Protecting Flowers from Pets

Have you ever noticed how pets have a tendency to think of a flowerbed as the perfect play area? For some reason, pets the world over seem to think that if they see a flower bed, then they have to go and dig it up, or eat the flowers. Here are some simple methods that you can use to help protect your flowers, and your flowerbed, from your local pets.

• Fencing. Installing fencing around your home is one of the most traditional solutions to protecting flowers from pets. By simply adding a little bit of a protective barrier to your garden, you can often dissuade many animals from trying to get in to your flowers. However, you need to be careful that this option does not overpower the rest of your garden decor.
• Mulch. Mulch is another option that you can use to help protect flowers from pets. This option is best to help protect your garden area from being used as a litter box. One reason for this is that animals, such as cats, don't like the "pokey" sensation that mulch may give them when they try taking care of business. Another benefit of this option is that the mulch will also protect your flowers from other potential harm.
• Salts. Sprinkling a little salt around your flowers can help to protect your flowers from being eaten by a cat, dog, or other animal. However, you will want to be sure that you only sprinkle a little bit of salt, and that you are using Epsom salts in particular. The Epsom salts minerals (particularly the magnesium and sulfur) can help enrich the soil, and provide a taste that most animals do not particularly care for. Simply be sure to sprinkle a little more after each rainfall.
• Offer alternatives. Often an animal will only go after your plants due to a lack of choices. One way to help prevent pets from going after your flowers is by giving them other options. For example, you can leave a little bit of cat or dog food out for your pets, or the pets in the neighborhood. You may need to experiment a little before you find the combination that works best though.
• Protective sprays. You can always create a few protective sprays with ingredients that you have around the home. For example, most pets won't like the smell or taste of vinegar, so spraying a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar can help protect your flowers. Other options would be to make a spray out of garlic, hot peppers, and tea with about a quart of water will also help protect your flowers from the pets in around your home.