Cats in Garden

If you don't want your neighbor's cats in your garden, you will need to take drastic measures. Try spraying the intruder with a blast from the hose. Most cats will turn and run although some actually enjoy water, especially on a hot day. For them, you must try other tactics, like planting rue. The blue foliage makes this an attractive garden accent, but cats can't stand the odor and will make a wide berth around the planting. Thorny roses also deter cats.

Some gardeners use homemade remedies. Although we can't personally attest to the success of these methods, it won't hurt to try them. Sprinkle your plants with crushed pepper. It will irritate cats and may even produce a few extra pepper plants in the garden. Cayenne is also said to work though you will need to reapply it after every rain. Or try ground-up grapefruit and lemon rinds. Or make a tea of rue, hot pepper liquid, or lemon juice to spray on plants.

Commercial products like predator urine and cat (and dog) repellents also are available at many garden centers. Or try to get rid of unwanted cat visitors with devices that use sound, light, and/or water to scare them away. Another possibility is to lay down mats, which have soft upward facing points. It won't hurt you--or the cats--to walk on these, but most cats don't like to step on them.

If you have bird feeders near your garden, move them to a new location or hang them higher than a cat can jump. Otherwise, cats may continue to visit your garden in hopes of catching birds.

 
Finally, remember that cats are not stupid creatures. They can be taught. Sometimes a stern "no" is all it takes to teach a cat to stay out of the garden. But if all else fails, there's always cat behavior modification--better known as therapy--for your furry friend, and you!

Some say garlic and/or a citrus peel will deter cats.

Reference(s):

Neighbors' cats - keeping them out of the yard

Keeping Cats Out of the Garden