The Gardening Dog Lover – A Conundrum No More!

Some interests go together like peanut butter and jelly; a love of hiking can compliment camping, or a passion for photography can go hand in hand with a techy talent in digital design. Sometimes, however, interests clash. Take being a gardener and a pet owner, for example. Sure you love those furry friends of yours, but when you're constantly having to stand guard to ensure your plants don't become chew toys things can get a little exasperating. Have no fear, here are three surefire tips for keeping your flowerbed from becoming a canine excavation site.

The Fence Defense
Alright, it isn't exactly leading off with any great secret here, but fences are an easy way to quarter off your gardens. The challenge becomes making your boundaries a compliment to your plant space; do this by using picket and painted fences that increase aesthetic, rather than taking away from it. A classic white or unpainted wood fence can serve the double purpose of keeping out unwanted visitors while simultaneously pulling your garden together. The height of the fence you'll need will depend on the size of your pets, but lucky for you dog owners most canine friends are fairly easily deterred by a midsize fence (whereas a cat might be tempted to make the leap). If you have a small to mid-sized dog, you might be able to get away with something just a couple of feet high, and therefore unobtrusive.

A Pungent Pathway
It's no secret that dogs have a keen sense of smell, and you can use this to your advantage. Certain fragrances, such as citrus and vinegar, are repulsive to dogs and they'll make an effort to steer clear. Orange peels and vinegar can be used as a sort of invisible perimeter, however it can be difficult to maintain and therefore you may want to look at using actual plants as part of your odor defense – plants that smell like citrus (and several other scents) are known to keep dogs away, you can simply plant these around other plants to protect them.

NOTE: If you opt for this method or something similar, DO NOT use chemicals or commercial odor sprays or repellents, they can be extremely dangerous to your pets.

A Place of Their Own
Giving your pets a “safe” part of the yard to play in can also keep your garden from being so tempting. If you have enough space to do so, simply partition off your yard and only allow pets in the designated areas. Another way to achieve this without physical fences is shock collar boundaries, which create an invisible fence that administers a light zap when an animal wearing a special collar attempts to cross it. This can be a bit of a hassle to setup, however, and some pet owners argue whether such “invisible fences” are humane.

In the end, it will be up to you to decide which works best for your space and pets. For most, a small fence will do the trick, for the more curious and determined, you may need to get a bit more creative. Best of luck!