One of the most effective ways to start building a pet-friendly garden is to do some research on which types of plants would be suitable. Various plants are poisonous for dogs, cats, and other pets, so choosing safe plants is a good idea in case your tenant’s pet decides to take a bite. In the case that you have existing plants on the property, carry out a conscientious inventory of every single one (including the trees) to distinguish the ones that may be toxic. Once you determine any, always see to it to remove the entire plant and root structure. Do not use chemicals or poisons on the plants, as these can harm pets as well.
After you have a clear perception of which plants you want in the garden, it’s time to design your space. Pet-friendly gardens typically use features like sturdy border plants, planting containers, raised beds, and fences to control which parts of the yard the pet will be able to access. Opting to use large, sturdy plants as a barrier over more delicate plants would help to keep pets from trampling and urinating in places you don’t want them to. Container gardening, especially hanging baskets and railing planters can help place garden plants out of reach. Finally, a lot of inexpensive or decorative fencing can contribute significantly to encourage pets to use certain areas of the yard while keeping them away from others.
Other types of deterrents involve integrating specific varieties of spices and pungent plants with smells that pets don’t like. As an example, rosemary, sage, and bitter orange plants may keep a curious dog away due to their strong odor. Some experts recommend planting Coleus Canina, sometimes called Dogbane, in areas where pets aren’t wanted. For cats and some dogs, this plant has an overpowering smell that they are repelled by. However, the scent is barely noticeable to humans.
Last but not the least, it is necessary to give thought to what type of fertilizer you are using on your plants. Many varieties of fertilizer and even mulch can be harmful to household pets. Even in case, you don’t foresee that your tenant’s pets will have unsupervised access to the garden, it’s so much better to err on the side of caution. By preferring non-toxic varieties of both fertilizer and mulch, you could aid in creating a pet-safe garden that your tenant will love.
With reasonable planning and creative skills, you can design a beautiful garden that shows beauty as well as can safely withstand the ordinary activities of household pets.
When you work jointly with the team of Inverness property managers at Real Property Management Diversified, you can be fully assured that tenants will be pleased and happy with a pet-friendly garden in their homes. Contact us online or call us at 352-854-2221
for more valuable information.