Garden by Trash Bins: Screening Bins With Plants
A garden by trash bins turns a plain corner into part of the yard. Iowa State University Extension notes evergreen hedges screen all year, while Kansas State Research and Extension notes service paths lead to spots such as a garbage can.
The short answer
A garden by trash bins works with a hedge or fence screen plus a clear path to roll bins. Iowa State spaces informal medium shrubs 2 to 4 feet apart plus evergreens for a year round screen. Kansas State notes 2 to 3 feet may be enough for service paths. Leave room to open lids.
Which plants screen trash bins?
Evergreen shrubs screen all year, while deciduous ones screen mainly in the growing season, Iowa State notes. Choose plants that mature at the height you need.
| Factor | Target | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Formal hedge | 1 to 2½ feet apart | Iowa State |
| Medium shrubs | 2 to 4 feet apart | Iowa State |
| Large shrubs | 4 to 6 feet apart | Iowa State |
| Mulch | 2 to 3 inches | Iowa State |
| Service path | 2 to 3 feet wide | Kansas State |
Source: Iowa State plus Kansas State.
Hedge or fence?
A fence screens at once. University of Georgia Extension lists wood, wire plus plastic fence materials. A hedge needs a few years to fill in but softens the corner.
How do I plan the path?
For service paths, Kansas State suggests 2 to 3 feet may be enough. Clemson notes plants beside walks should not block the path or snag clothes. Leave space to roll bins out plus lift lids.
How to: step by step
- Measure the bin area plus the path to the curb.
- Pick a hedge, fence or both.
- Space shrubs by mature size.
- Leave a service path 2 to 3 feet wide.
- Mulch 2 to 3 inches plus water deeply.
- Prune so the base stays wider than the top.
Troubleshooting
Holes in the screen: shrubs too far apart. Fill in.
Bare low branches: top wider than base. Reshape it.
Plants flattened by bins: no clear path. Widen it.
For more on outdoor growing see garden microclimates for cannabis, planning an outdoor cannabis garden layout plus windbreaks for outdoor cannabis. Kind Seed Co also stocks cannabis seeds.
Sources
- Selecting and planting hedges, Iowa State University Extension
- How to prune formal hedges, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Garden fencing (C 1027-9), University of Georgia Extension
- Foundation plantings, Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC
FAQ
Do evergreen shrubs make a good bin screen?
Yes. Iowa State University Extension notes evergreens screen all year, while deciduous shrubs screen mainly in the growing season. Boxwood, yews plus arborvitae are common hedge plants. Choose a kind that matures near the height you need so it hides the bins without heavy pruning.
Should a bin screen be formal or informal?
Iowa State University Extension notes formal hedges need pruning two or more times a year, while informal hedges need little pruning. A formal hedge looks neat in a tight space. An informal hedge needs more room since shrubs grow to their natural width plus shape.
How tall should a trash bin screen be?
Choose plants that mature a little taller than the bins. Iowa State University Extension lists heights such as boxwood at 2 to 4 feet, yews at 2 to 10 feet plus arborvitae at 3 to 20 feet. Matching mature height cuts down on pruning later.
Can plants touch the trash bins?
It is wiser to leave a gap. Clemson Cooperative Extension notes plants beside walks should not block the path or snag clothes. Kansas State notes service paths to a garbage can can be 2 to 3 feet wide. Leave room to roll bins out plus open lids.
Can I use a fence panel instead of plants?
Yes. University of Georgia Extension lists wood, wire plus plastic as common fence materials. A wood panel screens bins at once, while a wire panel needs plants to fill it in. A short fence with low plants in front blends the screen into the garden.
