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Source: Charles W. Marr, 785-532-1441; e-mail: cmarr@oznet.ksu.edu.
http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/MediaGuide/cmarrbio.html
News release prepared by: Keener A. Tippin II, 785-532-6415

Thursday, March 4, 2005

K-STATE HORTICULTURE PROFESSOR OFFERS TIPS ON HOW TO DEVELOP A BACKYARD SANCTUARY WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND IN MIND

MANHATTAN -- With the approach of spring, if there are two passions that may be most at odds, it may be being a gardener and being a dog lover. Digging, running and chewing aren’t often compatible with a carefully tended yard. In addition, some plants are poisonous to dogs, and many lawns turn to mud or yellowish-brown ick after an afternoon with the pups.

But there is good news. A Kansas State University professor of horticulture has some tips on how to create a garden hardy enough for animals, but delicate enough for your nurturing soul.

According to Chuck Marr, two things come into play in developing your outdoor oasis -- the age and breed of the dog. Marr said puppies tend to be "very precocious, do crazy things, run all around and are pretty hyper." As they get older, however, between 1 and 2 years old, they settle down dramatically. Marr said the breed of the dog also makes a "tremendous difference in terms of some of the lawn and turf issues."

Along with those breed issues is the question of whether the dog is a "digger" by nature. Marr said that behavior can be controlled -- either through behavior modification or a small alteration to your garden. Lay down a sheet of chicken wire over the soil surface and allow plants to grow up through it, and you will prevent the dog from digging through it.

According to Marr, the biggest problem with dogs in a garden situation has to do with the urine and the high level of salts contained in it. The problem is compounded by the sex of the dog.

"Female dogs tend to squat and leave a puddle in a concentrated area," Marr said. "Male dogs tend to lift their legs and spray all over the place."

Marr said in places where the urine is concentrated, the salts levels can build up and cause brown spots in the lawn.

"Depending on the fertility level of the lawns, what you usually have is a nice green ring right around that waste area because the fertilizer has kicked up a little bit," Marr said.

Marr said this problem can be dealt with by washing down the area with water every two to three days.

"Fortunately dogs tend to go back to the same area, so you don't necessarily need to water the whole lawn," Marr said. "Usually you can focus on that one area where they tend to mark."

The spray from male dogs, however, could provide enough concentrated salts to cause the leaves to brown on shrubs and bushes. Marr said this condition is probably more acute on evergreen plants than broadleaf plants, primarily because evergreens tend to hold their leaves all the time and dogs tend to go to those spots continually. Broadleaf shrubs loose their leaves in the winter.

With regards to feces, Marr said dogs tend to go in a fairly a concentrated, consistent spot. As that material dissolves and breaks down it will have some fertilizer value and will tend to turn the lawn a dark green color in spots. He said the feces probably should be cleaned up on regular basis for sanitation purposes.

If making your own compost, Marr has one strong recommendation: Do not use feces from your dog or cat in the mixture, but instead dispose of it in a sanitary landfill.

"Theoretically, if composting is done properly, the mixture gets up to 140 to 150 degrees, and that will pasteurize and kill many harmful disease organisms," Marr said. "But some people don't compost properly. They just make a pile of stuff and it may not get sufficiently hot enough, and diseases such as E. coli can be transmitted in the feces."

In Marr's opinion, plant material issues are "a bit over done," with regards to common landscaping plants but he agrees that there are "a few" plants that are toxic to pets. One such exception is the yew plant, which produces a small, round, red berry that is toxic. Not all species of the plant, however, produce the berry.

"Dogs tend to be carnivores, they don't eat plants by nature, Marr said. "They'll eat plants if they're bored; puppies will often just chew on them. But normally dogs won't eat plants."