Westport, CT
Updated Saturday, February 11, 2012 6:31 AM
Snow | 34°F | High: 38°F
Low: 21°F
Wind: 3 mph
Humidity: 80%
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Sunday
33° / 19° | 
Monday
38° / 27° | 
Tuesday
44° / 30° | 
Wednesday
46° / 30° |
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GARDENING WITH PETS
Concerns about maintaining a beautiful lawn and garden with pets can be addressed with some basic considerations:
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Flower gardens - Design the garden with a path for dogs to walk. Stone work or stepping stones can be set in the pathway
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Lawns - Heavy-use dog areas on the lawn such as along a fence become compacted and interfere with grass growth. These areas can be repaired during the seasons depending on one's priorities. Seasonal application of humates, either liquid or granular helps improve the aeration of the soil. Mechanical aeration of the soil can also be performed during the Spring and Fall. Gravel or stone walkway highlights or patios can be designed into these areas of your yard
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Digging - If your dog digs in the yard and garden there is an easy
thing to try: Regular play sessions; Often dogs will dig in the yard due to boredom.
Also, if the weather is very warm some dogs will dig to create a cooler space on the ground.
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Plant Selection - Be sure to plant flowers and shrubs that are NOT potentially toxic to your dogs and cats if they decide to munch on any.
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Wood Decks and Toxic Arsenic - If you have an older wooden deck in your yard, lumber used to build these decks and children's outdoor play equipment was often treated with toxic arsenic compounds which was intended as a wood preservative. This arsenic seeps into the surrounding soil and is potentially toxic to your family and pets. A recent study demonstrated that planting fern plants around the deck and yard areas absorbs a large amount of the arsenic from the soil into the plants. Trimming your fern plants and safely discarding the plant material helps remove the arsenic from your environment. If ferns are not a native plant in your area check with your local garden center to determine what other plants can be substituted.
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Stagnant pools of water - Do not let your pets drink out of stagnant puddles or pools of water. There are some microorganisms which are fatal to animals drinking this water. In the last few years there have been numerous deaths of hunting dogs reported in certain areas of the US due to a certain type of algae which grows in ponds and old wells or troughs in fields. If you have birdbaths in your yard, keep them clean.
Pet Health and Safety)
corn gluten products and compost.
gardener. If using chemical sprays or treatments keep your pets indoors and
avoid spraying on windy days.
fertilizers wipe-off or wash your pets paws and nose with soap and water. If possible
apply these lawn and garden treatments just prior to a rainstorm or water the
area afterward each application. Attentiveness to what your cats or dogs are
doing in the yard is especially important at these times. Do not let your dogs or cats
drink from puddles in the yard. Provide clean, fresh water in their own water bowl
at all times. If you use dog or cat toys in the yard, wash and store them after
use away from any exposure to potentially harmful substances.
these water areas since the compound will seep into the waterway as a toxin
In the horticulture and landscaping industry the terms: "Natural" and "Organic" are not
the same:
"Natural" = No chemical additives or components.
"Organic" = Certification or use in organic gardening with a package label that includes
either OMRI or NOP. This products may contain some pesticide compounds
or additives that are not all-natural.
See the following link for a detailed description of the terms and certification requirements in the United States.
http://www.saferbrand.com/advice/organic-gardening/organic-vs-natural
Companies which sell natural and organic lawn and garden products:
Safer: http://www.saferbrand.com/
Eartheasy: http://www.eartheasy.com/article_corn_gluten.htm
Home Harvest: http://homeharvest.com/
Outsidepride: http://www.outsidepride.com/
Elaine M. George
Silk Tree Gardens