Cat feces in raised beds - Ask Extension
How do I sanitize my soil where neighbor cats have defecated in my vegetable gardens
Knowledgebase
Cat feces in raised beds #866216
Asked April 28, 2024, 9:22 PM EDT
How do I sanitize my soil where neighbor cats have defecated in my vegetable gardens
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Hello,
Since you're in Washington County, you probably don't have any vegetables in the ground right now. Soil is a very diverse ecosystem that has evolved to reuse organic materials like manure. Nearly all human pathogens are eventually killed by soil organisms.
Organic farmers use 90-120 day harvest intervals after incorporating raw animal manure in soil. If there's a lot of cat feces in your garden and you are concerned about human pathogens, you could till your soil 120 days before harvesting crops like lettuce or carrots that are in contact with soil or soil particles, and 90 days before harvesting crops that don't come into contact with soil or soil particles, like sweet corn or broccoli.
If you're cooking the veg, that also reduces the risk. If you have an immune disorder, please follow your doctor's advice.
I hope this helps.
Since you're in Washington County, you probably don't have any vegetables in the ground right now. Soil is a very diverse ecosystem that has evolved to reuse organic materials like manure. Nearly all human pathogens are eventually killed by soil organisms.
Organic farmers use 90-120 day harvest intervals after incorporating raw animal manure in soil. If there's a lot of cat feces in your garden and you are concerned about human pathogens, you could till your soil 120 days before harvesting crops like lettuce or carrots that are in contact with soil or soil particles, and 90 days before harvesting crops that don't come into contact with soil or soil particles, like sweet corn or broccoli.
If you're cooking the veg, that also reduces the risk. If you have an immune disorder, please follow your doctor's advice.
I hope this helps.
