Dog-friendly alternatives to lawn

Thanks @ViewAhead Hmm it does sound like my idea of replacing the top layer won't be fully effective long term. I will need to consider whether it might still be worth it so that I don't hate the end result as much, until the main part of my plan kicks in.

The main part is to add lots of plants to the area. I was going to add some anyway, but now I am thinking of a lot more, so that the focus is not on the chippings and there is just enough space to walk around the plants. And while I was going to wait till Spring, and I am still going to have to do that for the majority of the plants, I can't just leave it like this completely, even temporarily. The ground is not frozen so a couple of shrubs for now at least might be OK. I am considering a plan already.

 

Plants will provide an excellent focal point, and look lovely against the slate backdrop. Some heucheras with their varied coloured foliage would look great, especially the lime ones, and they are almost evergreen. Or something with variegated leaves, where the white in the leaf matches the white in the slates.

 

Thanks @ViewAhead I love heucheras. They are one of four plants that I know I can always rely on (heucheras, carex, lonicera nitida baggesen's gold, sarcococca). They are all fairly shade tolerant as well (my garden is north - west facing). I will definitely look to add more heucheras in the spring.

For now I moved 2 carex to the border with the lawn to soften it, and I bought two lonicera nitida baggesen's gold - they are in their pots at the moment, I will probably plant tomorrow. There were two of them at the back of the garden already, so I think this will help tie in the new area nicely. I already feel a bit more positive about the situation, and I can't wait to add more plants in Spring - I can visualise it in my mind already

 

I love lonicera nitada BG, especially when not in full sun as the leaves are lime rather than yellow. Carex are always good at softening because of their lovely habit.

 

Phormiums will also grow in light shade @CostasK and are evergreen. There are many colour variations to choose from and sizes. My favourites are P. cookianum tricolor, P. Bronze Baby and P. Cream Delight.

P. Bronze Baby.



P. Cream Delight.

 

I really like them, thank you @Plantminded

 

In case anyone was wondering, the supplier came back to me and offered me a free midi bag (around 450 kg) to replace the top layer of slate chippings. Replacing the top layer was a suggestion that I had made to them before it was pointed out here that long term the two layers will mix. Even if they do though, it should help at least improve the situation compared to now, and I will still add lots of plants in the spring. For now I will remove the worst pieces and then top dress with the new slate when it arrives.

 

That sounds like a good compromise @CostasK .

 

Just make sure you tell the dog not to go skittering about displacing the top ones.

Seriously, that’s a fair workaround.

 

I can certainly try. First though I need to convince him that it's an OK area to pee on, instead of crossing it to get to the lawn.

Yes, I must say, they handled it alright. And they did explain that the slate comes straight from the quarry (they shared my photos to them they said, for feedback). Hopefully by removing the worst chippings, even if some of the rest do rise to the top among the new ones, the end result won't be quite as bad.

 

Thanks again all for your input last year I thought I would provide some quick photos I have just taken, and some of my conclusions, now that several months have passed. There is always more to do of course (does a garden ever really "finish"?) and most of the plants need to grow and provide more coverage. Not just in the new area, but the garden in general (e.g. the back).




My conclusions:

• I love it. I am not saying it's perfect, but I find it so much more interesting than patchy lawn. Looking at the old photos in this thread reaffirmed that.
• Is it really dog friendly? Hmm...I would say it's dog tolerated. The dogs walk though it to go to the lawn area for their toilet needs. So they have no issues walking on it, but they much prefer the lawn. I made other adjustments instead of trying to force them.
• One thing I hadn't considered is that if leaves or petals fall on the slate chippings, they need to be hand picked. Whereas with the lawn, you can just go over them with the mower. That's fine though.

@Plantminded whenever I pay attention to the two calamagrostis Karl Foerster, I think "thank you Plantminded!" (I was debating whether to get them or a tamer option at some point, and you advised to go for them). I love them & look forward to them getting to full size.

 

It does look beautiful, @CostasK, especially wet! (Am jealous of your rain. )

Lovely colour contrasts and so much interest.

Re picking detritus up, a grabber is your friend. That's what I use on my gravel. Saves a heck of a lot of bending.

 

Thank you so much @ViewAhead

We did have considerable rain yesterday. Regarding the "wet look" in the photo, I had just finished giving the area a quick wash (the patio was looking dirty), that's when I decided to take the photos.

Here is a (nearly) dry look one. It's windy so it has dried quickly.

 

I'm pleased to know that the Calamagrostis are doing well for you @CostasK . Your garden looks great! Have you thought about a leaf blower to clear your slate chippings? You can blow everything into a corner, or onto the lawn and then either sweep or mow it up. You can get quieter ones with two speeds and you'll only be using it for a matter of minutes.