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Planting a Ditch with a Culvert & Previous Drainage System #826295

Asked April 19, 2023, 9:49 AM EDT

Hello, My husband and I recently moved to an acreage in Southeat Minnesota. There is a ditch by the mailbox that is full of weeds and rocks. The weeds turn almost a black color in the summer, and it is an eyesore as it's the first thing you see when you pull into our driveway. There is a culvert that runs below the driveway and some type of drainage pipe that used to be used, but I have not seen anything come out of it since we've lived there. In the springime, or if it rains really hard, the ditch sometimes fills up. Otherwise in the summer it is dry, hard dirt with weeds that grow pretty tall. The bottom is somewhat rocky in places, so I have not mowed at all. There are also some flags so I' assuming there's some kind of line underneath so I haven't tilled/dug anything. I am thinking about spraying the weeds one time and springling a Detention Basin Seed Mix from Prairie Moon Nursery, but I'm not sure if that will even work since there are so many weeds. Any suggestions or advice? Thanks in advance! -Janna

Mower County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Jana,

Sounds like you have the perfect spot for a rain garden. When it gets a little warmer and you see the "weeds" are actively growing is the time to spray them with an herbicide. 

https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/lawn-weed-control-timing-chart/

Make sure you have really killed or dug out everything you can. Weed seeds will remain in the ground for several years so you will either have to hand pull them out or paint brush them with herbicide. If you can get your hands on any actual prairie plants to jump start the seed mix all the better. Put the word out on local social media that you are looking for native drought/water tolerant plants and I bet you will get a few and meet some new people in the process. When using seed make sure to sprinkle over some kind of light covering and try to keep them damp.

https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/rain-gardens#choose-plants-1778663


It will probably take a few years to really get established so don't get frustrated. I did this at my parents house in the country and we started getting toads ! Also, the turn off was so much prettier all three seasons.

Sally Granath, MG St. Louis County

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 19, 2023, 9:37 PM EDT

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