DOG FRIENDLY GARDENING

Has the patter of tiny paws taken its toll on your outdoor space? Garden writer and dog lover, Julia Heaton, has some top tips to rectify that.

Man’s best friend has really proved its worth during the pandemic with more people than ever becoming dog owners. That’s because sharing your life with a dog is such a rewarding experience. Sadly, sharing your garden can be another matter entirely – one where it feels like you and your pooch are vying to be top dog. Fortunately this is easily rectified. Whether a new or long-time owner, all it takes is a little bit of thought to create a stylish, colourful and fun haven that you can both enjoy in harmony.

Setting boundaries

It goes without saying that safe, secure boundaries are vital in ensuring your dog can’t escape. The dream scenario is a brick wall but this can be expensive so wooden fence panels are the next best thing. A fence that’s high enough to prevent any canine thoughts of jumping it and is a solid construction is best. Those that still allow a view of what lies beyond are lovely but best avoided to deter the dog from hanging around the area in the hope of seeing something or someone. The same goes for any garden gate.

If you already have a fence but your pet is trying to dig its way out then erect some chicken wire at the base, burying it at least 6in (15cm) below the surface. Make sure the sharp edges are facing away from your garden. Think also about burying some large rocks along the base of the fence and adding another layer in front of that in the form of a dense hedge or shrub border that can withstand being trampled. This will also soften attention grabbing outside sounds too.

Up the garden path

Before laying a path consider the route your dog takes around the garden.

Sadly, it’s a fact that dogs don’t keep to pathways. You can’t stop them from romping through borders but you can go with the flow just by sitting back and watching them create their own routes. These can then be turned into proper paths in a style of your choosing and even laid through borders if that’s where you pet likes to go. Use a low box hedge or willow hurdles as edging around borders to form more of a barrier. The latter can be simply pushed into the ground. All you need to do is choose a hurdle appropriate to the size of your pet.

Lawn care

Dogs are such energetic creatures and the lawn can also come in for its fair share of wear and tear, so it’s worth sowing hard wearing grass seed mix in areas that see a lot of activity. If needs be you could consider giving your pet a dedicated fenced area to let off steam in and pave it so its easily swept clean.

Bitches urinating on the lawn can also leave brown circles behind and plants that come in for a regular dose of urine will suffer and eventually die. The easiest way to deal with this is to hose down the area to dilute the effects. You could also use Dog Rocks (www.dogrocks.co.uk) a natural product that’s added to drinking water to stop grass burn.

Dog excrement is also a problem that needs to be addressed as it can carry worms (Toxocara canis) whose eggs can be passed in faeces into the soil. Handling infected soil can, in some circumstances, lead to stomach ache, coughing and in extreme cases loss of vision. So cleaning up after your pet and regular worming are really important.

Doggie interest

Just like humans dogs appreciate a stimulating environment. And by making your garden fun for them you’re more likely to keep your pet out of the beds and borders. They love to sit on an elevated platform to get a better view of what’s going on around them. Steps, benches or a row of logs, set at varying heights, all provide vantage points.

A tunnel can be a fun feature too. This needn’t be complicated to construct. Just a large plastic barrel with the base cut off, then laid on its side and covered in soil. Grasses and wildflowers can then be sown on top to create a natural looking feature that will soon look like it’s always been there.

For pathways give them different textures to explore like patches of wood chippings, gravel and non-toxic sand. Avoid cocoa bean shell mulch though as this can be potentially harmful if eaten.

Digging distraction

If your pet is a digger then a sandpit digging box could be a great distraction. Lay a porous membrane and cover in round-grained coarse garden sand that doesn’t form clumps when urinated on. Bury some dog toys or edible treats for them to discover. After all that running around and exploring your pet needs a place to retreat to for some much-needed time out. A kennel in a quiet spot where a dog can come and go as it pleases is ideal and will also offer some shade on a sunny day. Don’t forget to put a drinking bowl inside.

Dog proof planting

Choose plants that can withstand the rough and tumble of your four- footed friend. Annuals like nasturtiums and grasses such as miscanthus are just the job. Then shrubs that will see you through a few years like viburnums and escallonia. Where space and budget allow, go for the largest specimens you can find. Consider the following:

Heather – A low growing evergreen with a dense, bushy habit. The strong, twiggy base of the plant supports a soft green top featuring pink, white or purple flowers.

Shasta Daisy – This clump-forming perennial will bloom from early summer to early autumn despite any damage.

Astilbe – Ideal for shady and damp areas, this perennial is relatively trouble free, comes in a variety of heights and can withstand being trampled on.

Lavender – Thrives in full sun, is fragrant and looks great planted along pathways, where it can take the knocks of passing pets.

Thyme – Great for ground cover, this low growing plant forms a dense mat with pretty flowers and fragrant foliage.

Day Lily – A low maintenance perennial with trumpet shaped flowers. It has a deep root system that will ensure it recovers from any damage.

Six plants that are toxic to dogs

Azalea and Rhododendrons – Can cause vomiting and breathing difficulties. When eaten in large enough quantities it can be fatal to dogs.

Tulips – Many spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils are poisonous to dogs, causing skin allergy, vomiting and diarrhoea and can be fatal. These are best avoided if your pet likes digging.

Larkspur – Can cause digestive problems and even be fatal if the dog eats young plants and seeds.

Yew – Berries and particularly the foliage are highly poisonous. Always dispose of any pruned branches as these will still retain poison.

Oleander – Any part of this plant can cause dermatitis, digestive or heart problems when eaten and in some cases can lead to death.

Euphorbia – Has a milky sap that’s highly toxic when eaten. It can also irritate the eyes and skin.

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