Kids and Pets: Let 'Em Loose and Relax
Ah, the backyard. Go on and dream it's your retreat. Hope you don't mind sharing, though. Because the backyard is a magnet for child and pup play. So how do you protect your hard yard work against summer sprinkler hopping, soccer games and endless fetch with Fido? Here are some basics for family-friendly yards.
Protect your turf.
If you want to compete with the rough and tumble, start with some tough turf. For high traffic areas, species such as Perennial Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Bermuda Grass and Zoysiagrass stand up to almost anything. (See which works best in your climate.) To prevent your plants from being stomped on, keep them out of easy reach with raised beds and well-placed potted flowers. And feel better about letting the good times roll.
Give them their own turf.
If you really want to keep lawn wear and tear to a minimum, create a separate area in your yard just for kids and canines. Lay down mulch (rubber mulch is especially soft and sustainable) where you want the play to stay. Then attract the action with play structures and plenty of outdoor toys. With enough officially-approved stuff to climb on, dig in and kick around, you can keep little destroyers from wandering where you'd rather they didn't. For eye-pleasing ideas, visit hgtv.com.
Keep them safe.
To protect everyone from pokes and scratches, regularly check your yard for weeds with sharp thorns or stickers. You should also take an inventory of what's growing in your yard to make sure exposure to kids and pets is safe. (Check out Backyard Garden for a list of commonly found poisonous plants, flowers and shrubs). It's also important to remember that even non-toxic plants can cause upset tummies or allergic reactions, and are best left untouched. So while you're relaxing in your yard with your family, you just may want to keep one eye open.
