Here's something to think about. We have dry summers. There's nothing new about that. Even though the drought we are in is really unbelievable, our summers are often droughty. This mean you have to water some cool season grasses to keep them alive. This also means you have to water bermuda because it needs water to stay green (and alive too). During the summer you can expect very high quality turf from bermuda, unmatched by an cool season grass, anywhere on the planet. However to bring out that potential, it needs water, close mowing, monthly ferts etc. All of the maintenance would make sense unless the following are true: * We have dry summers * We have a cool season, in most years it is longer than the warm season. * We can grow alternatives. When the growing season is short (unlike the desert SW) and it is droughty, it is a struggle to bring out bermuda's high quality potential. Why bother with that struggle? Instead of the status quo, why not instead put away the lawn mower for summer instead. It easier to grow grass in the cool season when moisture from cold fronts is more regular. If the summers were wet, that would change things because then if you wanted to grow bermuda, it would be easier to acheive the 8-9 quality ratings. Whereas TTTF may avg a high 5 or 6 rating year round, at least in an area with dry summers and mild winters, the grass will have more growing time. The alternative would be either dormant or coming into or coming out of dormancy. As a result, the whole city has not had good color lawns this summer. Since the lawns will be dormant til almost june, we've just lost an entire year. There has been lost opportunities for a beautiful green lawn that will cover up the mud in the cool season. I just don't get it. I don't see why others think brown grass for virtually the entire year (most years) is acceptable. And not just that but they eagerly throw money at chem spraying companies to make the grass green when it just isn't going to be more than a 4.5-5.0. I'd love for someone to explain it to me. I will admit, seeding lawns is a pain and stressful and I'd rather not have to do that every year. Not everyone does (those in shady yards etc) but I am literally the only one in my neighborhood that has had grass this year with a quality rating more than 5. A 5 isn't something to brag about, it's bare minimum acceptable quality. When I drive around town, I want to see pretty green grass. Not dead grass and stems that just makes the place look unpretty.

Are there any that can take road salt? thankyou. filix

Jan, I think I may have misled you. They do have 350 acres, but not all of it is greenhouses. I don't know the full extent of greenhouses, buildings where they do potting and propagation (where visitors are not allowed) much of it is actual farmland, but it is a huge wholesale operation with landscapers constantly loading all sizes of trucks up to flatbeds for the big trees. . Phil, my house lot is just slightly over 1/2 acre and I do have a separate lot that I spill out onto which is over 1/2 acre. Most of that is empty, but I have been planting along the road, with the only hosta there being seedlings. Mostly there are plants I get tired of, grow too big or that I can propagate easily. Kind of rough; a lot of day lilies, ivy, euonymus, vinca, some rhodies...things that need zero care. Moc, evidently you have not driven to Northern Maine or New Hampshire...it is a hike. Westport is really nice. You have the River, coves, still a lot of farms gentle slopes down to the water, harbors filled with boats, artist colony at Westport Point. Westport Town beach which used to be the old Horseneck Beach before the '53 and '54 hurricanes wiped out most of the summer places people had and the state took over those that were still standing and made Horseneck Beach Reservation. There are still remnants of the old cottages (some foundations, light columns, etc. on the reservation access roads. There is still a lot of undeveloped land around there. A lot of old memories for me and new ones as my grandson loves to go there with his 'Bumpa' and dive in the surf (can't drag him out of the water). The water is relatively warm being on the bay side. Beautiful day and there is no pollen there and my eyes stopped itching and I could even breath easier. No crowds yet, as it is just getting real warm. ...now, if only I could win Powerball and stay there.

Are you sure it's your problem to fix? It looks like a asphalt road/alley with a manhole cover near it. If it is city owned property then they would be liable for fixing the issue. Their simple fix may just be to patch up the low spot with more asphalt so the water runs downhill. If it truly is city property and they drag their heals in response then start yapping about mosquitoes/Zika/WW III/etc. No matter who's responsible for fixing the road you should look into planting grass or something in that dirt to help with erosion control.