Herb garden from cat toilet?

[Graham]

Hi all, first post..

I have cleared a section of a raised border, roughly 6ft x 3ft, that had previously only been occupied by a few plants and my cat. I want to start a herb garden this year, my main concern is that the spot has always been my cats preferred toilet area.

I have cleared away the cat poop I can see and removed the top inch or two of soil. I then turned the soil well and dug in some compost. It is now covered with a mesh to keep the cat off, much to his disgust

I was hoping that a couple of months of frost and rain will kill off / wash away any unfriendly bacteria in the soil leaving it ready for planting in the spring.

What do you think? Is the spot unsafe? Should I give the soil more time to ‘heal’. Is there anything I can do or add to improve the quality of soil and remove any health risks associated with the area previously being my moggy’s fave dumping ground?

Or am I worrying unnecessarily?

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[Lizald]

Hi Graham

This is a really interesting question.

I don't know about the soil aspect - I can't see it being a problem unless your cat continues to scratch and dig up the plants in the area.

Cat's love freshly tilled soil, because it offers least resistance - they're essentially lazy creatures.

As a thought (being a cat owner and a herb gardener) how about trying some catmint in your herb patch?

My theory - and it's not tested or from any scientific background - is that cats love catmint - my cats have always loved to roll in it - they don't mess where they sleep/relax I've always found.

Maybe that would stop your cat using that area as a toilet?

I don't know for sure - please don't take it as 'gospel' - I'm not holding myself up as an expert in this case - it's just a logical thought process.

Of course, the mesh will stop him scratching, but it might potentially make weeding a bit difficult too?

Anyone any other ideas?

Regards

Liz

[Graham]

Liz, thank you for your feedback.

I decided to make a clean start, I removed all the soil to a depth of eight inches replacing it with a small layer of compost and levelled off with fresh, new top soil from my local garden centre. I have replaced the cover (made up of an old fire guard) to keep the cat off, it is fairly easy to lift off and will remain until all the plants are established and there is little to no soil accessible.

I have purchased a good selection of herb plants and will slowly harden them off in preparation for planting sometime in March, weather permitting.

Thanks again
Graham.

[Lizald]

Sounds the safest bet Graham - and as it's such a small area, it shouldn't cost too much to do.

Best of luck

Have fun :-)

Bye for now

Regards

Liz