Cat Proofing

My cats, Laika and Midge, are very devoted plant killers. Together they've destroyed a ficus tree, an aloe plant, a very long ivy plant, and countless vases of flowers. Thankfully, they've never gotten sick in the process of all this destruction. This is likely because they don't usually eat the plants, they just rip them apart and trail them all over the apartment.

All of this has been very distressing to me, but I've figured out a few tactics that allow me to have a few plants that peacefully coexist with my furry friends. Long, trailing plants are out of the question unless they’re hanging from the ceiling. My one hanging ivy plant gets a haircut whenever it grows long enough for a cat to reach it. Also, I've amassed a collection of succulents, tucked quietly onto bookshelf corners and high surfaces, which don't seem to attract the attention of Laika and Midge quite so much.

As I start my seedlings each year, I have to take some precautions. Luckily, if the cats can't see the seedlings, everything seems to work out fine. Our seedlings have started sprouting at this point, and the cat-proofing is in full force.

As you can see, all I’ve done is tape some paper around a shelf and the seedlings can do their thing without any attention from the kitties.

I’ve also set up lights because we just don’t get enough natural light to keep the plants from getting very leggy. These are old desk lamps I’ve pulled out from our basement storage space, with special plant light bulbs in them.

For simplicity’s sake, I decided to keep everything on one shelf again this year, even though it’s a little crowded. Everything’s coming along really well in there. The outdoor situation is another matter though. Perhaps due to our bizarre “spring” weather, including snow and sleet, our radishes, nasturtiums, and greens have yet to show themselves.