What is the best way to hide a sewer drain put in my yard by city?

We had an ugly cracked slab in our back yard that had once held a small fish pond. We broke the rock from the fish pond out, got it as flat as we could, then built a small sun deck over what remained. You could do that, leaving it un-attached so it could be lifted off the eyesore when necessary, and set some nice plants on it or a small patio table and two chairs.

Build a temporary small deck so to speck to cover it ,making sure it can be lifted off as needed.Pallets are the latest craze for building.Surround the balance in an assortment of container plantings based on your zone.Done....

TO START OUT, PAINT IT BROWN AND GREEN TO MATCH LAWN. THEN DECORATE.

I see you have twelve inch cinder blocks, buy some and place around it with the holes up. Not only will this keep the dogs out and other animals. Then fill the holes with dirt and and plant flowers or even herbs into the cinder block holes. Then level the yard and plant grass seed. Paint the lid yellow and turn it into a smiley face.

i was thinking you could make it into a barbecue pit or make or make a pretty flower bed with colorful pots. Paint the slab in the color u choose

plant grass around it then plant you some plants that alternate through out the year and it will look pretty, my plumber put a flush out in my yard close to my porch and I planted around it and no one knows it is there I planted mums and roses

Thank you so much everyone! I don't think we can level the ground as there needs to be drainage moving toward the sewer. Our yard floods during most heavy downpours. I think the cinder blocks might block debris from exiting through the sewer, but a great inexpensive idea to think about. I like the idea of a portable/removable deck/porch or maybe even a gazebo, but a little out of my budget range at this time. I also like the idea of camouflage with animal friendly plants that require very little maintenance. Will take some time to ponder these great ideas!

What a bummer!

I would go with Carolannlp's suggestion. Low cost and maintenance. Paint the slap a friendly color, blending in the landscape, or popping out. Put flower seed in the stone blocks on the side, and taller flower pots ( find in thrift stores ) in the front and around the right side. Work with perennial flower seeds in the blocks ,

on the left. Hope that I make myself clear. The bad situation can be made to look

amazing, perhaps in the back corner you could plant a little taller plant , like

Bee-balm, or Lavender, anything low maintenance .I wish that I could help you.

Good LUCK.

I, like others think it would be great idea to place a portable deck over top. I can only guess the dimensions of it but it doesn't look too big. A 5' X 5' deck wouldn't cost more than a hundred dollars in materials. Then I would put a bistro table and 2 chairs and a couple of potted tall grasses and pots of flowers on the deck. it would look really nice and give you a beautiful place to sit and enjoy your morning coffee.

Before you do anything it is best to check with your city and see if they plan to repair any damage. There are many rules and regulations when a local municipality does something on private property. I hope for your peace of mind that you was required to sign an easement with the city.

I do like the ideal of placing a small deck over it, as this would make it easy to get to the cap and would let the air flow around it. I am afraid that if you spend the time and money to plant flowers and etc. and the city needs to get to it they may destroy your plants.

I too would check with the City for future plans first before doing anything. I like the idea of painting it and then create a garden area with potted plants, a trellis, maybe a birdbath. You can place mulch or stone around the entire area for more depth and design. You could also install a white vinyl fence behind the area as a backdrop. Make it look like it's supposed to be there! Good luck.

I would buy some or create something that looks like a solid white picket fence and place it all around sides of it. But make sure that it is a little higher then the edge and then take potted plants place them around the lid where the town can still access it if need be. And move the pots out of the way also if need be. Don't let the pots themselves be seen only the plant itself. From a distance it should look like a flower box! Only you would know different!

I have one in my yard. It hate the way it look and I am also looking for a way to disguise it.

I have the same situation where the manhole is raised and the water flows down. Following for the suggestions. Thank you for your post!

I too have one of these with a large slope. Just bought the house but this is an eyesore. Also worry about little ones and little dog.

I would plant strong shrubs like euonymus around it. In time the branches will cover above the drain but still let the water run into it. If /and when the City has to work on it you/they can cutback the branches without destroying the plants.

So it’s been a minute since you posted about the sewer drain. Do you have any pictures of the solution you decided on? We have a almost exact same dilemma.

thanks

Eric