ke magoon/AdobeStock.com
natural pet
Create a DogFriendly Yard Plants, Paths and Play Areas to Wag a Tail
B
by Karen Shaw Becker
ackyards can be sanctuaries, filled with gardens and landscaping. For homeowners with dogs, consider “dog-scaping”. It’s a term coined by landscape designer Maureen Gilmer of Palm Springs, California, who wrote the e-book The Dog-Scaped Yard. Gilmer points out that nobody asks Fido his opinion on how to landscape the yard, “yet he spends more time there than anyone else.” The yard should be a safe and secure place for the family dog, so fencing may be necessary to give ample room to roam. Lawn chemicals on grass are linked to cancer in dogs, so those are best avoided. Some people choose to go beyond grass to create a rich environment for the dog to explore. Gilmer recommends planting a meadow, complete with tall grasses and perennials, where the prized pet can investigate the terrain. Low troughs of wheat grass are good for a dog to nibble on and may discourage him from chewing on ornamental flowers and plants. Some dogs also enjoy rose hips from Rosa rugosa plants.
Flea-Repelling Herbs
Many herbs were once known as “fleabane” because they could repel fleas. Plant a fleabane garden to discourage these pests from moving in and finding the dogs. “When my 26
Volusia / Flagler
VoFLNatural.com
