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Elderly couple in gloves plants seedlings in a raised garden bed as a fluffy white cat digs a hole in the soil beside them. 4 / 27

Grandma and Grandpa Were Planting Tomatoes. Snowdrop Started a Project of Her Own.

AI imagenorwegian forest catgardeningraised beds

Spring has arrived in the raised garden beds, and Frank and Ruth are on their knees in the dark soil with their work gloves on. Frank, in his flannel shirt and ball cap, is tamping down the dirt around a fresh seedling, while Ruth, in her green cardigan, laughs as she settles a young tomato plant into place. They've been joined by an eager volunteer. Snowdrop, a cloud of white fur against all that brown earth, has dug a deep hole of her own and is standing over it with front paws planted, looking extremely pleased with her work. A blue watering can and clay pots wait nearby.

Cats are natural diggers, and soft, freshly turned soil is one of their favorite surfaces, often because it feels perfect for a bathroom break. To protect seedlings, many gardeners lay chicken wire, netting or decorative stones over the soil until plants are established. It's also worth knowing that the leaves and stems of tomato plants contain compounds that can upset a cat's stomach if chewed, so discourage any nibbling. Avoid slug pellets, fertilizers and pesticides where pets roam, since many are toxic. A long-haired breed like the Norwegian Forest Cat may need a quick brush afterward to work out any dirt caught in that thick coat.

The garden may end up with a few extra holes, but it will also have a lot of laughter planted in it. With Snowdrop on the crew, nobody ever gardens alone at this house.

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