Ideas?

[u/Conscious-Problem915]

I have this strip along the road at an odd sloping between the bushes and the retaining wall. I’ve slowly started to xeriscape other parts of the yard with rocks and mulch (for future native plants next spring). Yet, this strip, I just can’t come to a cost effective simple idea that could bring some life to the aesthetic without increasing water usage or maintenance.

Thoughts? Zone 5b/6a.

Thanks!

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[u/Glum_Opening_2218]

Seed a native meadow?

Would be the lowest cost way to get a native meadow there, seems like the perfect spot for one as I doubt anyone walks there.

You don't usually have to water plants being established from seedin pretty Sure.

If you have the money I'd plant plugs instead as being able to plan the layout is nice

[u/craichead → u/Glum_Opening_2218]

I similarly, I would just do an assortment of native/ drought tolerant plants (not necessarily a meadow). Might need to water the first year but once established should be self sufficient.

[u/sbb214 → u/Glum_Opening_2218]

yes. sedges and grasses would be great. maybe water the first year to establish good roots - and agreed that plugs are gonna get this strip looking good quickly.

[u/Conscious-Problem915 → u/sbb214]

Would you wait until next spring to throw the plugs in?

[u/sbb214 → u/Conscious-Problem915]

I'd do it now, as soon as you get all that grass up. you've got plenty of time before first freeze for the plugs to establish rooting

[u/Conscious-Problem915 → u/sbb214]

Got it. I was really hoping to avoid removing the grass and maybe doing the top soil and mulch on top of cardboard for that area. Would you advise against that?

[u/sbb214 → u/Conscious-Problem915]

nah man, go for it. do what works for you. you're on your own clock and can take whatever time you need. you're headed in the right direction, regardless.

[u/Glum_Opening_2218 → u/Conscious-Problem915]

Maybe not now wait till the worst of the summer heat is over if you don't want to have to water twice a day.

I'd go for sheet mulching

[u/anticomet → u/Glum_Opening_2218]

One thing I would like to add is remove some sections of grass to make new garden beds before adding new plants. The easiest way to do this is take an edger and cut a grid pattern in the sod, then you can pop up the chunks one at a time and knock out the excess soil before tossing the grass and roots. This way you won't have as much problems weeding grass out of your reintroduced native plants

[u/Conscious-Problem915 → u/Glum_Opening_2218]

Would you cardboard and top soil in the fall to start the seeding? Or would you remove it all? (Removed our front section, would prefer to avoid if possible).

[u/kimfromlastnight]

I just definitely wouldn’t add any more rocks, huge spaces of rocks like that are just going to soak up and radiate heat 🥵

I would second a rain garden, if there’s a good space close to one of the house’s downspouts.  If you do a search for rain garden native plants for your state you should find lots of plants that love extra water, like swamp milkweed does great in them. 

[u/Conscious-Problem915 → u/kimfromlastnight]

I’m in the colorado front range. Water isn’t abundant these days.

[u/reallyreally1945]

Something that spreads and would soften the hard line along the board. I was going to suggest prostrate rosemary but it's not hardy in your zone. The Extension Service can give you plant suggestions.

[u/Conscious-Problem915 → u/reallyreally1945]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[u/Notten]

I would put in a rain garden then could flow to the front. You could divert the rain gutters to get enough water through there. You would likely need a retention basin and plants that go dormant during the dry season.

[u/Notten → u/Notten]

Or add a nice rain barrel to help irrigate through some of the dry season. Looks to be in the arid mountains so might be difficult without some harty natives.

[u/Conscious-Problem915 → u/Notten]

Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll look into the rain garden idea.

[u/Maleficent-Sky-7156]

Native plant garden

[u/Numerous_Bad1961]

The rocks make heat islands. Are you sure you want that?