My neighbor installed a new white vinyl fence at the beginning of fall last year. This will be our first spring with it installed. It has absolutely torched my grass in front of it. Im turning my irrigation back on today, not sure how relevant that is. From what ive seen my options are, cull the area and put something else there (mulch, shrubs, idk what else) or paint the fence. I dont know how much she would appreciate us painting her fence though. Just seeing what my lawn people of reddit would do, or if you have any alternate options.
by GollyZ177
23 Comments
I’d 100% till it, put up a little barrier, and plant your favorite flowers (marigolds are my personal favorite). Much easier, gets you a new yard project, and can involve the fam if that’s an option.
I like the idea of putting a mulch bed and flowers.
This is weird. I have vinyl fence and never had an issue, though mine is a couple of inches higher off the ground.
Seems like sun reflecting or maybe the ground is too dry to begin with. I kinda wish mine did this so I didn’t have to trim underneath around the entire perimeter.
I’d probably lean mulch bed or shrubs along the edge, way easier than fighting a hot zone every summer.
I hate vinyl fencing. My hoa had a rule with only wood and metal. Everyone ignored it and then they changed it retroactively. Neighborhood looks like a shitty vinyl maze now. Absolute crap
Attach a brown or black trellis to it? That could get pricey, but having some nice sun loving vines creep along it could be great
Wonder if they cleaned the other side I don’t know if that is burn in from the fence or not. Never seen that but the grass closest to the fence is still green and closer to the tree it spreads out pretty wide. They didn’t by chance clean the other side with some kind of chemical by chance?
Before you do anything to the fence, make sure it’s actually your land . There maybe setback rules regarding fence placement on or near property boundaries.
I suppose you could try attaching shade cloth against the fence?
I got a white final fence and grass does fine why not just reseed?
Chemical or herbicide sprayed on neighbors side leaching over? Or is it really just heat reflecting off white color?
If I had this problem, I’d til it up and prep new beds first a while line of tomato plants, cukes, herbs and beans etc.
Perfect place for a veggie garden.
Burn the fence down
Do we know it’s heat related and not chemical related?
Mulch it – put in some viburnums or chokeberries for great fall color
Bed lined with hydrangeas!
Plant trees and a herbaceous border
I’d do a flower and shrub garden type thing in the 2 or 3 feet against the fence. It would look really nice, if you’re into that kind of thing. Otherwise just give that area more water and overseed it each fall til it fills in with grass that’s tolerant to whatever condition that’s causing your current grass to struggle. Also, just ask the neighbor of she’d mind you (carefully) painting your side of the fence if you don’t like the white. Idk anything about painting vinyl fencing or if that’s even a thing.
I wonder if it’s just the process of installing it that caused the grass to get hurt. I think concrete mix itself is pretty alkaline, just a guess.
Don’t fight a losing battle. Make a bed and plant native wildflowers and perennials for your pollinators.
Same problem I had. Dug up 18″, added rock(sump pump discharge area) and a bunch of hanging baskets
Would your neighbor object to painting the fence on your side? Painting it dark might warp it (?)
Agree with others, dig up the grass and plant pollinator plants and shrubs. It’ll help break up the white wall as well. Contact your local conservation district or ag extension and see what plants they recommend to support local insects and wildlife.
If you go with the the mulch and planting solution, I would encourage you to plant native plants. Link below is to the MSU horticultural extension (every state has one) and can help with selecting plants.
[Native Plants for Montana’s Home Gardens](https://extension-store.montana.edu/montguides/native-plants-for-montanas-home-gardens)
TIPS:
* Order of work for different plants, from least to most:
* Shrubs
* Perennials
* Annuals
* Vegetables
* Don’t skimp on flower bed size. General rule of thumb is starting depth of 6′. This will give you enough room to leave space between plantings and fence, plant small shrubs and/or be able to layer perennials.
* If you do like the idea of planting native plants, and use Reddit as a resource, be warned native gardeners can sometimes be the vegans of gardening; quick to denounce you, morally superior (somewhat rightfully) and generally annoying if you do not subscribe to their ideals 100%.