Keeping a lush and lovely garden in the presence of pets can be a challenge. Animals have a tendency to want to munch on the green stuff, but some plants, pesticides and herbicides can be toxic for your pets. To maintain a safe and beautiful lawn and garden area, try these pet-friendly tips:
Using a natural herbicide, such as vinegar or the oils extracted from the leaves of the black walnut tree can help you avoid unwanted chemical exposure for your pets. Likewise, using homemade remedies to eradicate garden pests can help protect your beloved animals. A couple of tablespoons of dishwashing liquid mixed with water in a spray bottle applied to plants, particularly on the underside of the leaves, can help remove and prevent infestation of aphids and other pests. Peppermint and spearmint are natural pest deterrents, too, and planting them can help keep your garden free of rodents. Mint and lavender are good for fending off fleas and ticks, as well. Layering topsoil with cedar chips will also keep ticks and fleas away from your plants.
You need to be careful, too, what you plant in your garden, because some flora can be extremely toxic to your furry family members. Some of the more popular plants that can poison your pets include azaleas, rhododendrons, oleander, lily of the valley, and sago palm. Animals that ingest these and other toxic plants can experience a range of difficulties from upset stomach and diarrhea to seizures and liver failure. Lists are available online of plants that should be avoided by your pets. Instead, enhance your garden with pet-safe plants like ferns, zinnias, bamboo, spider plants, and snapdragons. Some flowers which are not only non-toxic but nutritious for your pets to eat include dandelions, petunias, hibiscus, lavender, pansies, geraniums and hollyhocks.
