Having a garden in your yard can be a wonderful thing. You can showcase your unique personality by decorating the yard with plants of your choosing. Gardening can be a fun hobby, and is enjoyed by many around the world. However, sometimes your pets can get in the way of this activity. Dogs in particular can destroy plants by digging in the flowerbeds. So how are you supposed to enjoy your garden and your pet at the same time? You have the ability to pet-proof your garden! Below are a few key tips about the best way to go about doing this.
Make it Uncomfortable for Them
Pets definitely love lying in your flowerbed, especially if it has been warmed by the sun. This can be detrimental to your plants, because they will be crushed. Prevent this from happening by putting short stakes into the ground every few feet. You could also lay some thorny branches on the ground if the soil has just been mulched. Your pet will see that this is no longer a comfortable place for them to be, and they will choose their spots to nap more carefully.
Strong-Smelling Plants
Certain aromas are simply too powerful for pets to stand. If you add some of these to your garden, they will not be tempted to go near it. Rosemary and sage are two herbs in particular that have such a pungent smell, they will ward off cats. Another such plant is known as the Coleus canina, and it is also effective at keeping cats away. This is particularly helpful if you want to keep cats away from a birdbath or birdfeeder. Just be careful, some plants can be lethal to your pets.
Give Them Their Own Space
Pets sometimes infringe upon your space only because they do not have any of their own. You can fix this by sectioning off an area of your yard just for your pet! Mow a spot on the lawn specifically for your pet. If you do not have a lawnmower, backyardboss.net has some good options you can take a look at. You can then make your pet a sandbox by digging a long and shallow area, and then filling it with sand. You can place your pet’s toys in this area, and voila! They have their own place to dig and play to their heart’s content. You can also provide something like a doghouse for them, so they can remain near you, but away from your garden.
Be Careful About What You Plant
Before starting your garden, it is a good idea to do some research about the type of plants you are thinking about. Certain plants can be very harmful to your pet, if they manage to get into them. Common plants that are actually toxic to pets include: lilies, daffodils, amaryllis, tulips and oleanders. If your pet tries to chew on any of these plants, they may become very sick. Instead, you should stick with the non-toxic plants, such as: daisies, orchids, bamboo, jasmine, and roses. Talk to an expert at the garden center, it is likely that they have dealt with pet owners and made some recommendations before.
Make a Pathway
Creating a pathway through your garden is a good way to keep everything looking nice, while keeping your garden pet-proof. If your pets have a safe area to walk on, they will (hopefully) stay out of the garden and you can avoid muddy paws. Having cedar chips on the walkway can actually protect your pet from encountering fleas, which is always a nice bonus! This walkway will also make it easier for you to cross your garden without stepping on anything too important.
Last Resorts
If any of the above tips don’t work for your pet and your garden, then you can try resorting to invisible fences. These are electronic devices that are installed underground and are then connected to your pet’s collar wirelessly. You decide the border you want to border off, or contain them within, and if your pet strays past the invisible line, they receive a tiny shock. Some think it’s cruel, others disagree. But if pet proofing your garden is extremely important, then it’s something to consider.
Conclusion
Although it might seem tricky, you are able to maintain your love of gardening as well as have a pet! By making a few modifications to your garden, you have the ability to continue doing what you love. Pets are not deliberately trying to destroy your garden, most of the time they simply enjoy being near you. You can make this easier for them by catering to what they are looking for. Be careful about planting things that can be poisonous to your pet, and give them a little area all to themselves. They will be so excited to spend time in there, they will forget all about how enticing your garden used to look to them!
