Here in Northern Virginia, we know that people love their pets. You want the best for your furry, four-legged family members.
Of course, like a lot of pet owners, you’re probably spending time in your yard with your pet.
You want that space to be safe and enjoyable for your pet—but you also don’t want them to damage it. Dogs can be hard on lawns and landscapes, creating some potential challenges.
In this article, we’ll dive into ways that your lawn and landscaping can be a safe and enjoyable space that both you and your pet can appreciate to the fullest. We know that you’ve got a lot of questions, and we have answers.
You want a beautiful lawn, but you don’t want it to be at the expense of the safety of your dog. We get it! We feel the same way. That’s why we practice dog-safe lawn care in Northern Virginia.
When talking about pet-safe lawn fertilizers, it’s all about using EPA-approved products and applying them properly. Liquid materials do dry pretty quickly on leaf tissue. They are also absorbed into or bonded to the surface, so they can’t be picked up on pets’ skin or paws once dry.
Granular product, on the other hand, works its way down into the grass where it stays largely undisturbed by your pets.
Using safe lawn care products and applying them properly is critical. But it’s also important that your lawn care company acknowledges that you have pets and takes care to close and latch gates when they leave.
This might sound like a small thing, but at Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we have many Google Reviews from pet owners praising our care. This suggests that other lawn care companies may not be taking these steps.
We are often asked when it’s safe for pets (and kids) to return to the yard after a lawn treatment.
We do ask that everyone stay inside during an application. Your safety is obviously important to us. But once the product is dry, it won't be picked up by pet paws.
To be safe, we advise staying out of the yard for 45 minutes. Most of the time, our products are almost dry before we even leave the property (particularly during the hot, dry periods of summer).
This is a tough one! While we know there are many products on the market for this, we have yet to find a magic bullet. The best approach is to attempt to immediately dilute the nitrogen in your dog’s urine with water after they go.
Of course, we understand that’s not always possible! And it’s honestly a pain.
One solution homeowners have found to work is training their dog to use a spot on the lawn that isn’t highly visible, such as a side yard. Or, you might be able to train your dog to use a mulched area where you don’t have to worry about them burning the grass.
While it won’t prevent urine burn, it’s also important to mention that a thick and healthy lawn will stand up better to this stressor than a thin and struggling one. Therefore, keeping up with regular lawn aeration services can help promote a thriving lawn, and you might not notice as many issues.
Ticks are highly prevalent in Northern Virginia and often end up in residential backyards via passing wildlife (such as squirrels, rabbits, and deer). This can be quite concerning, as these pests can carry dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease.
If you have pets, your risk could be even higher. Dogs spend more time on the ground or passing through landscaped areas, making them more likely to pick up ticks (and fleas) and potentially bring them into your home.
Tick and flea control for yards in NoVA is important to protect your family.
At Kingstowne, our approach to tick control differs from other companies in Alexandria, Arlington, and Springfield, VA, in that we bundle mosquito, flea, and tick control into a single service plan. Along with the mosquito, flea, and tick control program, our lawn care program has a treatment that reduces tick populations
That gives you a lot of value out of your investment in tick control.
It just so happens that the same areas where mosquitoes thrive are also where fleas and ticks thrive. Instead of ripping you off with an extra bill for mosquito control in the same area, with the same material, we lump it all together to ensure you’re fully covered.
In addition to professional tick and flea control for yards, you can also take these steps to discourage ticks:
One of the biggest problems that pops up in dog run areas is mud. The heavy clay soil common here in Northern Virginia can also lead to lawns that don’t drain well and get a lot of mud. Lawn aeration is a great way to address clay soil and improve drainage.
Of course, if you have more serious drainage concerns, you might need a more robust drainage solution (like a French drain or a dry riverbed). Nothing is more frustrating than feeling like you can’t send your pet out in the yard because it’s raining. Nobody wants to deal with a muddy mess if it can be avoided.
Another way to create a tidier dog run area is to install synthetic turf there.
If you have a lawn that is heavily shaded (so very little grass grows) and very muddy—and you have big dogs—this could be the solution that you’re looking for. Synthetic lawns have come such a long way and look incredibly real. It can be a great option if you’re tired of dogs tracking mud into your house or of their dog (or dogs) tearing up the lawn.
Big dogs in particular are going to be hard on turf. From urine burn to digging to everyday wear and tear, many problems can be reduced by creating a specific, fenced-in area for a dog run.
Being able to let your dog out without worrying about them running into a neighbor’s yard or even into the street can provide peace of mind. A dog run with a fence is a safe place for your pet to hang.
Pet-friendly landscaping in VA is all about smart plant choices.
Certain plants are harmful or even poisonous to pets. During the landscape design consultation, one of our questions will be whether you have small children or pets, as this will affect the types of plants we use. Some non-toxic plants for Virginia gardens include most ornamental grasses, Liriope, Petunias, and more.
Generally, we’d avoid anything that has sharp and pointy leaves or thorns. You also have to be careful with plants that have berries.
Choosing hardy landscaping for active dogs is important.
Durable plants, such as hardy shrubs, will better withstand dog activity than delicate flowers. You know your pet better than anyone. If your dog frequently gets into your plant beds, talk to your landscaper about your best options.
Often, there is no “perfect” answer, but there are solutions that can work for you. There’s no way around the fact that some dogs can be hard on the yard. But with the right landscaper, you can reduce some of these issues.
At the end of the day, it boils down to working with a pet-friendly lawn and landscaping company that understands your concerns or needs and can come up with solutions that are right for you. Every property is going to be different…and every situation is unique.
You need customized lawn and landscaping that works for you.
At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we love our pets just as much as you do. We know that they’re part of the family.
That’s why we want to do everything we can to help ensure that your lawn and landscape are spaces your pet can safely use—while still beautiful and enjoyable for you. We can help you put the right solutions into action so that you can have the best of all worlds.
Are you ready to see how Kingstowne can help you create a pet-friendly lawn or landscape at your home in Alexandria, Arlington, or Springfield, VA? If so, request your consultation, get your customized plan, and relax as you get the royal treatment.