Tried herbs too, but my lab just plowed right through them to reach the tomatoes. Maybe he's immune to strong smells or something. Ended up putting a small picket fence around the veggies—doesn't exactly match my historic home's aesthetic, but at least my tomatoes survived. Curious, did your dog avoid all herbs or just those two specifically?
My dog ignored mint completely, but rosemary actually seemed to put him off...might depend on the dog or how stubborn they are. Honestly, fencing's probably your safest bet—herbs alone rarely do the trick. Maybe paint yours darker to blend better with your historic vibe?
My lab completely ignored rosemary too, but weirdly enough, lavender seemed to do the trick for a while...until he got bored and decided trampling through was more fun. Agree fencing is probably the safest route, though painting it darker is a clever idea—might steal that one for our place. Did you find a specific fence style that blends well with older homes? I'm still figuring out what looks best without clashing with the house.
"Did you find a specific fence style that blends well with older homes? I'm still figuring out what looks best without clashing with the house."
Totally agree fencing is the way to go—my stubborn retriever laughed at every herb I tried planting. For older homes, I've found picket fences (painted darker or muted colors) blend really nicely without looking too modern. You could also try a rustic split-rail fence lined with discreet wire mesh behind it. Keeps dogs out and doesn't ruin the vintage charm. Plus, bonus points for looking intentionally "weathered," especially if you're not big on maintenance like me...
"You could also try a rustic split-rail fence lined with discreet wire mesh behind it. Keeps dogs out and doesn't ruin the vintage charm."
I see your point on the rustic split-rail look, and it does have that nice, old-timey vibe, but I wonder if that style might actually be a bit too rustic for some older homes? I mean, it definitely fits if your house leans more toward farmhouse or cottage, but for something like a Victorian or a craftsman bungalow, it might feel slightly mismatched.
We ran into this dilemma last year when we moved into our 1920s home. At first, I was all about the picket fence idea too, but after walking around the neighborhood and seeing other houses similar to ours, we ended up going with a wrought iron fence instead. Surprisingly, it complements the architecture really well and looks like it's always been there. It's a little pricier upfront, but it’s sturdy and ages beautifully—plus my dog can't squeeze through the bars (trust me, he tried...).
Another thought—have you considered hedges or shrubs as a fence alternative? They can offer privacy and keep pets out of your garden, plus they blend naturally with older homes without clashing. You can always add a hidden wire fence inside the hedge if your dog is particularly determined (like mine). Just a thought if you're still exploring options.
Either way, it's great you're thinking about aesthetics along with practicality. It's tricky sometimes to find that balance between keeping pets out of trouble and preserving the charm of an older home.
