Garden pests

Hello all.
First post, i need some advice.

I have this year started to grow a few simple salad veg in my greenhouse/garden. i have very limited gardening expirience, my late father and grandfather were into gardening But this is the first time i have bothered with anything other than looking after a couple of tomato plants/cucumbers. My first problem is cats or dog using the bed where i am growing mixed salad leaves as a toilet. I have 2 beds the first is well established and no problems. The new bed i I planted out with the help of my 2year old a load of seedlings. the following day a number were missing. First i guessed it was down to collard doves but closer inspection i found little piles of dog or cat waste in the soil. What is the best way to stop them. An other problem i have is bees. They are nesting in soil near the base of my greenhouse how can i get rid of them as i am concerned about the kids getting hurt by them.well thets it for now hope you can help.

 

Hi Steve,

And welcome to GC


You can get some stuff from the garden/DIY centre for the bees nest. I keep trying to attract them they are one of the noises of summer holidays I remember as a kid. (AAAAAAAAGGGHHHH my kids are on their summer hols as of today). Cats are sods and there is little you can do if they are coming in your garden at night, during the day I carry one of those mega soaker guns and shoot them, and my own cat keeps them out at night.

I let my kids help but they can be more of a hindrance LOL

 

I have two cats and have no problems, the biggest pest is my hubby. He helps me weed but pulls off my best and expensive plants. Take a look at my blog site and with two cats my garden is looking good.

 

Hello Steve, welcome to the forum. We have terriers here so I keep the veg patch fenced off. I find that even a low fence (18" high) will deter them ( once they've been warned with certain death if they cross it )
Cats are more of a problem as they don't give up easily. Try net clotches over your salads or set up a lattice of twine about 5" off the ground. The more difficult you make it for them the better.
I'd say leave the bees alone, they work miracles in the greenhouse and if you don't bother them, they won't bother you or the youngsters.

 

Fab site and great photos :thumb:

 

I have found that used ground coffee grounds(!) sprinkled on the soil works at keeping cats off the bed. It seems that they taste too bitter when they lick their paws. Anyway, it works for me - it also has the added benefit of deterring slugs and snails!!

 

Morning Gardenesse and welcome,the coffee beans are a good deterent especially when fired from a catapult.:D