[Berwin]

We moved here just over two years ago. Less than a month after getting here, the electric transformer on the property line between us and a neighbor blew up - not talking a fiery explosion, just a big thump. The power company arrived and diagnosed the problem and then we had to wait until a replacement transformer arrived from somewhere. This transformer served about five houses - us, our neighbors on both sides, and several houses across the street. Several hours later, the replacement arrived and a large truck with a crane lifted the old transformer out and the replacement in. About 11:00pm the power came back on. The next day, a guy from the power company came by to warn us our power would be out again the next day as they were sending a grounds crew in to remove the soil that had been contaminated by the cooling oil in the old transformer when it blew. They lifted the transformer out and dug under it and several feet around it to get all the oil soaked dirt out and then filled it back with new soil. Back went the transformer and they put some sod around on the bare dirt. And that, my friends, is why you don't want to plant anything too close to the utility box.

[DeborahK]

Originally Posted by n8xwb

My neighbor is hiding one out front with a fake rock.....

I like this idea! Any idea where one buys a fake rock? Amazon, probably 🤔

[retiredguy123]

The OP said there are 3 boxes, so it sounds like these are cable TV junction boxes owned by 3 different companies. If so, I don't know how much control they have over what you can plant near them. The electric company would not be the company to call.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The OP said there are 3 boxes, so it sounds like these are cable TV junction boxes owned by 3 different companies. If so, I don't know how much control they have over what you can plant near them. The electric company would not be the company to call.

ARC, maybe?

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by n8xwb

My neighbor is hiding one out front with a fake rock.....

Fake utility box is where the garden gnomes live. Beware!

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The OP said there are 3 boxes, so it sounds like these are cable TV junction boxes owned by 3 different companies. If so, I don't know how much control they have over what you can plant near them. The electric company would not be the company to call.

I have three boxes on the property line behind my house as well. One is an Xfinity box, one I don't recognize and one is definitely a SECO transformer box.

The SECO rules for landscaping are on their Keep It Clear page.

[Velvet]

I suspect that in a real emergency, the utility box is for your property too, so you are the one in the emergency, you’d probably like the utility workers to find the boxes and fix the problem as soon as possible. So keep the access for them as required also for your own sake.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Velvet

I suspect that in a real emergency, the utility box is for your property too, so you are the one in the emergency, you’d probably like the utility workers to find the boxes and fix the problem as soon as possible. So keep the access for them as required also for your own sake.

Excellent! I approve this message. 😉

[lmack]

[QUOTE=lvshworles;2349190]From my lanai, I see these 3 ugly utility boxes! I was wondering how other Villagers landscape them, and make it acceptable accessing to utility co.? Great if photos could be submitted!!!
Thanking you in advance!!![/QUOTE

Sorry, no pic as last year SECO had a cow over our shrubs planted 10 years prior (to block lania view of large electric box) and made us pull them out. So, nothing re-done yet to show you but just wanted to share that we did check the set-back requirement at the time and those shrubs were ok there for 10 years and trimmed very regularly. We used some of the plain green non-flowering shrubs the Villages had supplied with our house originally. Would have loved to use a fake rock but this box is rather large. Our neighbors planted a small tree with ornamental grasses at the base to block the view from their side. I think in theory the grasses are a good idea and easy to crop low if needed but they are harder to weed. FYI, my neighbors plantings are closer than our shrubs were but the box's access door was closer to our side so we got told to remove/move ours (they did not). So, my advice, check set-back requirements now before you start but I would not invest in anything that in a few years you will be heartsick over moving/losing if needed. And, I'd add some space to the set back if there is an access door (vs the type that just pull up).