Sheldon wrote:
On Nov 7, 1:19?pm, Scott Hildenbrand
wrote:
Scott Hildenbrand wrote:
Yet more research for the coming season and yard improvements.
I'm trying to decide just what I can plant on the side of the drainage
culverts that run along the side and back of my property. The wonders of
living on the skits of a subdivision development.
Anyway, I was thinking maybe removing some of the rubble rock and
planting Joe Pye weed planted every so often along the ditch, which is
6' deep and 6' wide with about a 45 degree pitch.
Currently there is a crappy looking grass that grows in the area, along
with some other weedy flowers and the only good thing, some morning glory.
Area gets full sun and is fair moisture wise during normal season weather.
So you think it would do well there and be able to choke out some of the
grass and other junk? Or do you think I should look in other directions.
Zone 6b Kentucky, 12" or less of decent soil before solid clay...
Just in case anyone is bored and wants to see the weedy mess which I'm
talking about, here's a couple of pics.

http://www.hildenbrands.com/gallery/landscape-woes/

There's only 2 things I want to rescue out of here.. There's a small
evergreen ground cover that someone put in which is being choked out,
and an annual flowering vine whos name escapes me at this very moment..

I'll be collecting the seeds from the vine soon so I can put them along
the new fence by the drive.

I'm sure it doesn't look like that from spring through early fall.

You're right.. It's actually a weedy green color before it turns a weedy
brown color..

Even if you repopulate with other diciduous plants it will look
exactly the same this time of year, brown!

True, but it'd look a heck of alot better during the rest of the year.

Were it me, and you're
lucky enough not to have deer, I'd leave what's there and and plant
the edge with interesting shrubs and specimen trees, evergreens would
be nice

What's wrong with deer? I happen to love having them come through the
yard when ever they like. As for an edge, ewww.. I dislike the manicured
look of a row of hedges.

Whole point of removing the useless grasses and weeds and planting other
things is to attract more birds and butterflies. Not have pretty bushes
and trees... Besides, I've already got trees close to the ditch, my huge
pecan, black walnut and plums.

You have two other choices, leave it as is for attracting
the wildlife you will enjoy all winter,

Wild grasses do little to attract wildlife beyond acting as a shelter
which other plants can do better.

or straddle the ditch with a
wide mower and give it a rough haircut so it won't be so conspicuous.

At 6'x6' wide straddling with a mower is a psychotic idea. Not to
mention that the 6' width is minimum as parts are 8 to 10'.

Another choice (if there is a natural water flow) is to create a
pond...

Storm runoff only.

or the illusion of water with a bridge and perhaps span the
ditch with a gazebo.


As stated in the post, the ditch borders my property. Thus I do not have
land rights to the whole thing else I'd be happily slapping up a bridge
or two and making the whole thing more interesting..

Just dealing with what's been dealt and working on my side.