Grass or other solution for difficult double hell strip

8 years ago

We live on a fairly busy street that allows parking on both sides. There is a good deal of foot traffic on our sidewalk, including plenty of dog walkers who don't clean up after their pets. We have the standard hell strip (50'x4') between the road and sidewalk, which sees a fair amount of foot traffic due to people parking there and exiting their cars into the hell strip. On the other side of the sidewalk, we have another strip about 5' deep in front of a retaining wall. People generally don't walk on this strip, but they sure do let their dogs go there. I walk on it myself occasionally, though, to access plants I have growing on the slope behind the wall. Both are in full sun.

Anyway, both of these strips are currently planted with grass, but mowing is kind of a pain in the butt because we have to carry the mower down a large set of stairs. Also, the dog poop. :( Anyway, I have been considering replacing the grass with creeping thyme or another walkable ground cover, but I'm not sure it can stand up to dog pee. Honestly, the grass that's there now isn't thriving with the pee! Is there a miraculous plant or variety of grass that will withstand some foot traffic, not require mowing (or at least not frequent mowing) and not die at the first sign of pee? Or a plant that will gently discourage dogs from coming onto our strips? I can put up low fencing around the strip in front of the retaining wall, but not the strip between street and sidewalk. Not sure I love the idea/look of that, but it would at least prevent some of the dog damage. Thanks for your help!

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dchall_san_antonio

8 years ago

This doesn't sound conducive to a lawn. These people who park there and exit the cars onto the strip...are they friends of yours of are they visiting someone else? If they were not friends I would put up a bank of Knock-Out Roses on both sides of the sidewalk with plenty of mulch underneath. If they are friends, then grass should work. Dog pee burns are caused by excess nitrogen from the urine. A quick solution to that is to scatter table sugar over the area. Over a longer term you might simply spray liquid molasses (diluted of course) over the area every couple of weeks. The dilution doesn't much matter but 3 ounces per gallon of water should be fine and will go through the sprayer. If you use a hose end sprayer, then you have to dilute it going into the bottle or it will gum up the sprayer. The sugar works by causing the bacteria in the soil to populate. Those bacteria are the critters that will process the organic nitrogen from the urine and keep the plants from yellowing. Once the bacteria levels are right, then the urine becomes fertilizer and will result in green spots in the grass.

That area is small enough you could keep it manicured with a string trimmer. I used to use one of those for my entire front lawn. You can swing the trimmer in a 10 foot arc so it really goes fast. But don't go crazy. The grass should be 4 inches tall after mowing.

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Comments (6)

User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
There are quite a few ornamental grasses that can tolerate dog urine. Other plants, too ... google ‘plants that withstand dog urine’.

I just did two hell strip beds (on either side of driveway, conditions like yours with dog walkers/parking/kids) and have noticed people are being more considerate now since I planted. I planted Mexican Feather Grass, Salvia Greggiis, and several other perennials mixed with decorative rock and mulch.
biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) thanked User
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biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley)
Original Author
8 years ago
Unfortunately, the people parking in front of the house are always strangers - there are quite a few apartment buildings mixed with single family homes along our street, so overflow cars from the apartments park along the street. I am actually waiting to hear back from the city regarding what I can and can't plant on the strip between curb and sidewalk, but I'm guessing that roses might not be allowed. I have looked at creeping thyme as a lawn alternative, but it is apparently easily damaged by dog pee and I don't want to have to babysit the area to keep it looking decent. I'm now considering a no-mow grass mix or buffalo grass, both reputed to be a bit more pee resistant. Or maybe killing the lawn, mulching the area and planting a few tufts of mondo grass or liriope for decorating would be a better plan. Do dogs like to poop in mulch? ;)
biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley)
Original Author
8 years ago
Miz_G, I saw your photos on the other hell strip thread - your space looks great! Glad to know people have been considerate of your plantings. Do you find the mulch is staying in place well for you? I was worried about it getting kicked out onto the sidewalk or into the street.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Thank you!

The mulch has stayed very well ... I had a just little bit escape one time, but we were having very heavy, gully washing storms that day. Other rains, wind, traffic, etc, hasn’t moved it at all. And you could do a stone border around (or other edging) if it became a problem. I edged part of it in stone (the sidewalk side) and I think that has helped with foot traffic and dogs. I did dig the bed to be lower before adding mulch ... I think that helped, too.
biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) thanked User
dchall_san_antonio
8 years ago
Mulch is a great idea. I recently took delivery of free mulch from a local tree trimmer. I asked nicely and waited patiently until he came through with about 3 yards several weeks later.
biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) thanked dchall_san_antonio