Dog Friendly Landscaping: Organic Lawns

Dog Lounging on Organic Lawn

Yes you can have it all – an attractive, organic lawn and a happy, active dog. You may need to lower your standards a wee bit since any grassy area where dogs tread will most likely not be pristine, golf course quality, or win the best lawn in your neighborhood award. The sooner you can accept that simple fact, the sooner you can move forward and take the steps necessary to achieve a harmonious outdoor life.

Certain varieties of grass perform better than others do under the pressure of life with our canine friends. Two grasses suitable for most areas of the United States are rye grass and buffalo grass. Rye grass is known for growing quickly which is definitely helpful for filling in bare patches caused by urine spots, or a dog’s penchant for digging. In early fall or spring, consider overseeding your lawn with one of these varieties to increase your lawn’s overall vigor and crowd out opportunistic weeds. It’s best to keep your dog away from the area until the grass takes hold.

Buffalo grass, a U.S. native, is enjoying a renaissance since it can thrive in droughtlike conditions or areas of standing water. Its tough, fares well with heavy paw or kid traffic, and grows to a height of only 3 inches. Adaptable and relatively maintenance free, it represents an environmentally friendly option. It can be slow to spread, unlike rye grass, so try it in a small area first to see how it responds to your yard’s conditions.


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Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season grass, suitable for areas with harsh winters. Its known for the rich blue-green color and ability to spread slowly. It simply creeps into areas damaged by your pet so you don’t need to replant or overseed your lawn to repair problem spots.

Adopting a few easy modifications to the way you mow your grass makes your outdoor environment more eco-friendly and kinder to your pet.

* Mow your grass no shorter than 3 inches. Longer grass stands up better to life with an active dog.

* Mow often. Cutting less of the grass blade more frequently causes less damage to the lawn. This allows it to grow healthier roots that survive without fertilizers.

* Switch to a people-powered reel mower. Using an old-fashioned push mower protects the environment from gas emissions and spares your pet from the anxiety caused by loud lawn mowers.