've a dilema: This morning LP and I discovered that the cat has been using LP's garden as a toilet (I've refrained from using the words I feel like using ) I've dug out loads of compost and c**p, but I don't know whether I should get rid of all the compost and replace it (nearly 500 litres!) or leave it and hope that the rain will wash any nasties away. What should I do? LP wants to grow vegetables in her garden!
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Post by MamIDdau on Mar 8, 2007 18:09:36 GMT
oooooh I dunno. To be absolutely sure I guess you'd have to change the lot but I dunno if there are things you can buy which will kill any nasties in the soil but leave it useable. Dettol?!
One of the reasons I do everything in containers is to stop nasty things getting in.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2007 18:11:02 GMT
Plocket I think you should be ok, if they have only just strted using it, you may be able to get something called scent off pellets or get off to use as a deterrant. Or you could try and make a surround to stop the cats from getting in, put a bamboo cane in each corner and thread some garden mesh round the canes to make a frame this can be removed when wanting access. Hope i have been of some help
Karen
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Post by Plocket on Mar 8, 2007 18:33:06 GMT
Thanks to you both. I put some mesh over the planter this morning which seems to have done the trick. I only found a couple of deposits so it's certainly not been going on for a long time - we haven't exactly had the planter for long! I'm still unsure but have dug quite a bit of compost out from the necessary areas.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2007 18:37:08 GMT
Plocket Ive also had another thought im not sure if you can use diluted Jeys Fluid as a soil cleanser, ive ran out so cant check.
Karen
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Post by Plocket on Mar 8, 2007 18:52:32 GMT
I don't think I want to use stuff like that on my compost Karen, but thank ou for the suggestion. I posted this query on the Beeb too and have had a positive response so I think by removing quite a bit of the soil around the "deposits" we will be ok. Cheers!
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Post by Chuckles on Mar 8, 2007 19:05:24 GMT
Had the same prob in my raised beds P, thankfully the cats have moved house now. I just removed it as they did it, that lasted for a couple of days then I got fed up and poked a few canes in the deter them, it worked.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2007 20:18:29 GMT
Sprinkle curry or chilli powder Plocket....works a treat. Makes the area smell divine to boot
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2007 20:21:15 GMT
There's a plant growing across the road from my MIL&FIL's house that smells of curry and is supposedly good for keeping the cats away. I don't know what it's called though (Probably called something simple like "Curry Plant" knowing me ) FA x
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Mar 8, 2007 20:22:41 GMT
It's called Curry Plant ;D
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2007 20:25:17 GMT
The plant you are refering to FA sound familiar my old NDN had one they were from India they said it was called curry leaves, not sure if you can get them in this country though, but i may be wrong.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2007 20:30:26 GMT
The curry plant is Helichrysum italicum*. The only thing is that it only gives off its scent on very warm days, especially summer evenings.....It is useless at this time of year.......
* Actually there are a few plants called the "curry plant", but this is the main one.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2007 21:12:42 GMT
CC
I went to my MIL&FIL's last Saturday and parked the car next to the garden where this plant is. The scent was pretty strong (unless someone had chucked their kebab & chilli sauce over the fence, of course !)
FA
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Post by MamIDdau on Mar 8, 2007 21:55:04 GMT
The only other thing that I can think off that would kill nasties without ruining the soil would be a natural antibiotic type thing such as tea tree oil/eucalyptus but don't know how you'd get that into the soil or whether it would have any effect on the plants.
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Post by Plocket on Mar 9, 2007 10:07:59 GMT
Thanks for all your suggestions! I'm not going to grow a curry plant I'm afraid because I absolutely loathe the smell of it I might have to save orange peels to put around LPs planter, but at the moment the mesh I've covered it with seems to be doing the trick.
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Post by MamIDdau on Mar 9, 2007 10:26:03 GMT
grow Rue. That keeps cats away. You can also make a spray out of it.
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Post by Spruance on Mar 9, 2007 11:00:36 GMT
What about the 'Scaredy Cat' Plant (Coleus Canina) Plocket? I've not tried it myself, but even the RSPB have suggested that it works. This link will give you a bit more information. As for the 'poo' itself, it should be good enough to just scoop out a spadeful of the immediately surrounding soil/compost.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2007 14:15:37 GMT
Plocket, we had this problem when we first dug up the garden ... every cat in the neighbourhood used our 'facilities'. Two things really worked: (1) brushing diluted Jeyes fluid on the surrounding patio stones and walls - they apparently hate the smell; (2) breaking up pea sticks into 4/5 inch lengths and sticking them into the soil at about 6 inch intervals ... you can just remove them when things start growing ... cheers ...
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