[Jacqcat]

Hi!

My name is Jacqui and my OH and I have been in our house two years and finally have started to do something with the otherwise totally neglected garden.

So far we've planted a hedge, two maples (that keep having black spots on the leaves!) and a few flower pots out the front and in the back we've had a little work done.



We are cat lovers and active in cat rescue, etc. We have 7 cats of our own and often have "foster" cats or kittens while they wait to be rehomed. We have never allowed our cats to free-roam, prefering to keep them safe and entertained inside. This summer we had decking installed in our back garden and half of the garden enclosed in field fencing held up on a timber frame. I know it sounds a bit odd, but you can see more here:

http://www.flickr.com/gp/61549922@N00/213pC2



It's fairly bare at the moment. We spent much of this summer trying to grow plants we bought from various sources (many from Lidl!) and mostly I'm interested in growing herbs and veg as I'm terrified of stinging insects and I really enjoying cooking.

Fortunately most herbs seem to be cat-safe and we've been growing oregano, rosemary, basil, parsley and sage in our enclosed space. We have bay trees and olive trees too.

I'm hoping by next year to grow a few veg that we tend to use a lot like onions, garlic, tomato, mushrooms (already started!) and maybe potatoes. These will obviously be grown in the open half of the garden, but I'm probably going to have to construct mini-enclosures for the veg as we have some local unneutered toms around who go everywhere... oh and our own very patient lab but she's very good and stays away from things she knows are off limits.

Anyway, I'm hoping to find tips and ideas on paving, composting/wormeries, veg gardens, climbers, garden lighting, building a brick bbq and more in the coming year so I'm sure you'll all be sick to death of me by the time my garden is underway!


If you've made it this far, well done! LOL

And if you have any suggestions at all for me, I'd be hugely grateful!

[Sb]

Welcome Jacqcat. Nice to see the evolution of your garden. Have you got any catmint there?

[Jacqcat]

four pots of it! It's growing like a weed! It'll take over by next year LOL

[Sugar_Ape]

A big welcome to Irish Gardeners Jacqcat, nice to hear you are so active in cat rescue. What are their names?

[Jacqcat]

you asked!

Marge
Bart
Lisa
Fred
Homer
Smithers
Mo

and Cassie is our foster at the moment.

[Sugar_Ape]

[idioticlee]

Hi. I'm also new to the site but I wanted to say a personal Hi because your efforts with your cats goes straight to my heart. You're into cats and gardens - you must be very special!

[GPI]

iandromiskin in this thread... Dog run design ... is very interested in your contained cat garden Jacqcat.
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[PatsAnn]

What a great idea that cat-garden is, Jacqcat! They get fresh air and are safe and sound at home, not roaming around. Very nice!
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Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend; inside a dog it's too dark to read.

[Loncey]

i let mine roam outside and they do dig up the flower patch but most other areas are alright. may sound bad but they go elsewhere to do thier business!!! i also am in to helping our local cat rescue. good luck