I have a Honda Civic-sized utility box sitting on the corner of my suburban lot. Many springs ago, I covered up the landscape eyesore with a mix of pretty plantings.
Now I'm itching to dig up the sprawling over-crowded irises and under-producing shrub roses and plant something new. But I'm terrified of taking a shovel and digging deep. That's because hidden underground electrical lines - and I don't know what else - snake out from the utility box.
Who am I gonna call? 8-1-1.
A state law requires me to call before I dig to prevent damaging underground utiltiies - and for my protection. The 811 service connects me to the Minnesota call center. After I tell them what I want to do and where - they alert local utility companies. Within a few days, the companies will mark the location of electric, gas, cable and other underground utilities with bright colored flags and paint. Another route is to submit an e-ticket online to get the utilities marked at www.gopherstateonecall.org.
After my lawn gets marked, I can dig in without fear. This time, I think I'll try some of the Knock-Out series of shrub roses to shroud the unsightly green box with flowers from spring to fall.
Have you tried to beautify an ugly utility box? Did you feel safe digging after calling 811?
