Ok UT I need some suggestions and help here regarding our Huntingwood cycle tracks...
I inquired in 2024 about the weeds and lack of planting...
...And then followed up in late December directly to staff who ignored...then to the local councilor...who ignored. Eventually something was planted (this year?).
My sympathy on the amount of laziness and apathy you encountered.
Send me a DM with the names of staff you spoke with please.
And this is what it looks like in all sections along that were to have vegetation:
It is hard to have conversations with folks in the area who complain about the cycle tracks and point out they are a waste of money: 'look at the weeds they put in'... Any suggestions for what is going on wrong here and how to get it fixed?
Without knowing what they planted, the quality of the stock and soils, its difficult to say what's wrong here.
Overall, I've seen mixed performance from 'Green Streets infrastructure' some has done quite well, other bits no so much.
Anything going into small beds subject to road salt and pollution have to be tough plants. Invariably some mistakes will be made.
I don't know what the soils they used are like, how the drainage is, etc. Which makes it difficult to diagnose anything specific.
I can certainly supply a list of plants that are tough and might put up a good fight. The easiest choice here is to limit each island section to only 2 species, alternating them, then trying 2, 3 or 4 different pairings to see what holds up.
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The City wouldn't approve, but asking the neighbours to help when the plants are newly establishing would be great. (make sure they're watered, and weed out what doesn't belong), as the plants grow stronger/larger with bigger roots they can handle more crap.
The render looks to me like they were suggesting Switchgrass, which is often a good choice
That's this:
Source: https://www.watersheds.ca%2Fplant%2Fswitch-grass%2F&opi=89978449
Little Blue Stem is often a good choice:
Source: https://www.torontogardens.com%2F2016%2F11%2Flittle-bluestem-a-great-native-grass.html%2F&opi=89978449
Blacked Eyed Susans are a native wildflower that blooms a yellow/golden colour through much of the summer months and is salt tolerant:
Source:
https://www.gardentap.ca/cdn/shop/files/HIRES-737.jpg?v=1768571957
I can give you a bigger list, but really, this is about putting down proper soil and drainage, picking the right plants and pairings, getting good stock, planting it properly, and caring for it while it establishes.
I expect this last part is probably a critical issue.
I don't know if the City would even water-in a planting since you would either need a water truck or permission to tap the hydrants. The odds of them putting Miracle Gro in the water, not so good either.
www.cycleto.ca
