You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
I have always loved to garden, however, I have not always loved cats. Our first cat came when a pregnant female abandoned her kitten in our crawl space. It was April, and it was the first year of our grass-less front garden. I was eager to get out there and plant, so I toted my 3 week old adoptee in a 5 gallon bucket – and she began to teach me how cats garden!
We called her Miss Kitty, because I did not want to give her a real name in case we couldn’t keep her. I am actually terribly allergic to cats, and we were afraid to make the emotional commitment to keeping our “foster” cat. However, within days it was clear that there was no way we could part with her. She relied on us for everything – and after being abandoned, feared to be left alone even for a moment. We eventually learned this was more fear of being separated from her food source. No cat loves her food more than Miss Kitty!
As I toted Miss Kitty around in her bucket in the garden, I would giver her bits and pieces of plants to sniff and branches to play with. Most of the garden comprised of herbs, and it was interesting to see her reaction to them. She would screw her nose up at grey leafed santolina, but go crazy for the green leafed variety. Catnip and all nepetas did not entice her like older cats we knew. Any dried leaf or crinkly leafed branch would become and instant toy.
Soon after Miss Kitty moved in, we realized that her suspected father had another new “family” – a single kitten of an older abandoned sweet neighborhood cat. We began feeding those cats, trying to bring them into the house to get them medical care. Then one day the mother did not show up, just her three-month-old kitten, and my husband began the daily rituals of trying to get this shy feral kitty to come inside. We called her Baby – again unsure if she would ever become part of our family and not wanting to commit to a formal name. Baby would play for hours with Miss Kitty through the screens on our porch. Then one day, my husband was able to get close enough to Baby, scoop her up and bring her in. After a few days of terrified indoor life, this shy kitten became a princess. She would prop herself up on sofa pillows to view her bird and squirrel friends, chirping along in that half purr to entice them to come closer.
That was when I realized that other furry friends where as much parts of the garden as were my cats. Falling pecans fed the squirrels, and the pecan trees provided nesting areas. Birdhouses, bird baths, feeders, nectar plants and fall seed heads attracted birds to the garden.
Lastly, a few years later came Monkee and Boo Boo Kitty (we did eventually become more inventive with cat names!!). Boo Boo was two years old, and had a litter of 8, all of whom were lost to the busy road except for little Monkee. She came to us of her free will, looking desperately for food to keep them alive. Monkee has always remained an indoor cat, however for many years, Boo Boo’s feisty will had her in and out as she pleased. Boo Boo quickly fell in love with her new caregiver and gardens. She spent hours with me pruning, raking and planting. As I worked she would turn her back to me, in my defense. She walked the perimeter of our property constantly and joyously clambered up the dogwood onto the neighbors’ roof to peek at me in the kitchen window and have a good laugh. We became inseparable. Then about 9 months later, Boo had a horrible medical emergency, which we eventually found out, was cat heartworm. In cats, the heartworm is only a problem as it is dying. I learned that I had to be more careful in keeping mosquitoes and ticks from our property. She survived (as she is apt to do), and was back out gardening in no time. Boo Boo Kitty destroyed my santolina, writhing in it – she couldn’t help herself. It was the only plant she ever touched.
She would NEVER go to the toilet in the garden, never dig or scratch, never even both the catnip unless it was overhanging into a walkway (then it was HERS!!). In winter she sat for hours amongst the wintersown containers – defending them against the squirrels. Eventually Boo Boo Kitty became an indoor only cat too after a bought with Lymphoma which she has so far survived. The chemotherapy was very harsh but we laced the porch with chicken wire (because she is an escape artist) – and she was able to get as far into the garden as possible without being outside. There we brought her temptations of fresh catnip, bowls of delectable cat grass, and made sure she could get an eagle eye view into her latest delight, the little pot pond.
My cats are excellent gardeners, it’s been amazing to see what I’ve learned from them. Their delight and inquisitiveness keeps my interest in gardening alive and keen, 12 months of the year.
This story is dedicated to Lucy, Tigger and mqiq77.
Music, color and gardening - the three go hand in hand in my Electric Garden. I enjoy gardening organically for 12 months of the year in the South and am garden speaker and educator, retailer and occasionally work as designer. I write about rock'n roll, vintage fashion and of course, gardening.
Posted by Sofonisba (from Putnam County, NY) on April 4, 2008 at 11:48 AM:
I loved your article. I want a cat, but my husband is allergic. How are you handling four cats with allergies?
Harper
...
Posted by girlgroupgirl (from Atlanta, GA) on April 6, 2008 at 12:41 AM:
Hi Harper.
I handle them with DRUGS! I'm on allegra and also singulair. It helps a lot. I'd prefer not to take any medications, but I have to, to keep my pets.
Your doctor can help to suss out your husbands symptoms with an allergy test and recommend the course of treatment which will best control his symptoms.
...
Posted by Sofonisba (from Putnam County, NY) on April 6, 2008 at 1:06 PM:
Oh goodie! Thanks!! Yesterday he said he was nearly ready to say yes to us getting a cat.
...
Posted by girlgroupgirl (from Atlanta, GA) on April 11, 2008 at 1:23 AM:
So what about today?
...
Posted by Sofonisba (from Putnam County, NY) on April 13, 2008 at 5:49 PM:
Bad day Thursday. He said I'm an awful housekeeper and a cat is a bad idea... grrrr..
...
Subject: KITTIES
Posted by skygoddess (from Naples, FL) on March 3, 2008 at 5:52 PM:
KITTIES & GARDENS RULE!
...
Subject: Angel loves to garden too.
Posted by frostweed (from Arlington, TX) on March 3, 2008 at 12:05 PM:
Here she is being taken for a ride in the wheelbarrow. She loves to follow us and watch everything we do.
This message was edited Mar 3, 2008 10:10 AM
...
Posted by Pyewacketcat54 (from Fort Worth, TX) on March 3, 2008 at 1:27 PM:
Now that is the cutest thing! She is looking like the captain of her ship...lol
...
Posted by girlgroupgirl (from Atlanta, GA) on March 5, 2008 at 11:46 PM:
What a cutie! "Little more to the left"....she even has the same tag as Boo Boo Kitty used to wear!
Glynis
...
Subject: Garden Kitties
Posted by rednyr (from Newberry, SC) on March 3, 2008 at 7:59 AM:
I loved your article! I currently have 9 cats (have been up to 16) I too seem to be the neighborhood drop off point...they are a highlight to my days in the garden...here is mittens, who along with his brother, were abandoned by their mom in our back shed....I wouldn't part with them for anything...
I think he's praying for some catnip in this pic LOL
...
Posted by Pyewacketcat54 (from Fort Worth, TX) on March 3, 2008 at 8:32 AM:
I have 4 cats,2 pairs of 2. Pyewacket and Precious came back with me from Alaska when I lived there,they are 12 now,last year,a friend passed away,and I have her two babies now,Baxter and Sissy.They all live inside,with 3 big dogs....I always tell the crew that this is a peaceable kingdom,and everyone has to get along.I don't know why but it works.
When I rescued Mollie(140lbs) from my clinic I work at,she walked in past Pye and Precious,they just looked up at her,like, JEEZ,she's bringing home horses now!
They raised Buddy(80lbs) and Sallie(45lbs) from little puppies.Mollie seemed concerned when I brought Sissy and Baxter home,and closed them in a bedroom,till they got their bearings,and adjusted to the full house,she would stand at the door,and look at me like she was wondering what they were in trouble for,to be closed off from the rest of the zoo.She was the first to make friends with them,Baxter and her would touch noses when I'd go in to take care of them,she had to see what was what in there.LOL
I have both front and back closed in porches,it was one of the reasons I bought the house, I knew the cats would love it,almost being outside.
When Mollie came to live with us, I had to buy a kingsize bed....All sleep with me now,except Sissy,she is still a little nervous,but she has gotten up there when I,m in bed.
The things we do for our furbabies!
...
Posted by AYankeeCat (from Fairfield County, CT) on March 3, 2008 at 10:05 AM:
Thank you for the sweet story - and the dedication to Mike and Tigger.
...
Posted by vossner (from Richmond, TX) on March 3, 2008 at 10:28 AM:
I love this story. I got my cat because I was terrified of them, not liking their stealthy ways. I figured if I got a baby I would get over my fear, and it worked. Kozmo is adorable and follows me closely in the garden. He doesn't bother any plants, except a MIL tongue, which he destroyed. I stick frag. roses under his nose and I'd swear he likes them. He also likes music. I have tried planting catnip for him and he is not interested, in fact he doesn't care for any treats at all, unless they slither or fly....
again, lovely article.
...
Posted by Fitsy (from Hayesville, NC) on March 3, 2008 at 1:04 PM:
I love it when folks listen to what animals can teach,
instead of trying to make them into little toy people!
Fitsy
I like how you made room for cats in your gardening life Glynis. I am trying to do the same with my dog, rather than just shutting her out. Its the way to go & its great to have some inspiration.
...
Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on March 3, 2008 at 5:22 PM:
Very nice story, Glynis! I'm a cat person too, though mine stay inside. Thanks.
...
Posted by txgdnr (from Grand Prairie, TX) on March 3, 2008 at 10:40 PM:
What a cute story!! I too am a Cat person, but love all animals. We have a grey Polydactyl named Phil who appeared on our doorstep about 6 years ago the day before Halloween. He is such a sweet boy! We also have two Brothers who were rescued from under a car along with their three sisters, during the Thanksgiving flood a few years ago, thus one is named Axel the other Runty. We found homes for three & kept two. Three of the kittens had no tails or just a little nub. We also live in a peaceable kingdom, one of the requirements of living here is to get along with everyone, which includes, a Black Lab named Jake, a Beagle Sadie, a Chiwauzer named Luci, & a flop eared house Bunny named Charlie. They all Love each other, most of the time, Try fitting 3 Dogs 1 Cat & 2 people in a queen size bed. We sleep sorta like sardines.LOL I also have a small Pond with 15 Goldfish.
...
Posted by Pyewacketcat54 (from Fort Worth, TX) on March 3, 2008 at 10:46 PM:
Tx,
Your house sounds like mine,except I am the only human in the bed,.. do you have to beat them to the bed some nights? It's a race,and if I don't win,on cold nights, I'm moving them over to get a spot.LOL
...
Posted by girlgroupgirl (from Atlanta, GA) on March 5, 2008 at 11:47 PM:
rednyr, that is the most precious photo!!
Glynis
...
Posted by txgdnr (from Grand Prairie, TX) on April 16, 2008 at 7:38 PM:
Yep!! If I get to bed late I'm "squeezing in" to find a spot. It's kinda nice on those really cold nights. They make good bed warmers.LOL But just the opposite when it starts getting hot. Sometimes they bail out for a cooler spot. ;D
...
Posted by Pyewacketcat54 (from Fort Worth, TX) on April 17, 2008 at 10:56 PM:
If it gets too hot,I bail for the sofa sometimes,it's a cooler room....and they follow,but have to sleep on the floor.LOL
We called her Miss Kitty, because I did not want to give her a real name in case we couldn’t keep her. I am actually terribly allergic to cats, and we were afraid to make the emotional commitment to keeping our “foster” cat. However, within days it was clear that there was no way we could part with her. She relied on us for everything – and after being abandoned, feared to be left alone even for a moment. We eventually learned this was more fear of being separated from her food source. No cat loves her food more than Miss Kitty!
