This would be the ideal situation. Sod may be your best bet if you want to completely cover the yard right away. Firstly, they are for the most part organic or composed of something organic. In short: do pet friendly grass seeds exist? This can create the same types of problems that frequent urination does. Kikuyugrass. Make sure to water your lawn 2-3 times until the seeds have germinated. Lay sod in one section and block it off so your dog stays off of it. The answer to "Should I seed or sod?" Water the seeds two to three times each day for 5 minutes at a time during the first 10 days after planting the seeds. We’ll cover pet friendly grass seeds, how necessary they are, as well as some pet-friendly fertilizers that can make all the difference when sowing new grass. Based on everything I explained, which grass would you purchase if you was me and how much would seeds or sprigs cost for approximately 7350 square feet. These kinds of grass are better able to withstand a little abuse and are able to bounce back more rapidly from any damage. If you spread out your dog’s impact on the lawn (including the physical wear-and-tear caused by his activity and the chemical assault poop and pee represent), it’ll give the grass a better chance to recover. The grass seed is added to a spreader and laid evenly over the ground before being raked in. A mulch consisting of straw works great. Time Out The other major decision factor is time—the amount of time and effort it takes to grow and nurture a lawn, as well as the time of year you can plant it. Poop also contains some nitrogen, but the biggest problem relates to the moisture and bacteria it contains. Our yard takes a beating. My lawn is tall fescue/Kentucky bluegrass blend, but I do have to aerate and overseed each fall and many time also have to buy some sod to “fix” spots in the yard. The types of grass seed that are coated in fertilizers or other chemicals could potentially harm your pet if ingested, due not to the seed itself but due to the chemicals. We have four large, happy and playful, Pit Bulls. I had a large German Shepherd who was approximately 100 lbs. From lawn fertilizers and weed control to plant foods and soil supplements, we take pride in providing you with the highest-quality ingredients. That said, it’s a fixable problem and it’s also pretty easy to prevent happening again or even in the first place. Grass seed at NaturesSeed.com ranges from about $0.02 to $0.08 per square foot of coverage, resulting in a savings of 90-95% over sod. Moreover, finding a pet-friendly fertilizer is arguably more important than finding a pet-friendly grass seed. And the one dog that pulls up the grass may actually pull up the sod. I'd like to plant some ornamental grasses but can not find any lists of ornamental grasses or plants with seed heads or awns that will not become embedded into my dog like 'foxtail' type grasses. Scotts® EZ Seed® Dog Spot Repair is a good solution for repairing bare spots. The roots of new sod are short, near the surface and highly susceptible to urine damage. Dog urine and poo will often burn a lawn. A warm-season grass seed, kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum) is … Sod will take the abuse more easily. As you'll … Don’t put down too much seed…only one or two seeds need to fall into the holes. While we provide information resourced and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. I'm Brian Mounts, an author, editor, and lawn & garden expert who just can't stay inside the house. Please help. I am on my 5th lawn restoration in 12 years because my 2 large dogs scratch and kick up chunks of sod every time they pee as if they are 2 big cats in a giant litter box. And the one dog that pulls up the grass may actually pull up the sod. Seed – Financially, seeding is an appealing choice as the cost of even the best seed mix is still a lot cheaper than sod, so if budget is your driving factor, seed wins out. They’re often best suited to cool climates, where they make one of the best choices for homes that count a dog among the residents. Our entire backyard has been reduced to weeds, clover and bare dirt (it’s our first year in the house). K9ofMine.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Dog Care I need a list of plants that do not have sharp or barbed awns or seed heads, burrs, or velcro-like seeds and are drought tolerant & attractive year round in CA and of course non-toxic. When you buy sod to put in a shady area, it will have to adapt. I know this is not a good healthy surface for dog parks. Look for brands clearly marketed as organic, natural, or environmentally friendly. RTV6 News brings you the best breaking news coverage in Indiana. However, if you have dogs, seeding … Hi! It should be cut after 45 days when the grass is dry to prevent ripping it out, with the mower set to 3 inches in height. They’re pretty widely available, and there are a lot of good options to choose from. Ben is the senior content editor for K9 of Mine and has spent most of his adult life working as a wildlife educator and animal-care professional. Though commercial options may have been processed and contain other additives, the base ingredient will be natural matter, such as seaweed, animal products, compost or manure. Angie's List weighs the options for the age-old question. Hey, Todd. Sod will require daily watering for the first two weeks to encourage the roots to grow. If you have a pet, it might not be totally necessary to buy an organic/pet-friendly grass seed, as long as you know you can control your pet and keep them off of your lawn for a while as the grass is being sown, or if you know that you can bury the seeds deeply enough that your pet won’t be able to ingest or otherwise access them. Running usually only causes problems when dogs repeatedly run across the same stretch of land. The only thing that worked was Zoysia. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . Best of luck! I have four dogs, who are tough runners. [1] X Research source You can keep pet urine from damaging your lawn by adjusting your dog’s diet and habits, and by making changes to your lawn. If you plan to re-seed your lawn, you can always use a hardier grass, such as fescues or perennial rye grasses. When you see a dog using your lawn, simply go outside and spray the area with water from the garden hose. Bermuda is a popular choice among those living in warm climates, and it rarely needs supplemental irrigation. One Step Complete for Sun and Shade North Areas with Smart Seed, Mulch, Fertilizer Mix With Pennington, your lawn will get the love With Pennington, your lawn will get the love and attention it deserves. November 23, 2020 With that said, let’s jump into it. Hydroseeding is not as popular as seeding or sod but it comes with many benefits that … Lawn care can be challenging when you have furry four-legged friends running around. Gently use a rake to drag soil over seeds or use yours hands to spread mulch. While this is certainly a great strategy, it may take some effort to teach your dog the new potty game plan, and some sections of your lawn will still get ruined. All these considerations bring us to our next point. The one major advantage of seeding your new lawn over buying sod is cost. May I ask, which grass out of zoysia, Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, or Bermudagrass would You use if you lived in Florida where it often hits 95 plus degrees and short winters of around 40 degrees for short periods of time. Examining Options for Sod or Seed Whether you establish your new lawn from sod or seed, all the personal and environmental benefits that natural lawns offer can be yours. Grass seed in particular might be a worrying concept. Love on Long Island NY. While ingesting a normal grass seed won’t harm your pet, ingesting one that’s slathered in chemicals very well might. What’s an appropriate grass for so cali, What about fake grass? You get grass that’s thick, weed-free and fertilized. MORE INFO. Use Marking Posts. And dog urine, for example, is very high in nitrogen, which could cause “burns,” or patches of dead/dying grass. Some of the primary things you want to look for include: Lawncare experts recommend a variety of different types of grass for homes with dogs, but the following four are among the most commonly mentioned. You may want to put his dog house or tie-down stake in these areas, or you could simply try to confine play to these barren areas. Dog-Safe Flowers: Pet-Friendly Perennials. No matter what type of grass you select, there are a few things you can do to help keep your lawn looking its best. Most lawns will have an area or two that – for whatever reason – struggle to nurture a thick carpet of grass. Hydroseeding is a fast and inexpensive lawn service that lets you have that perfect, lush lawn in a short amount of time. If, for example, a chosen fertilizer says that it’s safe for pets, but only after 24 hours, then it’s well worth it to observe that precaution and keep your pet off your lawn for a day, even if it’s a bit of a hassle. I need to know what a strong tuff grass is. Apply the seed using a fertilizer spreader, open wide enough to let seed fall. So, you might want to search for choices that are better suited for windy areas. After you sow seed or lay sod, watering is crucial. We live in Michigan and struggle with every season. Before blaming it on your dog, first confirm … Just as with sod, it’s important to not let your grass seeds dry out. Wonder if you know how it compares with others you’ve listed. Cover them with a small amount of dirt or mulch -- about a quarter inch. My pack goes for two long walks a day, but they enjoy chasing each other in the year and peeing in on the turf rather than the mulched areas. Especially if they are young, active and accompanied by children. Give it a try and let us know how it goes! I still live in the DC Metro area and currently have three dogs. By Our entire backyard has been reduced to weeds, clover and bare dirt (it’s our first year in the house). Nitrogen is an important resource for grass and other plants, as it helps them produce new tissues and grow (nitrogen is the primary component of most fertilizers). Skip to … Thanks for your brief yet cogent information. Sod is probably expensive. I don’t believe it’s their potty that ruins the grass, it seems to be that they’re so big and they run and play hard! Grass Seed: Scotts best high performance grass seed with protectant to help keep seedlings safe from harmful diseases that can attack newly planted areas; Soil Amendment: Special salt neutralizer that helps repair areas in your lawn burned by dog urine; Includes a tackifier that helps keep seed from washing away Water to keep the seed coat moist, perhaps once or twice a … Sod is a crop, and it is grown in sun. So, here are the main problems that are associated with having a lawn and a pet (or dog specifically) at the same time. It will come back to life (so to speak — it doesn’t actually die), once warm weather returns. Buy on Amazon. Centipede is a pretty durable and resilient grass, so it may be worth a shot. If you’re on the quest for a dog-proof yard, also make sure to read our articles on dog-friendly shrubs and dog-safe flowers. The grass species used in ornamental lawns are beautiful to the eye and super soft to sit on – but they’re not tough enough for racing and skidding on. If you’re looking at one of the grass types listed above, Lawnscape is a great place to start. That’s why you might find bare patches near fences and in the places connecting your dog’s favorite spots (such as the back door and his dog house). DIY Dog Runs: How to Build Your Own Dog Run. With a little dedication it is possible to have a sod lawn and live with canines. I sure need ur help. Your five grass choices are spot-on but its limited scope begs the question, how about a 6th grass focused on heartiness in primary regions of our country, such as here in the Mid-West (Central Indiana)? A lawn roller is a large and heavy cylindrical tool used on your lawn to help flatten and prepare it for any type of work that's needed. It is relatively drought tolerant, and it doesn’t require the “babying” that some other grasses do. If you have the kind of dog or other pet who doubles as a living vacuum cleaner and eats everything in sight, you may find yourself wondering whether or not ingesting grass seeds will do anything harmful to them. Grass seeds commonly get in between the toes of the dog's foot, referred to as the interdigital space. Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance is a unique new product that has been formulated to banish the problem of yellow patches and dead areas of grass caused by dogs urinating on lawns. Can you recommend the best type of grass to sod in Atlanta? Follow the steps outlined in the article and you’ll be in good shape. Any helpful tips or suggestions are much appreciated! I recently moved to Santa Fe, NM, and just have a patio area with a small area of grass. Even though choosing a pet-friendly grass seed matters, choosing a pet-friendly fertilizer may in fact be an even bigger issue. However, even if you’re totally sure of all that, it’s probably a good idea nonetheless to go for a seed and fertilizer combination that you know will be safe. I’m not positive on this. Any ideas you can offer are appreciated. While hydro seeding also cost more than regular seeding it is cheaper than sod by 10-15 cents a square foot (which also depends on the type of grass seed … I’m tired doing this over and over and over. It’s soft to the touch, it doesn’t present any serious toxicity issues, and–as long as you mow it on a reasonably frequent schedule–it’s unlikely to harbor many ticks or other pests. These are the seeds you might actually want to go for, the specific varieties that expert recommend are as follows: Watering your plants and lawn properly is really important! One of the more luxurious grasses for your pup’s paws (as well as your feet), Zoysia is another popular choice for homes with dogs. We work directly with professional customers ranging from sod growers to independent retailers such as garden centers and hardware stores. Thanks, Great information concerning grass good for dogs. Would centipede grass be better? Dogs can inflict quite a lot of wear and tear on a lawn. I have a small backyard & 4 big dogs. Thank u. Carol Park columbus OHIO. On the opposite end of the spectrum, what pet owners need to avoid are grass seed variants that come pre-coated with synthetic fertilizers. While hydroseeding doesn’t give you immediate results like Sod, but it grows much faster than planting regular grass seed. Other seed mixtures are made specifically to correct bare or thin patches in the lawn. We can offer you lawn care solutions and … This seed mixture contains species such as Dwarf Ryegrass and Creeping Red Fescue, to provide a … Thank you for the info. Have you experienced any particularly difficult challenges? After flushing the affected area with water, and digging up and removing the dead grass, mix a handful of grass seed with potting soil and pack this into the cleared spot. You can limit this damage by trying to encourage your dog to use the entire yard. Sod is more expensive than seed. Even organic fertilizers might be harmful to pets when you first put them down, so watch out for any warnings or specific time periods to keep your pet off your lawn. The area we’d like to sod has several hours of direct sunlight a day. A small amount of nitrogen can be good for the grass, but an excessive amount can cause damage. When I say our backyard holds water, I MEAN IF IT RAINS REAL HARD AND FOR MORE THAN A FEW HOURS our neighbors yards are saturated with water, but this is because the 55 plus community we live in dose NOT keep road drain properly cleaned out as residents continually blow leaves into the street drains, and when our home was built 20 plus years ago, the landscape company did not do a very good job at putting drains in the yards of the residents who live here: My dad is a retired building contractor and him and I plan to rip into the yard and give it a complete makeover with drains and sandbags or something, because when we get rain for days, like hurricane season, the retention pond is about 1500 feet from our fence line and water actually comes up underneath the 2.5 foot little wooden fence we have in our back yard. You might be wondering if you can overwater your seed however and it turns out you can, you can find out more about that in our article here. How do you know that the things you’re putting into your yard and garden, like grass seed, fertilizers, and new plants, won’t harm the smallest, furriest member of your family? Even sod that is laid on new soil that is in good condition is almost certain to be damaged by dog urine if it is exposed to it. And for bonus points, it’s native to parts of New Mexico, which is always something to look for when picking out plants or trees for your home. Be it a dog or a cat or even another animal, digging is something most animals do. Just like grass seed, there are pet-friendly fertilizers that you can buy to ensure that your pet won’t be harmed even as you get the lush, healthy lawn you want. Gently use a rake to drag soil over seeds or use yours hands to spread mulch. Here , west cost of zoysia sod Atlanta and in any subdivision, zoysia is the Best. But I have bare places big places I have 2 repair. The roots of new sod are short, near the surface and highly susceptible to urine damage. 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