Pet Friendly Gardening

🌸 Spring Gardening Tips for Pet-Loving Green Thumbs! 🐾

Spring is here—and we’re digging it!
The sun is shining, the soil is soft, and our gardens are calling! If you’ve been dreaming of blooming flowers and buzzing bees, now’s the time to bring those garden goals to life. But if you’ve got a curious pup at your side, a little planning goes a long way to keep your outdoor space both beautiful and pet-safe.

🐶 Step One: Plant Smart for Pets

Before you start planting, make sure your green space is safe for furry friends. The ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List is a go-to guide to help you choose plants that are non-toxic for dogs (and cats, too!).

🌿 Step Two: Choose Native Plants for a Happier, Healthier Garden

Native plants are like the local celebrities of the plant world—they thrive in our IL Metro-East climate, support local pollinators, and need less water and maintenance. And the best part? Many are pet-friendly!

🌼 SoCal Soul Dog-Friendly Native Plant Picks:

Give your garden a glow-up and peace of mind with these lovely, non-toxic native plants:

  • Cosmos – Easy, daisy-like flowers butterflies love.

  • Zinnias – Fast-growing, vibrant, and pollinator-approved.

  • Cornflowers (Bachelor’s Buttons) – Hardy and brilliantly blue.

  • Marigolds – Pest-fighting blooms in bold yellow and orange.

  • Fuchsia – Shade-loving and hummingbird-friendly.

  • Sweet Alyssum – Tiny, fragrant, and low-growing.

  • Purple Coneflower – Eye-catching and bee-attracting.

  • Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm) – Aromatic and butterfly-approved.

  • Wild Geranium – Delicate woodland blooms.

  • Prairie Dropseed – Soft, fragrant ornamental grass.

  • Smooth Blue Aster – Late-summer violet charmers.

🐕 A Quick Reminder:

Even non-toxic plants can cause a little tummy trouble if your dog decides to munch on them like a snack. Keep an eye on your pup in the garden, and gently redirect any nibbling.

🌿 Herbs That Are Safe (and Delicious!)

Dill

Feathery and fragrant, dill is both pet-safe and a kitchen staple. It’s great in soups, dressings, and seafood—and can grow bigger than you think, so give it space.

Purple Basil

Not just beautiful to look at, this vibrant herb makes a unique pesto and adds color to garden beds. It thrives in full sun and needs consistent watering—cut and enjoy all season long.

Creeping Thyme

Perfect as a ground cover, creeping thyme is tough, drought-resistant, and culinary-friendly. It’s also gentle on paws and releases a pleasant scent when stepped on.

Rosemary

Creeping rosemary is a lush, low-growing option that fills garden gaps and spills beautifully over containers. Its evergreen scent is lovely—and safe for dogs too.

Fennel

Tall and graceful, fennel brings a unique licorice flavor to your dishes. The entire plant—from bulb to seed—is edible, and it adds a touch of drama to the garden with its airy foliage.

Pineapple Sage

With a tropical scent and vibrant pink blooms, pineapple sage attracts hummingbirds and adds flair to salads and drinks. It’s an annual in colder climates, but may return in mild winters.

🌸 Non Native Flowering Favorites

Camellias

Elegant and timeless, camellias bloom in early spring and love partial shade. Once established, they’re drought-tolerant and low-maintenance—perfect for a garden that’s both beautiful and easy to manage.

Sunflowers

A symbol of summer, sunflowers love full sun and grow impressively tall—making them perfect for borders and fence lines. Their seeds also attract birds in the fall, adding a touch of wildlife to your garden.

Snapdragons

Bright, bold, and easy to grow from seed, snapdragons add height and color to any garden bed. They're pet-safe and make fantastic cut flowers for indoor arrangements too.

Nasturtiums

A gardener’s favorite for a reason! Nasturtiums grow in less-than-perfect soil, require little maintenance, and spill beautifully over boxes and borders. Plus, their flowers are edible and have a peppery zing.

Polka Dot Plant

For shade gardens or indoor pots, polka dot plants add a splash of pink with their spotted leaves. Low-growing and dog-safe, they’re as playful as their name suggests.

Coral Bells

These low mounding plants come in a variety of leaf colors—green, orange, even black—with delicate flower spikes that sway in the breeze. A great choice for texture and variety.

🐶 Final Tips for Pet-Safe Gardening

  • Always check before adding new plants, especially if your pet loves to nibble.

  • Avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can be toxic even if the plants are safe.

  • Choose raised beds or containers to help control access if you have a curious pup.

  • Enjoy the process! Gardening is a great way to unwind—and even better when shared with your four-legged companion.

Ready to dig in?
Stop in SoCal Soul on Main Street in downtown Edwardsville, IL for your gardening needs and planting tips. With just a little prep, you can enjoy a garden that’s gorgeous, good for the environment, and safe for your best furry friend. Happy planting and tail wags all around! 🌷🐾

P.S. Got a green-thumbed friend with a dog? Forward this newsletter and spread the spring joy!