Gardening | Some cures for the parking strip between yard and road

Gardeners repeatedly refer to the space between the sidewalk and the curb as the hell strip. More kindly, one might call it a parking strip. It is the generally the most neglected and abused area of the landscape.

This front-and-center spot is subject to foot traffic, paw traffic, trash and dog waste, and perhaps bicycle and skateboard activity, too.

The strip offers vegetation a restricted root zone filled with poor, contaminated and compacted soil. It is typically poor draining, lacking in nutrients and packed with weeds and weed seeds. It gets too much or too little water and is surrounded by hard surfaces that intensify summer heat. Water easily runs off because compaction prevents it from soaking into the ground.

A homes mailbox is often located on the parking strip. If there is no sidewalk the mailbox exists in the spot where the driveway and road meet. The mailbox is surrounded by many of the same difficulties that beset the parking strip heat radiating from the pavement, contaminated and compacted soil, weeds, and exhaust fumes.

It would be easier to ignore a small area with so many problems rather than deal with it. However, the strip is usually the first part of our landscapes people see as they approach our homes. It can diminish or enhance curb appeal. However, the problem is readily solved with a small, specialized garden.

To develop a parking strip garden, create one or more short paths as a walk-through for people to get from the street to the sidewalk. When people park on the street they look for that access. Mulch, stepping stones and gravel all work well for the surface of the paths. You might also try plants like thyme or Ajuga (bugleweed) that can withstand light foot traffic.

Choose plants that are consistent with your landscape as well as the neighborhood street scape. (Homeowners associations restrictions may be a consideration.) Plan to use low-growing plant material so you can see cars, adults, children and pets as you back out of your driveway.

Small evergreen juniper and cypress shrubs make good anchors for the garden. The intense heat that radiates from cement and pavement makes tough, heat- and drought-tolerant plants a necessity. Carex, catmint (nepeta), dianthus, lirope, mondo grass, phlox, prostrate rosemary, santolina, various sedums and thyme are plants worth considering for the challenging spot. Stella DOro daylilies are an attractive groundcover if you dont have a deer problem. Ajuga offers a number of leaf color options for a shady location.

Keep in mind that your garden soil must be improved before you plant. If you dont have irrigation you will need to get water to your plants while they establish and during drought.

Mulch should end just below curb level so it does not wash into the street. Dense ground cover, gravel or a combination are alternatives to mulch.

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Gardening | Some cures for the parking strip between yard and road