Welcome to my garden?
March 30, 2017 6:42 AM Subscribe
This is kind of a vague brainstormy Ask for the hive mind. Last summer we bought a house on a corner lot in a tight-knit city neighborhood (we've been in the neighborhood for many years, we just moved around the corner to a bigger house). The yard is a total blank slate right now. As I work over the next few years to bring it to life, I want to put in features that welcome and delight passers-by and that somehow give something back to the community.
Our lot is 3000 sq ft, long and skinny, and is exposed on three sides (alley in back, street in front, street on side). The car traffic is minimal (most streets in the area are dead ends) but it is kind of a crossroads for everyone in a 5-block radius who walks (dogs, kids, elders out for their evening constitutional). Sometimes it's hard to get work done outside because people are stopping to chat every 15 minutes.
There's a back yard fenced with ugly chainlink (which I won't be replacing because a. expensive and b. even more expensive because for some reason being on a corner lot means you have to pay more to get permits to build or do anything permanent), a side yard and front yard. The previous owners were not, shall we say, HGTV watchers. It's just grass, grass, grass--no flowers, no flower beds, no landscaping of any kind. I'm planning on changing this drastically because I'm a gardener (edibles mostly but I can manage an ornamental situation as well) and I hate mowing the lawn.
As I plan, I want to incorporate elements that inspire delight in passers-by and invite people to stop and enjoy, and maybe share some of my love of urban agriculture. The back yard that is fenced is private (for a given definition of private--it's all very exposed but we're planning to plant berry bushes around the perimeter to get a little more privacy) and that's where my chickens live so I don't want randos back there, but the side and front are fair game. Especially the side because the street does not have a sidewalk and it's quite a steep hill.
Hit me with ideas and images for things I could do over the next few years that would make our corner be The Bestest Corner. Things in the same spirit as Little Free Libraries: something for the community to share and enjoy together even though it's on my own property.
Our lot is 3000 sq ft, long and skinny, and is exposed on three sides (alley in back, street in front, street on side). The car traffic is minimal (most streets in the area are dead ends) but it is kind of a crossroads for everyone in a 5-block radius who walks (dogs, kids, elders out for their evening constitutional). Sometimes it's hard to get work done outside because people are stopping to chat every 15 minutes.
There's a back yard fenced with ugly chainlink (which I won't be replacing because a. expensive and b. even more expensive because for some reason being on a corner lot means you have to pay more to get permits to build or do anything permanent), a side yard and front yard. The previous owners were not, shall we say, HGTV watchers. It's just grass, grass, grass--no flowers, no flower beds, no landscaping of any kind. I'm planning on changing this drastically because I'm a gardener (edibles mostly but I can manage an ornamental situation as well) and I hate mowing the lawn.
As I plan, I want to incorporate elements that inspire delight in passers-by and invite people to stop and enjoy, and maybe share some of my love of urban agriculture. The back yard that is fenced is private (for a given definition of private--it's all very exposed but we're planning to plant berry bushes around the perimeter to get a little more privacy) and that's where my chickens live so I don't want randos back there, but the side and front are fair game. Especially the side because the street does not have a sidewalk and it's quite a steep hill.
Hit me with ideas and images for things I could do over the next few years that would make our corner be The Bestest Corner. Things in the same spirit as Little Free Libraries: something for the community to share and enjoy together even though it's on my own property.
A bench or two to give those out walking a place to stop and rest and/or chat with others. It could become a neighborhood meeting spot, as in "meet me at soren_lorensen's corner at 6:00 for our evening walk".
posted by she's not there at 6:59 AM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by she's not there at 6:59 AM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Blackberry bushes?
posted by Mchelly at 7:02 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Mchelly at 7:02 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Soil. Soil, soil, soil. Deep, friable, rich, well-drained, well-moistened, tested, balanced, mulched. Do that first.
posted by amtho at 7:07 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by amtho at 7:07 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
A bench
Sculptures in the garden
A "Little Free Library"-esque container that you fill with surplus vegetables, dog biscuits, etc. There's a MeFite who created a very small art gallery that's lovely.
Speaking of dogs, if you wind up installing an irrigation system, make a faucet near the corner and set out a few bowls so people can water their dogs.
posted by carmicha at 7:08 AM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
Sculptures in the garden
A "Little Free Library"-esque container that you fill with surplus vegetables, dog biscuits, etc. There's a MeFite who created a very small art gallery that's lovely.
Speaking of dogs, if you wind up installing an irrigation system, make a faucet near the corner and set out a few bowls so people can water their dogs.
posted by carmicha at 7:08 AM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
Chain link fences are the perfect for climbing vines. A very quick growing and fun vine I grew was the hop plant. Beans are interesting and very fast growing but perennial. They have so many interesting varieties with really beautiful foliage. Once I grew beans that were purple and turned green when you boiled them.
posted by ReluctantViking at 7:09 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ReluctantViking at 7:09 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
There's a garden around the corner from my house that is sort of stuffed full of various things. There's no sidewalk so it kind of just rambles down to the edge of the road and my daughter and I love looking at it. There's a couple Euphorbia plants that are very large, some daphne, a bunch of sedums that have crept around. A cool bush that has red sticks (looks very dramatic in winter), some rosemary. There's also decorative rocks both large and small and it looks like it takes no effort but I'm sure that's not true because I never see weeds. It's fun because there's lots to "discover" as opposed to something more formal where there's just a few plants. I think rocks and sedums are pretty interesting and if you can focus on having something flowering at different times, I think it will be a lot of fun.
In addition to the Little Free Library, there's a few places around here that have a focus on sharing neighborhood "stuff." They ask for people to put out extra canned goods but then seasonally seem to have different themes – right now they are asking people to leave their extra seeds! So, plant stuff in the spring and if you have leftovers, you can put them in their "library." They ask for any extras from the garden in summer, fall, etc.. I think they have a little notice board on the side.
posted by amanda at 7:10 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
In addition to the Little Free Library, there's a few places around here that have a focus on sharing neighborhood "stuff." They ask for people to put out extra canned goods but then seasonally seem to have different themes – right now they are asking people to leave their extra seeds! So, plant stuff in the spring and if you have leftovers, you can put them in their "library." They ask for any extras from the garden in summer, fall, etc.. I think they have a little notice board on the side.
posted by amanda at 7:10 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Ooh, I love the idea of a vine on the chainlink – you might look at something evergreen like passionflower or jasmine.
posted by amanda at 7:11 AM on March 30, 2017
posted by amanda at 7:11 AM on March 30, 2017
...which isn't your question, but I think about soil a lot.
Catnip is really fun, and you won't mind if it gets picked. In the fall, you can cut huge bunches of it and give it to local cat owners to dry. Yes, it spreads, but not that badly and you can easily keep it in check. Plus it's fun to share.
My golden creeping jenny has been hugely popular as a give-away plant for other people to start in their gardens. It's a lovely contrast to the other plants and surprisingly eye-catching, plus it's nice to have in front of the other plants -- it's close at hand.
Iris is dramatic and easy to grow (I fertilize mine regularly). Showy, big, smells great, and also will grow and divide and you can share it later. There are some cool strains out there too -- it's fun to talk about the "Starship Enterprise" variety I found.
Large rocks that get sun will probably attract lizards too.
Don't forget the birds! It's particularly fun to grow flowers with finch-friendly seeds and watch them sit on the slender stems and pick at them.
Avoid sunflowers unless you know what you're doing; they have a defense system that prevents other plants from growing in the same area.
posted by amtho at 7:14 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Catnip is really fun, and you won't mind if it gets picked. In the fall, you can cut huge bunches of it and give it to local cat owners to dry. Yes, it spreads, but not that badly and you can easily keep it in check. Plus it's fun to share.
My golden creeping jenny has been hugely popular as a give-away plant for other people to start in their gardens. It's a lovely contrast to the other plants and surprisingly eye-catching, plus it's nice to have in front of the other plants -- it's close at hand.
Iris is dramatic and easy to grow (I fertilize mine regularly). Showy, big, smells great, and also will grow and divide and you can share it later. There are some cool strains out there too -- it's fun to talk about the "Starship Enterprise" variety I found.
Large rocks that get sun will probably attract lizards too.
Don't forget the birds! It's particularly fun to grow flowers with finch-friendly seeds and watch them sit on the slender stems and pick at them.
Avoid sunflowers unless you know what you're doing; they have a defense system that prevents other plants from growing in the same area.
posted by amtho at 7:14 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Our elementary school and another in our new neighborhood beautified a chain link fence by tying or weaving bits of colored cloth and rags to make designs and messages (All Are Welcome Here). Maybe leaving a bag or bin with cloth out for neighbors to participate in beautifying the fence?
posted by goggie at 7:18 AM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by goggie at 7:18 AM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
If there's any sidewalk repairs being done a neighbor by me stamped in a verse to a poem while the cement was still wet which I always enjoy when passing by.
Free little libraries are great.
Water fountain for human and dogs are great and really appreciated by runners.
posted by raccoon409 at 7:25 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Free little libraries are great.
Water fountain for human and dogs are great and really appreciated by runners.
posted by raccoon409 at 7:25 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
I vote for a bench and plants that attract butterflies.
posted by Liesl at 7:28 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Liesl at 7:28 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
I drove by a pretty wind spinner the other day, and I was delighted!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:29 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:29 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Definitely sculptures! Craft of any kind. Maybe hit up some art students in your area to help? (I don't know much about plants, but enjoy red flowers, if that helps.) What a lovely and generous idea :)
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:32 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:32 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
We created a monarch waystation in our front yard and it's very popular with neighborhood kids (and pollinators!). We have a little sign up so people know what it's about. We also have a peach tree in our front yard and it's quite the neighborhood conversation piece (it hasn't yet produced enough for me to be willing to share...maybe this year!)
posted by Empidonax at 7:36 AM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Empidonax at 7:36 AM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
If you put out a bench, also put out a trash can and an ashtray to contain the trash people bring with them. That's the biggest problem with ours, after the broken trees/beheaded flowers (people like to pull at stuff they can reach) and the noise and drifting smoke after hours (bench = party after the bar down the street closes, though this may not be a problem for you.) During the day, the smoke is not that bad, since daytime people are more aware that the garden is here because people live here, not just for them. To avoid broken flowers (why do people just snap the heads? why?) I would do ornamental grasses around the bench and keep anything pretty nearer the house, or out of fiddling reach from the bench, or unappealing to pluck, like something with a bunch of bushy little flowers.
posted by blnkfrnk at 7:47 AM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by blnkfrnk at 7:47 AM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
A house in my neighborhood has a small fountain right out on the corner with a sign that says "canine water station" or "dogs welcome" or something similar. Definitely creates an inviting feel, you could a water have a trough you change daily if you don't want to mess with a fountain/pump/etc.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:48 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:48 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
As someone allergic to smelly plants I'd avoid your house if you planted a lot of strong smelling flowers. If you really want to encourage people to meet I'd put in two benches facing each other for more of a conversation area... if that's what you want. People are always talking under my window on the sidewalk and it's annoying to overhear people's conversations all day but perhaps your house is a lot farther back than mine.
posted by Bunglegirl at 7:59 AM on March 30, 2017
posted by Bunglegirl at 7:59 AM on March 30, 2017
If you want to grow food and share with the neighborhood, you could have a box or two near the sidewalk with something like tomatoes or zucchini or herbs and a sign there that says people are welcome to take a few things.
posted by bile and syntax at 8:06 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by bile and syntax at 8:06 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
My neighbor across the street created a three sided low fieldstone wall, just big enough for one person per side. The third side supports a 5 ft tall, 28 in wide thin black slab, with a box of chalk. She posts questions like: last day of snow on ground? Literal neighborhood conversations.
posted by Jesse the K at 8:07 AM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Jesse the K at 8:07 AM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
Oh and lilac and willow trees, if they'll grow where you are :) Swooping things in general
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:31 AM on March 30, 2017
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:31 AM on March 30, 2017
A suggestion for the space along your chain-link fence: hops? You could donate them to local breweries!
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:54 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:54 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
What zone are you in?
Chainlink fences are great for climbing vines, and climbing vines are great for destroying chainlink fences. You might go with some bamboo fencing on the inside of the fence, so that you won't see the chainlink when you're in the yard.
The most interesting yards in our neighborhood are those that are planted with natives, and those that are planted with well-tended raised beds in which food is grown. The lady that grows food in her front yard loves to talk to children about growing food, what grows in what season, and gives samples and seeds.
There's a lady in our neighborhood who is something of an artist, she likes to throw native seeds randomly throughout the yard to see what comes up where, and she likes to display eclectic pieces of art and found objects in the yard around the growing plants. I think some neighbors think her yard looks like it has a bunch of junk in it, and sometimes it does depending on the time of year, but when the blooms come in it is spectacular. I like to stop and talk to her when walking the kiddos so that they can see and sense the creativity and how it mixes with the natural world. She has stone pathways in her yard and invites the kids to come in and explore - when she is present. She's super touchy about the kids entering her yard if she isn't there. You might end up feeling the same way if you make the yard too inviting. It's still your private property, and you don't want people thinking they can come by and pick things (and potentially destroy your hard work) whenever they want.
posted by vignettist at 8:57 AM on March 30, 2017
Chainlink fences are great for climbing vines, and climbing vines are great for destroying chainlink fences. You might go with some bamboo fencing on the inside of the fence, so that you won't see the chainlink when you're in the yard.
The most interesting yards in our neighborhood are those that are planted with natives, and those that are planted with well-tended raised beds in which food is grown. The lady that grows food in her front yard loves to talk to children about growing food, what grows in what season, and gives samples and seeds.
There's a lady in our neighborhood who is something of an artist, she likes to throw native seeds randomly throughout the yard to see what comes up where, and she likes to display eclectic pieces of art and found objects in the yard around the growing plants. I think some neighbors think her yard looks like it has a bunch of junk in it, and sometimes it does depending on the time of year, but when the blooms come in it is spectacular. I like to stop and talk to her when walking the kiddos so that they can see and sense the creativity and how it mixes with the natural world. She has stone pathways in her yard and invites the kids to come in and explore - when she is present. She's super touchy about the kids entering her yard if she isn't there. You might end up feeling the same way if you make the yard too inviting. It's still your private property, and you don't want people thinking they can come by and pick things (and potentially destroy your hard work) whenever they want.
posted by vignettist at 8:57 AM on March 30, 2017
Realizing that strong orders are not for everyone, lilacs, viburnum or mock orange are things we've planted near our windows and sidewalks.
The previous occupant had a chunk of old chain link fence that had grapes planted on it. We've also added clematis.
It can be nice to have something blooming as something else is fading, crocus -> daffodyls -> iris -> day lilies -> cone flower ->chrysanthemums.
Echoing the soil concerns above, and what hardiness zone (USDA local equivalent) are you in?
posted by a person of few words at 9:05 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
The previous occupant had a chunk of old chain link fence that had grapes planted on it. We've also added clematis.
It can be nice to have something blooming as something else is fading, crocus -> daffodyls -> iris -> day lilies -> cone flower ->chrysanthemums.
Echoing the soil concerns above, and what hardiness zone (USDA local equivalent) are you in?
posted by a person of few words at 9:05 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I'm in Zone 6b, and while I'm here just wanted to note that my neighborhood is 100% residential and once it's night, there's little to no foot traffic. No bar overflow.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:13 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:13 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
I will go out of my way on a spring or summer evening to walk by a home that has night blooming jasmine in the front yard.
posted by pazazygeek at 9:19 AM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by pazazygeek at 9:19 AM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Edible Landscaping by Rosalind Creasy might be a useful reference. I have the first edition, don't know how
much was changed in the second, but the variety suggestions in my copy are probably somewhat dated as
so many new one have been developed. I would be careful about planting berries near any paths since the thorns are painful and damaging to clothes if you brush against them (but I can't bear to extirpate them).
Regarding catnip: My plant was being grazed to the ground so I put a chicken wire cage around it and any
growth outside the cage is fair game but the plant survives inside and the wire is inconspicuous until winter.
posted by Botanizer at 9:20 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
much was changed in the second, but the variety suggestions in my copy are probably somewhat dated as
so many new one have been developed. I would be careful about planting berries near any paths since the thorns are painful and damaging to clothes if you brush against them (but I can't bear to extirpate them).
Regarding catnip: My plant was being grazed to the ground so I put a chicken wire cage around it and any
growth outside the cage is fair game but the plant survives inside and the wire is inconspicuous until winter.
posted by Botanizer at 9:20 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sunflowers. They grow quickly and are showy and enormous. Also dead cheap. They would be an excellent start if there is a sunny area in easy view of the street that is not too windy. They make a good temporary fence or boundary marker.
posted by Jane the Brown at 9:25 AM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Jane the Brown at 9:25 AM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Also, rowans <3 <3 <3
posted by cotton dress sock at 9:25 AM on March 30, 2017
posted by cotton dress sock at 9:25 AM on March 30, 2017
Yes, sunflowers! If you do the giant kind you'll need to stake them up (slightly unsightly, but maybe the fence will help) but they'll be very impressive, and will also attract birds, which is either awesome or messy depending on perspective. One summer my neighbor grew 2 giant sunflowers, on either side of her front steps, and I had (with no pre-planning) chosen to plant an assortment of 5-6ft multi-color yellow/orange/red/black sunflowers along the wall of my house (because I'd just planted new bushes and I needed some height to balance their tiny babiness). Everybody in the (admittedly not large) town seemed to be able to identify our street - I mentioned where I lived to my dentist, and she said, "oh, on the block with the sunflowers?"
posted by aimedwander at 9:38 AM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by aimedwander at 9:38 AM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
I was just going to say sunflowers too! I had a volunteer sunflower in my community garden plot last summer, and everybody thought it was just the greatest thing. Kids especially.
posted by gueneverey at 9:43 AM on March 30, 2017
posted by gueneverey at 9:43 AM on March 30, 2017
I think a 'giant garden' would be neat -- elephant ears, a single ginormous pumpkin, that kind of thing.
There's a commercial weight scale business in a neighborhood not too far from me, and apparently the owner lives nearby, because there's a house with a large scale installed at the corner of the yard, just hop up and weigh yourself. Along those lines, some kind of interactive garden feature? Fun house mirror, sundial, ball 'n ramp sculpture, etc?
posted by Bron at 9:46 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
There's a commercial weight scale business in a neighborhood not too far from me, and apparently the owner lives nearby, because there's a house with a large scale installed at the corner of the yard, just hop up and weigh yourself. Along those lines, some kind of interactive garden feature? Fun house mirror, sundial, ball 'n ramp sculpture, etc?
posted by Bron at 9:46 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Be careful with sunflowers.
They can discourage or kill other plants.
Here is a list of plants that might be OK with sunflowers.
posted by amtho at 10:32 AM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
They can discourage or kill other plants.
Here is a list of plants that might be OK with sunflowers.
posted by amtho at 10:32 AM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Our neighbor puts out his extra veggies all summer (which are amazing), and it's a totally cool thing to come home from an early evening walk with a free cucumber or zucchini.
One of the neighbors near where I grew up had giant hollyhocks along the outside of the alley fence, and they were gorgeous. But yeah, hops look cool, and will certainly generate conversation with any passing home brewers.
How about small signs indicating what each of the plants are, and what they are for?
And a small chalkboard with a new saying every week would be sweet, especially if you leave chalk and some blank space. (Probably needs a small overhang to keep the rain off.)
posted by wenestvedt at 11:52 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
One of the neighbors near where I grew up had giant hollyhocks along the outside of the alley fence, and they were gorgeous. But yeah, hops look cool, and will certainly generate conversation with any passing home brewers.
How about small signs indicating what each of the plants are, and what they are for?
And a small chalkboard with a new saying every week would be sweet, especially if you leave chalk and some blank space. (Probably needs a small overhang to keep the rain off.)
posted by wenestvedt at 11:52 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Red raspberries are grand. You can probably bet someone to give you a few for free and they will spread nicely. Lathams are a variety that bear twice a year and have good disease resistance. Good for you!
posted by haikuku at 12:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by haikuku at 12:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
One of the houses in my neighborhood has a section of yard devoted to native prairie species, with a little plaque describing it. I think it's quite charming! You could do something similar with species native to your area.
posted by dbx at 12:42 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by dbx at 12:42 PM on March 30, 2017
How about small signs indicating what each of the plants are, and what they are for?
Argh, can't remember where I saw this recently, but tiny staged scenes featuring plastic toy dinosaurs (or other cheap and cheerful toys). You can let them explain your plantings!
Land Of The Giants Kids Garden might be a fun way to achieve Bron's suggestion.
posted by MonkeyToes at 12:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Argh, can't remember where I saw this recently, but tiny staged scenes featuring plastic toy dinosaurs (or other cheap and cheerful toys). You can let them explain your plantings!
Land Of The Giants Kids Garden might be a fun way to achieve Bron's suggestion.
posted by MonkeyToes at 12:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm in 6a and I have a little edible cottage garden. It's always nice to see the kids come across the street (there's a school) and steal my raspberries and blueberries. I have thyme and sweet peas as ground cover and showy mustard greens that i think look pretty ornamental.
Scarlet runner beans cover my chainlink fences and are 100% edible - the leaves and the green pods, and then once they dry out you can cook them like black beans. They have beautiful flowers and they attract pollinators and hummingbirds. You've got a few weeks before you'd have to put them in the ground.
I'd be careful about sharing veggies on the sidewalk - it's a very nice idea but if you've got foot traffic you probably also have dogs and no one wants to eat dog pee zucchini, you know?
Other than that I focus on native plants and things that will help pollinators. I don't know where you're at, but in PA it's things like coneflowers, catmint/nip, aster, bachelor button (which is an evergreen and will flower all summer. They don't spread!), milkweed, and hyssop. When people ask me about my yard, they get really excited when they find out most of it is edible and it doesn't look like a farm with rows. I've shared seeds and you can see pollinator plants popping up all over the neighborhood now that people realize they can do it without planting ugly weeds.
Over the past few years it's been really nice to see the pollinators and birds bounce back in my area and I feel like I'm at least a part of that. I also find people will just stop and chat in front of our house. We're near the corner and I like to hope it's because it's a nice place to stop.
posted by Bistyfrass at 1:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Scarlet runner beans cover my chainlink fences and are 100% edible - the leaves and the green pods, and then once they dry out you can cook them like black beans. They have beautiful flowers and they attract pollinators and hummingbirds. You've got a few weeks before you'd have to put them in the ground.
I'd be careful about sharing veggies on the sidewalk - it's a very nice idea but if you've got foot traffic you probably also have dogs and no one wants to eat dog pee zucchini, you know?
Other than that I focus on native plants and things that will help pollinators. I don't know where you're at, but in PA it's things like coneflowers, catmint/nip, aster, bachelor button (which is an evergreen and will flower all summer. They don't spread!), milkweed, and hyssop. When people ask me about my yard, they get really excited when they find out most of it is edible and it doesn't look like a farm with rows. I've shared seeds and you can see pollinator plants popping up all over the neighborhood now that people realize they can do it without planting ugly weeds.
Over the past few years it's been really nice to see the pollinators and birds bounce back in my area and I feel like I'm at least a part of that. I also find people will just stop and chat in front of our house. We're near the corner and I like to hope it's because it's a nice place to stop.
posted by Bistyfrass at 1:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
A stand for extra veggies (or one of our neighbors has a Little Free Pantry with food for those who need it)
An awesome geocache-another neighbor has a corny ornamental well and you have to wind up the handle to pull the geocache out.
posted by purenitrous at 6:11 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
An awesome geocache-another neighbor has a corny ornamental well and you have to wind up the handle to pull the geocache out.
posted by purenitrous at 6:11 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
I think this might be stupidly expensive, but an artificial stream that runs down the side yard, with a pond at the bottom with frogs and dragonflies (and a pump to send the water back up the top). A night garden, with white, night flowering species like moonflower and nicotiana. Solar powered light up gnome houses? I like the idea of a path side food garden that people can help themselves from but I think this can depend on your neighbourhood and how worried you are about dogs weeing on plants (although I can't find it, I think I read that this isn't nearly the problem it might seem, plus people should wash vegies grown near roads anyway and not eat the dirt). Butterfly and hummingbird garden? Some other kind of themed garden (perhaps not poisoners garden, cool as they are), but what about Shakespeare or a colour theme, or a country?
posted by glitter at 10:13 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by glitter at 10:13 PM on March 30, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Mouse Army at 6:52 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]