When it's hard to separate your dogs and your plants, some plants run the risk of getting stomped into oblivion or dug out. Here's a low-cost solution.
The problem: My back yard came with flowerbeds all around the perimeter, so our dog is always in them to look through the fence.
I could buy a half-mile (exaggeration) of wire border and install it all around, but my gardening budget is limited and so is my time. Plus, not everything needs protection. Our dog can't really hurt the large perennials.
However, another thing the previous owners left behind is tomato cages -- a big pile of tomato cages.
I set up several in a row to protect this bed of swiss chard seedlings. (In fact, I think I need to put them closer together.)
Special or young plants get a single cage to ward off thoughtless paws -- for instance, this baby pumpkin plant.
And this salvia that I planted last fall and is just now finally coming up again after the harsh winter.
If you also have more tomato cages than cash, consider trying tomato cages to ward off dogs.