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Gardening is a popular hobby, as is keeping pets. Some people fear that it can be hard to engage in both hobbies, but, with a little care and attention it is possible to make a yard a safe and friendly place for your four legged friends.

The first step to making a yard pet friendly is to fit a high and strong fence around it. This will make sure that your pet does not run out into the road or street, and will stop stray dogs from coming in. Make sure that there are no gaps ' put a little wire mesh at the edges if needed, and don't grow plants too near to the fence, as dogs may be encouraged to establish territorial rights. Lay stones or pave a border just before the fence instead.

Take care not to leave any area with loose mud in the garden- it is an invitation to start digging! It may be a good idea to fence off an area that is exclusively for the dog to romp around. A dog house is also essential to protect the pets from excessive heat or wind. It should not be too close to the outer fence as dogs can climb on the house and jump out. The dogs should also have a bath room area that they are trained to use, to prevent the lawn from being messed up. Make sure there is water available for them to drink.

Plants in Pet Friendly Gardens

Certain kinds of plants and grass do not get on well with the nitrates in dog urine. If possible, train your dog to keep off the grass. Bermuda grass is slightly more sturdy than other variants, and can cope with a pet treading on it, but clover is better as a plant since it does not stain when exposed to dog urine.

If you are growing delicate plants, then protect them with a small wooden picket fence to ensure that urine does not reach their roots.

Choose plants carefully ' some variants are toxic to animals ' consult your garden center for detailed information. Also, keep any chemicals in a secure shed well away from where your pet plays, and do not let them out in the garden until at least 24 hours after you have fertilized it.