Thomas asks…
What should I plant in my backyard to reduce ponding when it rains?
My neighbor’s water runs into my yard and ponds. Should I landscape with gravel and bushes, or build up soil for grass? It is shaded by oak trees.
Suntan answers:
In most townships, your neighbor has an obligation to control his own run-off. If he is dumping it all into your garden and not taking any steps himself, you can talk to him about it and if necessary get the township involved. However, this remedy is not available if you live outside a township, or there are no regulations about run-off.
There are a few things you could do if your garden is constantly waterlogged.
– Excavate a French drain at the lowest spot. This is a large pit filled with stone chips and covered with dirt. The water is captured in the French drain and eventually soaks away.
– Capture the water in one area and turn it into a pond or a big garden.
– Regrade your lot and create shallow channels so that the water runs away and becomes someone else’s problem.
Laura asks…
Two Sambucus bushes. Did I plant them correctly for healthy returns? Part one.?
Some friends of mine entrusted me in doing some minor landscaping in their empty ugly yard. They had no shrubs or trees. We went shopping together, and one pointed out an elderberry “blackbeauty” sambucus. I waited till late summer to plant it in a southernly position (formerly occuppied by weeds and daylilies) with some late day shade. It had a great set of roots, and i really took a lot of the existing dirt off and filled in with better soil mix (peat, existing sandy soil, and manure). Although the puny plant has mottled leaves i dont see any new buds. I have had experinece planting this bush before (at another job), but never got to see what the results were. In fact, I have never seen this bush flower. Will it blossom next year or will it be another season passing to see what i hope is a great bush?
All comments, suggestions, or rude noises are welcome.
Thanks
Suntan answers:
Sambucus is really quite an easy grower. You could have probably done less and had the same results. I know from other questions that you enjoy your gardening time, so the extras were definitely time well spent.
Sambucus can definitely be a large shrub, so my concern is how close they may be to each other and other plants. They should probably have at least 4 feet to grow into and maybe more. Keep them moist while young (not too wet).
In the spring give them fertilizer, follow the directions on your label. If you don’t have a favorite fertilizer, I’d recommend FERTI-LOME ‘rooting and blooming’ It’s a water soluble fertilizer, you can find it at independent garden centers.
As for the blooming. It will have some flowers in the next few years, but probably it’s full blooming state won’t happen until year three.
Good luck-
Steven asks…
HOA is cutting down trees without replacing them? Should it be allowed?
One of the key factors in my purchase of this condo was the “private entrance”. It is private because it’s surrounded by 4 trees that are 15 to 20 ft tall that provide shade and privacy to my condo. The trees are located in a “common area” but are located directly in front of my front door & porch.
Our HOA has given me 1 week notice that they are going to cut down the trees because the roots are uplifting part of a sidewalk. I have no problem with them cutting down trees to stop damage to the complex but shouldn’t they replace the trees with deep rooted trees or at the very least, some large shrubbery? I know bushes won’t provide the same shade but It will provide some privacy & is better then nothing.
The CC&R’s do not mention landscaping except for not allowing homeowners to change anything in common areas.
I asked the Board if I could plant something to replace the trees. They said No. How can I stop them from cutting down trees if they are not going to replace them?
Suntan answers:
No
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