Tackling a Low Spot

The Problem:

Ugly air-conditioner + Poorly drained, compacted soil + Weeds = Problem

This is a low spot between my house and our neighbor's.  Whenever it rains, it becomes a big pool of water, even with our neighbor's French drain.  The problem is compounded by our dirt, which has been thoroughly compacted by equipment brought in to take out our dying oak trees in the back yard.

The only thing that grows well in this poorly draining, compacted soil is crabgrass and other assorted weeds.  Our neighbors put in lush looking Zoysia grass, which makes this strip look even more sad.

Neighbor's yard     -------      Our yard      

So what to do about a poorly draining, compacted low spot?

The Solution:

Step 1: Till that baby up!

(Can I get some Tim Allen grunting from the audience?)

Meet my new little tiller!

Step 2:  Add dirt to raise up the low spot.

Step 3:  Plant something that appreciates poorly drained, swampy areas.

I planted Inkberry bushes, a type of slow-growing holly that is native to North Carolina.  They are evergreen and develop 'black as ink' berries in the winter that the birds enjoy.

The compact cultivar Inkberry 'Shamrock' eventually grows to around four feet high and five feet wide and can easily be pruned smaller. 

Step 4: Add stepping stones

Step 5: Add lots of mulch!

The final reveal:

Step 6:  Add more plants on either sides of the stepping stones to balance the garden out and hide the air-conditioner a little better.  Sadly, our landscaping budget has run out for the time being, so this step will be completed at a later date.  

Step 7:  Convince Mr. Red House that this was not a ploy to add more garden area and buy more plants.

Like I would do something like that... ;)