A healthy lawn improves your property's aesthetics and value.
Also, lawns can provide a comfortable place for your family and pets to spend
time outdoors. However, if you have a pet dog, you need to take special care of
your sod and learn to balance your pet's needs with the needs of your lawn.
How do you care for your sod with dogs? Read on to learn
more.
Clean Urine Spots Immediately
Your dog will most likely urinate on your lawn at some
point. Unfortunately, dog urine can damage the new and old soil, harming your
lawn.
First, urine causes poor biological activity in the soil,
which hinders proper nitrogen and salt breakdown. Additionally, since sod has
short roots, dog urine can quickly dehydrate the sod and cause it to die.
To avoid these problems, always clean up your dog's urine
spots immediately. You can wash off the urine by flushing the area with water
from a hose.
Keep Your Dog off the Sod
As much as possible, keep your dog off the sod, especially
when sod is newly laid. A good rule of thumb is waiting until the sod has
rooted. The reason is that walking or running on the sod can damage the grass.
When the grass is still young, the roots are not yet deep
and strong enough to hold a dog's weight. Once the roots have grown deep and
strong, you can allow your dog on the lawn. In the meantime, you can fence off
the area or create a designated potty spot for your pet.
Choose Tough Turfgrass
If you plan to plant new sod, choose a tough turfgrass that
can withstand wear and tear. You cannot lay the same type of sod in a dog run
that you would in your front yard. Likewise, you cannot choose just any grass
for a high-traffic area of your lawn.
Some good options for tough turfgrasses include Kentucky
bluegrass, Bermuda grass, and zoysia grass. You may also ask for help from
experts to ensure you choose the best turfgrass for your needs.
Control Pests
Your lawn can be a haven for pests such as moles to thrive.
But these creatures can be targets for dogs, and your pet may not be able to
resist digging the sod to reach the pests.
Therefore, invest in proper pest control so your dog will
have no reason to dig. But ensure to use safe pest control products that will
not endanger your pet's health.
Train Your Pet
You cannot always keep an eye on your pet. You should train
your dog to stay off the lawn. Start by potty training your pet and rewarding
the dog each time it follows the instruction.
As your dog gets better at following the command, you can
gradually move further away from the animal. Your dog will eventually learn to
stay off the lawn with enough practice.
Water and Fertilize the Sod
A healthy sod needs regular watering and fertilization. To
help your sod withstand dog traffic, make sure to water the lawn deeply and
regularly. Watering deep encourages the roots to grow, making the grass
stronger. You may also mulch the lawn to promote moisture retention.
Fertilizing the lawn also helps to promote a robust root
system. Apply fertilizer according to the package directions to avoid damaging
the grass.
Most importantly, seek experts' help to ensure you are
doing everything right. Wright Turf Farms is your trusted sod source in Utah.
We can help you choose the best turfgrass for your needs and provide tips on
properly caring for your lawn with pets. Contact us
to learn more
about our services and products.
