How to Care for a Garden When You Have Pets

If you have pets at home you may find it challenging to maintain your garden because a good garden has needs seemingly opposite to those of pets. But with some creativity and planning you can have both happy pets and a nice garden. Here are some tips.

* The most common complaint from dog and cat owners is brown spotting in the lawn from animal urination. Since pets habitually return to the same area repeatedly, fixing the brown spots may be a temporary solution. Train your pets to use a place that will not look unsightly even if it turns brown. Clear and dispose off pet-poop promptly - this will keep the lawn clean and free from decomposing wastes which can become a breeding ground for insects.

* When you plan your landscape, place enough shade bearing trees to let your pets rest on a sweltering summer noon. Also make sure that the landscape provides ample space for your pets to run around without getting caught in trees, shrubs or fences.

* Be careful when you use fertilizers or pesticides in your garden. Some chemicals can be harmful to your pets. Visit a pet-store if you have questions about the safety of your garden supplies. Organic supplies are relatively safer and are better tolerated by pets.

* You have to also keep your plants safe from your pets. If your dog or cat chews or shreds away plants in your garden, fence the section of the vegetation that is most exposed to such damage. If you plant flowers or grow a vegetable garden, you cannot have dogs and cats trampling over them! Have a separate play area for the pets so and train your pets to behave - this is the best way to protect your garden.

* If you tend fish in a garden pond, make sure they are not overcrowding the pond. Do not overfeed them - excess fish-food can decay, causing foul odors and breed bacteria, harming the fish. Make sure that the vegetation in and around the pond does not cut off oxygen supply to the fish.

* If you make compost for your plants and lawn from your kitchen wastes, be sure not to add pet-food wastes and pet-poop to it. These wastes can attract a lot of bacteria and insects which can spread diseases.

* Give your pets a thorough wash after a fun-time in the garden to keep them healthy.

Use these tips when you plan your garden - relax peacefully and let your garden flourish as your pets enjoy their day!