RandomName
11-11-09, 07:15 AM
We have an odd area outside our fence, basically an area about 10 feet x 10 feet. Most of it is filled by half a circle, most of which is gravel, and a small portion is a dry well. There is a margin of dirt around the gravel. The area can get quite wet as it is the low point for runoff from several properties (and hence can also be rather polluted as most of our neighbors use conventional herbicides and pesticides). Oh, and our neighbor sprayed Roundup on the flowers and herbs I had there; he apologized and won't do it again--he thought they were weeds. Since the area is surrounded on all sides except the north by our fence, it doesn't get much sun either. We are zone 4 in the US, so pretty cold relatively speaking.
I'm trying to figure out a way to make good use of the area. I thought about planting beans, but am not sure if they'd absorb too much of the chemicals to be safe for consumption. I thought about cranberries, but since they grow low to the ground and yard chemicals run off down there, I don't think I'd be comfortable using them.
Any ideas for useful plants that might work there?
Oh, and since I have young children I don't really want something toxic...for instance, I won't even grow rhubarb until they're a bit older so I know they won't eat the leaves.
I'm trying to figure out a way to make good use of the area. I thought about planting beans, but am not sure if they'd absorb too much of the chemicals to be safe for consumption. I thought about cranberries, but since they grow low to the ground and yard chemicals run off down there, I don't think I'd be comfortable using them.
Any ideas for useful plants that might work there?
Oh, and since I have young children I don't really want something toxic...for instance, I won't even grow rhubarb until they're a bit older so I know they won't eat the leaves.