Cheap Way To Cover Dirt In Backyard With Dogs (Pros And Cons)
Written by Tim de Jong
The cheapest way to cover dirt in a backyard with dogs is a thick layer of dog-safe mulch, such as cedar or pine, which costs little, spreads in an afternoon and stops muddy paws. If you want something longer-lasting, pea gravel, a tough ground cover, artificial turf or a landscape barrier topped with mulch are all good options.
Dirt is an inevitable part of having a backyard with dogs, and bare patches quickly turn into mud and dirty paw prints. Below, we compare five budget-friendly ways to cover it up.
5 Cheap ways to cover dirt in your backyard with dogs
In this list, we’ll explore five cheap ways to cover dirt in your backyard so that it’s more aesthetically pleasing and easier to maintain.
At a glance
3 picks, each best at something different
1Cover the dirt with mulch
This is by far the most affordable and easy way to cover dirt in your backyard. All you need is enough bags of mulch to cover the area a few inches deep, which you can find at any home improvement store or even on Amazon.
Spread the mulch around the area where the dirt is most prominent and voila! You’ve instantly made your backyard look neater and more put together. Not only does it prevent mud tracks, but it also helps the yard smell fresher.
There are many different types of mulch, so be sure to choose one that is best suited for your needs. A thick layer of any mulch helps keep weeds down, and cedar has a pleasant scent. Just never use cocoa bean mulch: it contains theobromine, the same compound that makes chocolate toxic to dogs. Whatever you choose, watch that your dog doesn’t eat it, as swallowed wood chips can cause splinters or a blockage.
Our recommendation is natural cedar shavings by Wood Smith USA Store. They have a great subtle cedar scent that will keep your backyard smelling fresh!
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easy to find and spread
- Helps with weed control and smells great
Cons
- Needs to be topped up or replaced every few months
2Plant ground cover
Pros
- Great appearance
- Helps with erosion
- Can be difficult for dogs to dig up
Cons
- High maintenance
Another cheap and easy way to cover dirt in your backyard is by planting ground cover. This will not only improve the appearance of your outdoor space but it will also help to prevent erosion.
Important to note, if your dog is a digger, you’ll want to make sure that the ground cover you choose is not something that they will be able to easily dig up. St. Augustine grass, for example, is a popular choice for yards with dogs in warm climates because it’s tough and spreads quickly to fill in worn patches. (1) Clover and creeping thyme are other hardy options. Before planting anything, check that it isn’t toxic to dogs, since some popular ground covers, like English ivy, are.
Ground covers do however require a lot of maintenance, so be prepared to water and weed regularly, and to give new plants time to establish before your dog runs on them. If you’d rather not deal with the upkeep, consider one of the other options on this list.
Pros
- Great appearance
- Helps with erosion
- Can be difficult for dogs to dig up
Cons
- High maintenance
Use pavers or gravel
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, consider using pavers or gravel to cover the dirt in your backyard. This is a great option if you have dogs that like to dig because it’s not something that they’ll be able to easily destroy.
Pavers can get expensive, so opt for gravel if you’re on a tight budget. You can find gravel at any home improvement store or online. Just be sure to get enough to cover the area completely. Choose smooth, rounded pea gravel rather than crushed stone with sharp edges, which can hurt paws. Keep in mind that stones heat up in the summer sun, and that some dogs, especially puppies, may try to chew or swallow gravel.
Pros
- Permanent
- Dogs can't easily dig it up
Cons
- More expensive than other options
3Use artificial turf
If you’re really not a fan of dirt and are looking for a low-maintenance option, consider using artificial turf. This is an expensive option up front, but it will save you money in the long run because you won’t have to deal with the upkeep.
Artificial turf is also great if you have dogs that like to dig, because it’s much harder to dig through than bare soil. (For diggers along the fence line, see these cheap ways to keep dogs from digging under the fence.) Prices vary a lot by quality, so measure the area and calculate how much you’ll need before making a purchase.
We recommend Amazon’s PET GROW PG1-4 Artificial Grass Rug. It’s a high-quality artificial turf that will last you for years. It’s made for pets to pee on, so it drains well, but you’ll still want to pick up poop promptly and hose it down regularly to prevent odors. Artificial turf can also get very hot in direct sun, so make sure your dog has a shaded area to lie in.
Pros
- Permanent
- Low-maintenance
- Hard for dogs to dig through
Cons
- More expensive than other options
4Use a landscape barrier
This may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option, but it’s another cheap and easy way to cover dirt in your backyard. All you need is a landscape barrier, which you can find at any home improvement store or online.
Simply lay the barrier down over the area of dirt that you want to cover and secure it with landscape staples. This creates a layer between the soil and your dog’s paws, which helps prevent erosion, weeds and mud tracks. For the best result, cover the fabric with mulch or gravel; on its own, a determined dog can scratch or tear it, and loose staples are a paw hazard.
Our recommendation is SUWUYUE 125gsm Weed Barrier on amazon.com. It’s made of high-quality fabric that will last you for years.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easy to install
- Helps with erosion
Cons
- Not the most attractive option
Final thoughts – Cheap way to cover dirt in backyard with dogs
There are a few cheap and easy ways to cover dirt in your backyard if you have dogs. You can spread mulch, plant ground cover, use pavers or gravel, use artificial turf, or use a landscape barrier. Each option has its own set of pros and cons, so be sure to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Whichever option you choose, be sure to take the time to properly prepare the area before you begin. This will help to ensure that your project is a success. We hope that this article has been helpful! If you're also setting up a run, read our guide to the best ground cover for a dog kennel, and for the inside of your home, here's how to keep dirt out of the house with dogs. If you are pouring a concrete patio instead, check when your dog can walk on new concrete.
