Making Your Garden Safe for Littles and Dogs
We are counting down the days until we can spend everyday in our backyard and garden. While we are counting down, let's chat about how to keep your garden kid and dog friendly. Especially for those of us who have dogs(or 4), kids or both. Here are some ways to make your garden a little safer.
Introduce children to the garden and yard early
When kids feel comfortable and at home, they are calm. Spending time in the garden helps them gain appreciation and respect for plants and the landscape. They will also gain confidence in their abilities to maintain a garden. They will gain the patience that it takes to grow a garden.
Know that it won't be perfect. Kids are still kids! They should be able to be themselves in their garden.
Habits to build while gardening with kids
- Teach your kids about proper shoes to protect their feet from cuts and stings.
- Wear hats and sunscreen while gardening.
- All kiddos should wash their hands thoroughly before and after working in the garden.
- Instruct students in the safe use and handling of all garden tools and equipment.
- Make sure there is a secure place to store tools, fertilizers, and garden chemicals out of reach when the garden area is unattended.
Practice Fire Safety
Fire pits have become increasingly popular in backyards across the country. Sadly, emergency room visits caused by fire pits have risen alarmingly according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, and a quarter of these accidents occur among children under the age of 5. Minimize fire risk by burning dry hardwoods like ash, hickory, and oak, which are less likely to spark and smoke—and always shield flames with a spark screen. But also, teach your children about the dangerous of FIRE. I do this when I cook and teach the dangerous of HOT things. Fire is to look at, not to touch. Also, think about having concrete or stone around your firepint- not metal. Metal becomes hotter, while natural stone and concrete stay cooler on the exterior.
Bye,Bye Tripping hazards
Skinned knees are part of growing up, but hard falls are no fun. Inspect your landscape for accidents waiting to happen, and address or repair potential culprits immediately. Always keep garden hoses coiled and elevated rather than lying on the lawn. Likewise stow away all other garden tools so they won’t be obstacles in a game of tag.
Adults working outdoors alongside kids should be extra conscientious about the use of grown-up gardening gear. Inspect all garden tools before use, and avoid using anything with a broken handle, dull blade, or other damage. Forbid younger children from touching tools, and instruct older ones on correct tool usage, reminding them that they are not toys. When you’re done gardening, clean and stow tools safely away. We tell our son "Danger!", so he knows it is serious.
I am putting a green house in my backyard this year so we can better store all garden equipment.
Dogs are part of the family
Just like kids, dogs are part of the family too. I suggest asking your vet what plants are best for your dogs breed. Be careful with gravel or sharp bark as that could hurt your plants. Best plants for dogs here. Keeping your garden in tip-top shape with a furry friend isn’t always easy, but there are ways to make your gardening experience easier as a pet parent.
If you can, it’s best to practice organic gardening for your whole family- fur babes included.. However, sometimes you need something to safely eliminate undesirable plants Unfortunately, many commercial weed killers can be toxic to dogs.
Dogs can unintentionally cause a lot of damage while enjoying the yard, so it’s best to seek out one of the best grasses for dogs, which will be able to withstand a little mutt mayhem. If you do have delicate plants, consider hanging baskets or growing them in an area your dog can’t access.
Make a path for your pooch! Your dog is less likely to trample over your plants if he has a separate area where he can safely run around. Make a path for your pooch that keeps your most delicate flowers at a distance.
Consider installing a fence.
Here is a short listing of plants that are generally safe to use around pets and children:
- Crape Myrtle
- Forsythia
- Cat Mint
- Chives
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Heuchera
- Sage
- Herbs (many other varieties including annual varieties)
- Sedum
- Tulip poplar
