Sounds like you're using too much Sluggo. Should be just a few granules per square yard.

I haven't found any organic ferts my dogs would leave be. Haven't had cats to offer an opinion.

Yes, Sluggo is a pesticide. I only mention it in an aside as a "no-no" to use with pets, as they apparently find it a little too interesting. And, not to worry - I'm not using any now - whether just a few granules or more. :)

Thanks anyway.

"The issue is more the damage they do to the crops,"

how big an area are you talking about?

Well, hard to say at this point, because not sure how much food crop I'll put in. But adding the area of the new patio flower garden being put in this year, let's say conservatively over 800 sq ft. I imagine I will simply put manure down in some areas, but will want to give extra attention to others. Sorry I can't be more precise. I was just hopeful that someone on this website would have dealt with this issue of multiple cats and gardening together. Unfortunately, when I am outside, the ferals find everything I do fascinating. (rueful grin) I can deal with some "helpful attention": mole digging, chasing those pesky butterflies, additions of their own brand of fertilizer, chasing one another away from me at high speed - "is he bothering you? I'll take care of it!", or simply laying around keeping me company - which usually is directly in front of me where I am working. Sigh.

I was going to suggest putting down something to deter the digging like poultry wire laid flat on top of the ground but 800sqm is likely too large an area to do it.

Interesting thought, quasifish. Will give it a go in certain areas just to see what effect it may have. Can't hurt. Yes, trancegemini, it's a bit too large a space for other things I've wished I could do as well. Like enclose the entire area to render it cat and raccoon/possum safe. (There's a fence that keeps deer out, but the raccoons climb over.) Then I could grow corn again. I really miss my homegrown corn. :(

- Alex

My recommendation would be wood ash and bio char

Biochar is NOT a fertilizer. And wood ash is only appropriate in low pH soils or those that are potassium deficient.

Alfalfa or cottonseed meal would be better choices and unlikely to appeal to any cats.

btw, this is a five year old thread so the entire issue is probably moot.

Well not according to this study https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01904167.2020.1867577 and also by my own anecdotal evidence. Bio char, technically, is a fertilizer because it actually absorb (store nutrients) and release them when needed.

Read up on the definition of what a fertilizer is....biochar fits none of the criteria. Its benefit is as a soil amendment (very distinct from a fertilizer) and is also minimally effective in a cold winter temperate climate. Better suited to the tropics.