Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. There is no additional cost to you whatsoever.
If you fertilize your garden, you might be in all probability nervous about your canines traipsing by way of the grass afterward after which licking their paws. Many pet house owners have this concern, and rightly so. Most business garden fertilizers comprise elements that may be toxic to dogs or cause allergic reactions.
Most fertilizers are a mixture of elements, akin to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, hottest fertilizers are manufactured utilizing artificial chemical substances to speed up grass progress or kill weeds. Glyphosate and a couple of,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (search for “2,4-D” on the packaging), bifenthrin, and imidacloprid, amongst others, may be dangerous to pets and youngsters if ingested or as a consequence of extended pores and skin contact. These chemical substances may also hurt wildlife and contaminate groundwater.
But a brand new technology of lawncare firms is making it simpler to search out pet-friendly fertilizers. Learn what to search for to make protected, wholesome shopping for selections.
This article incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. If you buy an merchandise by way of one in all these hyperlinks, we obtain a small fee that helps fund our Recycling Directory.
What Makes a Lawn Fertilizer Dog Friendly?
Natural or natural merchandise are high selections for dog-friendly garden fertilizers. They are also environmentally accountable and supply the fundamental vitamins for profitable organic lawn care. Look for “natural” or “pure” labels. For added confidence, search out the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) label. This impartial firm evaluations merchandise and determines if the elements are natural.
Just as a result of a product is natural or pure doesn’t imply there aren’t issues to be careful for. As with any garden and backyard product, at all times learn and observe the label instructions.
We scoured the web for dependable sources, akin to scientific experiences and product testing organizations focusing on canine security. And maintaining a tally of the finances, the next choices value between $20 to $55 to deal with an average-sized garden.
Espoma Organic All Season Lawn Food
Espoma’s merchandise are protected for canines, youngsters, and the surroundings, and like many natural or pure garden merchandise, they’re slow-release fertilizers. A granular all-season fertilizer, Espoma’s Organic All Season Lawn Food is available at backyard facilities, house enchancment shops, and on-line. It’s additionally accessible in formulation particularly for spring and fall purposes. While this can be the most costly garden fertilizer in the marketplace, it’s additionally among the finest. A 28-pound bag covers 5,000 sq. toes.
Responsible manufacturing practices are one more reason Espoma is an effective selection. Its merchandise are manufactured in a solar-powered factory in New Jersey, serving to to cut back the embodied carbon footprint of your yard care.
Greenview Turf Nurture Natural Base Lawn Fertilizer
Turf Nurture presents a slow-release components that breaks down over time moderately than delivering a flush of progress unexpectedly. When vitamins break down slowly within the soil, lawns will survive higher throughout drought, warmth, and chilly.
Labeled safe for pets and children when used as directed, a $19.99 8-pound bag of Turf Nurture covers 2,500 sq. toes.
Replenish for Your Lawn by Earth Works for Home
Earth Works for Home’s dog-friendly components focuses on soil well being in addition to fertilization utilizing natural elements. Safe for pets and kids, Replenish Your Lawn comes as a ready-to-use spray or granular product that may be utilized wherever within the panorama, together with backyard beds.
This firm has a helpful tool that means that you can enter your location to get a Google picture of your property that estimates the sq. footage that must be fertilized. This reduces the prospect you’ll be left with further, unused fertilizer. A 25-pound bag of granular covers 5,000 sq. toes, and the 32-ounce ready-to-use liquid covers 5,000 sq. toes.
Scotts Natural Lawn Food
Scotts is a well known model for artificial garden and backyard merchandise, akin to Miracle-Gro, however its Natural Lawn Food is OMRI-listed and protected for teenagers and pets. The firm additionally claims it’s protected to stroll on a handled garden instantly after software. A 29.5-pound bag covers 4,000 sq. toes.
Sunday Lawn and Garden Nutrients
Fairly new to the market, Sunday garden fertilizer is available in a pouch of ready-to-use liquid spray that attaches to a hose. Labeled as protected for pets and youngsters, Sunday stands aside as a result of it comes with a soil test that assesses your garden well being. You gather some soil and mail it utilizing a pre-paid mailing label to Sunday’s lab for evaluation. They will return ideas about the very best Sunday product to your garden and the best way to use it.
Sunday is often offered as two pouches. A 42.3-ounce pouch covers 5,000 sq.
Dog-Safe Lawn Fertilizing
If you fertilize your garden, utilizing a pure, dog-friendly fertilizer is the very best guess for protecting your canine protected. In addition, heed these dog-safety garden therapy suggestions from the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC).
- Keep canines and different pets out of the realm you might be treating with fertilizer.
- Remove any pet toys or different gadgets your canine could are available contact with — akin to meals and water bowls or bedding — from the realm you might be treating.
- Read the product label to know when pets could safely re-enter the handled space.
- If you might be unsure in regards to the product you need to use, name the NPIC at 800-858-7378.
While pure fertilizers which might be protected for canines are additionally safer for the planet, they will trigger issues if not utilized judiciously. To cut back the environmental dangers of fertilizing, by no means apply greater than the really useful quantity of fertilizer, solely apply it solely when mandatory, and observe different guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency.
About the Author
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp is an award-winning backyard author, editor, and speaker. She has had 9 canines in her life (to date). She blogs at hoosiergardener.com.
