Liz needs pooch-friendly plants for My Ugly Garden.
Making My Ugly Garden pooch-friendly
July 16, 2009
YOURHOME.CA
I love my dog, Wendel, and Wendel loves My Ugly Garden. So, when I started this gardening venture I knew I had to ensure whatever went into M.U.G. would not be harmful if it went into Wendel.
I admit it, Wendel can be a little thick, and sometimes he decides to eat things that he should not, like his feline siblings' moist food (gross) or every piece of ornamental grass along our Toronto street — it makes for a very long walk with all the stopping and staring.
So, not only do I need to consider the planting zone I live in, what are shade plants, what plants compliment one another, and the look of these plants, I also need to protect my pooch. Daunting is an understatement.
And, because I added a vegetable garden into the mix, I need to know what veg can be harmful to my boy. Aren't vegetables supposed to be good for you?
My research has proven fruitful (no, I won't be growing fruit). I found a number of sites that outline what plants are toxic, in what way they are toxic, and potentially how toxic these plants might be for Wendel.
I definitely can't name all the toxic plants, but here are some that I had considered, based on suggestions:
Yew: A suggestion from Dad as being a hearty evergreen that does not require much more than pruning — oh, he knows me well. A cardiovascular toxin.
Clematis: A world-class climber that cannot be. A gastrointestinal toxin.
And I can't forget the veg:
Onion: A gastrointestinal and blood toxin.
Potato: Leaves and stems. A respiratory toxin.
I am not fazed. I just need to read more, to understand more. I need to consider alternatives. This toxin factor will not squash my gardening desire. I will prevail.
Some helpful websites:
Ontario Veterinary Medical Association
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — Animal Poison Control Center
Cornell University Department of Animal Science
American Animal Hospital Association — HealthyPet
Liz McDonnell is a freelance researcher. She can be reached at liz.mcd1974@gmail.com.
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- My Ugly Garden has a visitor
- My Ugly Garden, meet Woolly Thyme
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