Dog urine killing my plants :(

lindos90

I have a lavender hedge, planted about this time last year. I noticed the other day that one of them looked dead, literally overnight. I think the urine on the leaves was scoreched by the sun (very hot day) then affected the rest of the plant.

Then noticed a few circles of dead grass in the same area too. There is someone nearby who has a couple of dogs who wander round and I have seen them peeing in the area.

Is there anything I can use to deter the dog from doing this? I dont want to hurt them by getting spikey plants or anything like that though, I know they need to 'go' somewhere

Would something stronger/more offensive smelling put them off from lingering and having a wee, or would it make them want to wee on it more to 'claim' their bit even more?

Anyone used anything that was successful?

Also, are my plants likely to recover next year or are they a lost cause?

Hope someone can help

arbrighton

The grass will recover but not so sure about the lavender- trim it right back if there is any new growth and hope for the best.

Oddly, my dog's pee makes our grass grow more- it's got some lovely lush green patches.

Unfortunately, it's probably a local 'signal' post and there is very little you can do to stop it .

lindos90

Thanks for your reply. Yes I have noticed a lush ring around the patches of dead grass now, odd, maybe that bit is nore lush as its using the nutrients the 'dead' grass would have been using.

Maybe I do need to consider more 'urine resilient' plants then. We are not allowed to have a fence, so thats not an alternative option of bordering our garden.

Another neighbour tells me the dogs are female, which is worse than male urine for some reason. Apparently the dog owners lawn is a right mess with dead patches everywhere!

I'm going to try rubbing garlic along the edging stone, it may get washed away when it rains, but if it stops them for a while, they may move to a different spot.

Sicard

Or you could sprinkle black pepper around...

lindos90

Laurie_Sicard-Askey wrote: »

Or you could sprinkle black pepper around...

Thanks, I'll try that too I think
Like to belt and brace it. Until the dog pee it looked lovely, hope I can get on top of it now

missbiggles1

I've got 3 dogs and quite a lot of lavender - I've always thought of them as dog pee resistant, so it may be something else.

sheramber

You could try GET OFF dog and cat repellent. You do need to reapply after rain.

Also try dousing the area with a solution of biological washing powder to kill the lingering urine smell

arbrighton

lindos90 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. Yes I have noticed a lush ring around the patches of dead grass now, odd, maybe that bit is nore lush as its using the nutrients the 'dead' grass would have been using.

As I understand it, it's the Nitrogen from the ammonia in the pee acting as fertiliser, but if concentrated, it scorches

Farway

arbrighton wrote: »

As I understand it, it's the Nitrogen from the ammonia in the pee acting as fertiliser, but if concentrated, it scorches

True, it's the nitrogen, tip for the green fingered, pour your diliuted own onto the compost heap, it will soon help the compost to rot down

bellaboo86

You could put a water dish out for dogs that are passing in front of the lavender bush. Dogs don't wee near where they can drink.

moneyistooshorttomention

You've just reminded me - must take my secateurs with me next time I'm out - as I've spotted a good bit of holly and thought some of that "planted" upright in my garden might deter a certain neighbourhood animal (cat in this case) from thinking it can use my garden to go to the loo in.

Bit puzzled at taking a "tolerant" attitude to other peoples animals "going" in one's garden I must admit....:rotfl: