Hiding Utility Boxes in yard
 

3 weeks since closing and we are almost furnished inside and we have a sign on our light post outside now! (YEAH).

Next up we are considering landscaping. Lots of driving around looking at what others have done.

A priority is changing the pine needles into rocks. The second priority is a tiered/stepped wall (pavers) around the rocks.

In thinking about the front yard (in a CYV) we see at the street is a couple water access panels, and a couple telecommunications boxes.

I was wondering how much I can hide those? I KNOW the technicians have to have full access to them, but can I put some plants/hedges around 2 or 3 sides of them?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Just a few words of caution....We always recommend before folks have hardscaping done that you make sure they do NOT compromise the integrity of keeping the plant sprinkler zones and the grass sprinkler zones separate. Plants typically need less water than grass, and when you mix the zones you screw all that up.

Also, your tankless water heater should be serviced every 1-2 years, so they need CLEAR access to it. Also, (in Lake county) You need access to your exterior panelbox. I would also not block your meter box too much.

You would be surprised at how much plants cover and take over in a few short years.....

Hope that helps! Frank D.

Also, you will need to file plans with ARC for what you are describing, especially the changing of pine-straw for rock, in some cases this has not been allowed. I would also call ARC and ask if they have guidelines regarding plants around the utility boxes, in any case, I would stick with muhly grass or similar, something with limited roots and no trunk. Roots could damage the underground facilities (your cost), and if the tree in in the way, it will probably be cut down. Call ARC before you do any work.

Excellent advice, Thank you.

I had to remove plantings that had grown too big and partially blocked the utility boxes. Well, I could have cut them back but opted to just take them out.

Thanks, and yes, my plan was to talk to ARC before making any final decisions.

The tree in that area came with the house, and we were planning to leave it, it is surprising to me how close it is to the utilities.

A couple neighbors have had rock put in, but I have not caught them at home to ask if they are approved or just did it. Talking to them is also in the works.

Check out a fake rock, we have one over our well head up north. They are hollow and come in all shapes, sizes, and many rock types. They look very real and can simply be placed over the utility box and lifted off when access is needed. Just be sure to check first that it won't violate any deed restrictions. Good luck, it is fun to follow all the projects you have going on in your new home.

Outstanding! I will call ARC tomorrow and see if that is allowed! I love it!

This flat over one of those ugly green panels to access the water valves! They come in various colors to match your yard.
This would be awesome! And tall ones for the telecomm boxes.

I am definitely talking with ARC tomorrow. :a040:

While many Villagers have put in rocks in their landscaped areas, be aware that the rocks hold the heat and your plants will bake in the sun, particularly in the summer.
In addition, the rocks add nothing to the soil (errrr, rather, the sand) while mulch does, over time.

Mulch attracts termites.

You can't put certain objects in your yard such as crosses, lawn ornaments, etc. because they detract from the attractiveness and standardization of the neighborhood, but ugly utility boxes are fine??????????? Where is the lady in the red golf cart with her clipboard? Luckily the ones near our house are in the back yard out of sight.

Lol! My utility box must be hiding somewhere I have no idea where it is on the property. But “the lady in the red golf cart” is welcome to the ugly planters the previous owner forgot to take with him to Boston.

Really!
 

Do you have a reference for this broad statement? I've lived in the south for many years with myself and neighbors having wood mulch in our yards. Have never once heard of a case of termites caused by the mulch.

Google and Bing are your friends. A search will show that there are arguments on both sides about termites and mulch. You make the decision on who is correct. Where we lived in Tennessee the pest control companies discouraged the use of mulch as they said that it attracted termites. Yes we did have an infestation of termites but I caught it in time before any significant damage was done.

Yes! Hide those utility boxes, they are sex magnets!:duck::1rotfl::shocked:

I am leaning toward a rock garden. with Faux rocks/boulders covering the utilities. I have sent a query to ARC, if they are open to. considering an application I will put together a plan and see what they say.

This is an old wives tale. We have rocks and our plants grow like weeds. If you like rocks then use them.

All mulch is not the same and all mulch will not necessarily attract termites.
If termites are in the mulch, they're in your house.

I've had mulch for many years and have never had a problem with termites.

How many people do you know who have termites because they have mulch???
Yeah. That's what I thought.

Mulch is a far better landscaping choice for many reasons, as opposed to putting down stones. :pepper2:

Thank you for your advice, I appreciate it. It sounds like there are some good reasons for using mulch as opposed to rocks in plantings.

We will take this into consideration and discuss it with the landscaper we choose.

The "faux rocks" I am discussing here are to hide the utility access boxes and are not actual rocks but large hollow fiberglass boxes that look like boulders.

We have not finalized our decision whether to use rock or other mulch. However, for our own reasons we are definitely getting rid of the pine straw.

There isn't any argument regarding who is correct.

Your pest control company told you that mulch attracts termites? Your house alone is a bigger attraction for termites than mulch.

Just curious . . . How old was your house, exactly where were the termites you had and how were they treated?

Does Mulch Attract Termites? | Terminix

Steve

Just to play the devils advocate here, that link is to Terminex who has a vested interest in encouraging you to "take steps" to prevent a problem.

And note they were careful to not actually say mulch attracts termites.

Another opinion, University of Florida.

ENY-832/IN651: The Facts About Termites and Mulch

It seems the thread has wandered off down another path - sigh.

This is a more credible source. Their focus seems to be more on mulch next to the house at the base of walls, and they're also saying it may encourage/enable termites as oppose to causing/bringing termites.

All the talk about mulch always makes for great reading but in many cases is not 100% factual. Mulch has many forms and options. There are bark mulches that are more unfriendly to termites but there is no guarantee you will not get them. There is also no guarantee you will not get them if you have rock, have your house treated or get a termite sniffing dog. As a long time southerner pine straw has been the choice we have chosen. It is plant friendly, human/animal friendly, easily replenished and the best weed blocker. Read the postings here about keeping weeds out of rock, not an easy task and very chemically intense. You can get termites with pine straw I am sure but have never had that problem. It also does not wash out of beds like bark mulch. Just another option, pick what you prefer and welcome to TV!!!

Not sure about others’ mulch but mine has been mostly blown away by the wind, like right down to exposing the landscape fabric. I plan to get something slightly heavier next time.

My opinion
 

Re: landscaping around the,"utility boxes." Call your power company, They will mark where the wires are-it is free. We have a transformer in our backyard. It is marked 15 KW. That will light you up pretty good.

As to rocks vs pine straw. That is an endless debate. Like anything else people refuse to admit they've made a mistake so will support whatever decision they've made.

Confession, I have pine straw. Before you make a decision visit the cooperative extension. I of course know people who've made both choices. If, you put in gravel, you will of should lay it on top of landscaped fabric. It is not totally effective. Unlike pine needles you cannot use the traditional tools such as a hoe, a cultivator etc. You need to weed by hand. Look at what the pros use-pine straw not gravel.

Important to you
 

In previous posts you seem to object to the fact that you need to get any plan reviewed and approved.

That is true of landscaping as well.

Here is how we handled it. You must leave access to one side. It was closer to us than the neighbors so we selfishly planted bushes on our side.

Shredded mulch brings shotgun fungus. Believe me, that fungus plagued my home in NJ and here in The Villages. We paid to have the shredded mulch completely removed from both properties all at the same time. What a mess as it shoots little black spores all over your house and surrounding areas, including cars. To make matters worse, each spot has to be scraped off the surface because it is not easily removed. How many spots you ask??? Thousands!!!!

We had rock installed in our The Villages home. Plants have been happy happy for the past few years.

We found that landscapers blow out most off the mulch with their clean up after trimming shrubs. Mulch needs topping off way too often. Stones don’t need topping off. Stones are more of an investment initially but well worth the expense.