Question
we have a large ditch in our backyard
it seems to give off a smell (cant place)
and tal grass growing in it
county wont do anything
what can i do.
weeds on edge mowed down most
but still not sure


Answer
Hi Laura;
Gee haven't had that problem.
Spraying well with baking sofa might sweeten soured soil. It would take quite a bit of it, but baking soda isn't expensive, so it would be worth a try.You should be able to tell if it helped though, and if you needed to use more.
Is there water standing in the ditch?
Clorox in the water should purify soured water.It would also kill molds in the water.I don't know how large an area this is you have a problem with, so I can't advise how much to use.If animals drink from the water that is there, I wouldn't use clorox, that would be toxic to animals. The baking soda shouldn't harm animals though, I don't think.
You might call the health department. If it is ssomething in the water that can pose a health risk to humans, the county would have no choice but to do something about it, if the health department declared it a health risk.
Do you share this stinky ditch with neighbors? They might be willing to treat the part of it that is on their property with the baking sofa when you do it. That would give it a better chance of doing some good. If it is just stinky soil, and has no standing water, spraying it with clorox in water might be enough to do it. If there is not water standing, there would be no danger of animals drinking the clorox.
Sorry I couldn't help more.
Charlotte