Forum home› Garden design
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Wildflower verge

sclarkson12301075sclarkson12301075 Posts: 3
in Garden design
We have a grass verge outside our property which we’ve kept mown, but it seems to attract every dogwalker in the village and is constantly getting used as a dog toilet. I’d like to make a wild flower verge to deter them and also,obviously,to encourage wildlife. I’m trying to find out if we’re allowed to do this, but have had no reply from parish and county council. There would be no obstruction to traffic or walkers etc. Can anyone offer advice please? 
Sue

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'm not sure of the best way to deal with this @sclarkson12301075, but I doubt wildflowers would stop these manky people.
    Perhaps you could contact the council again, and just say if you can't put some planting out there, can they send someone round every day instead to clear up the mess?
    Maybe you'd get an answer then!
    I know how disgusting it is. I walk around 6 miles every day, and there isn't a single day you don't see a fresh 'pile', no matter which route you take. I had to contact the council recently as there was a huge pile within view of my windows, beside the front garden. I didn't realise they'd send a bloke with the machine for cleaning pavements/footpaths. I was out in the front garden earlier, and went back in via the pavement to the rear gate - yes, another pile about 10 feet away from where that one had been. There had also been one further along, on the corner,  which I mentioned to the bloke, but it had largely disappeared in the rain. I'm positive it's all down to the same feckless owner.  >:)

    I hope you can resolve it though. Seriously jaggy shrubs would do a better job, but that's going to be more expensive. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • sclarkson12301075sclarkson12301075 Posts: 3
    Thanks for that, and I’m sorry that you suffer too from inconsiderate dog owners. It really is a problem isn’t it? I’m seriously considering the thorniest of bushes! My husband is just refusing to mow it anymore, sick of cleaning dog muck off the mower. 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I would encourage you just to go for it. People can let you know if there is any problem, in the future. I have done public planting / guerilla gardening (type thing) for about eight years and I find that people will stomp and let their animals dump where there is verdage less than about 40cm tall. Lower than that and people don't even seem to notice plants are there - they are lost in thought or on their phones or just oblivious. Don't get too attached to outcomes or you will lose your faith in humanity.

    So - go taller rather than shorter. If you can find something that will stay green over the winter, that will help cover that time if placed strategically. A purely "wildflower verge" might only be flowering for four or five months of the year. Wildflowers can be tough to establish in pre-existing grass sward.

    I have also found that formally marking the space really helps with places getting trashed. If you can clearly let passers by know that the space is being intentionally tended it does help to wake them up a bit. I use signs. Other patches we have locally without signs tend to have things stolen or mollocked and have lots of dog mess. Don't make yours a liminal space.

    Consider edging the patch, if that might be suitable and not present a trip hazard.

    My local public planting efforts are logged here.



  • sclarkson12301075sclarkson12301075 Posts: 3
    That’s really helpful, thanks a lot! I think we’re in danger of being cowed by the authorities into thinking we can’t do anything! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just be aware that if you start randomly planting stuff and people object, you'll be in bother.  Obviously, it's fine if the verge is your property, but if it isn't, it can be problematic. I know people who've had that situation    :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited 18 February
    It depends. Our (London) council, for all its many faults, are very encouraging of community planting projects. At one point they gave grants for people to start little patches. Our councillors live on the road where the main patch is and love it. We have a strong history locally of volunteer-tended patches.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I don't think wildflowers would deter them, but it will conceal the poo better than short grass. However that might lead people to be even less likely to pick up after their dog (out of sight, out of mind). And my greyhound actively prefers to back up to prickly plants to do his business, not sure why, but it makes life difficult collecting his crap.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
Sign In or Register to comment.