By Kris Kiser, CEO & President of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and TurfMutt (www.TurfMutt.com)
Spring is in the air, and that means many people are getting the urge to work in their yard and begin planting. If you have pets, you’ll want to design a yard for your family and pet’s play and health, but also ensure the area is safe. In addition to choosing the right grasses, shrubs, trees and flowering plants for your climate zone (check the climate map), consider these tips from TurfMutt, an environmental education and stewardship program.
- Think about what your dog needs.
Dogs love living landscapes and love being in your yard. What does your dog need the most? Most pets need a place to romp and exercise, relax in the shade for an afternoon nap and take bathroom breaks.
- Pick “dog-proof” ground coverings.
Grass is one of the best ground coverings around because it can handle the wear and tear that comes with pets and children. Bermuda and buffalo grass are especially hardy, and they can withstand dry spells, too. Grass also delivers great health benefits for you and your family by producing oxygen, sequestering carbon, capturing storm water runoff, and cleaning and filtering rain water.
- Select plants for your climate zone but also your pet.
Be sure to check the ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic garden plantsfor advice before choosing plants and shrubs. For areas near garden paths, select plants that have soft foliage, but are still sturdy enough to withstand a little canine “ruff”-housing. But you also want to ensure they are non-toxic to pets who like to chew foliage and other growing plants.
- Avoid plastic grass.
Plastic grass, also known as artificial turf, gets too hot for humans and pets, especially in summer months. A Brigham Young University study revealed that synthetic-turf surface temperatures were 37° higher than asphalt and 86° hotter than natural turf. A Penn State study found it wasn’t uncommon for temperatures to surpass 150 degrees and can reach up to 200 degrees on plastic grass.
- Plant for pollinators and other wildlife. Your dog isn’t the only one who uses your yard. Keep pollinators (bees, butterflies and hummingbirds) and other wildlife in mind when you are selecting plants, trees and shrubs.
To learn more about how living landscapes benefit people and pets and for more tips on taking care of your green spaces visit www.livinglandscapesmatter.com. Learn more about TurfMutt
TurfMutt was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) Research and Education Foundation and has reached more than 62 million children, educators and families since 2009. Through classroom materials developed with Scholastic, TurfMutt teaches students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.”