You can buy buffalo grass as seed or in plugs by special order at many local nurseries. Oregano is another herb ground cover option that can be used to replace a natural grass lawn. If your natural grass lawn is functioning primarily as a play area, but you would like to remove it to save water and reduce the time you spend caring for your yard, installing a playground might be your best option. You may be able to find free or low-cost mulch through local programs or from tree trimmers in your area. While it is beautiful to look at, it can be a bit monochromatic if not paired with other plants. In an effort to reduce water use and time spent caring for lawns, some gardeners are replacing their turf with thyme. Gravel: Gravel may or may not be a good option for your dog, depending on a few factors. Experts agree that a well-exercised dog is a calmer dog; therefore, a solution as simple as more frequent trips to the dog park or a longer walk or two during the day just might bring digging to a halt. The basic principle is to use drought-tolerant native plants and succulents to create a low-maintenance, low-water alternative to natural grass lawns and other water-wasting landscaping options. This type of low-water landscaping is popular in Southern California and can be seen throughout the Southwestern United States. If you share your home with one or more dogs and really want to keep a natural grass lawn, you may have to dial down your expectations of a perfectly manicured, golf course-worthy lawn and consider one of these options for the best results. Old Dog Barking Randomly Amid the pandemic, a writer finds inspiration in century-old travel stories – With the World’s Great Travellers,’ an eight-volume collection of 19th-century travel tales, is a window on the past. Therefore if you would also like to have drought-tolerant landscaping, want to worry less about digging, or would rather spend less time maintaining your yard and more time enjoying it, you may want to choose a low-maintenance option, such as the above-mentioned artificial grass, gravel, wood chips or mulch. Requires minimal maintenance (learn more about artificial grass maintenance) Good option for areas where pets and children play An herb garden is an attractive lawn alternative that adds color and texture to your landscaping. Here are a few non-living, dog-friendly ground covers to consider for a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance backyard. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; For others, mowing, watering, feeding, weeding, edging and aerating a natural lawn is just too time consuming, and the cost of hiring landscape professionals to care for their lawn is just as undesirable. While it can withstand traffic, it is too bushy to walk on, so this is best used in areas where it can show off its white or bluish-lavender blooms and give off its lovely fragrance without encumbering walking paths. Do you enjoy grilling and cooking outdoors enough to invest in an. Make sure you choose a variety that is used for ground cover, because some can grow into sizable shrubs. Do you want a yard that requires the least amount of maintenance possible? It is an inexpensive option that looks great and can stand up to some traffic. How To Create a Dog-Friendly Backyard using the Top-Rated Ground Covers for Dogs. Are Protection Dogs Worth It Misconceptions Personal Protection Dogs; Wondering what makes a protection dog great? Can dogs and cats get hay fever? Instead, these are some of the signs that cats and dogs might show if they are allergic to pollen: What should I do if I think my dog or cat has hay fever? Because St. Augustine grass has deep roots, this might be a good alternative if you have a dog who loves to dig. The trick is to find the best solution for your particular situation. Because tall fescue is deeply rooted and has wider blades than other grasses, it can also take serious traffic. Barley and wheat grass is less likely to irritate your pet’s stomach compared with other varieties of grass. 12 Mar 2020. To create a lawn that can withstand a lot of traffic, mow your yarrow regularly for a denser ground cover. Kentucky bluegrass seed is also used to patch bare spots in other types of lawns because it grows quickly. Dog urine is high in nitrogen and can burn your. To rid the urine odor completely you will want to treat the odor problem at its source with a urine odor eliminator formula.

Rubber mulch made from recycled tires is available in a variety of colors and is an easy lawn alternative that can last many years with minimal maintenance. A Dundee dog owner has blasted Dundee City Council for an injury that resulted in expensive vet bills for her beloved pet.

On the other hand, some wood products can harbor flees, give dogs splinters or become your dog’s favorite snack. Make sure there is enough shade, as well as a cool spot for your dog to rest, especially in order to prevent digging to find cooler soil.

It is easier to maneuver around the dog’s current habits than it is to teach them new ones! Brown spots in grass or stains on concrete appear frequently due to urine. This grass can reseed itself and withstand high traffic, though its more suitable for cooler climates. If you have a shady yard, or a shady area in your yard, moss can be a great, low-maintenance alternative to grass. Do you want your backyard to be a place where your children or pets can play? Alternatively, you can always plant a separate crop in a container or in your herb garden for household use. You can also grow pet grass in a sunny area with fertile, well-drained soil. Seed mixes are easy to come by at your local garden center, and you can have a beautiful, flowering meadow to enjoy instead of a typical grass lawn.

It is also perpetually run over by scooters and tricycles. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) maintains lists of plants that are toxic to dogs, cats and/or horses. Can dogs and cats get hay fever?

Lawns are expensive, environmentally unfriendly and, for households with dogs, tough to keep green and lush. This soft, mat-like ground cover can take partial or full sun and requires consistent watering that will need to increase with temperature. Nervous or protective dogs tend to wear paths along fence lines as they pace. Hardscape features of any type will take up space in your yard to allow you to avoid a grass lawn or limit its size. This invasive tendency can be a problem, but it also makes it an easy-to-grow choice as a grass alternative that will quickly cover your lawn area with greenery and seasonal blooms. Several varieties of yarrow can be used as a dense, traffic-tolerant lawn alternative.

Some chamomile varieties can be used as lawn alternatives, such as English chamomile and Roman chamomile. The experts at Lowe’s like euonymus fortunei in yards with pets because it is tough to destroy and can grow in either shade or sun. MEET the world's toughest guard dogs worth up to £100000. The added bonus with this one is that it is deer resistant, so if you find that the local wildlife is eating your landscaping, you may want to replace other ground covers with deer-resistant options like this. Homeowners who need to let their dogs out to play or use the restroom during or after rain may often have an issue with mud being tracked into the house. Yards with shade are good candidates for using gravel as a ground cover over larger areas. Find out how much artificial grass will cost for your backyard with our fake turf calculator. You may also be able to find free or low-cost wood chips in your area by contacting local tree trimming and removal services or through local programs.

Reseed patches with Kentucky bluegrass, since tall fescue is a slow-grower. Clover (Trifolium repens) is an herbaceous perennial that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 10. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Additionally, it is easy to clean after your pets use it as a restroom and provides a level, smooth surface with fewer tripping hazards for safer play time for pets and children. Be sure to check local ordinances — or your CC&Rs, if you live in a community with a homeowners association — before removing your lawn and replacing it with alternatives to grass. If frequent exercise does not get to the root of the problem, observe your dog to see if you can figure out a pattern. Paths provide walkways for humans and dogs that like to explore their surroundings. Ice plant is the type of plant folks either love or hate.

Train your dog to relieve himself or herself in a designated area (we know, easier said than done). Provides a lush, green lawn for your front yard or backyard Also, have the installation team add deodorizer to the top of the installation for added protection. Replacing your natural grass lawn with a family orchard transforms your lawn area into a functional, food-producing space you can enjoy with your family for years to come. Wood Chips or Bark: Wood chips and bark are a bit of a mixed bag in terms of dog-friendly landscaping. This is not always an issue but should be considered. This also keeps it away from children, pets and parking areas if you intend to harvest it for household use. Or you may find that your dog enjoys spending time on hardscapes, such as a paving stone patio or a wood deck, and only needs a small softscape area for playing and bathroom purposes. How you want to use your yard will have a significant influence on planning your low-maintenance landscaping, so be sure to consider your needs before you begin the design process. As an added bonus, you can harvest it for making tea, cooking or medicinal purposes. If she or he tends to dig only on days when you are away from home, it could be triggered by separation anxiety. Once you remove your lawn and choose the play structures to install, you can use mulch or artificial grass as a ground cover beneath the play equipment. The silvery-green foliage of this drought-tolerant ground cover can seriously enhance the visual appeal of your lawn area. Do you have a favorite grass alternative that you have used in your yard to reduce the use of water and chemicals? You can do this by choosing drought-tolerant grasses, such as buffalo grass, zoysia or switchgrass, that require less water and by using a push mower, instead of a lawnmower. Make sure your turf installer applies a deodorizer to help absorb pet urine odors. Labrador violet sure has a fitting name for the purpose of this article!

While it can withstand a little traffic, lilyturf makes for a pretty lumpy lawn, so it is not ideal for play areas or walkways.