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May 9, 2008
Dog-friendly Garden
I am interested in planting a garden in my backyard. However, there are quite a few dogs in my building that use the space for playtime (with, of course, occasional bathroom breaks).
Any advice about what to do? I am specifically interested in sturdy ground cover, perhaps raised beds, non-poisonous plants, and even a little potty area (if the dogs are trainable -- highly doubtful). I know that I have to divide the area up and fence some of it off.
Also, could you recommend a good landscaper who knows something about this?
Comments
Sounds absolutely disgusting. Dogs should be banned.
Posted by: guest at May 9, 2008 1:54 PM
What a great idea. So thoughtful and realistic to consider all the users.
I think that the ground cover could be some pavers or bluestone. I would suggest plants in tall pots ( to keep piddle from killing the plants.) Crawling plants like hydrangea would add lots of green and huge flowers and they would cover a fence and stay off the ground. Also tall grasses in pots are nice because they make a wonderful sound. I think any foliage you want to keep should be off the ground. It looks very nice and English garden-ish anyway which is nice.
In my experience, a good dog area has a loose pebbely stone (?) that is fenced in and can be sprayed with a hose (and occasionally sanitized with "Simple Green"). It should have a drain or run off if possible. The owners can make sure the area is hosed after they use it and once a year the pebbles can be changed to freshen it up.
I think most landscapers would be able to do this for you, but I don't have a rec.
If you do it, post some pics!
Good Luck.
Posted by: guest at May 9, 2008 3:35 PM
One more thing... If you google Pet friendly garden there are lists of plants that are OK. Here is an example.
http://www.flower-gardening-made-easy.com/Pet-friendly-garden.html
Posted by: guest at May 9, 2008 3:41 PM
okay i gotta ask
if it is "your" backyard, how are other people's dogs privy to handle their business there?
sounds hella nasty and inconsiderate to me
Posted by: guest at May 9, 2008 4:17 PM
we have a large dog and have done a few things to protect our garden. first off, you can buy bamboo sticks and some wire fencing (4" squares) at home depot to build a little fence around fragile areas like flower beds, cut the wire fencing down to a height you can step over and pound in the bamboo at 3-4ft intervals, then attach the wire fencing to them with twist ties, this will make a pretty fence and it's cheap. secondly, if you see areas where the dogs often go more than others, keep those areas clear for the dogs, that way you won't be fighting over turf so much (for example we have a fence line that our dog likes to run along so we make sure not to plant there). also, if you decide to do raised beds or container plantings, make sure they're high enough to actually keep dogs out, we have a veggie box (8'x3') that's about 4ft off the ground). we also have a designated area for our dog to do his business, we put down cedar mulch there we've been actively training him to go there. if i think of anything else i'll post again.
Posted by: guest at May 9, 2008 5:04 PM
Dogs seem to love to chew zebra grass. It's a hardy grass that you could plant for them to munch on. It might serve as a decoy from the other plants.
Posted by: mpcmpc at May 12, 2008 10:38 AM
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