If you’re an organic gardener who loves to let your cats outside, you should really have some plant labels in your garden.
Now, we’re not saying that your kitties are going to put on their reading glasses, pull up a chair, and read your plant markers. (That would be entertaining, though, right?)
There are a lot of products on the market that come with warning labels, but this cannot always be said about plants. Signs, labels, and special packaging can address all the gardening things we need to be concerned about, but sometimes it’s more effective to create your own signs.
As a gardener, it’s your responsibility to tend to your plants. You seed, sew, water, plant, and prune them, so why not extend the same care to all aspects of your garden? If you have a four-legged critter that loves to hang around and chew on your plants, it’s time to get organized.
Read the Tag
Each of your plants should come with a watering and weather zone tag that gives you all the care instructions you need. Such tags should also come with warnings for pets.
Sometimes the tags get lost or destroyed by the elements. And when those tags contain important information, including warnings, it’s critical to keep that information handy.
Customize Your Plant Labels
MCG BioMarkers® are fully customizable. You can write or print off all the information you need including plant name, species, watering instructions, sunlight needs, and warnings. If your garden contains plants that are poisonous to cats, make sure that info is on each tag and that it’s highlighted in some way.
Plants and Veggies to Watch Out for
We encourage you to speak to your local Iowan veterinarian for a complete list of plants that are poisonous to cats, but here are a few:
- Amaryllis
- Autumn Crocus
- Azaleas and Rhododendrons
- Castor Bean
- Chrysanthemum
- Cyclamen
- English Ivy
- Lilies and Peace Lilies
- Oleander
- Spanish thyme
- Tulip and Narcissus bulbs
- Yew
Vegetables that are poisonous to cats:
- Onion and garlic – Contain sulfoxides that can damage red blood cells and anemia
- Tomato, potato, and rhubarb leaves and stems – Causes violent lower gastrointestinal problems
Label Everything!
Labeling your plants and vegetables is an important organization skill to have every time you start your annual garden. For those of us who have house plants and vegetable gardens, we should keep track of the plants we have that may be harmful to our pets. The moment you spot your cat getting close to one of the specially-marked labels, you’ll quickly realize that it’s time for them to go back inside.
Since accidents can happen, consider keeping a list of the symptoms to watch out for if your cat gets too close to any of the poisonous plants.
Conclusion
MCG BioMarkers® can help you keep track of which plants in your home and vegetable garden are harmful to your cats. They’re made in the U.S. and are green products made from corn cobs grown right in Independence, Iowa. Order yours online today!
