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Pets on my veg patch

Tall treesTall trees Posts: 175
in Problem solving
This is my small raised veg garden, but my cat and dog run over it, I only wish to grow runner beans and salad crops, but they destroy it, any idea please and before you think about it the cat and dog are staying 😀 Thanks 
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  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Before the photo came up I was thinking "fence", but now I'm not sure! I trained my dog not to go in the veg garden or on the best bit of lawn, but my cat is another matter.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Rose121Rose121 Posts: 132
    A small fence or wall, or raising the height further? Might make it more effort, so encourage them to divert? 
  • Rose121Rose121 Posts: 132
    Or lots of pea sticks while veg are young? That's how I keep them off recently planted flower beds.
  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150
    1: A bamboo cane at each corner with some netting around it.
    2: Train the pets not to go near the veg bed. I find a squirt from the hose or waterspray gun works well as a deterrent 😁.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    A basic cage, as Kitty describes is the only way. It can be as fancy or as simple as you want it, depending on your budget and ability with a few power tools  ;)

    The advantage of something like chicken wire and 2 inch posts [tree stakes are adequate] is that they're sturdy and you can make a simple doorway in it too. You need to be able to access the plot for tying in, feeding etc, as well as harvesting your crop.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    Whenever I pick my cat up and put her somewhere comfortable like on the bed or an armchair she immediately huffily jumps down with an I-didn’t-want-to-be-put-here look. This in mind, perhaps you could put up a sign saying ‘Cats Welcome. There’s no where better in this garden.’
    Rutland, England
  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150
    Ha ha 😆 I know that 'look' Picidae.
    Seriously, the waterspray does work. I used one indoors with great success... stopped my sofa getting shredded by daughters new kitten. 

    Fairys chicken wire and posts sounds much more sturdy than my cane and net. I'd even be tempted to grow some dwarf sweet peas on a proper fence like that to 'pretty it up'.
    How big is the dog?
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I think I would raise it as the slope makes access far too convenient at the top end and animals prefer walking on soft rather than hard surfaces.  The only other thing I can think of is some kind of free-standing fence/trellis at the top and sides (bottom section could be permanent) which could be moved when you need access to plant, weed and harvest.  Awkward shape but not too tricky to make yourself.  Or permanent fence posts and removable trellis panels?
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Tall treesTall trees Posts: 175

  • Tall treesTall trees Posts: 175
    This is one of my problem pets 😀 Thankyou for all your ideas.....have a great new year.
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