Your garden is your outdoor sanctuary and home to your carefully curated selection of vegetables and flowers. But your dog sees it as a play pen, a place to dig, and a space with lots of fresh, tasty snacks. Thankfully, there are easy ways to protect your garden while still allowing your pup to enjoy the fresh air.
If you are struggling to figure out how to keep dogs out of garden, here are ten helpful tips that will deliver peace of mind and help you and your pooch share in backyard bliss in no time.
Establish Boundaries for Your Garden
One of the simplest ways gardeners can keep their dog out of the garden is by making it known to them that the area is off limits. Create a physical barrier that will keep your dog out so your plants can grow safely, and so you can work and harvest in peace.
A small picket fence, chicken wire, lattice panels, or decorative stones or bricks can all serve as physical barriers to keep dogs out of the garden while adding an eye-pleasing aesthetic to your space. As an added bonus, these barriers can deter animals like rabbits, deer, chickens, and other critters.
Utilize Raised Beds
Getting your plants off the ground and into a raised garden bed is a highly effective method to keep your dogs from damaging them. Ensuring your plants are not at your dog’s eye or nose level makes it much less likely they will accidentally trample your plants while playing. This method may also prevent dogs from noticing your plants entirely, keeping your plants safe even while your dog is spending time outside.
Are There Plants that Can Assist in Keeping Dogs Out of the Garden?
Yes, you can add certain plants to your garden that serve as natural barricades for your dog. Consider putting in tall, dense, non-toxic plants, such as ornamental grasses like California fescue, deer grass, or Canyon Prince wild rye. Thorny plants or flowers like roses are also helpful options, as their prickly texture will deter dogs from getting too close. Plus, these plants serve a dual purpose, protecting your vegetable gardens from harm caused by dogs and other animals while also giving your space a unique and decorative look that will impress your friends and neighbors.
Aromatic plants or ones with sharp and strong scents can also aid when you are trying to figure out how to keep dogs out of garden. Dog noses are significantly more sensitive than human noses, so smells that are strong to us are even more so to dogs. Adding plants like lavender, rosemary, and marigold to the edges of your garden can help keep your pets out of the garden while augmenting your space with sweet scents you will enjoy.
Other Scent-Based Deterrents
If you do not want to go through the trouble of adding additional plants to your garden, consider some other scent-based strategies to keep your pup out of the garden. There are plenty of household items with scents that dogs hate but are still safe for both your dog and your garden itself.
-
Dried orange peels: Citrus fruits have harsh, distinct scents that most dogs do not enjoy. The scent of bitter orange peels may be enough to keep your dog at bay.
-
Coffee grounds: The smell of fresh coffee might be a great way for us to start our mornings, but dogs are not so fond of it. Spreading coffee grounds at the edge of your garden can deter them from getting too close. Plus, coffee grounds blend in nicely with your soil as to not create an eyesore.
-
Spices: Aromatic spices can irritate dogs’ noses without harming them or your garden. Spread some cayenne pepper, chili pepper, or powdered mustard around your garden to dissuade your canine companion from going in.
-
Vinegar: Create a mixture of white vinegar and water and spray around the exterior of your garden. The harsh, unpleasant smell serves as a great repellent for your pup.
Creating a Barricade with Behavioral Deterrents
If you are struggling with how to keep dogs out of garden, then sprinklers and invisible fences are great ways to help. Both methods provide solutions to naturally modify your dog’s behavior without harming the dog or the garden.
Motion-activated sprinklers spring into action when dogs, cats, or other small animals are near, spraying water and delivering a startle that informs the animal that the garden is off limits. An invisible fence is designed to emit high frequency sounds that are audible to dogs, but not humans. These sounds are unpleasant enough to discourage dogs from getting too close to the garden, but they are ultimately harmless.
How Can We Stop Dogs from Chewing Garden Structures?
In addition to trampling and unwanted entry of dogs into your garden, your space is also at risk of damage from dogs’ chewing. It is in a dog’s nature to want to chew, and a garden can present many wood-based structures that look more like a playground of chew toys to your dogs, especially if they are puppies. Wooden furniture, garden stakes, porch railings, trellises, and branches can all be tantalizing treats in a dog’s eyes.
Similar to how the key to keeping dogs from entering the garden is by making it less enticing for them to do so, the best way to keep dogs from chewing your garden structures is by making it less appealing for them. Bully Beds’ All Natural No Chew Spray For Dogs is designed to do just that. Unlike our competitors, our safe, water-based formula is all-natural and boasts bitter apple as one of its key ingredients for a taste that most dogs find unappealing, which curtails their desire to chew. Spray it in a specific area to discourage your dog from chewing there. This spray is safe, effective, and can be used both outside in your garden and inside on furniture.
Why Do Dogs Love to Dig?
No matter the temperature in the air, the dirt in the ground is always cool, and many dogs dig to cool off on warm days. Dog owners can nip this habit in the bud by keeping their dog cool and providing a designated space to dig separate from the garden.
Make sure your dog always has access to water to keep them hydrated and less likely to dig for the cool, damp dirt underneath the ground. On especially warm days or in drier climates, consider filling a small pool with water or run a sprinkler in the yard for them to play in.
A Bored Dog Can Be a Destructive Dog
Keeping a dog stimulated is another effective strategy to prevent a dog from digging and damaging a garden. If your dog is occupied with other activities, they will not feel the need to dig in your garden. Consider introducing a dedicated space where your dog can dig without issue. A digging pit or a sandbox is a great way to give your dog his or her own personal playground where they can explore, have fun, and stay far away from your precious flower beds.
How can I Create a Better, Alternative Space?
Establishing a comfortable, dog-friendly space is perhaps the best answer on how to keep dogs out of garden, as it may prevent them from wanting to go to the garden in the first place. Try making your dog his or her own outdoor oasis to enjoy when not playing in the backyard. A high-quality bed in a shady area is a great way to keep your dog cool, comfortable, and out of the garden.
When selecting a dog bed to use outdoors, you will want one durable enough to handle the elements. Our Chew Proof Dog Bed (with a 200 Day Guarantee) is great for any patio or deck, providing comfort your dog will love. It can also withstand your dog’s chewing, digging, and scratching, giving them a place other than your garden to practice those nesting habits.
Support is just as paramount as comfort, and our Orthopedic Original Bully Bed is designed with both in mind. The mattress-grade foam provides necessary support for your dog’s spine, hips, and joints and is comfortable enough to keep your pup off the ground and away from your garden.
Are You Ready to Make the Most of Your Space for You and Your Dog?
Keeping your dog out of the garden while still providing them freedom to explore your backyard can be achieved by utilizing physical boundaries, considering behavioral modifiers, discouraging dogs from damaging structures with no chew spray, and giving your dog a comfortable sanctuary space like a Bully Bed.
When it comes to figuring out how to keep dogs out of garden, there is no need to compromise. Your garden can thrive while your dog enjoys the fresh air. All it takes is some planning, a little creativity, and a lot of love for your pup. If you are ready to curate your dog’s perfect al fresco lounge, then check out our durable, supportive, and orthopedic Bully Beds that will have your dog too comfortable to mess with your growing vegetables.
