Saturday, September 7, 2013

Landscaping and Pets

Dogs are a man's best friend, but they can also be a lawns worst enemy. Here are a few practical tips for pet owners who want to maintain their lawn.

Dogs give the lawn and surrounding plants lots of nitrogen, and most plants can't handle it. Some sturdy plants that might stand up to your dog's activities include Carolina cherry, barberry, chain fern, chameleon plant, New Zealand flax and daylily. A 100% rye grass lawn will allow a lot of traffic, while still sending up new shoots. Therefore, rye grass will probably stay green, even if your pets are walking on it all day.

If your pet is ruining a specific part of the lawn, consider replacing that with a sturdier material, like flagstone or decomposed granite. Also, if your dog likes to patrol the perimeter of your lawn, and is killing the grass only on the perimeter, putting a bed or object in his path may stop him. Aeration can play a big role in keeping the grass from compacting and dying. You should probably consider aerating on a yearly basis.

 
Make sure your sprinkling system is working and the spread is even. You don't want any part of the lawn that is not getting water. Also make sure you sprinklers are out of the way, so your pet will not break them.

With a little extra effort, you can balance your love for your pet, and maintaining a beautiful lawn.

Tyler Kaiser
T. J. Landscaping

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