I have a small outdoor space off my condo patio that my dog uses as a bathroom. Right now, it's made up of dirt, a weed barrier, and artificial grass, which isn't ideal since we inherited it from the previous owner. I'm wondering what would be better than just regular fill dirt to put down underneath the turf that could improve drainage and minimize odors. I've thought about using stone or sand but want some advice before making any changes. Since I'm renting, I can't switch out the artificial grass for anything else.
3 Answers
When I had puppies, I found that using a roll of sod from Home Depot worked great. You just hose it down or pour some water on the pee spots. Plus, it trains them to know where to go!
Using crushed granite or small gravel underneath the turf is definitely the way to go. It offers way better drainage than dirt, which means less odor buildup. You could even add a bit of sand on top to help level things out before putting the turf back down. It's a straightforward fix that will keep things smelling fresher over time.
Keep in mind that the weed barrier blocks rain from getting through. If the dog pees on the artificial grass, it won’t drain well. You might want to remove that barrier first. Pea gravel can help, but it gets hot if exposed to too much sun. Wood chips could be an alternative, as they break down faster.
Unfortunately, the turf needs replacing since that’s what the owner wants. I can remove the weed barrier before adding the new section, but I’ll have to take better care of it than the previous owner!
Yeah, this was the thought process, thanks!