A Pet's Paradise: Creating a Beautiful, Pet-Safe Garden

If you're a proud pet owner (or owner-to-be) and a garden enthusiast, you might be stuck wondering how to strike the balance between a beautiful, yet practical garden. It’s a common dilemma many people face, but with the right knowledge and planning you can design a garden that both you and your pets can enjoy.

Secure Fencing

A sturdy and reliable fence is essential for keeping your pets safe while they enjoy the garden. Make sure the fence is tall enough to prevent your pets from jumping or climbing over it… or digging underneath. As you may know, they can be notorious escape artists!

Shade and Shelter

Pets can be very sensitive to extreme weather conditions, so ensuring your garden design includes some shaded areas such as trees, hedges or shade structures where they can find refuge from the sun is key.

Avoiding Harmful Plants

When designing your garden, it's crucial to pick plants that won’t pose a risk to your furry companions. Some common garden plants can be toxic to pets if ingested, such as Hemerocallis and Lilly of The Valley. Instead, opt for plants like Crocosmia or Heuchera which can look equally as stunning and introduce an array of colour.

The Chemical Conundrum

It’s important to also consider the health risks your garden maintenance chemicals like pesticides and fertilisers can pose. Swap harsh substances for alternatives such as neem oil for pests and pet-safe organic fertilisers to feed your plants. When applying them, make sure to keep your pets inside and away from treated areas until they're safe to re-enter.

Hardscaping

Some materials, like cocoa mulch, can be harmful to pets when ingested and gravel can get stuck between their paws. So, what are the best hardscaping materials? To maintain a pet-friendly environment, opt for stabilised gravel or stone pathways and patios. These materials are much more durable and can withstand playful activities. Our experienced garden designers are here to provide you with gravel and stone ideas to suit your unique outdoor space.

Water Features

Water is a delight for many pets, so contemplate adding a water feature such as a shallow pond or a pet-safe water fountain. These features serve as hydration sources, cooling facilities and add a charming addition to your garden. At Haywood Landscapes, our team have extensive experience and expertise working with water for all types, sizes and shape gardens.

Creating a beautiful, pet-safe garden is not only achievable, but extremely rewarding for both you and your pets.

Are you ready to transform your garden into a pet's paradise? If you’re based in Kent or the South East, get in touch with us today to get started on creating a beautiful, pet-safe garden that both you and your furry companions will love.

Contact us here or call us on 01227 733447 for more information.