How to Create a Wildlife Garden that is Also Pet Friendly

It is possible to share your yard with your pets and wildlife. Even though pets can destroy plants, they don't have to roam in your garden. You can allow your pet to run around I the backyard while your plants are in the front of the yard. You can also create a Fort Knox effect by using raised beds for your plants.

Dogs will see raised beds as walls. This will keep them put. You should place mulch or grass pathways between the raised beds to help guide the dogs away from the flowers. They like controlling borders so leave room around your yard's perimeter. There should be sturdy plants like native viburnums which provide lots of berries for songbirds. Redbud and fringe trees are also good choices. Speedwell attracts butterflies.

When you are choosing plants , make sure that they are not poisonous to your pets. Do your research before buying. Veterinarians are a good source as well as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The ASPCA offers a database of information about toxic plants online at www.aspca.org/toxicplants.

Holly berries and buckeye seeds can be harmful to your pet. Yews can even be deadly to your pet. Milkweed can be poisonous to almost everything except monarch butterflies. Exotic plants like English Ivy, Chinese wisteria, and European bittersweet can be harmful too. Don't try to attract other mammals to your garden or yard because they could harm your pet. It ok to attract birds or butterflies. Keep your bird feeders clean so they don't attract rats or other scavengers.

When you are gardening the wildlife, be sure to limit the use of pesticides and baits. If you feel that you have to use them, look for the products that say "pet-safe." You definitely want to be careful using snail and slug bait because it is very toxic. Most contain metaldehyde which makes it toxic. It is very appealing to most mammals. If you want to learn about less harmful ways to control your pests, you should go to this website: www.beyondpesticides.ort/alternatives. You should also pay close attention to the use of commercial garden mulch. Type s made from cocoa beans should be avoided. Dogs are very attracted to this type because it smells like chocolate and they tend to eat it. For small pets it can be harmful, making them sick, because of the theobronine in them. There are better kinds for your environment and your pet. Raked leaves are safe for your pet and keeps waste out of the landfill.

source: www.NWF.org