Are you particularly fond of your home garden, and have dedicated countless hours of caring, landscaping, finding out how to get rid of garden snakes, or searching for the best dandelion killer for lawns? All of this, just to bring it as close as possible to the garden of your dreams? There is nothing unusual in setting high standards and having great expectations in this matter. But what happens when the idea of a little furry pet insinuates itself inside your head? Is it possible to have both in your life at the same time? Many dedicated gardeners out there would shake their heads thoughtfully. Still, in reality, if you follow a couple of professional dog-friendly garden tips, you might end up gaining on both sides.
Protecting Garden Plants From a Dog
Digging stuff up or simply stirring the soil is an inherent characteristic in most dogs’ nature. If you aim to create a dog-friendly garden, you should allow them to have fun this way. But how will this affect your shrubs, your seedlings, and your beautiful garden plants? There is no need to worry, all you have to do is designate and delimit a place for the puppy to play in, meaning a certain area of the garden where you have no plants, where he can be happy and dig freely. You should also consider the fact that dogs don’t like spicy or peppery tastes and especially smells. You can use this to your advantage, by sprinkling ground red pepper or mustard powder all-around your home garden. Your dog will surely avoid these areas, and another thing that they will certainly stay away from are thorns. Plant roses or other thorny items at the edge of the garden, and your puppy will think twice before playing anywhere near.
At the same time, if you have a small or medium-sized dog, you can prevent it from entering the garden by building a fence around it. This trick can also work with large dogs, and if you choose some really nice materials and shapes, this will also make for a perfect dog garden decor.
Making Your Garden Dog-Friendly
Another important thing to consider is the safety of your puppy. There are numerous garden plants out there that are harmful or poisonous to dogs, which at the same time, are pretty common in most yards. The level of toxicity varies from plant to plant, some being only slightly toxic, while others could lead to severe health problems. Thus, a dog-friendly garden should automatically exclude the following list of harmful plants for dogs: daylilies, daffodil, cyclamen, azalea, asparagus fern, delphiniums, or bulbs of amaryllis. Naturally, there is also a great deal of dog-friendly plants for the garden, and among the most popular ones, we need to mention snapdragons, camellias, lavender, and calendula.
TIP: Another idea would be to get an electric dog fence. This would help keep your beautiful plants safe from your doggo.
Another vital safety measure you need to take is getting rid of any possible critters that might have established their nests in your garden. While some of these potential attackers might not pose a high threat to a dog, you must learn how to get rid of garden snakes and do it before bringing the puppy in.
Conclusion
Most gardening and landscaping artists nowadays will argue that owners must choose between a clean and beautiful home garden or a dog. Of course, this is a difficult choice to make, especially when the love we have for our garden plants can easily coexist with the one for a little furry friend. But with a couple of small adjustments, and some proven dog-friendly garden tips, we can end up having both of these amazing additions in our lives. Let us know how you feel about adapting your home garden to make room for a pet. If you have any other great suggestions, please share them in the comments below.
Author’s Bio
Kay Burton is a dedicated student, one year away from becoming a veterinarian. He loves all animals in general but has a special bond with dogs in particular. Kay is the proud owner of no less than 4 little puppies, two of which she rescued himself from the cold streets of Birmingham.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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