suggestions for drainage ditch

15 years ago

Hi everyone. I am a total nooby and need a little advice. I live in zone 5 (central Indiana). I have a 6-foot wide strip of yard (my property) between the back of my privacy fence and the back of my rear neighbor's privacy fence. It's probably a good 100 feet long. Mostly it serves as a run-off ditch. It is a major pain to get back there to mow, but I have to keep the height down to satisfy neighborhood regulations.

I'm thinking about replacing the grass and weeds back there with a low native flowering plant that I can just leave alone most of the year, something really maintenance free, something competitive enough to keep grass or weeds from coming back but not so aggressive that it will suddenly start taking over adjoining properties. Maybe something I can mow down in the fall and call it done.

There are currently some black-eyed susans growing back there, so I thought about removing the rest of the grass and weeds while planting a bunch of black-eyed susan seeds. But if the black-eyed susans are likely to creep into other people's yards without regular maintenance, maybe I should use something else instead.

I'm open to suggestions. I guess it just needs to be relatively low, say 24" or less, and pretty hardy to deal with clay-heavy soil and frequent extremes in moisture (it goes from dry to a flowing stream and back again). It gets partial to full sun (it runs east to west but the fence offers some shade).

I'd considered doing a mix of different plants, but I want to keep it simple, not like a wild prairie or something. I go back and forth on the idea of annuals that will self-seed versus perennials. I keep thinking annuals for price and maybe easier to get rid of if this whole experiment turns ugly. But I really am clueless.

Thanks for your advice.

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Comments (4)

JNR71
Original Author
15 years ago
As a follow-up, I should have mentioned that I did search the forums and there are many previous posts about ditches, but they were all the kind of ditches with steep slopes, silt bottoms, roadside, etc, where you could put in some really tall stuff or ditch lilies, wild grasses and reeds. My area is pretty flat and needs something not so invasive and definitely short, more "lawn-like". The more I think about it, 24" is probably pretty tall for what I need, maybe I should look for stuff under 12" if I can. Thanks.
jcalhoun
15 years ago
How about partridge berry?
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If I lived there I'd want to extend the screening that the fence provides and see less of the roof of the house next door. Given that money is no object here in hypothetical-land my first proposal would be to install contained running bamboo in the narrow strip. It would require installation of a plastic root barrier. Limbed up to the top of the fence, the bamboo could appear fairly "open". Limbed up higher, it would seem more open and at least filter the view of the neighbor's roof. The canes would arch over the concrete and put it in shade. A litter-eating groundcover below would be nice. If a similar effect was desired but with less involvement than installation of a root barrier, canes of crape myrtle as a solid run (or in several large groupings for a different effect) might be something to consider... or Vitex... or? A seating area of a meaningful size would make more sense closer to the house and trying to put something like it over the drainage ditch seems like it would cause legal or maintenance problems. But a modest play structure of some sort--like a swinging bridge-- might work and not cause trouble. When the day comes that the fence needs re-painting, I'd consider taupes or greys instead. I don't think the dark brown has broad appeal. Limbing up some of the regular trees would help combat some of the heavy shade conditions. Uploaded with ImageShack.us
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I'm late to join this thread/argument....! I'm from Ontario too - lots of WNV around this area - I wonder if you're in the same area....? If your drainage ditch is part of a drainage system for a subdivision, your first step should be to contact the appropriate municipal - or Regional - authority before doing anything. Given the attention/publicity to flood issues this spring/summer (e.g. Calgary), I very much doubt that you would be ignored - someone is likely to want to come take a look and offer advice/tell you what you can/cannot do. Eliminating standing water will help reduce mosquito breeding sites (how long does the water remain before either draining away or soaking in?) but will not eliminate mosquitos entirely if the area (not just your property but surrounding ones too...) is shady. We have no standing water here but LOTS of mosquitoes because the backyard is very shady. We simply don't use the backyard at certain times of day - and I garden in a 'bug shirt'. Given the chemical bans, weeds are best addressed by clearing them out well in early spring and then checking the area daily to remove any you see before they get established. Large-leafed plants that shade the ground also help discourage weeds because many weed seeds need light to germinate. Careful plant selection might help with the weed issue depending on light conditions in that area. I very much doubt that your neighbour's gravel ditch remains weed-free due to the gravel. I would guess he/she is diligent about removing any weeds promptly before they have time to establish. In my observations of ditches in the neighbourhood that use gravel and/or river rock, they quickly become a weedy mess if ignored and a PITA to remove the gravel/rocks if you experience problems or change your mind about what you want. Gravel would not be my choice as a solution for that reason if nothing else! Please talk to the appropriate authorities before you do anything. Give them a chance to prove they can be helpful.
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There are lots of ground cover plants around, some of which have got to be worth a try. Have a look in Jim Hole's 'What grows Here?', (ISBN 1-894728-02-05) or Lois Hole's ''Perennial Favourites', (ISBN 1-55105-076-5) for some ideas. Their experience is in the Edmonton area, so their advice is about as northern as garden centres get. I've found their writings very practical. You might also take a walk along local creek banks in the spring for a look at what the native ground covers are, and try something out. You may find an Aboriginal person in your community who could give you advice as well.
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First, if the city, county or state own the ditch then you better check with them. If they own it they control the use of it not you. Second, control the weeds before during any plant if it is permissible.
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paulsiu
15 years ago
If the ditch gets filled with water regularly, cardinal plants and great blue lobelia have been one of the plants that survived being underwater for a few days. Both are fairly hardy.

Siberian iris are also likely to be hardy and probably work in a ditch, too.

Paul
jemdandy
15 years ago
Ground ivy (AKA creeping charlie) would cover the ground and stop erossion, and is s short compact plant. It can stand lots of water for short periods and is very dought resistant. But this stuff is the "Kudzu of the north"; Don't even consider it. It is invasive and almost impossible to eradicate.

If the ditch drains well and has no standing pools of water, try turing it into a bed of day lillies. Start by planting two rows the length of the ditch. Place the rows at aproximately 1/3 width of the ditch. The initial planting dos not have to be dense. A spacing of 6 inches or more between plants is sufficient. Within a few years, the lillies will multiply and spread across the entire ditch. For variety, plant more than one kind of lilly, maybe a few iris as well. Standard iris is about 2 ft tall, but there are dwarf varieties available. If you can find a source of wild wood iris, a few of these would be nice. It is a protected plant, so don't go diggin them up in the wild. The day lilly ranges from 18 to 24 inches tall with longer flower stems.

Lillies are easily contained by mowing or an edging. if you decide you don't like them, they can be killed by keeping them mowed over three years. After the bed is established, it will require thining to maintain flowering. However, you can let the bed go if flowering is not a prime objective. They will become crowded and not much of anything else can grow in the bed.

suggestions for drainage ditch

Comments (4)

JNR71
Original Author

jcalhoun

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jemdandy

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suggestions for drainage ditch

Comments (4)

JNR71Original Author

jcalhoun

Related Discussions

paulsiu

jemdandy

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

JNR71
Original Author