We all take great pride in our gardens. But how do you know that the garden is a safe space for your pets when you let them out? Moreover, how do you keep them from trampling your flower beds and ruining all your hard work? Here are five helpful tips to help you make your garden a haven not only for you but also for your pet.
Choose the Right Plants
Any long-time pet owner will know that there are just some plants that dogs or cats can’t eat. Unfortunately, plenty of these plants can often be found in our gardens or your neighbors’ gardens, and all too often, these plants look great in your garden. It’s definitely a conundrum, making your garden as safe as possible for your pet but not wanting to sacrifice that particular look and scenery that you’re going for. Fortunately, there are some ways you can prevent any poisoning while still preserving the beauty of your garden.
You can keep your favorite flowers, like daffodils and amaryllis, in pots and out of the reach of your dag, such as on a wall shelf, hanging pot, on a pot stand, or fence them off so your dog can’t get in. You can also surround them with prickly bushes, large plants that dogs can’t mess with, or use natural repellent to keep dogs away, such as something with a citrus base (dogs hate citrus). This should be enough to keep them away from flowers that could harm them and prevent them from rooting around in your flowers beds too.
Use Stone to Your Advantage
Dogs can’t dig up any dirt if there’s a stone over it. So use it to your advantage. Set up stone walkways or paths around your garden and in between your flower beds. Just like humans, dogs like to follow a set path, and the reason they go through your flower beds could be because they don’t see any other path anywhere in your garden. Track the way your dog goes through and try to make them a path that ensures that they don’t have to go through your flower beds to get to where they want to go. They’re also less likely to hurt themselves on any detritus lying around if they have safe paths to follow.
Provide Shade
Dogs don’t like to be out in the heat just as much as humans do. They might prefer your flower beds or other parts of your garden because it provides shade from the hot afternoon sun when you let them out. You can provide natural shade for your dog to rest under by planting trees. With the help of an experienced arborist, you can decide which trees will look perfect in your garden and give you and your dog the best shade while you nap underneath.
Give Them Their Space
If you have a big or energetic dog, you probably let them out to give them space to run around without knocking over any furniture or making a big mess. Your garden should have enough space to allow your dog to run around to their heart’s content. If you can, you can even designate a “playpen” for them, with sand that they can dig up and all their favorite chew toys all in one place. It keeps them away from the flower beds and keeps them happy and content.
Keep All Hazardous Materials Out of Their Reach
It’s not only toxic plants that you should be worrying about. Things like fertilizer, pesticides, and garden tools like rakes, hoes, or shovels can potentially hurt or injure your furry friend. Keep all of these ways out of the reach of your pet, or lock them up in a shed that only you can access. Fertilizers and pesticides can be poisonous to your dog when ingested, just as they would be poisonous to humans. If you’ve recently applied these to your plants, make sure that your dog stays away from these plants and doesn’t get too close.
On the other hand, gardening tools can hurt your pet if they decide to play with them, especially if they have sharp edges. Or your pet might accidentally knock the tools over and hurt themselves. Just as you wouldn’t let a child play with these tools, don’t leave them where your pet can reach them.
Final Thoughts
Your garden can be a beautiful place to pass the time and relax after a long day. Let it be that same haven for your dog, and make sure that they know that nothing can bring them harm while they’re there.
