The sun is shining and the gardening tools are coming out to welcome spring.  The warmer weather also means little Fido will be spending more time outdoors and we all know what that means......bye bye newly planted seeds and growing gardens!  This blog will give some tips to help you prepare your backyard in a way that will keep your pooch AND plants happy this spring and summer.




1.)  Good Garden Design

Where you put your garden and how you design it will help your dog stay away from your plants and realize that it's not a place he or she is supposed to be.  Raised garden beds, creating a border, and having clearly defined pathways are a few simple ideas to stray your dog away from your growing plants and vegetables.  Because some breeds really like to explore and dig in the backyard, using rocks or rough mulches in your garden could also deter your pooch from digging up your plants.  If your dog prefers to dig in a certain area, try creating a garden area far away from that section of the yard and he or she might not wander over to your plants.  In addition to the foundation and surroundings of the garden, plants that grow up up trellises will also be more protected from your dog's trampling and digging habits. 




2.)  Reducing Pesticide & Chemical Use

Reducing chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers will make your yard safer for pets and wild creatures.  Only about 5 to 15 percent of the bugs/insects in your yard are actual pests.  With less chemicals in your yard you'll notice more natural predators like birds, frogs, toads, and even other insects that will keep these pests under control.  Spraying chemicals can kill the "bad stuff," but it also harms and can kill the "good stuff."  With some good gardening practices, you'll also notice you won't need as much fertilizing chemicals.  For example, weeding your garden early will prevent the weeds from spreading and re-seeding themselves.  Also, if you build up your soil you'll have less need for chemical fertilizers and if a fertilizer is necessary, think about composting.




3.)  Using Non-Toxic Plants

There are actually several plants, trees, and flowers that are harmful to pets that you may or may not be aware of.  Some of them are very common and as long as you know what to look out for, you can know how careful to be when your pooch is outdoors.  You can view a previous blog of ours titled Plants that can be TOXIC to your Dog to find out what plants your dog should stay away from.




4.)  Compost Piles

If you are fertilizing your garden with compost, make sure that you research the best materials to use.  Some moldy foods can cause serious illness to your dog and other pets, so as long as you are using the right ingredients your plants and pooch should be fine.  (For example, stay away from using meats in your compost pile!).

 

We hope you'll find this blog helpful when embarking on your outdoor garden adventures this year and we want to thank you for stopping by.  Happy planting!



Sincerely,
The Spoiled Canine Team




(Thanks for stopping by Spoiled Canine Dog Blog!  If you are looking for Dog Products to Spoil your Furry Friend, visit Spoiled Canine Dog Boutique at www.spoiledcanine.com).