How to Landscape Between the Foundation & the Sidewalk
Landscaping the narrow strip between the house foundation and a sidewalk is an interesting challenge for a homeowner. While the area may be narrow, hot and dry, all these problems are easily resolved with a little creativity and planning, compost, a drip watering system and appropriate plants for that particular microclimate. For example, a sunny, south-facing wall is the ideal location for an espalier fruit tree, bush tomatoes and an assortment of perennials, annuals, bulbs and vegetables. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Graph paper
- Highlighter pens
- Shovel
- Garden hose
- Compost
- Drip watering system
- Dwarf fruit tree
- Eyehook screws
- Wire
- Mulch
- Bush tomatoes
- Perennials
- Bulbs
- Annuals
Instructions
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1
Measure the area between the foundation and the sidewalk. Using one square per foot, transfer the width and depth of the space to the graph paper. Note the sun and wind direction, using the highlighter pens. Indicate the location of the espalier fruit tree.
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2
Screw the eyehooks into the wall at the center point of the espalier tree and 6 feet to each side, rising at 2-foot intervals. Wind the wire around the first hook, then extend it back and forth across the wall, making four to six horizontal rows.
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3
Dig a 2-foot deep hole for the fruit tree next to the foundation. Fill it with water from the garden hose and time how long it takes for the water to soak into the soil. If the water drains rapidly, the tree will require more water at shorter intervals to thrive. If the soil drains slowly, consider building a planter box or mounding the soil to provide better drainage.
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4
Remove the plastic wrapper or grower's pot from the dwarf fruit tree's roots. Carefully unwrap any roots encircling the root ball. Prune the front and back of the tree, leaving only the branches extending to the sides.
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5
Slide the tree into the hole, spreading the roots across the soil. Backfill with the excavated soil, tamping firmly. Water thoroughly.
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6
Remove all branches below the bottom wire of the trellis. Tie the stem and branches to the trellis with plant ties. As the tree grows, continue pruning, tying and shaping so the branches conform to the trellis system.
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7
Dig planting holes for the tomatoes, at least 6 feet from the tree. Mix compost with the excavated soil. Plant the tomatoes deep, with only the last two sets of leaves above the ground. Backfill, tamping gently around the stem.
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8
Plant an assortment of perennials, bulbs and shallow-rooted annuals such as iris, cosmos, geraniums, daffodils, poppies and native grasses along the remainder of the foundation. Do not plant in rows, plant in clumps of three to five to provide a natural appearance.
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9
Unroll the drip-watering hose and arrange along the planting bed, with at least one emitter at each plant and three on each side of the tree, under the espalier wires. Water thoroughly.
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10
Cover the planting bed with 3 inches of mulch, pulling it back 3 inches from the stems of the plants.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact the local agricultural extension office for information on plants that thrive in your area.
Water when the soil under the compost is dry to the touch.
Do not add fertilizer unless the soil is extremely poor; you do not want the plants to outgrow the space.
The soil between the foundation and sidewalk may be full of construction debris. If it is, remove as much soil as possible and replace with soil from another part of the yard.
Wear gloves and safety glasses when working with the shovel, drill and wires.
Use a ladder when screwing the eye hooks into the wall; have a helper hold the ladder securely in place.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
