My cat thinks he's a gardener. Now who cleans up the muddy floors?

My Maine Coon thinks he's a gardener. Digs in the balcony planters then tracks mud all over the hardwood floors.

Half-dried paw prints everywhere by the time I notice. Mopping smears them. End up scrubbing each one on my hands and knees. Counted 47 yesterday from balcony to bedroom.

Tried blocking access - he knocks things over. Tried catching him to wash paws - he's lightning fast. Sometimes I'm in meetings and he's already redecorated the floors.

Wouldn't trade him for anything but how do you clean dried muddy paw prints from hardwood without scrubbing each one? Better cleaning method?