Last year, a little feral cat had kittens and they all hung out in the tomato patch and I had 5 cats living in the tomatoes. I was told that the tomatoes could not be eaten because of cats and they were contaminated. Other people told me later that the tomatoes were fine, everyone gets cats in their gardens... who knows? darn good looking tomatoes too. I ended up going to the farmer's market. Now this year we will be tearing up the the little garden and putting in my husband's project: a three level pool for a Zen Garden. Of course, we are so slow this will take months. And tomato plants are popping up in the old garden, they must be from the tomatoes we never ate... so, are the safe to eat? The kittens are long gone and the cat does not go in there. I know this sounds silly, I am sure I never heard this growing up and cats are everywhere... If the ground is safe, I could put a chicken wire fence up to be sure? It would be nice to get one last crop of veg. Until we can do a real veg garden
Goodness yes, go ahead and enjoy your volunteer tomatoes! We have feral cats, coyotes, rabbits, and heaven knows what else roaming through our garden, and we eat all the produce! The person who told you that the tomatoes were contaminated by the cats was probably referring to toxoplasmosis, a soil borne disease caused by cat feces, and which is particulary toxic to pregnant women. However, your tomatoes are edible, and probably delicious.
Yeah, Cris, I would eat the tomatoes, too. God above is the only one who really knows what has been in the garden while the plants were growing and you have no idea it had been there. I think you have no worries or fears.
