Dogs are not only our beloved pets but often times, a member of the family. They like to follow us all over the house and especially when we go out to the garden they can always be found close at our heels. I don’t know about you, but I always try to make sure our garden is as dog-friendly as can be and that I am not planting things that would be toxic if my dog were to eat it. Here are some tips to create a dog friendly garden that you and your pooch will both love.
If you have the space, grow a medium-sized tree for a good shade spot for your pooch to rest under. Don’t forget to have both shade-loving and heat-loving grass planted so that he can take those afternoon naps he is so fond of. I like to create a nice sunny grassy patch on one side of my vegetable garden and have my dog hang out there while I am tilling away in the garden. He’s close by and out of harm’s way and I am working away doing something I love.
If you don’t want your dog to have access to your flower beds or vegetable garden, think about using raised beds and containers. If you want to keep your garden at ground level, put up a fence around it to keep the little guy from trampling your petunias. One secret I have found is to crush egg shells in areas that my dog goes in that I don’t want him in. The egg shells will hurt his little paws momentarily but it teaches him that the flower bed isn’t a nice and comfy place to hang out. The egg shells have much needed calcium for your plants – so they don’t mind.
Where ever you live, you want to make sure you have a list of toxic plants for your area. In the southwest there are Oleanders on every corner and in every yard but most people don’t know that every part of that plant is toxic to dogs. Typically, dogs know which plants to steer clear of as they have a good internal radar, but sometimes they will get into things they shouldn’t! Grapes, onions, tomatoes, and potatoes are especially toxic to dogs and I recommend only planting them in areas where your four-legged friend can’t get to.
It is also important to know when you spray pesticides and insecticides around your garden, that your pets will ingest it as well. Most containers say to keep animals away for 24-48 hours. Better yet, why not use an organic pesticide or plant those plants that naturally deter pests like marigolds to keep your garden safe from chemicals?
Same thing goes for fertilizers. A lot of synthetic fertilizers are not good when accidentally ingested. Try using Blood and Bone meal, earthworm castings and compost. Make sure to remember that dogs love the smell of blood and bone meal and you will need to keep the dog away for at 24-48 hours so it can seep into the ground. If they are diggers, they will search for where that scent is coming from – even going to find the box and sticking their nose in there. It smells like Heaven to them. Once it has soaked into the ground, the scent dissipates thankfully!
Teaching your dog to smell the plants and not eat them can be a challenging task but the rewards of having good quality time with your pooch in the garden will be worth it.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
April 1, 2014 at 2:26 amThese are great tips! We did just get a dog, but we don’t have a garden. He’s happy out on our deck barking at cars driving by 🙂
Coolchillmom says
April 1, 2014 at 3:57 amGreat dog images! Adorable. Fabulous tips! Didn’t even think twice about the fig eating the plants!
Emily says
April 1, 2014 at 5:37 amGreat ideas! I don’t have a dog (yet) and my gardening skills are poor (on a good day), I’m going to bookmark this post for future reference.
Amber Edwards says
April 1, 2014 at 10:44 amHow did I not know about tomato and potato plants? I knew about the others and worked to keep them away from our dog, but didn’t know about tomato and potato plants!
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
April 1, 2014 at 11:40 amWe got a puppy in January. I’m hoping he doesn’t want to dig too much.
Amanda @ Erickson & Co. says
April 1, 2014 at 12:38 pmI love these ideas! We have a small dog and she loves to play in the garden while we are gardening. I’m going to use some of these suggestions this year.
Marni | Love and Duck Fat says
April 1, 2014 at 12:38 pmGreat tips! Our biggest issue is the dogs like to eat our fruit. Papayas and pineapple plants are their favs!
Pam says
April 1, 2014 at 3:02 pmGreat tips! Having raised beds is such a good idea, our dog is very short so he wouldn’t be able to get into a raised bed.
becca says
April 1, 2014 at 3:23 pmNever thought to make a garden dog friendly neat idea.
Rosey says
April 1, 2014 at 3:42 pmWe don’t have a pet, so I never thought about gardening and the dog. These are all fantastic tips though! Especially about not planting anything that could harm the dog if he/she does eat it!
Triplezmom says
April 1, 2014 at 4:18 pmExcellent advice. We don’t have a dog yet, but we plan to someday.
Sarah Bailey says
April 1, 2014 at 4:52 pmI’ll have to do something these things for Sal she loves being out in the garden. x
Lady Lilith says
April 1, 2014 at 5:49 pmThanks for the great tips. It must be annoying to plant flowers for the dogs to get to them. I like your raised bed idea.
Aisha Kristine Chong says
April 1, 2014 at 5:53 pmNow those are just awesome tips! thank you!
Jennifer Williams says
April 1, 2014 at 8:26 pmLuckily I always plant things that are safe for animals. My dogs and cats get into everything I plant and I would feel horrible if something happened to any of them. So glad you are helping others to stop and think before they plant.
The Chef's Wife | Anne @TheSatEvePot says
April 1, 2014 at 8:52 pmSometimes I really miss having a dog! These are great tips, especially knowing what plants are toxic.
Melanie says
April 1, 2014 at 9:10 pmSadly I don’t allow my dogs into the garden. 🙁 They really do mess it up. I tried blocking things off but they ended up digging so they are no longer allowed in the front yard. Thanks for the tips, I could try some of them
Veronica says
April 1, 2014 at 9:39 pmThe pictures of the dogs are so adorable. It is important that the plants are not poisonous to dogs
Healy Harpster says
April 2, 2014 at 10:34 amWhat a great post with great tips! We have a one year old pug and liked to chewed everything. We are planning to start our garden soon and yes, thanks for this. Will apply these tips.
Ashley Gill says
April 2, 2014 at 11:33 amMy dogs try to eat my garden. They are NOT allowed in there!!! Darn dogs! hah I’d have no veggies left!
Mel Cole says
April 2, 2014 at 4:35 pmWhat a great idea for home owners who have dogs. I love that photo, love the smell of creeping phlox 😀
Toni says
April 2, 2014 at 6:17 pmThis is a great idea. I never thought about some gardens being not dog friendly.
amy says
April 2, 2014 at 6:31 pmThankfully my pups doesn’t really get into my garden. We do have a raised garden bed -just to keep out other critters in the yard
Anya@IW says
April 5, 2014 at 8:06 pmGreat tips for both dogs and cats. I love the pictures too – so cute!
Renee Rousseau says
June 30, 2017 at 5:22 pmGreat suggestions for planning and executing a garden with “help” from all family members!