Growing up, our dogs utilized our family’s backyard far more than we did. We all enjoyed the occasional meal when the weather was nice, my mother’s glorious flower gardens, and the always-epic goldfinch sighting, but our four-legged friends truly lived and breathed that outdoor space. Naturally, we wanted to make it a fun and safe place for them to live out their doggy days. Apparently, in today’s world, that’s called “dogscaping.”
The landscaping method focuses on creating a safe environment that will hold up with a little canine roughhousing. To help us offer a few helpful tips for creating a dog-friendly backyard, we turned to Calloway’s Nursery for some insight.
1. Use Nontoxic Plants & Flowers
- Avoid toxic plants including foxglove, iris, monkshood, and lily-of-the-valley, and opt for safe options such as jasmine, rosemary, sunflowers, blueberries, wheat or oat grass, zinnia, and Celosia Plumosa.
- Use tall containers or raised beds to protect plant foliage.
2. Reduce Fleas Naturally
- Add a few drops of lavender, peppermint, or rosemary oil to a full bottle of water and spray on any outdoor furniture.
- You can also plant lavender, peppermint, or rosemary in your garden.
3. Use Organic Lawn & Plant Care Products
- Use organic fertilizers, mosquito control, herbicides, and pesticides. Check labels to be sure they’re safe for dogs.
4. Protect Your Delicate Plants
- Plant tougher shrubs and ground covers around the edge of your garden, and place more delicate plants in the center—far from any four-legged activity.
5. Keep Your Friend Cool
- A pergola or tall shady trees are a perfect retreat, along with a shelter of their own, such as a doghouse connected to your own home.
- Install a water feature (try a disappearing fountain) for the dog days of summer.
6. Create a Pup Playground
- Add a sandy digging pit for treats or toys and divert dogs from your flowerbeds.
- Pave or brick patrol paths for dogs to exercise.
- Install an elevated lookout point for watchdogs.
