People aren’t the only ones who love to spend time in the family yard during the summer months. For the family pet, the outdoor living room serves many purposes – providing a place to relax, burn off some energy, play safely with friends (human and furry), and do their “business.”
To help everyone – including your pets – enjoy the family yard this summer, consider these tips from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) environmental education program.
Skip fake grass
Artificial turf (a.k.a. fake grass) is never a good idea, especially if you have pets. Plastic grass gets very hot during the summer, is challenging to clean, and is anything but environmentally-friendly. It cannot be recycled, and it requires water to clean and cool it. Be a backyard superhero and select real turfgrass.
Pick the right plants and grasses
When choosing grass, go for something hardy that will withstand a high volume of traffic. Buffalo and Bermuda grasses can be a good choice, depending on climate zone. You’ll want soft, yet sturdy, foliage near walkways – save the delicate decorative flowers for elevated flowerbeds and patio pots.
Choose Natural
There are many non-toxic ways to prevent pests in the backyard, which is good news for your people and pets. Wind chimes near flower and garden beds can help keep pets and pests away. Scented marigolds repel unwanted insects while attracting spider mites and snails. Lavender repels fleas and moths. The oil in basil plants can keep mosquitoes and flies away.
Consider pollinators and other wildlife
While you want to keep some pests out, remember that nature starts in the backyard. Yards provide habitat and food for birds, butterflies, bees and more. Each of these species help pollinate human food crops and flowering plants, so take them into consideration when selecting your living landscapes.
Create a doggy dream yard
One final tip – there’s no shame in going all out to make a yard a dream for the family dog. Some ideas include adding a splash pool, creating a sandbox or adding a pergola to provide shade.
By Kris Kiser, CEO and president of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.
