Improve Dog Kennel Appearance

Dog kennels come in a variety of sizes; however, most kennels are all made from chain link fencing and tend to be an eyesore.  

The dog kennel is a great way to protect your yard and gardens from your family dog.  A dog that has limited space will not transplant your flowers, dig trenches in your yard or chew or trample your gardens thus a kennel is a necessity.  However, in order to make the kennel eye-appealing, you will need to be creative and choose kennel materials that do not interfere with your landscape. Follow these tips to Improve your dog kennels' appearance so that it adds curb appeal to the home.

Choosing Dog Kennel Location

Decide the best location for the dog kennel.  Select an area that is away from your outdoor living spaces.  The back corner of your yard close to a large shade tree or on the side of your home would be ideal kennel locations.  

Improve Kennel Appearance

If dog kennels had lush grass flooring then the kennel would be eye appealing, but that is not the case.  Dog-like to dig and most kennels have dirt floors with potholes.  

Improve the appearance of your chain link dog run or kennel by installing a kennel deck.  The deck is a good way to stop your dogs from digging in the kennel.  The custom-fit deck flooring will comfort your dog by keeping them warmer in winter and cooler in summer.  The deck flooring is easy to install and is less money than pouring a cement floor.

Another way to improve the appearance is to install a dog kennel cover that has UV protection. The top comes in a variety of colors that will compliment your landscape.  When you add a kennel top along with the platform flooring you will improve the dog kennel's appearance. 

Landscape the exterior of the Dog Kennel and Not the interior. see the above image no flowers, vines, or shrubs are in the kennel and the dog cannot access any of the plants.  

1. Make the dog kennel attractive by planting evergreen hedges or shrubs in front of the chain-link fencing.  
2. Plant a fast-growing shrub such as the Arborvitae Emerald Green.  The shrubs block the view and will buffer the barking dogs.  The evergreen hedge will also insulate the kennel by blocking wind, snow, and ice, and adding shade to the kennel. When you look at your yard you will no longer view a six-foot chain-link kennel instead, you will see an evergreen hedge.  
3. Add a trellis on the outside of the fence at least 20 inches away from the chain-link fence.  Grow fragrant vines such as sweet autumn clematis or honeysuckle on the trellis, when the flowers bloom your entire yard will have a lovely fragrance. Grow vines in a sunny location with well-drained soil.  Apply mulch to keep the roots shaded and cool.
4. Conceal the exterior of the dog kennel by landscaping with ornamental grasses.  Choose the varieties of grasses that exceed six feet in height; fountain, feather reed, or zebra grass. 
5. Plant medium height oriental fountain grass Karley Rose in the front of the tall varieties and then in the front plant blue fescue or liriope grass. An ornamental grass garden will improve the appearance of the dog kennel.   The grass looks attractive from summer through early winter.  Prune in early spring.

Other Dog Kennel Tips

Plant a garden of fragrant herbs close to the dog kennel.  A raised herb garden with peppermint, lavender, sweet basil, rosemary, and red bee balm will scent the air.  These aromatic herbs will also repel mosquitoes and ticks.

Before you plant search for plant toxicity to dogs.  Know that clematis and honeysuckle will make your dog ill if they eat it excessively, that is why I suggest that you landscape your kennel on the exterior and outside of the fence and not the interior. 

Notes by Sgolis:

I shopped at Greenwoodnursry.com for all of my grasses, flowers, herbs, and evergreen shrubs that I used to landscape around my dog kennel. Normally I do not like shopping online for live plants but I was very impressed with the customer service and the shipping of the plants.

The owner of the company gives personalized service, normally you do not find this at a website or even at a hometown garden center.  So if you are looking for landscape plants for your dog kennel then I recommend shopping at greenwood nursery. 

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my Yard and Garden Secrets Blog.

Transplant Tree or Shrub (How to)

Planting a tree or shrub is not difficult however purchasing a healthy tree or shrub may be a little tricky. Many trees and shrubs sold are root balls wrapped in wax-coated burlap. If purchasing from a nursery ask to check the root ball.

Look for a healthy root that is growing outward. If the root ball is tightly matted then it better to purchase a tree or shrub grown in a container. Before purchasing the tree or shrub, check the bottom of the container, if roots are growing out of the drain holes this is a good indication of a strong root. Another way to determine a healthy tree or shrub is to look for a full tree or bush with new growth.

Redbud tree newly planted

Planting Tips

Set the container on its side and gently roll the container on the ground. This method will loosen the root ball from inside the container.

Remove the tree or shrub from the container. Thoroughly wet the root ball prior to planting. By wetting the soil, you may loosen some of the roots from the root ball. If the roots are stubborn and are growing in a tight circle, use your hands to untangle the roots. Gently pull them away from the root ball. This is a necessary step to enable the roots to grow outward into the soil. 

Clear the planting site by removing all of the grass. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and as deep as the container. Add six inches of compost to the bottom of the hole. Mound the compost into the center of the hole. Set the tree or shrub on top of the mound. Spread the roots out so that they will grow outward into the soil. Fill the hole with the remaining soil and water thoroughly.

Apply two to four inches of mulch around the tree or shrub trunk. The mulch will add nutrients to the soil, retain moisture, and will prevent weeds. Water your tree or shrub daily in the morning before the heat of the day.  The soil should be evenly moist but not wet.

Notes From Susan:   Plant your tree or shrub in the late afternoon when the sun is not intense or plant on a cloudy day.