Balancing the Herd with the herbs in our shared sanctuary

Welcome back to The Cat House! Come on through to the backyard and see our latest expansion: Cat Paradise. As the Montana frost is retreating, life is shifting gears. While we’ve spent the winter months cozy inside, the herd is ready to reclaim their kingdom. I’m taking you along for the ride in our new series: Gardening With The Cats!

This isn’t just a playground for twelve cats; it’s a working garden where I’m growing fresh veggies and herbs for my own kitchen—hopefully with a little more help and a lot less “interference” from my feline supervisors.

The Winter Resort Recap

Before we dive into the dirt, I have to give a nod to how the herd spent their “off-season.” The greenhouse I built last year was a total hit for afternoon siestas. Even on the coldest Montana days, the cats loved to head out there to nap and hang out, staying cozy with their heating pads and fresh water in electric bowls. It was the ultimate winter lounge, but now that the sun is staying out longer, they are more than ready to trade the heaters for some real sunshine and soil.

Spring is Waking Up

The race is officially on! It’s a beautiful mix of fragrance and feline favorites out there right now. The catnip is already pushing through the soil (much to the delight of the supervisors), standing right alongside the blooming hyacinths. I’m also seeing the first brave shoots of the alliums and peonies making their debut.

It’s a busy time in the air, too—a pair of magpies has claimed the high ground, nesting way up in our chokecherry tree. They seem to get a kick out of playing “neighborhood watch” keeping a safe eye on the Herd circus from a safe distance!

The Catio Nursery Experiment

This year, I’m trying something new. I’m utilizing our The Insulated Catio as a temporary plant nursery! I’m currently housing my coleus starts from last year inside, giving them a protected environment to grow stronger and bigger before they hit the ground next month. It’s the perfect “MacGyver” use of space—keeping the plants warm while keeping them away from curious paws until they are hardy enough to survive the wild.

Defending the Veggie Beds

Gardening with twelve cats requires some strategy, especially when it comes to the “litter box” temptation. While my perennials and flowers are happy in the ground, I take a more elevated approach for my food.

To keep my herbs and veggies for me and not for them, I use a combination of large containers, raised beds, and even elevated beds inside the greenhouse. To ensure these stay a “no digging zone,” I’m layering in some tactical defenses:

• Pinecones: These are my favorite natural deterrent. They look great and fit the Montana vibe, but they are just prickly enough to make the soil a very unattractive place for paws to start digging.
• Plastic Spokes: These provide a firm but gentle reminder that the cat grass seed patch is for growing, not for excavation.
• The Compromise: Of course, I also provide dedicated outdoor cat boxes to ensure they have their own space while I keep my veggie beds pristine.

Looking Ahead

Whether it’s the herd reclaiming their favorite sun-spots or me finally getting my hands back into the Montana dirt, the season is officially underway. We have a long summer ahead filled with garden projects, feline antics, and hopefully a very successful harvest for my kitchen.

Welcome to Cat Paradise—let the planting begin!