Question
I live in the city with a small backyard and garden which is shady due to the other buildings around.
I have 9 cats (yes alot but we have a big house!!).

I have tried to make the back garden a nice place for them as well as us.   We have had alot of problems getting anything (eg. hostas, ferns etc) to grow back there.
I am thinking the problem is twofold :
1) lack of sun (so this year I had the two trees dramatically trimmed to get as much sun as possible)
2) some of the cats seem to prefer using the garden to their litter boxes.

For the second problem :
a) what effect does the urine/feces have on the soil? eg. make it too acidic??
b) what can i do to treat the already contaminated soil?
c) given this problem will probably continue (as I don't want to keep the cats out of the garden), what kind of plants will leave in shady and cat waste conditions??
d) is there something that can discourage them from doing their business there but they can still feel comfortable to relax and sleep in the garden

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Frances,  Test the soil pH.  It probably is acidic.  You can loosen the soil, add lime (how much depends on the soil test) and organic matter and make the soil useable again.
Measure the sunlight for a day.  Does it get any direct sun?  Morning or evening?  How much?  Once you know whether you need shade, part shade or part sun plants, then go see your local nurseryman.  There are a world of plants that you can use in these locations but you need to pick from those that do well in your area.
Hosta should do fine.
If you can't keep the cats out, the health of your plants will decline, so I suggest you make spaces for each.  Hide a kitty litter pan (with holes punched in the bottom so rain will flow through) behind a plant and fill it with sand.  The cats will probably choose it and you can clean it once in a while.  You can even bury it to ground level to make it less obvious and in large areas I'd use several. Around plants you want to protect, mulch with a fine lava rock.  Most cats don't like to walk on it. Plant a few large leaf plants the cats can lay under or incorporate a few small areas of annual ryegrass in your beds for the cats to lay on.  Jim