Garden

Doggone It

How to design a garden with four-legged friends in mind.

DOGS PLUS THE outdoors equals perfection. Wait, correct that. Dogs plus gardens equals complete ruin. Does a scenario of knocked-over pots, matted and rutted lawn, uprooted plants, and minefields of dog unpleasantness sound familiar? Well, it doesn’t have to, if you think of your garden with pets in mind. That’s the mindset behind dogscaping — gardening in a way that respects the most common canine behaviors, identifies problems, and employs creative and green solutions. Fundamentally, it means coming to terms with the fact that you have a dog, relinquishing some control, and forgetting about perfection. You and your dog change over time; let your garden grow and change with you, and it will ultimately become a place to wag about. KIER HOLMES

TIPS FROM THE EXPERT Jen Strobel, garden design consultant for Sloat Garden Center, says, “Note that the regular paths dogs use aren’t likely to change with new plantings.” She suggests, “Use hardy ground covers that are soft on paws like Elfin thyme, and use hardier plants like boxwood or ornamental grasses to protect more tender, easily damaged plants.”

OBSERVE YOUR DOG’S HABITS

Regardless of breed, go with what you see: is your dog a digger, an escape artist, a patroller, a fence barker? Install strong fences and self-closing gates. Also consider an underground barrier, such as chicken wire, for the tenacious wannabe runaways. Add perimeter paths. Let your dog patrol the territory and be social with passersby without damaging plants. Suggestion: add a 3-foot-wide path that is plant-free. Use containers and raised planter boxes. For vegetables or less durable plants, consider pots and aboveground receptacles. Replace your lawn. Install as much hardscape as possible, like concrete, brick, flagstone or smooth river rocks. Be careful about plant selection. Young dogs and certain breeds chew on anything — including toxic plants — so eschew candidates like those on the list

below. Practice organic gardening. Avoid pesticides and weed killer, which can be harmful to you, your dog and the earth.

TOXIC PLANTS

Azalea

Rhododendron

Datura

Honeysuckle Lilies

Oleander

Yew

FAVORITE DOG-COMPATIBLE PLANTS

In sun

Phormium

Euonymus Abelia

Anigozanthos In shade Ferns (not asparagus fern) Liriope Bergenia Choisya

Just Sold | 336 Lowell Avenue, Mill Valley

This stunning 3 bedroom, 4 bathroom wine country estate with views of the valley, St. Helena and Mt. Diablo is situated on 3.5+ acres of land located within a short drive of downtown Petaluma and Sonoma wineries. 235 Anglers Way is a craftsman style luxury home built with exquisite attention to detail. The open floor plan allows for easy entertaining and flow between indoors and outdoors. The large deck with hot tub is a perfect place to enjoy the spectacular valley and hill views while enjoying a glass of wine or spending a relaxing evening with friends. The private master suite with luxury bathroom is on the main level with 2 additional bedrooms; a den and a media room on the upper level. High ceilings, crown moldings, Brazilian cherry wood floors and gourmet kitchen, make this a home one of kind.

One of a kind! This inviting contemporary 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home with panoramic views of the Marin hills and Bay is located on a quiet culde-sac with easy freeway access. The top floor master suite boasts an exquisite bathroom with free standing tub and shower as well as an office and Mt. Tam facing private deck. The gourmet chef’s kitchen with 4 person island counter is flooded with afternoon sun and perfect for entertaining. The wrap around deck provides views of the valley and a perfect place for alfresco dining. 336 Lowell Avenue is a sophisticated, bright and spacious home with a landscaped backyard, paved patio and plenty of space to spread out.

Lynn Reid

Realtor® 415.559.2814 lried@mcguire.com Cal BRE# 01164587

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