Paw-Friendly Gardening
“Our new puppy ate our yard.”
“Help! Our terrier cut himself on the edging.”
“My cat wants ‘outside.’ How do I keep her safe?”
If you find yourself empathizing with these comments, or have even uttered one or two of them yourself, you might be interested in a new book called “Paw-Friendly Landscapes: How to Share the Turf When Your Backyard Belongs to Barney,” by Elizabeth Bublitz. Bublitz, who is teaching a class next week at the Gardens on pet-friendly landscaping, is the owner of a unique landscape design company called “Paw-Friendly Landscapes” – reputedly the only company in Colorado that specializes in designing child- and pet-friendly yards. The quotes above are from her book; her excerpt continues, “Do any of these scenarios sound familiar to you? Have you found yourself wondering how your pets and your yard can harmoniously co-exist? The very existence of this book should be an indicator to you that 1) your pet is not uniquely “destructive,” and 2) you are not alone in your frustration and your desire to create a pawfriendly yard. As a professional landscaper and devoted animal-lover, I am so delighted to have found some solutions to your “backyard belongs to Barney” issues—and I’m even more excited to share my expertise with you. There is nothing more rewarding than someone who says, “We did not relinquish our dog because of our new pawfriendly landscape, which lets him have his freedom and allows us to enjoy, too!” Now you too, can create the best backyard for both you and your beloved pets!
Whether you have a 10-pound terrier, several 120-pound labs, or a clan of inquisitive kitties, these ideas are applicable and as easy to follow as the commands “sit, stay, roll over”! (Well, OK, if you can get a cat to “sit, stay, and roll over,” you need to write a book of your own!) You’ll learn the basics of having a beautiful backyard that makes everyone happy and safe in any climate. You will also learn about how to protect your pets from toxic houseplants and other hazards, how to keep your pups from “digging to China,” and more great tips on how to keep your landscape living…and livable. This approach to pawfriendly backyard space is inexpensive, attractive, and best of all, easy to install. There is hope, folks. And I’m here to share with you my ideas, success stories, and how-to advice on creating outdoor spaces with your pet’s safety and wellbeing in mind. Come along with me as we create the perfect backyard for you, and most importantly, your critters!”
To meet Elizabeth Bublitz, buy her book, and enjoy a warm and fun evening of discussion, slides and tips on how to make YOUR landscape more livable for your own furry friends, register for our class on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at Denver Botanic Gardens.
May 6, 2008 at 11:29 am
We have 3 dogs and only one of them is a digger. But just our one dog can destroy a lot when left unattended. After a while we go looking for her when she hasn’t come back in the house in a normal time.
May 19, 2008 at 4:05 pm
One way to prevent your dog from digging out is to secure chicken wire about 8″ above the ground onto the fence, either with staples or nails. You need to bring the chicken wire down to the ground and secure it onto landscape fabric or directly on the soil (you need to have a bedline with mulch in order to do this – you cannot secure it onto sod). When you dog’s paws hit the chicken wire, they do not like the texture and stop digging. You must protect the cut side of the chicken wire because it is sharp – you can use duct tape or roll the ends into the fabric.
Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. Thanks for the email!
May 23, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Hello – my dogs “play” with my sprinklers. They continue to destroy them. What can I do?
May 24, 2008 at 5:14 pm
For sprinkler “eaters,” we suggest you program your clock for the middle of the night to very early morning (11pm-5am)or so. If you have pet doors, be sure to lock them so they cannot go out and “play.”
Dogs generally need to be triggered and if they hear water, they’ll dig at it and potentially destroy heads or risers.
Also, you can use a soaker hose, emitters or drips on your plants – dogs do not hear these and ignore them.
Good luck, keep me posted!
May 25, 2008 at 7:54 am
My huskies keep escaping and killing grass because they run on it to chase squirrels. Any ideas?
May 31, 2008 at 5:27 pm
[...] it seems that our recent guest blog by Elizabeth Bublitz on ‘Fido-friendly gardening’ was a popular topic, judging by the busy comment queue! Luckily for us, Elizabeth is turning out to [...]
May 31, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Hi John: Unfortunately there are no plants that take high foot traffic. So we install a pavers, flagstone directly on the sod or remove the sod and install a walkway for your dogs to run. We have to work with their behavior because their habits actually create interest in yards – this is really a blessing. In this case, you can add a new texture to your sod by adding the walkway. It’s easy to install and maintain. You can check out our portfolio for a picture of it at http://www.pawfriendlylandscapes.com – we call it, “The Racetrack.”
I’m wondering how your huskies are escaping. They’re notorious for digging out. If that’s the case, then we secure chicken wire about 8″ or so above the ground onto the fence and fasten it down on the ground with edge or fabric pins. We secure the edges of the cut chicken wire (it is very sharp) with duct tape or tuck it into the fabric. If they’re escaping by jumping, then we install lattice at an angle to block their exit points. We also have a picture on our website in “Pet Friendly Portfolio,” – it’s under, “Escape Artists.”
Please review and let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks so much – good luck, I hope to stay in touch! Have fun and get dirty! – Elizabeth
June 1, 2008 at 5:44 am
Hi Elizabeth,
We want to plant a blue spruce tree and were wondering what’s the best time of year to do it.
June 1, 2008 at 5:45 am
Also, we also wanted to plant some catnip and cat grass for foster kitties. Do these kind of plants come back from year to year?
June 1, 2008 at 11:31 am
Hey Elizabeth,
I am going to put some flowers in my front yard in a few days. My husband want them to be perenials, mostly blooming in the fall. The house sits E to W and there is some shade in the morning but mostly sun. I want to put red mulch around then edging. What flowers do you suggest? Is red mulch OK for dogs paws? Where can i get a good strip of edging that is dog friendly.
June 1, 2008 at 11:32 am
I have another question regarding mice. We have a courtyard that is mostly in shade. We have bird houses, bird feeders, a birdbath and I noticed we have quite a few mice running around. How can I discourage the mice from coming around? Are they attracted by the birdseed?
June 1, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Hi Beth: Thanks for the questions! The best time to plant evergreens (Blue Spruces are evergreens and one of my favorites!) is any time before fall. In other words, from March until October. They do not establish well in the winter. If you are going to install them, be sure to dig the hole before removing the tree from the container or burlap. Also, be sure to amend the soil with spaghum peat moss (a few handfuls is all you need) – do not use an animal (sheep/cow & peat) because the manure can burn the roots – peat moss is the best amendment for new plantings. Also, be sure not to plant too low or too high. Evergreen trees do not do well when planted in sod because they don’t like a lot of water and their needles kill everything below them. If you can keep them in their own garden, that would be best!
Regarding your foster cats (by the way, good for you – all pet agencies need more foster parents, so thank you!) I have to ask, are these for indoor or outdoor cats? If it’s indoor, make sure the catnip and grass get lots of sun – they love the it. If this is for outdoor, the catnip will return, in fact, it will return in an abundance! Your neighbors might end up with some too! Cats love it though so if you keep on top of it, it won’t be so invasive. If you foster a lot, you may want to check out cat enclosures. One of my colleagues, John Kuepper of Cat Man Do, creates cat enclosures to keep cats safe from outdoor hazards. His website is http://www.cat-man-do.com.
Thanks again for all your work with cats! Please stay in touch! – Elizabeth (Stay Dirty!)
June 1, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Hi Carol: Thanks for the questions. Red cedar (natural or colored) is fine for pets but most dogs eat wood mulch. It doesn’t hurt them (they might throw up a little) but it’s not like rock mulch which can cause an obstruction and has to be surgically removed. (yikes!)
Edging is such a serious topic to keep dogs safe in the yard (and humans!). It can seriously slice paws. Roll top edging is a great type or CMC edging – this is actually designed for dogs and is made in Arvada! It is only available at Renewable Fiber in Denver but they deliver. Roll top is available at all landscape bulk material stores. They are very easy to install. You must use about 4 edge pins per 10′ (they come in 10′ pieces) – your local bulk material store should help you with this quantity. Be sure to ask them about including edging pins with your delivery – making material runs is not fun!
Perennials are a great choice for your garden. For fall blooming plants, you can choose: Tall Garden Phlox (various colors), Black Eyed Susan (Yellow), Coneflower (Purple), Disco Hibiscus (White), Mums (Various), Winter Pansies (they’re sold in the fall) and annual kale. All of these plants do well in partial/full sun.
Another suggestion, you can install plants that bloom all season. Many perennials bloom all season, such as, Cranesbill, Yellow Columbine, Pincushion, Shasta Daisy, Sunrose, Dianthus, Whirling Butterfly, Coreopsis, Blanket Flower, Red or White Valarian and Maltese Cross. If your garden is large enough, you can plant these and install a few fall flowering perennials.
Regarding your mice problem (what joy!) – indeed, they are attracted to bird seed (anything edible.) I do not like to use mouse traps, glues or poisons – it’s too inhumane. Buy some peppermint oil, apply it to their access areas and saturate a cottonball and leave it at the area. If it rains or your sprinklers hit the area, then reapply. Continue using a fresh saturated cottonball after water has been applied too.
Stay in touch, let me know how the peppermint works or if you have any other questions. Take care, stay dirty and have fun! – Elizabeth
June 2, 2008 at 5:52 am
Elizabeth,
We have one dog – a wheaton terrier – who loves the back yard. However, the grass has become very brown and dingy. Is there a safe chemical we can use to make our lawn green again? Our dog really loves the back yard and we want to keep it safe for her?
Thank you,
Caroline
June 2, 2008 at 6:02 am
Also – who is the cute dog with the muddy paws? She is very Cute!
-Caroline
June 2, 2008 at 7:17 am
Hi Caroline: tee hee, I have a confession – that cute little formerly white dog (who is black from mud!) is mine – her name is Zulu. It was taken this spring after a down pour and an area in my backyard was not completed. She and my German Shepherd, Barney, had so much fun in the mud! I really do sympathize with my clients when they tell me they’re tired of the mud.
Anyway, to green up your yard, you can fill your spreader (a hand spreader or walk behind is fine) half full of Tide Laundry Detergent. Then add another half of lawn fertilizer – read the label to make sure it won’t harm pets. When you apply this, it jump starts your yard and greens it right up! Also, you want to water as soon as it’s applied. Be careful, you may have to mow 2-3 times per week, it works that well!
Good luck, stay in touch – let me know if you have any other questions! Have fun and get dirty! – Elizabeth
July 2, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Hi Elizabeth – I have a friend whose dog digs at the seams in their flagstone patio. Have you heard of this before, and is there a way to stop it? I’m thinking of putting flagstone in my yard, and don’t think my dogs would do this, but you never know, right?
July 4, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Hi Konnie: Thanks for the question. Yes, we have heard of doggies digging at flagstone seams – especially terriers! However, it’s not exclusive to terriers but they tend to be triggered by anything interesting that can be dug! Silly instincts!
Anyway, we remove the flagstone and install chicken wire under it. Once their paws hit the chicken wire, they stop digging. Thus far it’s worked like a charm! I wouldn’t want you not to install a flagstone patio because of this concern- they’re gorgeous – so be sure to use chicken wire if your critter starts digging to China! Thanks!
July 6, 2008 at 5:13 am
Our dogs keep jumping on our privacy fence when people walk by – especially dog walkers. We’re worried the fence will be knocked over, what can we do to protect our fence and the people who walk by?
July 7, 2008 at 6:20 am
Hi Ray & David: Thanks for the question. I’m assuming you have a cedar privacy fence – not a vinyl one – but let me know for sure. Many times we cut “windows” into the fence so dogs don’t have to jump anymore to try to see over. A box shape window can be cut into the fence and chicken wire or mesh wire can be installed over it – secure it with staples or nails.
Take care, let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks & good luck!
October 6, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Hi Elizabeth,
I want to landscape my yard with a path through the yard and a large area of small and medium mexican beach pebbles for the patio area and dog grooming area. These pebbles are very smooth and comfortable to walk on and massage the feet. Is this also okay for dogs and the pads of their feet?
Thanks,
Katherine
October 8, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Hi Katherine: Thank you very much for the question. Yes, your choice of rock is perfect for your critter’s feet – always stay away from granites (jagged rock) and they will be fine. The only down side to using pebbles is they can stick to dog’s feet and can track into the house. Some dogs also eat rock so we use pavers if needed.
I hope that makes sense – please email me if you have any more questions or concerns. Good luck – your dogs are very lucky to have such a caring human in their lives! – Elizabeth
January 8, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Hi Elizabeth,I see that you say the red bark is ok for the dog to be on as a ground cover. I want to know what other type of groung cover can one use … I have two dogs that run non-stop playing while outside. The dogs in question are med & lg size. and I already have a patio with flag stone in cement. I was thinking straw but this might bright mice or other gound critters ie bugs, worms … Please let me know what you think and also I couldn’t get to your friend John Kuepper of Cat Man Do,website would like an enclosure for my two cats.
January 10, 2009 at 10:35 am
Hi Larry: Thanks for the question. Wood mulch is okay to use but it tends to migrates and needs to be constantly top dressed (re-applied) due to heavy foot traffic and it weathers. I like to suggest to dog owners to use 1.5″ river rock – it is a round rock (versus granites or jagged rock – they hurt dogs’ paws) since it does not migrate or age. To install it, regrade the area (smooth it out), install fabric and fabric pins and then the river rock. The fabric will prevent the rock from sinking down into the soil and it will prevent weeds. However, before you install rock, make sure your dogs do not eat it – many dogs eat rock and if yours do, then you will need to install wood mulch, pavers or artificial turf. I hope this makes sense. If you need to discuss it more – please contact me on my cell – the number is 303-901-4002.
Also, I emailed John Kuepper with your information. Let me know if you do not hear back from him, I will then contact him on his cell. Thanks again – we’ll be in touch! – Elizabeth
April 3, 2009 at 9:28 pm
My husband and I have a 7 mo. old Golden Retriever. He loves the yard. He has started to dig a little bit. We split our yard in half (half has new sod) and the other half is our dog’s area. It has started to become a muddy mess. We are thinking about putting down straw or hay on our dog’s side? What do you suggest? It is a large area 25 x 20 feet. He eats our mulch from other areas of our yard so we are not sure about mulch. We are are trying to not spend very much money — he is already costing us a ton!
Thanks for your help.
April 4, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I have a couple of beloved dogs (boxer and mini schnauzer) that like to put everything in sight in their mouths. I used scotts nature scapes wood mulch classic black in several places in “their yard”. They have already started playing with it and trying to chew on it when I am not looking. Would there be any thing harmful for them used to darken this mulch? I checked the bag and it doesnt list ingredients but says the product i organic.
Thanks!!!
April 6, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Hi Holly: That’s wonderful you and your husband have devoted part of your yard to your young Golden Retriever. Yes, you can install an excelsior or straw erosion control blanket. Both need fabric pins to secure them in place. Another idea, if this is possible, is you can regrade the area, install new sod and install a temporary construction fence around the perimeter of the new sod for a month (that’s how long it takes for sod to establish). The fence will prevent your dog from entering the new sod area and this also trains him to stay off of the sod in the future. Newly laid sod “triggers” dogs to pull up the un-established sod. When the seams heal in, they do not want to “play” with it anymore.
The downside to sod is, we cannot prevent dogs from digging in it but we can prevent them from digging in rock or mulch (although we do not want to use wood mulch in backyards with dogs because they eat it and/or it migrates and is messy). So if you can create a new bedline in the sod area where he’s digging you need to create a new garden area. You can install chicken wire where he’s digging in the mulch you are using. You would install the chicken wire on the fabric with fabric pins and then mulch on top of it. I will send you photos.
I know it’s hard to understand in print and easier to comprehend when you see pictures so feel free to contact me if you have any questions and I can send some to you. I really want to help you – I hope this advice helps. If you have any questions, please contact me. Thank you! – Elizabeth http://www.pawfriendlylandscapes.com
April 6, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Hi Jenn: Wood mulch is usually NOT toxic. However, if it is the cocoa bean mulch, rubber mulch that is treated or a type I’m not familiar with that is treated with chemicals, then I’d contact the ASPCA Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435. Normally my company does not use wood mulch in backyards because dogs eat it, or it migrates very quickly and becomes scattered and messy. If you dogs do not eat rock, then you could use 1.5″ round River Rock (not the jagged granites) for your dog. If your dog eats rock, then use large (6″-12″) cobble rock. They cannot carry it around, however, they do not like walking on it either.
I hope this makes sense, let me know if you have any other questions. – Elizabeth
April 15, 2009 at 11:40 am
Hi Elizabeth – I’m so glad that I found you! We have two large dogs (one is a labradoodle and one is a golden doodle) and we have had a hard time keeping the grass alive in our back yard. We’ve decided to resod the yard and just start all over. Do you have any recommendations on sod that is very durable and that can withstand both sun and shade?
April 25, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Hi Shannon: Thanks for the question regarding your dogs. The best turf in Colorado is Kentucky Blue. It might work in your region. My company has tried numerous types of grasses including RTF, the fescue blends and buffalo grass but they neverwithstood foot traffic.
Another suggestion would be to tear out the dead sod and replace it with a mulch. We do not use wood mulch because it triggers dogs to dig and/or they eat it. It’s not toxic but makes them vomit. If they do not eat rock, you could install rock but if none of these suggestions help, you could also try pavers.
If you could send me some photos, I could offer other suggestions.
Thanks again – I hope to stay in touch!
Good luck, have fun and get dirty!
May 19, 2009 at 6:54 am
Hello,
I don’t know if you can help me.I live in Phoenix,Az and am trying to redo my backyard.It is VERY large and I have 2 large dogs and 3 small Dachshunds.I need a ground cover that will be safe for the dogs,but also won’t get to hot on the feet.I can pve the perimeter,but need something other than grass or artificial turf for the larger area.
Thanks
May 19, 2009 at 10:30 am
I’m not sure of your sun exposure (I’m assuming it’s hot because you stated it could get hot) so I would try a combination of “steppable” groundcovers such as thyme and sedums (thyme holds up a little better). If it’s a shady area, you could use Ajuga. They’re all non toxic to dogs. However, since no plant withstands urine or high foot traffic (such as playing or running along a fence) it’s best to incorporate a few “doggie hydrants” and pavers where they play or do “squirrel patrol.” Doggie hydrants are great so dogs don’t have the urge to lift their legs on plants or always follow the female’s lead where she eliminates. “Fire Hydrants” are inadament objects such as boulders, bird baths, statues, planters, etc. The solution for high foot traffic, to prevent plants from being stomped, put pavers along the fence, in the groundcover where they create a path to get to the fence and in the area where they frequently rough house or play. I hope this makes sense, please contact me if you have any other questions or concerns. Thank you! – Elizabeth
June 2, 2009 at 7:08 am
I have a few plants that I am interested in planting in my back yard, but need to know if they are pet safe. I planted daylily’s – and would like to plant white balloon flowers (Chinese Bellflower) and Beacon Silver Lamium.
Do you know if there are toxic to dogs?
I also want a butterfly garden in the lower yard, is there a list of plants that are pet safe to attract butterflies and birds?
June 8, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Hi Michele: Daylilies are toxic to dogs (and cats) – all parts of them. All lilies are toxic. However, Chinese Bellflower and Lamium are safe. If your dog is exposed to the daylilies, transplant them to an area he cannot get to – such as the front yard.
Good luck – please contact me if you have any other questions. Thanks for the email – Elizabeth http://www.pawfriendlylandscapes.com