Let Your Lawn Grow

[Windwalker]

That neighbor would be minding someone else's business
with such noise. Differences in landscaping appearance
don't have that effect.

What if their lawn was full of invasive weeds they never did anything about? Some might consider that "landscaping appearance" to actually be a neighborhood nuance, considering those weeds will spread. So, if someone never cares for their yard, it is everyone else's business too, just as if they were blasting loud music. It's not self-contained.

 

[JustGeorge]

What if their lawn was full of invasive weeds they never did anything about? Some might consider that "landscaping appearance" to actually be a neighborhood nuance, considering those weeds will spread. So, if someone never cares for their yard, it is everyone else's business too, just as if they were blasting loud music. It's not self-contained.

In most cases, the codes don't mandate what can and can't grow. For example, no one can do a thing about the dandelion and creeping charlie in my front yard. They can, however, leave me with a 'fix it' notice if my grass grows over 8 inches tall.

I understand some upscale neighborhoods may have stricter ordinances or neighborhood associations that make specific rules, but these are more of the exception, not the norm.

 

[Windwalker]

In most cases, the codes don't mandate what can and can't grow. For example, no one can do a thing about the dandelion and creeping charlie in my front yard. They can, however, leave me with a 'fix it' notice if my grass grows over 8 inches tall.

I understand some upscale neighborhoods may have stricter ordinances or neighborhood associations that make specific rules, but these are more of the exception, not the norm.

I live in the city of Minneapolis. It's not by any means an 'upscale neighborhood', like the Kenwood neighborhood, or any of the so-called 'gated communities', such as North Oaks, where millionaires shut out the rest of the world of less-than-desirables who make less than a million a year. It's just a nice quiet neighborhood.

The city will leave you notice that you need to follow the rules, such as not having a pile of dead trees and branches left in your yard, or letting your lawn grow out of control. If it's not cleaned up within that time period, they will send a crew to your yard, usually those serving community time as a court judgement against them. They'll mow it for you, and then send you the bill. It's much cheaper just to mow it yourself.

 

[Thief]

for those of you surrounded by ignorant neighbors......

are English country gardens.....outlawed?

 

[Thief]

and your plea in court might be.....BUT YOUR HONOR!

these plants are my friends......I know them!

I have given them names!!!!!!!

 

[Thief]

put up a trellis......all the way around your property

bring in the vines and roses

 

[Revoltingest]

What if their lawn was full of invasive weeds they never did anything about?

One person's weeds are another's wildflower garden or prairie.
Monoculture landscaping is a spendy approach that is also environmentally unfriendly.

Some might consider that "landscaping appearance" to actually be a neighborhood nuance, considering those weeds will spread. So, if someone never cares for their yard, it is everyone else's business too, just as if they were blasting loud music. It's not self-contained.

I set a higher threshold for what constitutes a nuisance.
Loud music differs from landscaping style. The latter
won't enter your home at nite to keep you awake.

Too many things are highly regulated in my experience...
- House color
- Grass height
- Front door type
- Driveway material
- Trees
- Porch furniture

Some regulation is useful, eg, drainage, sound.
The issue is where to draw the line.
I loathe nimbys & busy bodies minding the business of others.

 

[Thief]

One person's weeds are another's wildflower garden or prairie.
Monoculture landscaping is a spendy approach that is also environmentally unfriendly.

I set a higher threshold for what constitutes a nuisance.
Loud music differs from landscaping style. The latter
won't enter your home at nite to keep you awake.

Too many things are highly regulated in my experience...
- House color
- Grass height
- Front door type
- Driveway material
- Trees
- Porch furniture

Some regulation is useful, eg, drainage, sound.
The issue is where to draw the line.
I loathe nimbys & busy bodies minding the business of others.

Have you a flagpole?

 

[Revoltingest]

Have you a flagpole?

Neither flag nor pole.
Yet another thing busy bodies love to control.

 

[Thief]

One person's weeds are another's wildflower garden or prairie.

I have a tear.......seriously

 

[Thief]

over and over....
someone throws a penalty flag.....a law suit.....or a protest
boo.....hoo.....hoo

all the while the solutions to our problems are ignored

really......Kiss the Ground

 

[JustGeorge]

I live in the city of Minneapolis. It's not by any means an 'upscale neighborhood', like the Kenwood neighborhood, or any of the so-called 'gated communities', such as North Oaks, where millionaires shut out the rest of the world of less-than-desirables who make less than a million a year. It's just a nice quiet neighborhood.

The city will leave you notice that you need to follow the rules, such as not having a pile of dead trees and branches left in your yard, or letting your lawn grow out of control. If it's not cleaned up within that time period, they will send a crew to your yard, usually those serving community time as a court judgement against them. They'll mow it for you, and then send you the bill. It's much cheaper just to mow it yourself.

Your area must be more strict than mine. Its known for being a 'nice quiet neighborhood', but the city rules are the same all over. Grow what you want, where you want it, just don't let the grass exceed 8 inches. They're more concerned with the non organic items you leave in your yard. You can leave dead trees and piles of leaves to your heart's content.

Clever way they do it there. Here, they just slap a giant green paper on your door telling you to clean up this or that within ten days.

 

[Windwalker]

One person's weeds are another's wildflower garden or prairie.

No they are not. Invasive species are not wildflower or prairie gardens. Those are typically native species, that are not considered weeds. Where I live, the law allows for prairie gardens. I know several people who have them.

Monoculture landscaping is a spendy approach that is also environmentally unfriendly.

That's why native prairie grasses and wildflowers are considered healthy and good. Invasive species, or "weeds" are considered environmentally destructive. I have a friend who plants these as part of restoration projects to help protect lakes and rivers. She works for the city. She pulls these invasive species, or weeds, which threatens the health of the environment. They are not aesthetic choices. They are destructive and they ruin the environment.

If you are not minding the needs of others, then your "business" is their business too. Don't let your 'liberty" be an excuse for negligent and irresponsible practices.

 

[Windwalker]

Your area must be more strict than mine. Its known for being a 'nice quiet neighborhood', but the city rules are the same all over. Grow what you want, where you want it, just don't let the grass exceed 8 inches. They're more concerned with the non organic items you leave in your yard. You can leave dead trees and piles of leaves to your heart's content.

Clever way they do it there. Here, they just slap a giant green paper on your door telling you to clean up this or that within ten days.

I live within the city proper. Out in the country, things aren't quite as regulated as within city limits. That's just the nature of living in a city. I'm thankful for several of those, as I really don't want to see rusting cars rotting in front yards of people's homes like a junkyard. That brings property values down in the neighborhood, as people don't like looking at eye sores like that in our populated residential areas, and other reasons to not do that.

I'm all for freedom, but I'm also for keeping our yards kept up and not turn to them into trash dumps. Keeping your home up, is not just about you when you have neighborhoods where other people live too.

 

[JustGeorge]

I live within the city proper. Out in the country, things aren't quite as regulated as within city limits. That's just the nature of living in a city. I'm thankful for several of those, as I really don't want to see rusting cars rotting in front yards of people's homes like a junkyard. That brings property values down in the neighborhood, as people don't like looking at eye sores like that in our populated residential areas, and other reasons to not do that.

I'm all for freedom, but I'm also for keeping our yards kept up and not turn to them into trash dumps. Keeping your home up, is not just about you when you have neighborhoods where other people live too.

I'm in a city as well.

What's an eyesore? I can't stand the beige houses on the street, but that doesn't give me the right to tell people to paint their house another color. (Beige reminds me of vomit, which I clean a lot up of.) I also drive a 14 year old van with rust patches(and random stuff spray painted on it) that some of the neighbors roll their eyes at. Why should I buy a new car to please some people I don't know? I'm far from wealthy, and I'm not interested in doing myself financial harm over my 'image'. My van runs well, and transports people/animals. That's what I want out of a vehicle.

I'm all for general maintenance, as it is a safety issue, and can cause property damage to the houses around(such as the decrepit abandoned house next door that's broken gutters dump water into the basements around them), but as to what looks nice is simply a matter of opinion.

Its also hard to judge properly, because one doesn't know what's going on with the situation. House across the street falling into disrepair? Perhaps someone is frail, ill, or financially unstable and unable to take care of the problem. Tsk tsking at a person in any of those situations isn't helpful or kind. Does someone in the house have a disability? Sometimes something that seems odd or unsightly is there to serve a person with a disability. We have a city approved space in our front yard where my autistic son uses to keep some of his 'calming' toys, as he would have difficulty accessing them otherwise. A neighbor complained to the city about it, and the city worker that dealt with the call was so irritated that someone would complain about something like that she took it upon herself to go to the city council to have an exception made for him(it was granted).

I've actually heard a lot of complaints from city workers that they're tired of being called over stuff that neighbors should just communicate about. Most are embarrassed to make the code enforcement visits they have to, in my experience.

I agree there are situations that need to be handled(such as a car on blocks in the street, or a house with bricks falling off of it). But someone should be able to have yard set up to serve pollinators without anyone's personal tastes getting in the way.

 

[Revoltingest]

No they are not. Invasive species are not wildflower or prairie gardens. Those are typically native species, that are not considered weeds. Where I live, the law allows for prairie gardens. I know several people who have them.

Not all weeds are noxious or invasive. Poison ivy,
giant hogweed....to regulate those is reasonable,
unlike grass height or dandelions.

That's why native prairie grasses and wildflowers are considered healthy and good. Invasive species, or "weeds" are considered environmentally destructive. I have a friend who plants these as part of restoration projects to help protect lakes and rivers. She works for the city. She pulls these invasive species, or weeds, which threatens the health of the environment. They are not aesthetic choices. They are destructive and they ruin the environment.

If you are not minding the needs of others, then your "business" is their business too. Don't let your 'liberty" be an excuse for negligent and irresponsible practices.

I kill garlic mustard to keep it from spreading.
But don't let lust for regulation become imposing
personal aesthetic standards upon the unwilling.

 

[Windwalker]

I'm in a city as well.

What's an eyesore? I can't stand the beige houses on the street, but that doesn't give me the right to tell people to paint their house another color. (Beige reminds me of vomit, which I clean a lot up of.) I also drive a 14 year old van with rust patches(and random stuff spray painted on it) that some of the neighbors roll their eyes at. Why should I buy a new car to please some people I don't know? I'm far from wealthy, and I'm not interested in doing myself financial harm over my 'image'. My van runs well, and transports people/animals. That's what I want out of a vehicle.

I mentioned rusting cars rotting in your front yard, like a junkyard. Not vehicles with rust, which is a common thing here in Minnesota. If they're running, they aren't junk. But parking in your front yard, inoperable, and letting it rot, that's another story. That's why we have junkyards.

I'm all for general maintenance, as it is a safety issue, and can cause property damage to the houses around(such as the decrepit abandoned house next door that's broken gutters dump water into the basements around them), but as to what looks nice is simply a matter of opinion.

Well yes, you can paint your house florescent green if it turns you on. I do not know of any city ordinance which forbids certain color choices, just that it is painted and not rotting. People get tagged for buildings that fall short of proper upkeep of their paint jobs, not the color of them. Now you may live in one of the "home association" places where people with sticks up their butts may complain about your pink flamingo collection, but I'd never live there myself.

Its also hard to judge properly, because one doesn't know what's going on with the situation. House across the street falling into disrepair? Perhaps someone is frail, ill, or financially unstable and unable to take care of the problem.

My mother's house got tagged by the city for needing a paint job. She was elderly and no funds to paint it. We contacted the city and explained the situation, and they allowed here to keep it like that for a few years. She died a couple years later, so we never needed to deal with that. It fell to the new owners.

I've actually heard a lot of complaints from city workers that they're tired of being called over stuff that neighbors should just communicate about. Most are embarrassed to make the code enforcement visits they have to, in my experience.

Well yes, like calling the cops on your neighbor, rather than you just being a good neighbor and talking with them and working it out yourself with them. Cops don't like getting called into stuff you should be able to deal with yourself and your neighbors. If it's a serious issue that threatens you, and it is illegal for them to be doing it, and they self-righteously proclaimed that you should mind your own business, when it fact it was your business to mind if it threatened you, then maybe calling the city is the correct thing to do at that point. Prior to that, they should quit running to mommy and talk to their neighbors first instead.

I agree there are situations that need to be handled(such as a car on blocks in the street, or a house with bricks falling off of it). But someone should be able to have yard set up to serve pollinators without anyone's personal tastes getting in the way.

I am all for native plants and grasses. I had a massive patch of echinacea growing in my backyard where pollinators were everywhere. I would practice my photography back there in that native garden. See below. But weeds and overgrown lawns, where rodents hides and breed, no. That's not at all in the interests of either beauty or the environment.

 

[Windwalker]

Not all weeds are noxious or invasive. Poison ivy,
giant hogweed....to regulate those is reasonable,
unlike grass height or dandelions.

I kill garlic mustard to keep it from spreading.
But don't let lust for regulation become imposing
personal aesthetic standards upon the unwilling.

I very clearly stated this has nothing to do with aesthetics. Why do you think it does, when it doesn't?

 

[Revoltingest]

I very clearly stated this has nothing to do with aesthetics. Why do you think it does, when it doesn't?

I merely advised not letting aesthetics be imposed
upon others....just in case that was a motive.
(I even edited the post to make that point clearer.)

 

[JustGeorge]

At our old house, we made 'gardens' by simply sectioning off parts of the yard and not mowing. Lined the area with some old wood... Best gardens ever. The aster that would come up was breathtaking. Had all sorts of other flowers I didn't know the names of, all provided by mother nature.

We did let weeds overtake the fences. Drove the neighbor nuts. She would trim the ones she could see, and that was fine with both of us. However, she came into my yard with the clippers one day, and wanted to remove the ones covering the fence to the front of the house. I stopped her and explained I leave those there so when I am working in the vegetable garden and I'm bent over, I don't want to moon anyone(it was a busy street). That made sense to her and she didn't bother about it again.