If you’ve ever thought, “Who ate the tomatoes?” or “Why is there a trampled path through my impatiens?” you might be a dog owner with a garden. It’s not always easy to keep your garden looking beautiful with pets in the picture but with some forethought and planning, it is possible for the two to co-exist peacefully.
If you’re redoing your Charleston Garden or investing in landscaping for new construction, it’s great to work with a professional landscape designer. They can think through the scenarios that work best for yards used by both people and pets. They can assist in plant selection and in creating design elements that are pet-friendly.
It’s also important to consider your breed and the age of the dog when working on the landscape design. Do you have a dog that likes to dig? Do you have a puppy that will be chewing on everything in sight?
As you’re working with your Charleston landscape designer, here are a few other tips to keep in mind:
Just as you’ve trained Fido to stay off the couch, work with your dog to stay out of certain areas of your garden. This is great if you have a new puppy or young dog that can learn immediately which areas are off limits.
For added protection, use low fences to create a visual barrier and discourage your dog from disrupting that area.
Create a paved path. Like people, dogs will often stick to the path rather than wander into the planted areas crushing flowers along the way. Also it helps if the edges are planted with groups and taller plants to create a natural barrier.
If your dog needs some fresh air and you can’t supervise, let him relax on the gated deck or screened porch with a chew toy and some water.
Select a mulch like cedar chips that is easy on dogs’ paws but doesn’t stick to silky or long coats.
Work your pet products into the garden design. Use a decorate bowl that doubles as garden art and a water dish. Or fill a nice container with tennis balls and dog toys.
If you’re planning a small vegetable or herb garden, consider creating a low fence so dogs aren’t tempted to nibble on the lettuce or snack on tomatoes.
Most importantly, work with your landscape designer to select plants that aren’t harmful to pets. Even with training, supervision and fences, pets often can find ways around the barriers and you don’t want them eating something dangerous. The ASPCA has a list of plants that are known to be toxic to dogs and cats.
If you’ve ever thought, “Who ate the tomatoes?” or “Why is there a trampled path through my impatiens?” you might be a dog owner with a garden. It’s not always easy to keep your garden looking beautiful with pets in the picture but with some forethought and planning, it is possible for the two to co-exist peacefully.
If you’re redoing your Charleston Garden or investing in landscaping for new construction, it’s great to work with a professional landscape designer. They can think through the scenarios that work best for yards used by both people and pets. They can assist in plant selection and in creating design elements that are pet-friendly.
It’s also important to consider your breed and the age of the dog when working on the landscape design. Do you have a dog that likes to dig? Do you have a puppy that will be chewing on everything in sight?
As you’re working with your Charleston landscape designer, here are a few other tips to keep in mind:
Most importantly, work with your landscape designer to select plants that aren’t harmful to pets. Even with training, supervision and fences, pets often can find ways around the barriers and you don’t want them eating something dangerous. The ASPCA has a list of plants that are known to be toxic to dogs and cats.
Here are some more good tips on gardening with pets from Better Homes and Gardens.