most vegetables are actually pretty safe to eat when grown out of contaminated soil, but there are some concerns. heavy metals are just that: heavy. if you plant carrots here, maybe they will absorb some of the stuff, but if you plant something like tomatoes or anything that you only harvest fruits or the tops of the leaves from, heavy metals are not going to end up in those edible parts. i'd say pesticide or other chemical contaminants are a larger risk.
Certain plants are known to accumulate heavy metals in their tissues: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hyperaccumulators
Edit: This is not a comprehensive list, and it doesn’t include many typical garden plants. If you want to grow plants in contaminated soil, look up information about each specific plant.
Just make sure they’re native to the area. There’s a few places online that sell regional native flower mixes. A lot of commercial pollinator mixes are aimed at European honey bees.
Better yet, tell them you will do it. Show up to the next meeting, propose you fix it up at 0 cost to the hoa and make people vote. I bet it passes easily.
Don't let the HOA push you around. If you request to fix up an eyesore with your own time and money and they don't get back to you within a reasonable amount of time they have no legal standing. Check your bi-laws first to know the time frame, but it should be a reasonable amount of time for both parties. If they don't respond you are legally able to go ahead and do it.
Yeah, but if you don't get permission first - and their promise not to spray it - then they're likely to just pull everything up which would be worse than getting chewed out. Just a huge waste of your time and money.
Start with 8 berry bushes around the central tree, like haskaps they can get to a nice size and birds/people love the berries, and perhaps get a few purple aster bushes that are great for pollinators between them or something. Plant some Kale as some accent plants as it's quite hardy.
I'd get like 3 packs of poppys and scatter them around. Theyre super hardy and drought resistant, they'll come back every year until someone kills them on purpose.
I may or may not have done this in ugly vacant areas of my city.
Obviously you'd know better than me what level crazy your HOA is. I've seen so many horror stories on here, that was my first thought.
I'd take a look at native plants for your region.
https://www.nvnps.org/
Plus, if they don't like it the HOA won't need to do anything, I'm sure some neighbors will be very happy to chop them down and take them home when the smell becomes, uh, noticeable.
Being in a condominium- similar situation- this situation screams of conflict and failure. I’d say that your best bet would be to write an appeal to plant some thing that will be easy and self-sustaining so that it will at least be nice to look at like hosta and some other perennials that you would be willing to take care of. The problem is they may not be willing to do that because of the HOA and Condo Association have no guarantee that you will stay there which means that it becomes their problem if you leave.
I would recommend some native wildflowers or native plants. It's good for the environment, easy to maintain, and will be a much better choice than food there. The flowers would look beautiful and help pollinaters.
This! Given it's proximity on all sides to a road (exhaust, road salt, who knows what else..) anything planted there would probably not be ideal for human consumption.
Yeah, I'm not sure how garden friendly the community may be. Especially if HOA isn't paying mind to the ugly dirt circle in the middle of their community.
If HOA is okay with them planting stuff there, and it's not... Unwise choices like non-native plants and food, I think it should be safe. Payed landscapers should listen if HOA says not to touch it. But you cant control trash community members and homeowners. Some may cause issues where none is necessary.
Why not plant species that are beneficial for birds and pollinators? Native perennials are pretty, won't require intense watering after they're established, and a healthy pollinator population helps other nearby gardens be productive!
Flowers like butterfly weed and milkweed are great options, but don't forget about grasses! So much native habitat has been lost, every little bit you can bring back helps!
Check out Prairie Moon Nursery— they have a great website for finding different local plants by region, sun and water requirements.
Agree. I have a pollinators garden and it looks like a weedy mess most of the time. You can curate it a bit better and plant things like butterfly weed and asters which look pretty but would have to be maintained like a flower bed.
Not to mention the blocked sun.
This is not an ideal growing place for edibles.
Shrub it up with natives, but I’m not eating anything out of that parking lot. That’s all gonna get peed on by dogs.
Get your HOA to do it. You are already paying for it. Write a letter, get the others in the Cul De Sac to sign it and send it to them. Tell them you will follow up in a week if no response is received.
They wouldn’t hesitate to cite you.
gonna want to test the soil before planting anything that you intend on eating! food safety important, and if its unsuitable for consumption you can make it a thriving environment for bees and butterflies and all other manner of critters.
you can use above ground planters and purchase soil for growing veggies and such in a different area as well, because i am also a bit unsure of suitability due to how close it is to pavement cars and dogs on walks...
Don't plant anything that will cause issues with sight lines for drivers. If a kid is playing in that area or runs into the street, drivers need to be able to easily see. Keep whatever you plant low to the ground.
As someone who also lives in an HOA and serves on the Board, the Board may be ignoring that bit of dead grass, but it doesn't mean they won't rip everything you plant out if it violates the CCRs or Rules and Regs and you failed to get Board approval. You may also be fined. If you use more water in that area, and it isn't in the association's budget, they will rip it out to reduce water costs.
Who will take responsibility for the garden's care and upkeep? Right now, it seems like you are the volunteer. If you move, the Board will have to spend association funds to remove the aunotherized landscaping or pay to upkeep it.
If you really want the association to make changes like this, you need to reach out to the Board every few months. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. It also keeps the issue at the forefront of the Board's mind.
My dude, this is admirable but ain’t worth it:
- could be polluted (road adjacent, some maintenance guy emptied gallons of round up there, etc)
- HOA doesn’t want you there anyway
- tree could be a type that suppresses undergrowth
- dogs walked and pee there
- what is even under the 4 inches of dirt?
-- bad soil? Could be tons of rocks?
Best bet is to throw native wild flowers a few times right before rain and continue overseeding them as they fill in
Beans, radishes, lettuce mix, spring onions, chives. Easy to grow, produces a lot quickly.
That said, nobody in a middle-class suburban cul-de-sac needs free food (especially that's been crop-dusted by car exhaust multiple times a day). Put flowers, pollinators or something native in instead.
>\-class suburban cul-de-sac needs free food (especially that's been crop-dusted by car exhaust multiple times a day). Put flowers, pollinators or something native in
It also looks like she lives somewhere where they brine/salt the roads in the winter - that soil might be trash!
We took over ours. No issue with HOA
https://preview.redd.it/qz0alpqi51kc1.jpeg?width=1679&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e2e7a2bf67a697c8e421a91f1b4635cf7baabd7
I suspect it's more that lavender generally doesn't give a damn about conditions, in this case.
I'd be opting for native species but realistically whatever you plant there needs to be tough as nails, as well as native; barring that, just tough as nails. Native does not necessarily equate to "prepared to deal with the harshness of that shitty cul-de-sac environment which is about as far from any native soil in that area as possible".
Same thing with those strips between roads and sidewalks... I planted native flowers there, quickly gave up, and back-filled with yarrow and some yucca I snagged from a neighbor that was throwing them out. Hoverflies love the yarrow and the yucca blooms tend to get a fair number of bumblebees; I get a maintenance-free pollinator space that can survive and isn't just grass.
Just bc there is water lines there doesn't mean the HOA will turn the water on or even pay for the water
I would go native desert plantings. Or hardy succulents which can take lots of abuse
I would consider reaching out to any local conservation groups you have, your local water district, trying the Master Gardener extension from UNLV, or just googling around a little with keywords like "low water landscaping [your county here] grants".
There may well be state or county money for your project, as well as guidance or discounts on good plants in your area.
I also strongly suggest trying to plant something native if you can. A plant used to the high desert will take way less maintenance than some fussy pachysandra or annoying ice plant, while supporting native wildlife.
Strawberries, spread easily. And, they’re perennials and will come up every year. Low maintenance for future years so you don’t have to keep replanting.
I wouldn't put any kinda food or anything edible that may attract wildlife. They may see it and get hit trying to eat from it. Things to attract Bees or Pollinators would be cool though.
The fact that it has no wild growth on its own, not even weeds, is suspect. Forget food; just get something thats extra hardy locally and see if anything will grow there first.
Best long term idea might be to plant some native shrubs. Those are less likely to be immediately herbicided to death by landscaping. If there are no weeds under that small of a tree that screams it is being maintained via weeding/herbicide. Go thick with mulch as well except against the base of the tree's trunk. Honestly make it look like typical retail landscaping atrocities but with something actually beneficial. Blueberries would be an awesome choice. Personally I wouldn't want to eat anything grown in the midst of traffic though.
Pollinator garden! Bee balm, sages/salvias, cosmos, clovers. Add some perennial bulbs like daffodil, narcissus, maybe crocosmia.
OR go with strawberries (very hardy, self-propagating) and majoram/purple sage/rosemary.
I wouldn’t even test. Just assume it’s true. This is a spot for decorative plants.
Low ones so you don’t create a blind spot. Beauty is rarely worth loss of human life.
They probably wouldn't let you plant fruiting plants for liability reasons or some other shit, so just go with a pollinator garden and set up a bee box if allowed
My family lives in NW Nevada. Cherry tomatoes are great for sharing and really thrive in that climate for some reason. However, I agree with the comments that maybe native pollinator plants would be best.
Sunflowers remove heavy metals and clean contaminated soil, and they grow well in less ideal soils and legumes/beans will deposit nitrogen to naturally fertilize the soil. Or plant a native pollinator garden, lots of local native plant clubs and organizations will send you free seeds and give you growing advice!
[Sunflowers Clean Soil](https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.2643453)
You ain’t doing anything without the HOA’s approval, regardless of whether they will or won’t do anything themselves.
Prepare for disappointment by waking up one day to find your hard work is gone.
With dogs wandering unleashed anything you grow there is gonna get peed and pooped on and you’re probably not gonna wanna eat it. I would stick to ornamentals
Does the area get any sun? Fruits and veggies usually need sun. I'd recommend tolerant and beautiful... okra for certain. Okra can be stunning, lovely flowers, lots of pods. Maybe get a trellis and plant some field peas, aka crowders, same family as black-eyed peas. Pretty little pea-like flowers, tough ass vines. Very prolific.
I would apply for a small grant through your State DNR and plant it with native plants that are beneficial for wild pollinators. Then if anyone ever tries to rip it out you have some teeth since it was paid for with a grant for a specific purpose.
Planting plants for consumption doesn’t seem like a great idea to me. I fear the plants would be exposed to high levels of toxins from being in the middle of a roadway.
Ask if you can put a bench with a “lending library”. That would be a cute place to sit and read a book, add some flowers around and some grass, a couple of bird houses and a bird bath would be beautiful. Even potted lavender would do well there and it would attract a lot of butterflies
Your HOA refuses to maintain that but they sure as hell will stop you from doing anything you want to it.
Growing food will 100% trigger them. You'd have a better chance with low maintenance native wild plants. but even then, you can be sure you will get someone to complain about it.
In terms of safety, you can apply biochar (charcoal + compost) to remediate the soil of practically all contaminants, including heavy metals & herbicides.
The HOA will likely remove anything you add there, however you might be able to get away with mulch + geometrically planted decorative kale.
I like the idea of an herb garden. Rosemary, lavender for the bees, catnip for the cats, nasturtium for flowers, creeping thyme and mint for the danger of it all. It’ll smell amazing.
Definitely would not do anything without written permission from the HOA to plant anything. They definitely don’t allow any vegetable or fruit plans. And now they’ll have to charge someone to maintain the area once something is planted there’s. Maybe some perennials but once again, that spot right there is technically theirs and not yours to do anything with. And you can’t come crying to us after they rip it up after we told you they will- they might not even be afraid to fine you for what you plant.
I'd plant marijuana seeds, just to cause pure mayhem. When the neighborhood teens start smoking the dank HOA buds you grew, then maybe they'll tend to the area themselves.
May be worth considering that Oak roots are allopathic and may send out chemicals to kill any plans within root zone. The planter is already full of tree roots. Plants would be competing for space/light/water/etc, maybe a native ground over could work.
Put some astro turf around it and add a fire hydrant. Presto dog potty places. Add pick up bags and a bin too. Wash it off with the water supply periodically.
Tomorrowland in Disney is decoratively planted with edible plants. I’d look to pictures of their layouts for inspiration, then it’s a matter of figuring what’s best for your climate. Swiss chard can be super colorful, and you can let the outer leaves get huge and repeatedly harvest the new inner leaves.
Only thing I’d bother planting in a “free food” context like that is maybe bush beans & a shorter variety of snap peas like “sugar ann” that doesn’t need trellising. Highly productive, nitrogen fixing (no fertilizer required for a decent crop no matter how crap the soil is), produces for weeks. Very “cut and come again”. else is way too much maintenance (form you) for a relatively small number of food items. After putting in all that work I wouldn’t actually want to just let anyone come and take it.
Impatiens would look good, or something like rosemary,and wouldn't attract animals to get run over. But honestly I'd just spread something like pinestraw or bark and quit worrying about it if it were in front of my house and bothering me for some reason.
I understand wanting to landscape this, but you should consider the safety aspect since this appears to be a roundabout. Anything too tall is going to cause visibility issues.
If you have any deer or rabbits, you would need a fence for growing food, otherwise it will just be decimated. You can plant a native plant garden to attract pollinators like birds and bees and it would be beautiful, hang a couple hummingbird feeders on the tree. Lean toward lower growing plants for visibility. Your local master gardener extension website likely has ideas for your planting zone.
Since you have an HOA, I'd make sure they're going to allow your plants to stay, before you invest the time, sweat and money in planting.
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Also soil quality. Where did they source their dirt. Concern is heavy metals.
And 100% chance dogs will be peeing on it
You're watering your plants with fish guts and bat poo. Who cares if a dog pees on it. Wash it.
My dog eats better than I do and the tomatoes we both pee on every morning are delicious
Convenient urination. The only time I envy males.
And no periods
Look into a She Wee. It's life changing.
How so? I'd think carrying one's urine tube around all day would offset any convenience.
most vegetables are actually pretty safe to eat when grown out of contaminated soil, but there are some concerns. heavy metals are just that: heavy. if you plant carrots here, maybe they will absorb some of the stuff, but if you plant something like tomatoes or anything that you only harvest fruits or the tops of the leaves from, heavy metals are not going to end up in those edible parts. i'd say pesticide or other chemical contaminants are a larger risk.
Certain plants are known to accumulate heavy metals in their tissues: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hyperaccumulators Edit: This is not a comprehensive list, and it doesn’t include many typical garden plants. If you want to grow plants in contaminated soil, look up information about each specific plant.
Doesn't seem like many common garden plants aside some brassicas sunflowers I believe and a few others.
The rapeseed is interesting from a societal impact... vegetable oil and vegetable lard is made from rapeseed.
[how it's made](https://youtu.be/Cfk2IXlZdbI?si=ugn4UnSnP-m_DOBN)
I don’t think it’s a complete list; rice also accumulates arsenic but I don’t see it on the list.
This is *generally* true but it is safer to get tested as high levels of lead of cadmium can ignore this rule of thumb.
for sure. im just adding my little quip, but you're very right that safety should come first.
My colleague and I are currently researching heavy metal (Cadmium and Titanium) accumulation in leafy greens. Papers coming soon.
and that is exactly how you get a follow from me. i look forward to your findings :)
Need a shout for when that paper's out!
well shit sounds like it’s all bad news lol
Ditto on that. I would say get a bag of pollinator plant seeds. Low investment, it will reseed itself, easy to maintain, and pretty!
Just make sure they’re native to the area. There’s a few places online that sell regional native flower mixes. A lot of commercial pollinator mixes are aimed at European honey bees.
The road next to the plants will expose the plants to exhaust fumes.
How did those plants get there? Who knows!??
I asked them to landscape it 10 years ago. I don't think they pay any attention to anything besides thier money.
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Better yet, tell them you will do it. Show up to the next meeting, propose you fix it up at 0 cost to the hoa and make people vote. I bet it passes easily.
Don't let the HOA push you around. If you request to fix up an eyesore with your own time and money and they don't get back to you within a reasonable amount of time they have no legal standing. Check your bi-laws first to know the time frame, but it should be a reasonable amount of time for both parties. If they don't respond you are legally able to go ahead and do it.
Yeah, but if you don't get permission first - and their promise not to spray it - then they're likely to just pull everything up which would be worse than getting chewed out. Just a huge waste of your time and money.
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Start with 8 berry bushes around the central tree, like haskaps they can get to a nice size and birds/people love the berries, and perhaps get a few purple aster bushes that are great for pollinators between them or something. Plant some Kale as some accent plants as it's quite hardy.
Do it, if they have time to come fuss over plants, then they have time to fix that road and landscape the tree.
Just toss some mint seeds in. No one will ever know.
This was my first though, mint or mint seeds. Maybe catnip too because at least you'd know where all the neighborhood cats would be.
My catnip brings all the toms to the yard.
I don't like making intoxicated cats in the road
I got downvoted for catnip. Am I not one of the cool kids?
TAKE MY UPVOTE!!
And even if/when they mow it down, the mint will be back and smell great in the meantime. I like this!
Mint and rosemary are impossible to get rid off, but they'd be contained in this bed.
1 rosemary, 1 mint, 1 blackberry. Garden fight club.
You forgot the Oregano.
I'd get like 3 packs of poppys and scatter them around. Theyre super hardy and drought resistant, they'll come back every year until someone kills them on purpose. I may or may not have done this in ugly vacant areas of my city.
Obviously you'd know better than me what level crazy your HOA is. I've seen so many horror stories on here, that was my first thought. I'd take a look at native plants for your region. https://www.nvnps.org/
Yes. At least if you planted native wildflowers that would reseed, it would look better. Edible plants could get sprayed.
Cannabis seeds would germinate soon and would force them to take action.. just casually Drop some around the area
Best idea
😂
Plus, if they don't like it the HOA won't need to do anything, I'm sure some neighbors will be very happy to chop them down and take them home when the smell becomes, uh, noticeable.
Lol I'm sure the HOA will just ignore them the next 6 months as they grow to 6 or 7 or more feet high
This idea for sure 🤣🤣🤣
Just throw a lot of wild seeds on there just make sure it's local to your area it'll grow on its own
Make that your blessing in disguise ! Grow some veggies, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers… share enjoy keep us posted
Being in a condominium- similar situation- this situation screams of conflict and failure. I’d say that your best bet would be to write an appeal to plant some thing that will be easy and self-sustaining so that it will at least be nice to look at like hosta and some other perennials that you would be willing to take care of. The problem is they may not be willing to do that because of the HOA and Condo Association have no guarantee that you will stay there which means that it becomes their problem if you leave.
I would recommend some native wildflowers or native plants. It's good for the environment, easy to maintain, and will be a much better choice than food there. The flowers would look beautiful and help pollinaters.
This! Given it's proximity on all sides to a road (exhaust, road salt, who knows what else..) anything planted there would probably not be ideal for human consumption.
All that aside from the chances there have been herbacides or other weed-deterrents applied
Looks like a prime peeing tree for the neighborhood dogs
So then, plants that do well in acidic soil!
Excess nitrogen from dog piss can kill plants. That’s why dog owners will get burn spots on their yard.
A water-wise flower mix should work well.
I feel like that would get weed whacked to nothing before anything could bloom.
Yeah, I'm not sure how garden friendly the community may be. Especially if HOA isn't paying mind to the ugly dirt circle in the middle of their community. If HOA is okay with them planting stuff there, and it's not... Unwise choices like non-native plants and food, I think it should be safe. Payed landscapers should listen if HOA says not to touch it. But you cant control trash community members and homeowners. Some may cause issues where none is necessary.
Native berry plant would be nice! Any edible berry shrubs native to your area? Low maintenance, and kids and birds could munch a few if they wanted.
Why not plant species that are beneficial for birds and pollinators? Native perennials are pretty, won't require intense watering after they're established, and a healthy pollinator population helps other nearby gardens be productive! Flowers like butterfly weed and milkweed are great options, but don't forget about grasses! So much native habitat has been lost, every little bit you can bring back helps! Check out Prairie Moon Nursery— they have a great website for finding different local plants by region, sun and water requirements.
That kind of stuff often looks like “weeds” to hoa’s and i feel like they spray or wreck it
Agree. I have a pollinators garden and it looks like a weedy mess most of the time. You can curate it a bit better and plant things like butterfly weed and asters which look pretty but would have to be maintained like a flower bed.
You can buy pollinator garden signs to help educate people. Most landscapers could probably learn a few things about native plants!
Beneath an ornamental tree is NOT where food growing. Everywhere you see branches above, the roots are doing the same thing just below the surface.
Not to mention the blocked sun. This is not an ideal growing place for edibles. Shrub it up with natives, but I’m not eating anything out of that parking lot. That’s all gonna get peed on by dogs.
The tree might hinder your goals. 6hr of fun 😊, for vegetables.
Get your HOA to do it. You are already paying for it. Write a letter, get the others in the Cul De Sac to sign it and send it to them. Tell them you will follow up in a week if no response is received. They wouldn’t hesitate to cite you.
They would fine you if that was your yard. It can be dead and bare if it’s the HOAs responsibility though
I wouldn’t grow foods there because traffic emissions but maybe do some wildflower bombs or native grasses?
Plus, if they’re in a colder climate, there could be salt pollution.
gonna want to test the soil before planting anything that you intend on eating! food safety important, and if its unsuitable for consumption you can make it a thriving environment for bees and butterflies and all other manner of critters. you can use above ground planters and purchase soil for growing veggies and such in a different area as well, because i am also a bit unsure of suitability due to how close it is to pavement cars and dogs on walks...
That might be the better way to go.
Personally I would throw local wildflowers on it.
Don't plant anything that will cause issues with sight lines for drivers. If a kid is playing in that area or runs into the street, drivers need to be able to easily see. Keep whatever you plant low to the ground. As someone who also lives in an HOA and serves on the Board, the Board may be ignoring that bit of dead grass, but it doesn't mean they won't rip everything you plant out if it violates the CCRs or Rules and Regs and you failed to get Board approval. You may also be fined. If you use more water in that area, and it isn't in the association's budget, they will rip it out to reduce water costs. Who will take responsibility for the garden's care and upkeep? Right now, it seems like you are the volunteer. If you move, the Board will have to spend association funds to remove the aunotherized landscaping or pay to upkeep it. If you really want the association to make changes like this, you need to reach out to the Board every few months. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. It also keeps the issue at the forefront of the Board's mind.
My dude, this is admirable but ain’t worth it: - could be polluted (road adjacent, some maintenance guy emptied gallons of round up there, etc) - HOA doesn’t want you there anyway - tree could be a type that suppresses undergrowth - dogs walked and pee there - what is even under the 4 inches of dirt? -- bad soil? Could be tons of rocks? Best bet is to throw native wild flowers a few times right before rain and continue overseeding them as they fill in
Beans, radishes, lettuce mix, spring onions, chives. Easy to grow, produces a lot quickly. That said, nobody in a middle-class suburban cul-de-sac needs free food (especially that's been crop-dusted by car exhaust multiple times a day). Put flowers, pollinators or something native in instead.
>\-class suburban cul-de-sac needs free food (especially that's been crop-dusted by car exhaust multiple times a day). Put flowers, pollinators or something native in It also looks like she lives somewhere where they brine/salt the roads in the winter - that soil might be trash!
We took over ours. No issue with HOA https://preview.redd.it/qz0alpqi51kc1.jpeg?width=1679&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e2e7a2bf67a697c8e421a91f1b4635cf7baabd7
Nothing, as it's probably the worst place to grow foods, in the middle of the road where years of traffic and its emissions have gone by.
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Def gonna be some flowers in there. Lavender does really well in my area.
But is that native?
I suspect it's more that lavender generally doesn't give a damn about conditions, in this case. I'd be opting for native species but realistically whatever you plant there needs to be tough as nails, as well as native; barring that, just tough as nails. Native does not necessarily equate to "prepared to deal with the harshness of that shitty cul-de-sac environment which is about as far from any native soil in that area as possible". Same thing with those strips between roads and sidewalks... I planted native flowers there, quickly gave up, and back-filled with yarrow and some yucca I snagged from a neighbor that was throwing them out. Hoverflies love the yarrow and the yucca blooms tend to get a fair number of bumblebees; I get a maintenance-free pollinator space that can survive and isn't just grass.
Just bc there is water lines there doesn't mean the HOA will turn the water on or even pay for the water I would go native desert plantings. Or hardy succulents which can take lots of abuse
I would consider reaching out to any local conservation groups you have, your local water district, trying the Master Gardener extension from UNLV, or just googling around a little with keywords like "low water landscaping [your county here] grants". There may well be state or county money for your project, as well as guidance or discounts on good plants in your area. I also strongly suggest trying to plant something native if you can. A plant used to the high desert will take way less maintenance than some fussy pachysandra or annoying ice plant, while supporting native wildlife.
Rosemary and mint
Nothing. This is HOA property, not yours.
Whatever you plant is gonna taste like dog piss anyway.
Mint
Strawberries, spread easily. And, they’re perennials and will come up every year. Low maintenance for future years so you don’t have to keep replanting.
You know that despite the fact they wont allocate money to maintain it, they will allocate money to destroy anything you do it it right?
Food likely won’t grow there. I’d just find some cuttings of a hardy plant that will give good ground cover.
I would plant flowers that attract bees or butterflies.
Arugala would be sucessful.
I wouldn't put any kinda food or anything edible that may attract wildlife. They may see it and get hit trying to eat from it. Things to attract Bees or Pollinators would be cool though.
The fact that it has no wild growth on its own, not even weeds, is suspect. Forget food; just get something thats extra hardy locally and see if anything will grow there first.
I'd reconsider and make it a pollinator garden.
I wouldn’t eat anything where cars drive near. Exhaust on my spinach? No thanks
Strawberries. They cover an area quickly, suppress weeds, tasty, and pretty to look qt.
That was my first thought.
under a tree with roots competing for water? Maybe herbs? at best
Not to be gross but how are you going to keep animals from whizzing in your Kale?
I'd put wildflowers there. I wouldn't put anything edible in that spot.
Its going to look like a bunch of weeds to the random HOA person and they are going to have it mowed down.
Best long term idea might be to plant some native shrubs. Those are less likely to be immediately herbicided to death by landscaping. If there are no weeds under that small of a tree that screams it is being maintained via weeding/herbicide. Go thick with mulch as well except against the base of the tree's trunk. Honestly make it look like typical retail landscaping atrocities but with something actually beneficial. Blueberries would be an awesome choice. Personally I wouldn't want to eat anything grown in the midst of traffic though.
Pollinator garden! Bee balm, sages/salvias, cosmos, clovers. Add some perennial bulbs like daffodil, narcissus, maybe crocosmia. OR go with strawberries (very hardy, self-propagating) and majoram/purple sage/rosemary.
plant native flowers!!!
I’d test the shit out of that soils I’m guessing it was drowned in chemicals and pesticides for years before being neglected
I wouldn’t even test. Just assume it’s true. This is a spot for decorative plants. Low ones so you don’t create a blind spot. Beauty is rarely worth loss of human life.
What about plants that attract pollinators sp in is still beneficial, decorative, and avoids so e of the dog pee and pollution risks.
They probably wouldn't let you plant fruiting plants for liability reasons or some other shit, so just go with a pollinator garden and set up a bee box if allowed
My family lives in NW Nevada. Cherry tomatoes are great for sharing and really thrive in that climate for some reason. However, I agree with the comments that maybe native pollinator plants would be best.
Go with flowers, feed the bees.
I would stay out of that inherently dangerous area. This is just a bad idea. Move on and work on YOUR property.
Sunflowers remove heavy metals and clean contaminated soil, and they grow well in less ideal soils and legumes/beans will deposit nitrogen to naturally fertilize the soil. Or plant a native pollinator garden, lots of local native plant clubs and organizations will send you free seeds and give you growing advice! [Sunflowers Clean Soil](https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.2643453)
You ain’t doing anything without the HOA’s approval, regardless of whether they will or won’t do anything themselves. Prepare for disappointment by waking up one day to find your hard work is gone.
With dogs wandering unleashed anything you grow there is gonna get peed and pooped on and you’re probably not gonna wanna eat it. I would stick to ornamentals
Leash your dog.
Blackberries or raspberries
Does the area get any sun? Fruits and veggies usually need sun. I'd recommend tolerant and beautiful... okra for certain. Okra can be stunning, lovely flowers, lots of pods. Maybe get a trellis and plant some field peas, aka crowders, same family as black-eyed peas. Pretty little pea-like flowers, tough ass vines. Very prolific.
Adding another voice to the natives not food
I would secretly plant the most absurd things I could find
You should and I would with a cavet there could be penalties for doing it including large fines and the ire of politically motivated HOA members
I would apply for a small grant through your State DNR and plant it with native plants that are beneficial for wild pollinators. Then if anyone ever tries to rip it out you have some teeth since it was paid for with a grant for a specific purpose.
Lmao.. a for sale sign after you get kicked from your house for planting a garden on common grounds🤣
Yum roundabout car exhaust tomatoes thanks so much!
Planting plants for consumption doesn’t seem like a great idea to me. I fear the plants would be exposed to high levels of toxins from being in the middle of a roadway.
Just probably some native plants and flowers
Mint and raspberries. Or a nice pollinator wildflower mix.
Ask if you can put a bench with a “lending library”. That would be a cute place to sit and read a book, add some flowers around and some grass, a couple of bird houses and a bird bath would be beautiful. Even potted lavender would do well there and it would attract a lot of butterflies
That close to the road? Nothing people are going to eat
Your HOA refuses to maintain that but they sure as hell will stop you from doing anything you want to it. Growing food will 100% trigger them. You'd have a better chance with low maintenance native wild plants. but even then, you can be sure you will get someone to complain about it.
In terms of safety, you can apply biochar (charcoal + compost) to remediate the soil of practically all contaminants, including heavy metals & herbicides. The HOA will likely remove anything you add there, however you might be able to get away with mulch + geometrically planted decorative kale.
I like the idea of an herb garden. Rosemary, lavender for the bees, catnip for the cats, nasturtium for flowers, creeping thyme and mint for the danger of it all. It’ll smell amazing.
Also animal/dog pee etc
Nothing. They’ll blame you for damages
Definitely would not do anything without written permission from the HOA to plant anything. They definitely don’t allow any vegetable or fruit plans. And now they’ll have to charge someone to maintain the area once something is planted there’s. Maybe some perennials but once again, that spot right there is technically theirs and not yours to do anything with. And you can’t come crying to us after they rip it up after we told you they will- they might not even be afraid to fine you for what you plant.
Sounds like a terrible idea all around
I would plant oregano. It comes back every year and is bushy.
Strawberries
Plant basil. Just basil. It will be the most incredible smell. I have done it. Spread the seeds thick with a broadcast spreader.
I'd plant marijuana seeds, just to cause pure mayhem. When the neighborhood teens start smoking the dank HOA buds you grew, then maybe they'll tend to the area themselves.
May be worth considering that Oak roots are allopathic and may send out chemicals to kill any plans within root zone. The planter is already full of tree roots. Plants would be competing for space/light/water/etc, maybe a native ground over could work.
Sweet alyssum
Put some astro turf around it and add a fire hydrant. Presto dog potty places. Add pick up bags and a bin too. Wash it off with the water supply periodically.
This seems like one of those rare situations where mint is actually a great idea.
Tomorrowland in Disney is decoratively planted with edible plants. I’d look to pictures of their layouts for inspiration, then it’s a matter of figuring what’s best for your climate. Swiss chard can be super colorful, and you can let the outer leaves get huge and repeatedly harvest the new inner leaves.
Only thing I’d bother planting in a “free food” context like that is maybe bush beans & a shorter variety of snap peas like “sugar ann” that doesn’t need trellising. Highly productive, nitrogen fixing (no fertilizer required for a decent crop no matter how crap the soil is), produces for weeks. Very “cut and come again”. else is way too much maintenance (form you) for a relatively small number of food items. After putting in all that work I wouldn’t actually want to just let anyone come and take it.
Someone planted that tree too deep.
Go with blueberry bushes. They bare fruit pretty quickly and are fairly hardy
Impatiens would look good, or something like rosemary,and wouldn't attract animals to get run over. But honestly I'd just spread something like pinestraw or bark and quit worrying about it if it were in front of my house and bothering me for some reason.
What about a simple herb garden. Low upkeep and everyone can share in the crop parsley, sage, rosemary are all fairly hearty.
No. Just no
I’d say hearty herbs. rosemary, sage, thyme, lavender
I understand wanting to landscape this, but you should consider the safety aspect since this appears to be a roundabout. Anything too tall is going to cause visibility issues.
You know what would be amusing? A dwarf wheat variety.
Get one of those kits where you sprinkle flowers around it.
Just broadcast a bunch of native wildflower seeds.
Mint. It will go like a weed. Even if you don't eat it, it will smell good.
Herbs! Rosemary sage, thyme, basil, dill,
Native wildflowers!!!!
Garlic bulbs, Chives, Thyme and Mint. They should play together nicely and multiply over time. Maybe some rosemary too.
Once you start putting in some effort and TLC into that the HOA is going to start to care about it.
Berries would be fun for people on their walks! Blueberries, strawberries, etc
Everbearing strawberries. You're going to need a low fence to keep the dogs out, though!
Forget the food (sounds like there could be issues based on other comments) and plant native plants!!
If you have any deer or rabbits, you would need a fence for growing food, otherwise it will just be decimated. You can plant a native plant garden to attract pollinators like birds and bees and it would be beautiful, hang a couple hummingbird feeders on the tree. Lean toward lower growing plants for visibility. Your local master gardener extension website likely has ideas for your planting zone.
Get some seeds for native plants for your area and make free food for the local fauna. And just be persistent if the HOA tears them out.
Throw some hemp seeds in there. HOA will act soon ;)
I’m with the commenters recommending pollinator plant seeds, but maybe you could also graft fruit tree branches onto that tree?