Gardening Guide for Pet-Friendly Gardens

Home Care
June 20, 2023

Why Start a Pet-Friendly Garden in Your Home?

Gardening is not only a fun activity to engage in, but it can also be a great stress reliever. Studies have shown that home gardening can lead to numerous benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, satisfaction and pride, increased self-esteem, courage to do things differently in life, and important education or learning opportunities. If you struggle with making new friends, know that gardening can also help you cultivate relationships and boost your social connectedness throughout your entire life.

What if you want to create a garden but have animals around your property? Don’t worry! Learn how you can create a suitable backyard by reading this gardening guide for pet-friendly gardens below!

How Can I Make My Garden Pet-Friendly?

For pet owners, gardening may present some challenges, as certain plants and fertilizers can be harmful to animals. But, that doesn’t mean that creating a pet-friendly garden isn’t an easy or enjoyable process! Here are some tips you can use to help you get started on your backyard:

Choose the Right Plants: When planning your garden, it’s important to consider the safety of your pets. Select plants that are harmless and non-toxic for them to be around and consume. Some plants can pose a danger to them. Opt for pet-friendly options like marigolds, sunflowers, roses, and snapdragons.

Don’t Use Harmful Pesticides: Although pesticides may keep unwanted bugs off of your cucumbers, they can cause serious reproductive and respiratory harm! Dogs and cats can be adversely affected if you choose to use certain pesticides in your garden. When purchasing these items, read the labels carefully and select those that are pet-friendly. Alternatively, consider using organic types of pesticides and fertilizers to maintain a healthy garden while also keeping your pets safe. Or, you may want to avoid using them altogether!

Avoid Using Hot Sauce: While this may seem like an archaic recommendation, many plant bloggers advocate for using hot sauce in your garden. The purpose of spraying diluted hot sauce in your garden is to prevent bunnies from eating your plants! Unfortunately, if your pet likes to chomp on your tomatoes, this may not be a good idea.

Is Mulch Safe for Dogs and Cats?

Generally, yes, mulch is pet-friendly. However, our furry friends sometimes like to eat mulch, and that can be incredibly toxic to dogs ‑‑ especially if the mulch is artificially dyed. Mulch can be made from a variety of materials, some of which may be toxic to pets.

What Should I Grow in My Garden That is Pet-Friendly?

When it comes to planting a pet-friendly garden, there are numerous options to choose from. Some pet-friendly plants to consider are marigolds, sunflowers, roses, snapdragons, petunias, pansies, and herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and parsley.

The Bottom Line ﹘Create a Beautiful Garden for You and Your Pets!

Have fun creating a garden that will improve your mental health and is suitable for your entire pet family! If you plan to sell your property in the future, a beautiful home garden can increase your chances of attracting buyers by making the house look more appealing. Call Realtor Linda Moore today if you want tips on how to make your house look inviting to potential buyers and get help making a successful sale!