Garden enthusiasts are being encouraged to sprinkle orange peel around their by the end of February as a natural deterrent against a common nuisance.

Despite the forecast of another , our gardens are gearing up for spring, with daffodils and snowdrops beginning to emerge, and winter brassicas like broccoli and cauliflower preparing to blossom in the coming months.

While are loved by many, they often have free rein to roam outdoors, exploring various gardens and green spaces. However, they're not always welcome guests, especially when young saplings are trying to establish themselves.

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Cats can unearth bulbs, harass birds and leave unsightly messes in your flowerbeds. If you're not a cat lover and you're fed up with discovering clumps of cat poo in your veggie patch, you've likely tried numerous tactics to deter them, from high-pitched 'cat scarers' to spraying cat repellent liquids.

But there's a simpler, all-natural method that gardeners have been employing for years - and it involves something you probably already have in your kitchen. Orange or lemon peels are an effective cat deterrent because, quite simply, cats can't stand them.

So next time you enjoy an orange or a lemon, instead of adding the peel to your compost heap as usual, scatter it on your soil, reports .

Cats detest the scent of citrus peel, finding its strong aroma too overpowering and a signal to steer clear. This trick also works with other citrus fruits like limes, but oranges are likely the most convenient choice.

An added bonus of using orange peel is that it decomposes into the flowerbed, enriching the soil. So, you're not only creating a cat deterrent but also nourishing your garden plants and flowers.

Alternatively, you could extract orange essence into a spray bottle and spritz it around your garden. Regularly replenishing the orange zest or peel every few weeks should effectively keep cats at bay without breaking the bank.

When it comes to plants, cats aren't fans of lavender or potent herbs like mint, but orange peel is probably the simplest and most effective solution - and it works.