Low Maintenance Ditch Options

fitzie79 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 23 Feb 2011 Posts: 4

I have a ditch along the front and side of my house that is basically overgrown. It's unsightly and takes a lot of maintenance. I have seen Black weed barrier placed over an entire ditch in a few houses around the countryside with some ground cover plants planted along it. This seems like a good option. Had anyone here used this before? Is it a diy job or is there someone in the Cork area you would recommend? How much per meter does it cost roughly?

sgmgarden · Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 1:48 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately it is not something I have seen myself before. Have you tried visiting your local garden centre to see if they can help you with the likes of measurements and prices? I'm not even sure if they sell it but you could always phone and ask first. I hope you get the information you are looking for Smile

tippben · Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 7:33 pm Post subject:

It's expensive. 1m x 20m is about 30 euros. Then you have to buy some sort of covering (bark chips or gravel), then buy your plants, compost, feed, and it will still need watering and weeding at the least. When you say "overgrown", what exactly, is growing there?

kindredspirit · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 5:20 am Post subject:

I've seen this done this year in Johnsbridge, Cork.

I presume by "ditch" you mean "bank". They ran the black plastic all along the bank in March, cut holes in it and planted Vinca. The bank is completely coved in Vinca now and looks very well. No weeding at all.

Geranimojess · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:55 am Post subject:

I had a similar problem and the cost of Membrane was prohibitive to cover the area...my local friendly Builder Supplier suggested " Builders Plastic " very cheap and effective and it was........and years later still is....

Strim the area as best you can and lay the Plastic, cutting as required... the only weeding in that area is the odd one that surfaces where you have planted...and as suggested cover it in Bark / Stone...

Sive · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 8:14 am Post subject:

Does this kind of solution not cause problems when the membrane or plastic starts to disintegrate, as it surely must at some point ?

Geranimojess · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 6:35 pm Post subject:

Yes Sive...but I'll be pushing up the Daisies by that time...mean and selfish I know but Young at Heart I may feel but the other parts are aging and " When needs must " its the only alternative to Membrane...Sorry....