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"Before"
"Before"
We launched a project to revitalize the "hellstrip" next to the driveway, where stormwater runoff flows. This project aimed to replace the patchy, water-wasting grass with a low-maintenance garden full of native plants.
The strip consisted of extremely compacted soil and grass, offering little ecological value and struggling to handle runoff. Maintenance was also a challenge due to the mailboxes.
"After"
"After"
After removing the grass, adding healthy, composted soil, and planting a mix of pollinator-supporting species, the area will now absorb more rainwater, support local species, reduce maintenance headaches, and look more beautiful.Â
How to create your hellstrip garden:
Consider the following when choosing your site:
Sunlight exposure (many native plants require a lot of sun)
Soil conditions
Season (fall is the best planting season, followed by spring, and then summer)
Cost! Native perennial plants usually cost between $8 and $15 each
Outline your planting area and dig up the grass turf
Amend the soil with compost (soil should be loose and nutrient-rich to support new plants' root growth)
Layout your plants, 1 - 1.5 ft apart (mix up color and texture, with shorter plants along the sidewalk)
Dig holes for each plant, leaving extra space for adding more compost
Cover with loose soil/compost and gently pack soil around each plant
Water plants
Mulch (this will prevent weeds and help the soil retain moisture during hot summer months)
Water every day after planting (especially during the summer), unless it rains
Native species planted: Smooth blue aster, fire pink, hyssop-leafed boneset, lanceleaf loosestrife, black-eyed Susan, bronze wave coral bells, Eastern purple coneflower, creeping phlox, moss phlox
Native species planted: Smooth blue aster, fire pink, hyssop-leafed boneset, lanceleaf loosestrife, black-eyed Susan, bronze wave coral bells, Eastern purple coneflower, creeping phlox, moss phlox
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