They dig, they pee, they trample. How to garden when you love both dogs and plants

By Jessica Damiano The Associated Press

If you have ever had a dog, you know that they are not exactly on the toes of the tulips. I am lucky that none of me ever had a preference for digging holes, but my deceased pit bull, Maddie, always ran through my eternal beds like a whoker, leaving horizontal conefovers and black eyes Susans in her destructive path.

Her bathroom breaks would also print an ever -increasing series of dog crop circles on the lawn.

Fortunately my little Havanese, Miguel, is not as much threat to my plants, but there are other important elements to consider when planning a garden where dogs and plants can safely exist next to each other.

Let’s start with the lawn

The tile You should select Suitable for your region And your sun exposure. In my sunny northeastern front garden, that means starting with a Kentucky Bluegrass seed mixture, which holds well against foot and leg traffic, and mixing about 10 percent each of the urinary resilient perennial ryegrass and shadow-tolerant fine fescue.

Consider recording further protection A trampling and urine resistant soil cover In your grass seed recipe. I added cloverWho also enriches the soil with safe, nourishing levels of nitrogen (free fertilizer!) And reduces or eliminates groundwater pollution by my property.

If you have dogs from a beagle format or two, this will be a long way to maintain the integrity of your lawn. But to be honest, I don’t know any grass that a German shepherd or Bull Mastiff will hold that it makes it daily. Starting with the most resilient grass species for your growing conditions, however, you will give the best possible opportunities.

Access barriers

Typical landscape architecture designs are often large plants far apart, so that areas with mulch covered soil are left between plants and shrubs. Dogs like to lead obstacle courses on those bare paths, to kick mulch and, invariably, to deviate in plant beds.

Instead, choose a dense garden style that only makes enough space between plants possible for the expected adult size of each. By their third year, most gaps will be filled, which eliminates the spaces and, together with them, the invitation to come in.

If you grow delicate plants or food, sit down in a raised bed or surround them with short screens or another barrier to discourage access.

Avoid toxic plants and chemicals

Then consider safety. Many ordinary plants are toxic to dogs (and cats), so avoid planting them completely, even if your pet has not shown an interest in grazing. A one -off curiosity can create a disaster pan. Contact the ASPCA for A kind of plant list (including weeds) that are toxic to cats, dogs and horses and remove everything to which your pets have access.

Avoid using chemicals. If you have to apply them, keep pets from the garden until the products have dried or disappeared (reading package labels carefully and observe warnings and warning statements).

Make a zone for digging and playing

If your dog is a digging, fill holes and lay parts of chicken wire over favorite excavation spots, then cover them with a few centimeters of land. I have never met a dog that was not put off by thread.

Diggers, however, will continue to dig, so indicate a part of the garden where they can do this with reckless surrender. Bury some toys and bones to find, and Place balls and other toys there too. After you have introduced dogs in the area, watch the foot and take them to the count zone when you catch them on the action elsewhere.

Such a leeway or dog run would be a useful garden supply, even if digging has not had a problem because it would reduce or eliminate plant trampers and lawn damage. Add it with screens or another barrier with which you can keep an eye on the dog – and vice versa.

Similarly, if the space permits, indicate a pebble or mulched toilet surface. Train dogs to use it by moving scooped poop to the place. Their nose will convey the message, but again, you have to keep a close eye on and move them to the spot when they show signs of the intention of alleviating themselves elsewhere. It will take some time, but they have to keep up.

Finally, make sure you give access to a clean bowl of water at all times. It will renew puppies while playing outside and, like a bonus, dilute their urine to reduce fire spots in your grass.

Yes, you will probably have to lower your aesthetic standards a little. But to enjoy two of the greatest pleasures of two life at the same time, the compromise is certainly worth it.

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Jessica Damiano writes weekly garden columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning weekly Dirt newsletter. You can register here For weekly tips and advice.

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Go to for more AP Gardening -stories https://apnews.com/hub/gardening.

Originally published: February 25, 2025 at 9:06 am