Keeping my cats off the vegetable bed.

[couchparsnip]

Me and DH have a couple of large veg growing plots in the garden. They are all prepped and ready for planting with mesh canopies all secured supposedly so that the cats can't get to them. We have 3 almost 1 year old cats who we love but they are trying our patience!

One of our cats has taken the mesh as a challenge and has ripped a hole in so she can use the huge new litter tray.
When there are plants growing they are unlikely to be safe with this method. Grr.
Have we wasted our time trying to grow anything? Or is there a way of keeping three young cats off a vegetable bed but still allow them use of the rest of the garden?
DH thinks its pointless even trying and wants to give up. I thought I'd ask here just in case there's something we hadn't thought of.
We can't afford thousands on a greenhouse or other structure though so please don't suggest that!

I use pointy sticks and old brambles between the plants. No cat wants a scratched bottom.

Depending on what you are growing, you can lay twiggy branches (eg hazel ) over and around the bed, or sprigs of holly, Blackthorn, hawthorn, whatever you can get your hands on! Once the plants start growing you could remove the twigs, or leave them there if they don't hinder the plants.
Maybe clear a nice little patch somewhere you don't mind the cat using, so they have an alternative

Thank you. Will suggest to DH tomorrow.