Petscaping your garden

A member of our family is struggling. Our ever faithful, tail wagging, four-legged protector is struggling. At fourteen years of age, she regularly spills her food dish, getting up the stairs is a struggle, and playing catch is something she can only dream of these days. The sounds of her sleeping echo through my office from early in the morning to late in the evening. I mourn the loss of those sounds even while they are still present. She has taught our family the importance of affection, persistence and the great outdoors.

Petscaping is a term that is gaining traction in the gardening world. While it takes many forms, the idea behind petscaping is creating a safe and pleasurable environment for not only humans, but pets as well. There are several core tenants of petscaping. Those include avoiding plants that are poisonous when ingested, using only pet safe plant care products and providing shade and shelter for your pet.

The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) has a wealth of information for pet owners. Their website includes access to pesticide fact sheets. These would be useful in researching more information about chemicals prior them being applied to your lawn. They also give very specific recommendations regarding what to do if you are concerned that your pet has been exposed to pesticides. Their first recommendation is to call a veterinarian. The NPIC also explains risk factors associated with pesticide exposure and includes a link to a directory of the least toxic pest control products. Yes, you can apply a chemical to kill those pesky Japanese beetles, but sometimes a homemade mix of Dawn dishwasher detergent and water will do just as good of a job.

Selecting non toxic plants for your outdoor petscaping project can be done through careful planning. The Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is a fantastic resource. It is part of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (ASPCA). They have lists of plants broken down by dogs and cats of the most commonly encountered plants that have been shown to be toxic to animals. While a quick glance at this list shows me that I have many, many plants in my own yard that are on this list, (Clematis, hosta, crabtree, vinca, iris), I do appreciate the wealth of information that is available to homeowners. Their site also includes information on poisonous household products and foods that can be toxic to animals.

In her prime, our English springer spaniel, Lucky, was always the star of our outdoor parties. Her never-ending ability to catch tennis balls was a source of entertainment for all. Eventually though, she would seek the cool shade of a maple tree. Developing shade is important not only for our own enjoyment but our pet’s as well. That shade can be achieved through trees, an awning or even a pergola. A pet-safe running water feature may also be included in a petscaping project.

Developing a dedicated pet elimination area is as much about training your dog as it is about the area itself. The area certainly doesn’t have to be large, really just big enough for your pet to sniff and do their business. A key component would be though keeping it clean by regularly picking the area up. Water may also be used to dilute the urine and help minimize the detrimental effects that the high nitrogen content can have on the lawn.

It seems that some pets love to dig in flower beds. Their sense of smell is so acute that you may find that deterring them from an area can be accomplished by using items such as coffee grounds or crushed green peppers. Herbs such as rosemary and sage also tend to repel pets from a specific area.

Choosing plants that are softer is a way to create a pet friendly outdoor environment. Avoiding shrubs and trees with thorns and opting for those that have soft foliage is a benefit to humans and animals. Small pebbles can get stuck in their paws so you may want to avoid those as well.

Please consider reaching out to your veterinarian if you have any questions or need advice regarding creating a pet safe outdoor environment. They have years of formal education as well as clinical experience and are your best resource. Here is information regarding a few other resources that are available to you as well.

Resources:
— National Pesticide Information Center www.npic.orst.edu, 1-800-858-7378
— Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCC) www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control (888) 426-4435
— American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(ASPCA) www.aspca.org (212) 876-7700

Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a landscaping design and build company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.

---

---