A few simple methods to keep your cat (or neighbor kitty) from using your garden or flower beds as a litter box:

For smaller areas:  Sprinkle cayenne pepper,  black pepper,  or pepper flakes around the area on the soil.  Cats always sniff the potential area before going potty.  The pepper will make the kitty sneeze and make the area undesirable to him/her.

Vicks or other vapor rub products will work too.  Simply apply a light layer around the edges of the area desired.  Cats hate the smell,  will turn their noses,  and stay away.

For larger areas (and small too):  Chop citrus peels finely and sprinkle them around the soil.  The peels will be un-a"peel"ing to kitty and will keep him/her away.  They do not like the smell of citrus.  Lemon peels work the best over orange and lime as lemon odors tend to be more powerful than the others.

Keep a water source available to the cat,  whether it is in a small dish or a garden feature.  Cats tend to "go" away from their water sources.  If the water source is available constantly,  it is likely he/she will find a better place to relieve him/herself.  Make sure to keep it clean,  fresh,  and filled.

Plant rue in the garden.  This decorative plant has blue folige,  which not only will be a nice contrast in the garden,  but cats hat the smell of it.  They tend to avoid this "obnoxious" plant-from a kitties perspective. 

Make a rue or lemon tea.  Place the tea in a spray bottle and spray all around the area.  Of course,  as the rains come and go,  you will need to re-apply more frequently than if you would use peels or the plant.  Again,  cats hate the smell and will avoid the area.

The ever so popular "SCARECROW"  will work wonders as well.  The SCARECROW is a neat little gadget.  It is a motion activated sprinkler system that runs off of batteries.  You place the device in the desired area,  when motion is sensed a spritz of water emerges from the device and then all at once.......kitty gets wet.  We all know MOST cats hate water (I have one of the few cats in the world who actually likes getting wet). 

Try placing dried rose canes flat in the garden in random areas around in the soil.  Make sure the thorns are dulled and not sharp.  The cat will step one them not like the way these feel on his/her feet and stay out.  

Place blood meal in the garden.  I am not really sure what the effect of this method is,  but I am told it is resourceful.  Maybe the smell or texture?

Plastic forks can be placed in random locations,  onto the ground,  and then buried (on their backs with the tongs sticking gently upright).  When the cat wanders thru the garden,  he/she will find the terrain to be rather uncomfortable.

Crushed sea shells are another option but may not look so pretty.  Mussel shells will blend the best since they are black in color and will mix better with the color of the soil.  Place them all around in the soil and mix them in,  making sure part of the edges are emerged from the soil.  The texture will again bother the cat on his/her feet,  keeping him/her away. 

Place dried seed pods around the garden.  When the pods make noise,  it will irritate the cat,  keeping him/her away.  Also,  depending on the type of pod,  the feel may be undesirable to his feet again keeping him/her out.

Cats tend to be really particular about their environments.  This may even help you come up with additional ideas to prevent your cat from "going in the garden".  None of these methods will harm your cat or your garden plants.  Some methods may work for one cat but may not work for another.  Don't give up.  One of these methods is sure to work for you.  Good luck!

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