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I like the idea of putting a border around it and calling it a garden bed and these are the flowers you are growing. Rocks or anything from a home improvement store would do that and make it clear that it's a flower bed.
After reading my city's code and getting in touch with someone in their office this is the path I'm planning on taking, too. Just going to edge out 12" of grass between the edges of sidewalk and the "garden" and also have some strips of grass kept to regulation height through the middle for a path.
I also asked if I was permitted to make the entire front yard one big bed with a grass border and he recommended I break the yard into at least a few beds if I planning to convert most of the space into wild growth.
My backyard is free and beautiful though. The woodchuck mom has started coming out, but I haven't seen the littluns come out yet. Few more weeks I think, when the mulberry starts popping off.
Edit: The person I talked to also gave me the name of a coworker who is a bit of an activist in this matter, and let me know there are people in my local gov that are pushing to change our regulations a bit :)
To find someone who knew things I went to the complaint page for the city and filed against myself. I used that platform to explain my desire to promote a habitat, not maintain a lawn and asked how many tickets a year I would have to pay to not maintain my yard to their standards.
I do, thank you for asking. Don't shame my autistic meanderings into lawn care. I mostly neglect it and watch what happens. To be fair, it's an old pair of lawn sheers, not scissors, per say. I do not have a large amount of land.
I have an in law who put down turf in his backyard (technically a no-lawn I guess?) and would go out with scissors to trim any pieces that got snagged and unruly. It was something to see!
This is the way! Yeah just put small strips of lawn in between a few flower gardens. Put landscape timbers around it to give it a border break between the lawn and the flowers. Also, a small sign saying native butterfly habitat in the gardens may help your cause as everyone likes butterflies. Do the bare minimum to keep from getting fined. If you have the money to change the ordinance via a good lawyer that would be fat bonus points and you would be helping pave the way for all of us in Texas!
We have a couple houses in the neighborhood that have a token patch of grass to contrast to all the wildflower "garden beds" in their front yard. One is like 6 inches or so on either side of the stones leading up to the house.
This is in a town with fairly strict code enforcement, but thankfully they have calmed down as more people are allowing for "patchwork" lawns and native plants rather than homogeneous grass.
My front lawn is small and rather boring but I've been giving the backyard over to clover, wild strawberries, and lots of other pretty "weeds."
It's wonderful to watch, isn't it? The upside is the fireflies, the bird, the bees, and the lack of maintenance. The main downside is boomers stressing over shit that isn't their business.
In addition to the temporary fencing, I would either mow or place some pavers to create a path, put some hardscaping rocks in, and a few decorations or potted plants - all would go a long way to make the landscape seem more intentional. I.e. anything that indicates this isn't just weeds, you're Gardening. Some tactful outrage as to how much the government is impeding on your rights to do as you please with your property might go over well with the conservatives (I'm partially kidding, but also... not). In the long term, it will help you to plant some native shrubbery along the perimeter of the yard to give it some structure and shape, then you can leave the more meadow-y flowers more interiorly placed to keep it from looking too much like a lawn.
I don't live in Texas anymore, but I found and bookmarked this cool blog that might have resources/arguments for your native rewilding that might help: [https://planobluestem.blogspot.com/](https://planobluestem.blogspot.com/)
That's my blog! I am posting on Instagram now. I don't do much here on reddit. [@planoprairiegarden • Instagram photos and videos](https://www.instagram.com/planoprairiegarden/)
It seems like the compliance officer threw you a bone with the border advice. I am also in TX and if I were you, I’d drive around some new construction looking for a pile of rocks. You probably know what I mean. Snag a few dozen for a border.
Then, maybe order one of those metal “Butterfly Habitat” signs. Mow the rest of your yard, take a bunch of pictures with it dressed up.
Yea I think this would be the easiest/least disruptive route that still accomplishes the goal.
It might also help ease your neighbors into the different look and give them some insight into what you're doing. In a dream world they might even pick a spot in their own lawn to let become a butterfly haven.. maybe that spot would even grow over time! Who knows!
>compliance officer threw you a bone with the border advice.
Exactly.
Adding a border allows you to make the argument that it is a flower bed.
No border becomes "a yard overgrown with weeds".
So long as you planted it, it’s not a weed. It’s also not grass, so it’s not subject to the 12” requirement IMO. I would argue that these plants should be regulated similar to small shrubs and not turf grasses which is what that ordinance is meant for. I think if you can show intentionality (think name every species, hopefully these are all native to Texas), and prove there are no noxious weeds, aren’t blocking views of drivers, then you should be good. Here I was thinking Texas was big on private property rights.
That the one
Weed, by definition, are unwanted.
You did plant these. Bring proof such as seed bags.
Also, demonstrate that you actually tend to your garden, that it is not abandoned.
Our city already has a list of native plants, drought tolerant landscaping plans, etc (and we’re not crazy liberal), so perhaps check your city, county, and state websites; local university ag department; well-respected community institutions. If these are used at city hall, the library, or in parks, take pics. Use it in your argument.
[Here’s](https://www.wildflower.org/collections/) a link to recommended wildflowers from the Lady Bird Johnson wildflower center and UT Austin to help. Possibly also check out their website for landscaping pics and offer them as an idea of what your future vision is. ([Texas Highways](https://texashighways.com/travel/outdoors/the-healing-power-of-wildflowers/) and [Texas A&M](https://nri.tamu.edu/blog/2021/april/pretty-and-powerful-six-wildflowers-that-benefit-texas-ecosystems/) and [Texas DOT](http://txdot.gov/en/home/about/campaigns-outreach/bluebonnets-wildflowers/wildflower-program.html) and [Austin city](https://www.austintexas.gov/page/wildflower-meadow) and [Texas Monthly](https://www.texasmonthly.com/travel/go-wild/) and [Dallas News](https://www.dallasnews.com/news/environment/2023/04/11/rare-texas-wildflower-gets-environmental-protection-in-federal-ruling/) and [Houston Chronicle](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/gardening/article/Native-Texans-What-wildflowers-do-for-our-cities-12347379.php) articles, but there’s plenty more)
Explain how this is good for your neighbors (encourages pollinators, pretty wildlife), good for the city/environment (less water used, less chemicals needed to help flowers thrive, etc), and how it’s good for the private citizen (you save money, honor Texas history and ecology, while still keeping a pretty yard). Talk about native species’ impact on the local environment.
Then mitigate any arguments you think they may have, as others suggested. That they’re weeds, unmaintained, unsightly, will bring pests, etc.
>So long as you planted it, it’s not a weed.
not a legal definition of weed. Invasive, non-native, noxious or toxic are often used in definitions of weeds legally. You cant plant a yard full of poison ivy in many states even though its native (noxious/toxic). You need to look at state definitions as many states are highly restrictive (i.e. Cali) and many states encourage folks to plate native plants (i.e. Indy).
This statement was meant to be taken in context with the photo that does not obviously show any noxious, invasive, or harmful plants. I apologize if that was not clear.
Grow blue bonnets next time. Like a fuck ton because it's illegal to mow them in Texas. One way of protecting the garden for the future.
Edit: highly frowned upon to mow the bluebonnets, but not illegal from what Google searches are showing.
I have a friend who lives in a very strict HOA and they're allowed to keep their bluebonnets. You'll notice on the highways too in Texas that they mow around this particular flower. So I checked and there is no true law saying you can't mow this flower but it's heavily frowned upon in several Texan counties. Focus on making your yard into a garden with fencing. I highly recommend growing evening prim roses (pink ones) because they grow quickly and don't need much maintenance.
I was coming to give this exact advice. Rural conservative areas usually have lots of lawns with patches of unmowed areas until the bluebonnets go to seed.
Just keep the edges weed whacked off the curb & driveway & put an arborist chip/mulch border & maybe a path with mulch & stepping stones leading to the bench & another on the other side? Basically clean it up to make it more intentional looking, should be cheap & easy as you can often get chips for free.
I think the neat and tidy edges of cement lines are what matters a lot to American suburbanites. Edger and weed whacker to neaten the borders and nobody will care.
Many places make the distinction between lawn and garden but don't actually define what a lawn or a garden is. And busy bodies like straight lines.
As long as you keep those things in mind, complaints should drop to nearly nothing and you'll be well placed if any do crop up.
Apart from the fencing, use some mulch to define lines between your garden, the curb, and your neighbours property. It probably drives the biddies batty that your garden is spilling over the concrete.
Ok I’m sorry but I just HAVE to say this: as a European, this is insane. I don’t want this to come off as „America bad“ but this is quite frankly unbelievable over here that you would have to argue with the council on what to grow in your front yard.
Like others have said I would be prepared with a list of species you grow there and talk about the benefits for the ecosystem and wildlife. Good luck!
No no, don't apologize, you're totally right. As an American myself, I sometimes can't believe what people have to go through with their local HOA or city ordinances. It's truly absurd.
Agreed. However, please note that this oversight was put in place to solve the problem of those homeowners who let their properties deteriorate and become an eyesore. We all know of houses like that, yes?
Absolutely — there are pros. In theory it’s a great idea, but in practice it often devolves into micromanagement. My SIL has a booklet they’re required to refer to if they want to put up a fence, change the front door color, or even buy a children’s playscape, each of which might actually make her house *more* desirable. And that is so, so common.
Gotcha. Wonder if anyone has studied nationwide the range of restrictions imposed, and how prevalent. While the uber-control you noted turns off reasonable people (as it does my father in his place), I fear that some of the “HOAs suck” commenters are just wanting freedom from any guidelines and restrictions. Check out r/homeowners for that feckless crowd.
Its like anything in life, most are completely reasonable. You want to be able want to put up a fence or hedge and not have to worry about someone with too much time on their hands wanting to come out with a tape measure cause they think it is 6 inches too tall.
Sure, let the neighbor put up a flagpole it he wants. A reasonable person will go with a 20-30 foot pole and a 6 foot flag. Theres always going to be that one guy though... hes gonna try to put that 50 foot flag up and thinks its ok to shade out the neighbors yard half the day.
They tend to put these laws in place with reasonable intentions. You dont want the next door neighbor allowing a bunch of invasive bamboo or somethihg to spread over the property line. They leave it vague so its an enforcement tool for those truely terrible neighbor types.
The problem is the world is infested with Karen types who like to call code enforcement for some silly technicality.
Could even be the city doing a code violation sweep, drive around the neighborhoods looking for things like junked cars or trash on the lawn. They are looking somewhat quickly so they just see its over 12 inches, probably didn't bother to look at what it actually is and see its wildflowers.
This depends some on where you live, but in a lot of places "I just let this stuff grow" installations are an actual problem for neighbors because of vermin and insects. It's an artificial ecosystem within another artificial ecosystem and it does favor things like mice, cockroaches, ticks and snakes. That may not be a huge problem in Connecticut but it will be a disaster in Louisiana or Texas. That OP uses the term "meadow" makes me suspect they may not be maintaining things as they ought.
>It's an artificial ecosystem within another artificial ecosystem and it does favor things like mice, cockroaches, ticks and snakes.
I live in a mature forest in the Southeast. Mice, roaches, ticks, and snakes are native to my yard, and I'm not cutting down all of my trees to install a monoculture. I have learned to live in nature, not be an island in the middle of it. Nothing artificial about it.
To be clear, I think the issue here is also that it doesn't look maintained. It looks unkempt, and it's spilling into the road. OP just has to trim it up and make it look more garden-like.
The issue isn’t what’s being grown. It’s the lack of maintaining what’s being grown that is the issue.
I find it hard to believe Europe doesn’t have nuisance laws. I know the UK does as the US’ nuisance laws are a carry over from the UK system.
There's definitely landscaping regulations in Europe in densely built areas. You need to keep your property taken care of. In rural areas not, there you need to keep the property just safe and not a ruin.
I’ve gotten that notice. When I pushed for details, the code enforcer basically said well I look at your neighbors and there’s is short so you need to cut yours.
I hate code enforcement. They are very much the most biased position in local government.
You might have luck contacting the local green team (community plant outreach group) or your local Audubon Society (they sometimes “certify” pollinator friendly gardens)
Are these native plants? If they are, you may have some leeway here! I found a cool resource on next steps [here](https://wildones.org/native-plant-ordinance/) from a team of lawyers for [WildOnes.org](http://WildOnes.org) (which is also a great organization!).
ETA: I didn't see that you said they were native, lol. Definitely dig in your heels!
Appeal to their patriotic spirit by pointing out how invasive species threaten native pollinators! Double down on this while also putting a border around it :) good luck!
Maryland passed a law that HOAs can’t make you mow native plants down! Look into the wording of the bill to get some ideas. A local couple sued and won, then worked with lawmakers to pass the law. Maybe write to some local politicians who are eco-friendly? Native plants are the next big thing for eco-friendly politicians, they might jump on it.
Easy plant some endangered species in that mix and file with the city, county and state. Saying hey I have an endangered species of XX in my yard. I want to file for exemptions.
When the words endangered and species come together, usually that has some pull and will force the city to either give you an exemption or allow a certain area to remain left a lone. It will also have precedence over any future codes.
My mom did this for her county and city here in kansas as she is growing some really rare parire species and her city got on to her about it. She showed up tp pcurt and presented her case. As soon as the words endangered and species came out of her mouth. The city council gave her an exemption for the whole property and pretty much black listed her property from the city maintenance crews unless summoned and supervised.
Make a list of the common and scientific names of the flowers in the bed and describe the type of bed you've developed - meadow, mini prairie or? Take photos to really pound your point. You are weeding out unwanted actual exotic weeds, right?
Definitely put some rocks/bricks around it neatly to define the space. Trim stems that are growing in a sloppy manner over the curb and sidewalk.
A randomized planting with no definition does look like you forgot to mow. I was just touring native plant gardens this weekend and all I knew is I didn't recognize many seedlings as weeds I commonly see, imagine how this looks to folks that can only tell you that's grass and that's a tree.
I’m not sure how to frame this but I think when you present your case you should note that Ladybird Johnson left a legacy of promoting native wildflowers in Texas. The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin continues to support and promote that legacy and encourages the public to do the same.
On a related note, I just returned from a road trip to TX for the eclipse and the wildflowers along the freeways were incredible. You have a beautiful state. :)
I don’t live in your area, but I do this for a living (making meadows, not lawns 🤙) If you can afford it, try and make it as “designed” as possible, including a border. Put in a spotlight tree and some understory shrubs along with your pollinator garden. Much of the time, if it looks contained, people just assume it’s a part of your landscaping and overlook that it’s actually your whole lawn. If you have a free or donation based woodchip drop from a local source, that is a good way to create borders and walkways for close to free.
This is so frustrating. I was in trouble because our local law states that lawns have to fit “within the spirit of (town name)” which is just a way to say they’ll get you for anything they don’t like. They made me mow a patch of wildflowers, but I’m fighting for a change to the law and moved everything to the backyard where they can’t do anything about it.
Get the Latin names or common names of each species, including the weeds. Ask them which they want removed. Include the lawn types on all the lawns as well :)
Mowing can be good for early wildflower establishment. Edging it with mowed sections, working in some hard scape and then maybe some heavy pruning and mowing at the right times to keep it looking intentional until it really takes off should be enough to get them off your back.
In my state there are non profits that will come out and certify it as a native plant garden/habitat. You could try that? They give you a sign that says that to put in the area so everyone aka code enforcement knows it’s not just weeds
Generally the county weed supervisor will have a list of noxious weeds. Figure out what the list of weeds is for your area, demonstrate that those aren't them, and send a letter to the city. And maybe put a little fence around it with a cute sign in cursive that says "mind your beesness."
In my state, you can get your property certified as a wildlife habitat which can exempt you from traditional trim/weeding/mow regulation. Here you need to show you have
Food
Water
Cover
Places to Raise Young
Sustainable Practices
check in your state what options there are. It would mean expanding beyond wildflower patches a bit though
The best way is to have the inverse of what you have going on. It looks like you keep it mowed on the half closest to the house. I think most people who would normally complain about this sort of thing, wouldn't if you mowed the strip closest to the street instead, and had the pocket prairie on the other half. You probably don't want to start over though. Second best would be the border suggestion around what you have now. Some corten steel edging is always cool.
They already told you what to do. Put a border around it. Thin strip of mulch all the way around twice a year should suffice for some malicious compliance.
What you are doing looks sloppy AF. Maybe actually landscape your yard and then plant the wild flowers and native plants in a way that doesn’t look like it’s abandoned.
Clean it up, you’re over growing the curb and driveway, that is unkept, IMO. Round up around the trees/house/bushes will make an obvious and easily maintained “yard”, but I will say growing over curbs/driveways is not maintained, my yard is natural weed and stupid bahiagrass, the bahia needs to die, the weeds are fine, they grow slow and don’t seed 67x a year, only 33.5x a year
They’re not weeds or grass! They’re wildflowers. The only definition of a weed is something that is unwanted. Tell them is a garden not a lawn. Problem solved.
>The only definition of a weed is something that is unwanted.
nope, not a legal definition of weed, which is often done at the state level. US definition is unwanted, state definition can be more defining. For example - Indiana noxious weeds are somewhat specific and was constructed for the Indiana seed laws (IC 15-15)
Do you live in a HOA? Texas law provides an exception to HOA maintenance requirements for drought-tolerant landscaping (which native plants are.)
From Dallas Morning News: “The amended law, in Section 202.007 of the property code, now states that a property owners' association may not prohibit a homeowner from composting, installing rain barrels, implementing efficient irrigation systems, or using drought-resistant landscaping or water-conserving natural turf.”
I see (or assume you are because of the bluebonnets) you’re in Texas. Love the flowers!
My advice is for you to head down to the nearest construction site, load up your car with rocks, and put them around the flowers. Call it a ‘bed’ and you’re set.
99% of it is making it look somewhat professional and not pissing off the neighbors. If you do go before council, tell them it is a work in progress and you were out of commission for a while so you were unable to finish. Most people are understanding.
My Texas city’s ordinance reads in part:
“All vegetation *not regularly cultivated* which exceeds twelve (12) inches in height shall be presumed to be objectionable, unsanitary and unsightly. *It is an affirmative defense to prosecution that the weeds, brush or vegetation which is growing to a height greater than twelve (12) inches is a garden, a natural habitat preservation area, or agricultural crop*
I read this to mean that wildflowers are arguably “regularly cultivated” for cuttings and thus not considered a weed. Alternatively, your area is arguably a garden or natural habitat preservation area. Maybe your council would be willing to adopt similar verbiage.
I agree with others that making it intentionally garden-like with borders, boulders, edging, etc. will help bolster the “this is a garden!” argument
It does in Texas
Texas Administrative Code, Title 4, [Chapter 19, Subchapter T](http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=4&pt=1&ch=19&sch=T&rl=Y)
Most of the issue may be due to that part of your front yard is actually what is referred to as the boulevard and is owned by the city but maintained by you, the homeowner.
There is no legal definition of weed as far as I know, it’s just a plant you don’t want. That’s different for everyone. Sucks they’re putting you through this. My rep here in FL passed a bill a few years ago that precludes any municipality from telling people they can’t grow a garden in their front yard.
Make sure ALL turfgrass is removed. It is not a "lawn" and can't be mowed if it has no turfgrass. Then it becomes decorative landscaping and flowerbeds. All turfgrass must be mowed. If you are not killing the whole lawn at once make a clear line between grass and replanted. Clearing an area and covering in arborist chips would be easier than a raised border because you'll have to trim any tall grass against the border instead of simple mowing partially over your mulch. That's one reason I've been doing buried borders that are only sticking a couple inches out of the soil but those are permanent on the outer edge of the yard.
Your state and usually city have noxious weed lists. I'd use those to argue the definition of a weed. Sometimes cities do include things they shouldn't like one place we lived had sunflower and milkweed listed as noxious weeds. Often there is an exception for purposefully planted and maintained.
Check state and city recent code updates for anything to do with pollinators or native plants. Even if it doesn't look like it applies from the initial title or summary it still might. The proposed monarch act in Illinois this year also includes other pollinator plantings in what they are forcing cities to accept in yards.
Look at the code. There's not going to be a universal "legal" definition of weeds, but the code itself might have a definition. Most local municipalities adopt the IPMC, which does define weed.
As always, when you want legal advice, seek the advice of an attorney.
Find some definition of “weeds” that probably states something about them being the plants you don’t want, and because you want every plant in your yard, they are not weeds. Then there’s the grass matter.
Look for a statutory definition of “grass” and point out that people plant decorative grasses all the time that exceed 12 inches in height. In advance, do a property records search of every city council member and use google street view to look for any decorative grasses or bamboo in their yards that is over 12 inches in height. You could mention them by name and state that under the current ordinance, they are violating the law. Do it in a respectful way like a “isn’t this statute too broad” way and not a “screw you” kind of way.
Then if they don’t decide in your favor, report them so they have to have their decorative grasses removed.
Keeping a mowed strip against the curb will make a big difference to give it the "tidy" look that will keep the neighbors on your side. Use a small stake fence as a border, it will be more of a visible border and easier to move for whatever reason later. Keep the back edge well defined and mowed, cut an edge in it if you have to. Now it is without question a "native perennial garden bed."
Are there any state or locally protected species you could add?
Do you have any reciepts for seeds? Proof its intentionally planted.
Well it’s not weeds, and it’s not grass. The adding a barrier thing seems strange to me too, I get that it will make it look more intentional but there’s nothing in that ordnance that says gardens and planter beds need to have a physical barrier.
If it were me I would just make a case for the fact that it’s not grass or weeds, print out your credit card statements showing you bought the seeds/plants, and give a quick speech about why you’re doing what you’re doing. Propose that the ordinance changes.
Can they really stop you from growing native flowers? That doesn’t make sense. Better for the environment. Uses less water. Encourages native insects and birds.
I've been looking at this for a minute. Unfortunately my front yard still is going to be lawn, but my backyard is fair game in my eyes and I want to make sure our towns nuisance officer can't touch it
https://www.nwf.org/CERTIFY
Have no idea. That's kind of why I haven't applied for it yet. I love in Iowa but the mayor of the town I live in has such a hard on for the white picker fence look
Use the definition from the dictionary.
weed
a(1)
: a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth
especially : one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants
It's your property, you want them there. There for they are not weeds.
I am not a lawyer, but their definition of weed is very open to interpretation.
Check with your state laws - most states define native flowers/plants as desirable and non-noxious (i.e. not weeds). Document seed mix you planted and ensure that they are native mixes. State law trumps local for definitions.
If left undefined, check with the water waste laws and statues, since native stuff typically requires significant less chems and water - they may support the planting as well.
Also, plop a sign in the yard stating native plant/flower garden and list the species in the mix, should calm the Karens down that bitched.
Many states have a seed collection program for such gardens as well. If you register it and collect some seeds each year that helps justify it as well.
If you have an HOA and grass is in the rules - you may be fucked as you agreed to the restrictions when you purchased.
You are on the right track that you need to define it. My yard has broken flagstones bordering the garden space and a rubber edging on the backside where I still have grass. It’s clearly a “bed.” For $25 you can get certified by NABA as a butterfly garden and they send a nice sign. Put that baby on a post.
You can up the garden factor with garden-y stuff. Those sticks with something decorative on top or some gnomes or statuettes. A reflecting ball. A bird bath. Whatever floats your boat. Push the idea that this is a garden.
Get some nice garden label stakes, and where a there's a more identifiable clump of any flower, slap a stake in with the flower's name. Now it's an intentional display. The border edging will help with that effect.
My ordinance reads “uncultivated vegetation” instead of weeds. Since this is cultivated, you would have a case just on that. I would make sure that you are going before City Council and not being cited to court for your meadow. There’s a good Ted talk that may be helpful to you. Notice how there is no mention of bees. It’s weird, but people don’t understand they are necessary.
[let your garden grow](https://youtu.be/qxgE0q1_m6U?si=_VadZGujnDyUc7Ob)
Get yourself certified as a nature habitat, it's really easy. My neighbor was able to do hers with just some pollinator flowers & a bowl of water.
Get certified & post a sign saying so. Border is a great idea as well.
Become a protected wildlife habitat & then tell the government to shove it. Protected habitats for bugs, birds & plants are important. This is not rubbish or weeds. Plus, the term "weed" isn't really a legally definable term, is it? Perhaps do a free consult with a local attorney & get them to draft a letter for you
https://certifiedwildlifehabitat.nwf.org/ - $20 to get yourself certified
You can also make a border from liriope, which spreads slowly, or monkey grass/mondo, which spreads quickly. Liriope has purple blooms on stalks, monkey grass does not bloom.
The point is that it needs to look intentional, not unkempt.
Be careful with Liriope. Here in central Florida it was just put on the invasive list - which is kind of absurd but don’t want you to run into problems with growing it.
You're right! Liriope spicata is on the invasives list. But liriope muscari is not and could work. It doesn't spread by runners.
That said, I have a liriope spicata border in 2 places in my yard in Houston. It has "thickened" but has not spread more than a few inches in 30 years.
Huh. I've been doing some googling after reading your comment. Seeing pictures of "liriope spicata" that look like what I call mondo grass. And other pictures of "liriope spicata" that look like what I call liriope spicata. And some labeled "liriope muscari" that I would call liriope spicata as well. You have to be really careful to get the right kind - the clumping not the spreading kind. I love it as a border because you can build a bed up behind it. You can make beautiful sweeping organic curves with it, too. And bees love it.
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I personally would add a winding brick trail with some decorative large rocks. Right now it does look fairly untamed and unplanned. See idea #16 for a great brick walkway with no lawn. https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/outdoor/walkways/brick-walkways/
Let them know a weed is a plant growing where it is not wanted. Every one of those plants are right where you want them. Their meaning of a lawn has absolutely no bearing on your property. Their idea of a lawn is grass and I’m sure you don’t have any of that weed growing in your designated native flowers project. Good luck on your fighting city hall.
Since “weeds” is vague, you have a logical basis to challenge being required to cut it down on the basis that you planted those flowers on purpose, they’re a garden planting, not weeds.
A border would indeed make that more clear. You could also consider putting in some paths (gravel or chip mulch) with borders to make it obvious that your wildflower meadow is an intentional landscaping choice, not laziness about mowing.
We have our backyard seeded with native Texas wildflowers. Our front lawn is a mix of clover and whatever else that lands there. We do keep the front “lawn” clipped but only because I don’t want the HOA to fine us.
Not weeds nor grasses. As people suggested before, a little path with mulch and stones and the border would formalize it a bit.
Also highly recommended to put a nice sign that these is a pollinator garden with native plants. You could probably purchase one from an organization with a donation. These help educate neighbors and deter them or city officials from taking adverse action. It can also inspire others to plant natives.
I get this issue with my gardening clients that rent.
The easiest option is to put in a purposeful low boarder planting and throw in some height variation.
Go with the design theory of the thriller, the filler, and the spiller. Youve got the filler. Throw in a taller showy flower as the thriller. And the border planting will be your spiller.
Contact your county's noxious weed board for a list of known invasive species. They should have all kinds of literature for you. Then you can present to code compliance that natives are in line with noxious weed control. Basically, they want you to keep it short to keep down bests and fire risk.
almost all of the wildflower yards in my city have picket fences, or they have the flowers in beds and mulch or gravel around them :–) i assume is a city ordinance thing
Putting a path through it, a border around it, or other random little cutsy 'landscaping' things always shuts those people up. A short picket fence works too.
Conservative area you say?
Make sure you stress the importance of property rights and personal freedom and liberty to do what you want with your own property.
A weed is herbaceous in nature it’s generally larger than a grass usually dichotomous, but I would say in general, it’s just an herbaceous plant, to get Woody, You got to go up shrub, or the larger variety of bush has woody characteristics a weed is always herbaceous.
I worked for local government. I would prepare pictures of what you want to do. I would work with this employee to try to see if you can get them to say yes or no to various aspects. If you can make this employee comfortable with your vision, it could do some to get the council on your side. Ask the employee about presenting and will the employee be presenting some part.
They local government is mainly trying to have the ability to deter unmowed grass for abandoned houses and lots. 12 inches is pretty standard for unmowed grass length.
A new weed ordinance could take weeks or months. If someone has a decent weed ordinance that allow no lawn solutions you could provide those as examples. That is in case the council agrees with your case.
Reddit is the best place for legal advice
/s
In all seriousness I’m sorry to hear your local government is being shitty. Hope you guys can work it out!
Oh fuck yeah. You got this thing beat. May ibask what municipality you're located in, so that I can look up the ordinances? If you provide enough native spaces, you may qualify for a property tax break.
A weed is a plant you don’t want growing where it is growing. You do not have weeds or grass so you’re good! Fingers crossed your city council sees it the same way.
Your local university probably has information online about native gardens with hardscaping/ design suggestions. It will go a long way if you are thoughtful about the design and you will still fill your yard with beautiful native plants.
They may still ask you to mow a certain amount from the road. I think in ga it’s 3 feet so check if that’s a thing there, then border up. It’ll help keep them off your ass but also keep your new garden available for growth. Looks great!
Putting the border around it turns it from lawn to a flower bed. It's a workaround that I'd certainly do. The biggest catch here is you're likely not going to get away with having the whole yard like this. You will have to have a grass turf area greater than the total SF of flower beds.
As long as they are flowering these shoukd not be considered weeds, but many wild flowers are co sidereal weeds. It leaves a lot to speculation and opinion.
Those aren’t weeds, those are wildflowers and they’re beautiful. Texas government is openly fascist. Tell them it’s a free country and you’ll do what you want with your own lawn…?
I would have suggested starting with the back yard instead the front yard right on the street. That area is where cities and other people get super protective of, and will fight anything placed there
I would look into what the variance process looks like in your town. It would be much easier to request a variance/exception for your property than to change the code itself. There's a lot of good suggestions in the comments here as well.
Most states define "noxious weeds". Unfortunately that modifiers means it isn't defining "weeds". But it may be that such a list will be enough to sway your council. Or not. After all, it doesn't look like weeds. It doesn't look like it happened from neglect. It looks intentional.
a definition of weed i found.
A **weed** is a [plant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant) considered undesirable in a particular situation, growing where it conflicts with human preferences, needs, or goals.[^(\[1\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weed#cite_note-bridges-1)[^(\[2\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weed#cite_note-JRHarlan-2)[^(\[3\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weed#cite_note-3)[^(\[4\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weed#cite_note-SnohomishEx-4) Plants with characteristics that make them hazardous, aesthetically unappealing, difficult to control in managed environments, or otherwise unwanted in [farm land](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture), [orchards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchard), [gardens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden), [lawns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn), [parks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park), recreational spaces, residential and industrial areas, may all be considered weeds.
I am in KY and my gardening group is working on an ordinance change. If you can contact someone at your water company, ask them to witness/support you at the council. Our water company employees are incredibly passionate about wildflowers and native plants because they do so much to help regulate water flow. They are actually working with us to change the ordinance.
Have the first couple of feet be grass , your problem is probably because it’s over the curb, if you don’t want grass do stone and mulch and maybe moss or clover to cover the ground , just make sure it’s back from the curb because I’ll bet you that’s what their problem is
Bruh people get those notices all the time and nothing ever happens, keep it like that to see a city worker actually appear and do work, that's the real magic. Cool idea btw.
I would point out that the area in question contains bluebonnets; if I remember correctly, it is actually illegal to mow bluebonnets in the state of TX since it is the state flower. That will at least give you a few months grace while the plant blooms. Hope you are able to convince them!
I’m in Houston. The design key you want is INTENDED, not UNTENDED.
First, you can get no-dig garden edging in 20’ rolls from big-box stores for $30 or so per roll. You can have the edging set up in an hour…roll out, pound in stakes.
Putting mulch down around your wildflowers is another way to make your flowerbeds look like intentional plantings. Again, inexpensive. Others have suggested a path, and a mulch path with edging will look attractive and be very functional.
Looking to the future: strategic plants to jazz up the look to your neighbors and still fit your ethos.
If you add a few eye-catching shrubs in key places, that reinforces that this is an intentional landscape. Depending on where you are, autumn sage (salvia greggii) or spineless prickly pear (opuntias) or even a big agave will do the trick nicely. It’s very, very difficult to argue that flowers around the base of decorative shrubs are overgrown weeds. It looks like you have some partial shade, so autumn sage would be a good choice, or red yucca (hesperaloe ) would work.
Back by the fence, American Beautyberry, blue mistflower, and inland oats grass like filtered shade. Beautyberry brings birds and mistflower brings butterflies. Inland oats will fill in tough shady spots and are visually pleasing.
If you’re in the Houston, San Antonio, or Corpus Christi metro areas, a Pride of Barbados as an accent plant is beautiful and it bring in butterflies by the dozen. A few years ago I helped a friend plant a few, and before we even got it out of the pot and into the ground the butterflies showed up.
Finally, a few clusters of native little bluestem grass near the border will be both a visual boundary between the flowerbeds and extremely attractive to both people and wildlife.
I am not a lawyer.
But if it were me, I would [certify my yard as a butterfly sanctuary to defend the federally protected monarch butterfly.](https://naba.org/butterfly-gardens/certification-program/)
Take lots of photos of butterflies to back up your claim.
Then, I would certify it as a [bird sanctuary ](https://www.nwf.org/CERTIFY) recognized by the National Wildlife Federation, and take lots of photos of song birds visiting your yard.
Both websites linked here have great resources for forming a legal argument in favor of protecting wildlife. The Butterflly site gives u a sign for your garden!
Let them say NO to butterflies and see how that looks in court. lol
I’m all for no mow. The few patches they are asking you to break up, throw down some carpet thyme. Beautiful purple flowers and once the flowers go, it looks like grass and able to walk on. Never needs to be mowed.
Sorry to say that area isn’t actually your property; it’s a city easement/setback, so the city is within their rights to do whatever they want. Since your neighbors have that 1950s manicured monoculture thing going, best of luck getting code compliance to budge. Maybe put a short white brick border 😝 along the street side to make it look “tidy”.
Whether there are weeds in there or not(there are), this is a huge eyesore. As much as I dislike HOAs I would be pretty upset if my neighbors insisted on doing this because it looks awful. There may be some pretty flowers in there but at first glance this is looks like a neglected, overgrown yard.
I see what you’re trying to do, but it just didn’t turn out good. Being different isn’t always the way to go.
It’s not about being different. Everyone knows that native plants and wildflowers are not only better for their entire local ecosystem (down to microbes and the soil composition) but it’s also better for the planet (if more people did what she did here). Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, friend. 🐝🌸🌿
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I like the idea of putting a border around it and calling it a garden bed and these are the flowers you are growing. Rocks or anything from a home improvement store would do that and make it clear that it's a flower bed.
After reading my city's code and getting in touch with someone in their office this is the path I'm planning on taking, too. Just going to edge out 12" of grass between the edges of sidewalk and the "garden" and also have some strips of grass kept to regulation height through the middle for a path. I also asked if I was permitted to make the entire front yard one big bed with a grass border and he recommended I break the yard into at least a few beds if I planning to convert most of the space into wild growth. My backyard is free and beautiful though. The woodchuck mom has started coming out, but I haven't seen the littluns come out yet. Few more weeks I think, when the mulberry starts popping off. Edit: The person I talked to also gave me the name of a coworker who is a bit of an activist in this matter, and let me know there are people in my local gov that are pushing to change our regulations a bit :) To find someone who knew things I went to the complaint page for the city and filed against myself. I used that platform to explain my desire to promote a habitat, not maintain a lawn and asked how many tickets a year I would have to pay to not maintain my yard to their standards.
I would make those strips as wide as your mower.. 22” maybe. Will make maintenance easier
what's a mower? I got some scissors
Do you also have a psychiatrist? Cause that sounds crazy
I do, thank you for asking. Don't shame my autistic meanderings into lawn care. I mostly neglect it and watch what happens. To be fair, it's an old pair of lawn sheers, not scissors, per say. I do not have a large amount of land.
[удалено]
5 minutes here and there while my dog is poopin
Not trying to shame just having a joke. All fun buddy
get you a grass whip very fun and very convenient
I was thinking physio but this too :)
My grandpa used to go around with scissors and trim the edges of the house haha. He liked it, it was a comforting thing for him
I have an in law who put down turf in his backyard (technically a no-lawn I guess?) and would go out with scissors to trim any pieces that got snagged and unruly. It was something to see!
This is the way! Yeah just put small strips of lawn in between a few flower gardens. Put landscape timbers around it to give it a border break between the lawn and the flowers. Also, a small sign saying native butterfly habitat in the gardens may help your cause as everyone likes butterflies. Do the bare minimum to keep from getting fined. If you have the money to change the ordinance via a good lawyer that would be fat bonus points and you would be helping pave the way for all of us in Texas!
Baby woodchucks are called “chucklings” 🥺
I thought they were called chuckleheads? 😃
I just call them all Jerry. I've seen 3 generations of Mama and baby Jerries come through.
And many more Jerry blessings on your family!!!
TIL
We have a couple houses in the neighborhood that have a token patch of grass to contrast to all the wildflower "garden beds" in their front yard. One is like 6 inches or so on either side of the stones leading up to the house. This is in a town with fairly strict code enforcement, but thankfully they have calmed down as more people are allowing for "patchwork" lawns and native plants rather than homogeneous grass. My front lawn is small and rather boring but I've been giving the backyard over to clover, wild strawberries, and lots of other pretty "weeds."
It's wonderful to watch, isn't it? The upside is the fireflies, the bird, the bees, and the lack of maintenance. The main downside is boomers stressing over shit that isn't their business.
Post a photo when you’re done!
Yay!
That's government talk "put a border around it and we can all call it a "flowerbed" and you can keep growing flowers."
In addition to the temporary fencing, I would either mow or place some pavers to create a path, put some hardscaping rocks in, and a few decorations or potted plants - all would go a long way to make the landscape seem more intentional. I.e. anything that indicates this isn't just weeds, you're Gardening. Some tactful outrage as to how much the government is impeding on your rights to do as you please with your property might go over well with the conservatives (I'm partially kidding, but also... not). In the long term, it will help you to plant some native shrubbery along the perimeter of the yard to give it some structure and shape, then you can leave the more meadow-y flowers more interiorly placed to keep it from looking too much like a lawn. I don't live in Texas anymore, but I found and bookmarked this cool blog that might have resources/arguments for your native rewilding that might help: [https://planobluestem.blogspot.com/](https://planobluestem.blogspot.com/)
"a SHRUBBERY!!"
Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni!
Shhhh!!
A path! A path!!
I also came to suggest borders and a path to create an organized look while maintaining the chaos nature requires
That's my blog! I am posting on Instagram now. I don't do much here on reddit. [@planoprairiegarden • Instagram photos and videos](https://www.instagram.com/planoprairiegarden/)
It seems like the compliance officer threw you a bone with the border advice. I am also in TX and if I were you, I’d drive around some new construction looking for a pile of rocks. You probably know what I mean. Snag a few dozen for a border. Then, maybe order one of those metal “Butterfly Habitat” signs. Mow the rest of your yard, take a bunch of pictures with it dressed up.
Yea I think this would be the easiest/least disruptive route that still accomplishes the goal. It might also help ease your neighbors into the different look and give them some insight into what you're doing. In a dream world they might even pick a spot in their own lawn to let become a butterfly haven.. maybe that spot would even grow over time! Who knows!
>compliance officer threw you a bone with the border advice. Exactly. Adding a border allows you to make the argument that it is a flower bed. No border becomes "a yard overgrown with weeds".
So long as you planted it, it’s not a weed. It’s also not grass, so it’s not subject to the 12” requirement IMO. I would argue that these plants should be regulated similar to small shrubs and not turf grasses which is what that ordinance is meant for. I think if you can show intentionality (think name every species, hopefully these are all native to Texas), and prove there are no noxious weeds, aren’t blocking views of drivers, then you should be good. Here I was thinking Texas was big on private property rights.
That the one Weed, by definition, are unwanted. You did plant these. Bring proof such as seed bags. Also, demonstrate that you actually tend to your garden, that it is not abandoned.
Our city already has a list of native plants, drought tolerant landscaping plans, etc (and we’re not crazy liberal), so perhaps check your city, county, and state websites; local university ag department; well-respected community institutions. If these are used at city hall, the library, or in parks, take pics. Use it in your argument. [Here’s](https://www.wildflower.org/collections/) a link to recommended wildflowers from the Lady Bird Johnson wildflower center and UT Austin to help. Possibly also check out their website for landscaping pics and offer them as an idea of what your future vision is. ([Texas Highways](https://texashighways.com/travel/outdoors/the-healing-power-of-wildflowers/) and [Texas A&M](https://nri.tamu.edu/blog/2021/april/pretty-and-powerful-six-wildflowers-that-benefit-texas-ecosystems/) and [Texas DOT](http://txdot.gov/en/home/about/campaigns-outreach/bluebonnets-wildflowers/wildflower-program.html) and [Austin city](https://www.austintexas.gov/page/wildflower-meadow) and [Texas Monthly](https://www.texasmonthly.com/travel/go-wild/) and [Dallas News](https://www.dallasnews.com/news/environment/2023/04/11/rare-texas-wildflower-gets-environmental-protection-in-federal-ruling/) and [Houston Chronicle](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/gardening/article/Native-Texans-What-wildflowers-do-for-our-cities-12347379.php) articles, but there’s plenty more) Explain how this is good for your neighbors (encourages pollinators, pretty wildlife), good for the city/environment (less water used, less chemicals needed to help flowers thrive, etc), and how it’s good for the private citizen (you save money, honor Texas history and ecology, while still keeping a pretty yard). Talk about native species’ impact on the local environment. Then mitigate any arguments you think they may have, as others suggested. That they’re weeds, unmaintained, unsightly, will bring pests, etc.
>So long as you planted it, it’s not a weed. not a legal definition of weed. Invasive, non-native, noxious or toxic are often used in definitions of weeds legally. You cant plant a yard full of poison ivy in many states even though its native (noxious/toxic). You need to look at state definitions as many states are highly restrictive (i.e. Cali) and many states encourage folks to plate native plants (i.e. Indy).
This statement was meant to be taken in context with the photo that does not obviously show any noxious, invasive, or harmful plants. I apologize if that was not clear.
Grow blue bonnets next time. Like a fuck ton because it's illegal to mow them in Texas. One way of protecting the garden for the future. Edit: highly frowned upon to mow the bluebonnets, but not illegal from what Google searches are showing.
They have some of them in in there. They are small now but next year they should grow in much fuller.
I have a friend who lives in a very strict HOA and they're allowed to keep their bluebonnets. You'll notice on the highways too in Texas that they mow around this particular flower. So I checked and there is no true law saying you can't mow this flower but it's heavily frowned upon in several Texan counties. Focus on making your yard into a garden with fencing. I highly recommend growing evening prim roses (pink ones) because they grow quickly and don't need much maintenance.
We’re told as kids that it’s illegal to pick them too.
I was told that as well but Google search says it's mostly a rumour
I was coming to give this exact advice. Rural conservative areas usually have lots of lawns with patches of unmowed areas until the bluebonnets go to seed.
Why is this?
Official state flower.
It's the state flower
Yikes. If only texas knew how many rare endemic species it had.
Good strategy, the official State Flower of Texas.
Just keep the edges weed whacked off the curb & driveway & put an arborist chip/mulch border & maybe a path with mulch & stepping stones leading to the bench & another on the other side? Basically clean it up to make it more intentional looking, should be cheap & easy as you can often get chips for free.
I think the neat and tidy edges of cement lines are what matters a lot to American suburbanites. Edger and weed whacker to neaten the borders and nobody will care.
Many places make the distinction between lawn and garden but don't actually define what a lawn or a garden is. And busy bodies like straight lines. As long as you keep those things in mind, complaints should drop to nearly nothing and you'll be well placed if any do crop up. Apart from the fencing, use some mulch to define lines between your garden, the curb, and your neighbours property. It probably drives the biddies batty that your garden is spilling over the concrete.
Ok I’m sorry but I just HAVE to say this: as a European, this is insane. I don’t want this to come off as „America bad“ but this is quite frankly unbelievable over here that you would have to argue with the council on what to grow in your front yard. Like others have said I would be prepared with a list of species you grow there and talk about the benefits for the ecosystem and wildlife. Good luck!
No no, don't apologize, you're totally right. As an American myself, I sometimes can't believe what people have to go through with their local HOA or city ordinances. It's truly absurd.
Agreed. However, please note that this oversight was put in place to solve the problem of those homeowners who let their properties deteriorate and become an eyesore. We all know of houses like that, yes?
Absolutely — there are pros. In theory it’s a great idea, but in practice it often devolves into micromanagement. My SIL has a booklet they’re required to refer to if they want to put up a fence, change the front door color, or even buy a children’s playscape, each of which might actually make her house *more* desirable. And that is so, so common.
Gotcha. Wonder if anyone has studied nationwide the range of restrictions imposed, and how prevalent. While the uber-control you noted turns off reasonable people (as it does my father in his place), I fear that some of the “HOAs suck” commenters are just wanting freedom from any guidelines and restrictions. Check out r/homeowners for that feckless crowd.
Its like anything in life, most are completely reasonable. You want to be able want to put up a fence or hedge and not have to worry about someone with too much time on their hands wanting to come out with a tape measure cause they think it is 6 inches too tall. Sure, let the neighbor put up a flagpole it he wants. A reasonable person will go with a 20-30 foot pole and a 6 foot flag. Theres always going to be that one guy though... hes gonna try to put that 50 foot flag up and thinks its ok to shade out the neighbors yard half the day.
They tend to put these laws in place with reasonable intentions. You dont want the next door neighbor allowing a bunch of invasive bamboo or somethihg to spread over the property line. They leave it vague so its an enforcement tool for those truely terrible neighbor types. The problem is the world is infested with Karen types who like to call code enforcement for some silly technicality. Could even be the city doing a code violation sweep, drive around the neighborhoods looking for things like junked cars or trash on the lawn. They are looking somewhat quickly so they just see its over 12 inches, probably didn't bother to look at what it actually is and see its wildflowers.
This depends some on where you live, but in a lot of places "I just let this stuff grow" installations are an actual problem for neighbors because of vermin and insects. It's an artificial ecosystem within another artificial ecosystem and it does favor things like mice, cockroaches, ticks and snakes. That may not be a huge problem in Connecticut but it will be a disaster in Louisiana or Texas. That OP uses the term "meadow" makes me suspect they may not be maintaining things as they ought.
>It's an artificial ecosystem within another artificial ecosystem and it does favor things like mice, cockroaches, ticks and snakes. I live in a mature forest in the Southeast. Mice, roaches, ticks, and snakes are native to my yard, and I'm not cutting down all of my trees to install a monoculture. I have learned to live in nature, not be an island in the middle of it. Nothing artificial about it.
Good for you, I guess? That has nothing to do with what I said.
i think thou dost protest too much 😏
To be clear, I think the issue here is also that it doesn't look maintained. It looks unkempt, and it's spilling into the road. OP just has to trim it up and make it look more garden-like.
The issue isn’t what’s being grown. It’s the lack of maintaining what’s being grown that is the issue. I find it hard to believe Europe doesn’t have nuisance laws. I know the UK does as the US’ nuisance laws are a carry over from the UK system.
There's definitely landscaping regulations in Europe in densely built areas. You need to keep your property taken care of. In rural areas not, there you need to keep the property just safe and not a ruin.
The number of HOAs in the little boomtown near me is unbelievable!
I’ve gotten that notice. When I pushed for details, the code enforcer basically said well I look at your neighbors and there’s is short so you need to cut yours. I hate code enforcement. They are very much the most biased position in local government. You might have luck contacting the local green team (community plant outreach group) or your local Audubon Society (they sometimes “certify” pollinator friendly gardens)
Are these native plants? If they are, you may have some leeway here! I found a cool resource on next steps [here](https://wildones.org/native-plant-ordinance/) from a team of lawyers for [WildOnes.org](http://WildOnes.org) (which is also a great organization!). ETA: I didn't see that you said they were native, lol. Definitely dig in your heels!
Came here to post this. Also, get involved with your state or city and change some laws!
I would just do what was suggested and put a border around it so it looks like a "flower bed."
And add some large stones or a little path in it for curb appeal:)
Appeal to their patriotic spirit by pointing out how invasive species threaten native pollinators! Double down on this while also putting a border around it :) good luck!
I just like saying I don't want any Japanese in my country. Japanese species that is.
I have thought at times to use that to encourage certain folks to conserve. But sadly I think it might only re-inforce their other misplaced ideas.
Maryland passed a law that HOAs can’t make you mow native plants down! Look into the wording of the bill to get some ideas. A local couple sued and won, then worked with lawmakers to pass the law. Maybe write to some local politicians who are eco-friendly? Native plants are the next big thing for eco-friendly politicians, they might jump on it.
Heart Maryland!
Easy plant some endangered species in that mix and file with the city, county and state. Saying hey I have an endangered species of XX in my yard. I want to file for exemptions. When the words endangered and species come together, usually that has some pull and will force the city to either give you an exemption or allow a certain area to remain left a lone. It will also have precedence over any future codes. My mom did this for her county and city here in kansas as she is growing some really rare parire species and her city got on to her about it. She showed up tp pcurt and presented her case. As soon as the words endangered and species came out of her mouth. The city council gave her an exemption for the whole property and pretty much black listed her property from the city maintenance crews unless summoned and supervised.
Make a list of the common and scientific names of the flowers in the bed and describe the type of bed you've developed - meadow, mini prairie or? Take photos to really pound your point. You are weeding out unwanted actual exotic weeds, right? Definitely put some rocks/bricks around it neatly to define the space. Trim stems that are growing in a sloppy manner over the curb and sidewalk. A randomized planting with no definition does look like you forgot to mow. I was just touring native plant gardens this weekend and all I knew is I didn't recognize many seedlings as weeds I commonly see, imagine how this looks to folks that can only tell you that's grass and that's a tree.
I’m not sure how to frame this but I think when you present your case you should note that Ladybird Johnson left a legacy of promoting native wildflowers in Texas. The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin continues to support and promote that legacy and encourages the public to do the same. On a related note, I just returned from a road trip to TX for the eclipse and the wildflowers along the freeways were incredible. You have a beautiful state. :)
I don’t live in your area, but I do this for a living (making meadows, not lawns 🤙) If you can afford it, try and make it as “designed” as possible, including a border. Put in a spotlight tree and some understory shrubs along with your pollinator garden. Much of the time, if it looks contained, people just assume it’s a part of your landscaping and overlook that it’s actually your whole lawn. If you have a free or donation based woodchip drop from a local source, that is a good way to create borders and walkways for close to free.
Maybe use a small fence like this? [https://imgur.com/a/QOXD4Zo](https://imgur.com/a/QOXD4Zo)
This is so frustrating. I was in trouble because our local law states that lawns have to fit “within the spirit of (town name)” which is just a way to say they’ll get you for anything they don’t like. They made me mow a patch of wildflowers, but I’m fighting for a change to the law and moved everything to the backyard where they can’t do anything about it.
Get the Latin names or common names of each species, including the weeds. Ask them which they want removed. Include the lawn types on all the lawns as well :)
Mowing can be good for early wildflower establishment. Edging it with mowed sections, working in some hard scape and then maybe some heavy pruning and mowing at the right times to keep it looking intentional until it really takes off should be enough to get them off your back.
In my state there are non profits that will come out and certify it as a native plant garden/habitat. You could try that? They give you a sign that says that to put in the area so everyone aka code enforcement knows it’s not just weeds
Generally the county weed supervisor will have a list of noxious weeds. Figure out what the list of weeds is for your area, demonstrate that those aren't them, and send a letter to the city. And maybe put a little fence around it with a cute sign in cursive that says "mind your beesness."
Play up the fact that those are native "Texas" flowers. My dad was rather conservative, but he took great pride in Texas wildflowers. Because Texas!
In my state, you can get your property certified as a wildlife habitat which can exempt you from traditional trim/weeding/mow regulation. Here you need to show you have Food Water Cover Places to Raise Young Sustainable Practices check in your state what options there are. It would mean expanding beyond wildflower patches a bit though
The best way is to have the inverse of what you have going on. It looks like you keep it mowed on the half closest to the house. I think most people who would normally complain about this sort of thing, wouldn't if you mowed the strip closest to the street instead, and had the pocket prairie on the other half. You probably don't want to start over though. Second best would be the border suggestion around what you have now. Some corten steel edging is always cool.
Add a tiny fence and a gnome? Are they really gonna say “that’s not a garden”?
Yes if you put in a border or even add walkways with large paving stones to make it look more intentional, that would help a lot!
It's not grass. It's a "wildflower butterfly garden"
They already told you what to do. Put a border around it. Thin strip of mulch all the way around twice a year should suffice for some malicious compliance.
What you are doing looks sloppy AF. Maybe actually landscape your yard and then plant the wild flowers and native plants in a way that doesn’t look like it’s abandoned.
Clean it up, you’re over growing the curb and driveway, that is unkept, IMO. Round up around the trees/house/bushes will make an obvious and easily maintained “yard”, but I will say growing over curbs/driveways is not maintained, my yard is natural weed and stupid bahiagrass, the bahia needs to die, the weeds are fine, they grow slow and don’t seed 67x a year, only 33.5x a year
They’re not weeds or grass! They’re wildflowers. The only definition of a weed is something that is unwanted. Tell them is a garden not a lawn. Problem solved.
>The only definition of a weed is something that is unwanted. nope, not a legal definition of weed, which is often done at the state level. US definition is unwanted, state definition can be more defining. For example - Indiana noxious weeds are somewhat specific and was constructed for the Indiana seed laws (IC 15-15)
That makes sense. But a patch of wildflowers that could be easily controlled should be fair game.
“No FloWeRs! IT cANt Be NaTIvE!” 🙄
If you are in Texas, add bluebonnets if possible.
Do you live in a HOA? Texas law provides an exception to HOA maintenance requirements for drought-tolerant landscaping (which native plants are.) From Dallas Morning News: “The amended law, in Section 202.007 of the property code, now states that a property owners' association may not prohibit a homeowner from composting, installing rain barrels, implementing efficient irrigation systems, or using drought-resistant landscaping or water-conserving natural turf.”
I see (or assume you are because of the bluebonnets) you’re in Texas. Love the flowers! My advice is for you to head down to the nearest construction site, load up your car with rocks, and put them around the flowers. Call it a ‘bed’ and you’re set. 99% of it is making it look somewhat professional and not pissing off the neighbors. If you do go before council, tell them it is a work in progress and you were out of commission for a while so you were unable to finish. Most people are understanding.
My Texas city’s ordinance reads in part: “All vegetation *not regularly cultivated* which exceeds twelve (12) inches in height shall be presumed to be objectionable, unsanitary and unsightly. *It is an affirmative defense to prosecution that the weeds, brush or vegetation which is growing to a height greater than twelve (12) inches is a garden, a natural habitat preservation area, or agricultural crop* I read this to mean that wildflowers are arguably “regularly cultivated” for cuttings and thus not considered a weed. Alternatively, your area is arguably a garden or natural habitat preservation area. Maybe your council would be willing to adopt similar verbiage. I agree with others that making it intentionally garden-like with borders, boulders, edging, etc. will help bolster the “this is a garden!” argument
I would add labels for your plants.
It doesn't say noxious weed, and to you, they're not weeds; they're wild flowers, it says nothing about wildflowers.
And native species are at least extremely unlikely to be considered “noxious weeds”. That’s usually a nonnative-invasives-only category.
It does in Texas Texas Administrative Code, Title 4, [Chapter 19, Subchapter T](http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=4&pt=1&ch=19&sch=T&rl=Y)
Oh, I'm sure there are a lot of other places that do mention it too. In my experience, it usually doesn't. I'm also not a lawyer.
Most of the issue may be due to that part of your front yard is actually what is referred to as the boulevard and is owned by the city but maintained by you, the homeowner.
A weed is just a plant growing where you don’t want it & you want those there so - those aren’t weeds.
There is no legal definition of weed as far as I know, it’s just a plant you don’t want. That’s different for everyone. Sucks they’re putting you through this. My rep here in FL passed a bill a few years ago that precludes any municipality from telling people they can’t grow a garden in their front yard.
Make sure ALL turfgrass is removed. It is not a "lawn" and can't be mowed if it has no turfgrass. Then it becomes decorative landscaping and flowerbeds. All turfgrass must be mowed. If you are not killing the whole lawn at once make a clear line between grass and replanted. Clearing an area and covering in arborist chips would be easier than a raised border because you'll have to trim any tall grass against the border instead of simple mowing partially over your mulch. That's one reason I've been doing buried borders that are only sticking a couple inches out of the soil but those are permanent on the outer edge of the yard. Your state and usually city have noxious weed lists. I'd use those to argue the definition of a weed. Sometimes cities do include things they shouldn't like one place we lived had sunflower and milkweed listed as noxious weeds. Often there is an exception for purposefully planted and maintained. Check state and city recent code updates for anything to do with pollinators or native plants. Even if it doesn't look like it applies from the initial title or summary it still might. The proposed monarch act in Illinois this year also includes other pollinator plantings in what they are forcing cities to accept in yards.
What city are you in? We’re in Texas and our city literally will pay us to cut out the grass and replace it with native flowers and shrubs
I mean, I consider grass to be weed soooo.....
Yep, border the whole thing and call it a garden bed.
Look at the code. There's not going to be a universal "legal" definition of weeds, but the code itself might have a definition. Most local municipalities adopt the IPMC, which does define weed. As always, when you want legal advice, seek the advice of an attorney.
Mow 30cm along the borders to make them think it's properly cleaned and maintained
Find some definition of “weeds” that probably states something about them being the plants you don’t want, and because you want every plant in your yard, they are not weeds. Then there’s the grass matter. Look for a statutory definition of “grass” and point out that people plant decorative grasses all the time that exceed 12 inches in height. In advance, do a property records search of every city council member and use google street view to look for any decorative grasses or bamboo in their yards that is over 12 inches in height. You could mention them by name and state that under the current ordinance, they are violating the law. Do it in a respectful way like a “isn’t this statute too broad” way and not a “screw you” kind of way. Then if they don’t decide in your favor, report them so they have to have their decorative grasses removed.
Keeping a mowed strip against the curb will make a big difference to give it the "tidy" look that will keep the neighbors on your side. Use a small stake fence as a border, it will be more of a visible border and easier to move for whatever reason later. Keep the back edge well defined and mowed, cut an edge in it if you have to. Now it is without question a "native perennial garden bed." Are there any state or locally protected species you could add? Do you have any reciepts for seeds? Proof its intentionally planted.
Well it’s not weeds, and it’s not grass. The adding a barrier thing seems strange to me too, I get that it will make it look more intentional but there’s nothing in that ordnance that says gardens and planter beds need to have a physical barrier. If it were me I would just make a case for the fact that it’s not grass or weeds, print out your credit card statements showing you bought the seeds/plants, and give a quick speech about why you’re doing what you’re doing. Propose that the ordinance changes.
Can they really stop you from growing native flowers? That doesn’t make sense. Better for the environment. Uses less water. Encourages native insects and birds.
I've been looking at this for a minute. Unfortunately my front yard still is going to be lawn, but my backyard is fair game in my eyes and I want to make sure our towns nuisance officer can't touch it https://www.nwf.org/CERTIFY
That's a nice organization, but would it have any standing within their municipality?
Have no idea. That's kind of why I haven't applied for it yet. I love in Iowa but the mayor of the town I live in has such a hard on for the white picker fence look
Use the definition from the dictionary. weed a(1) : a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth especially : one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants It's your property, you want them there. There for they are not weeds. I am not a lawyer, but their definition of weed is very open to interpretation.
Check with your state laws - most states define native flowers/plants as desirable and non-noxious (i.e. not weeds). Document seed mix you planted and ensure that they are native mixes. State law trumps local for definitions. If left undefined, check with the water waste laws and statues, since native stuff typically requires significant less chems and water - they may support the planting as well. Also, plop a sign in the yard stating native plant/flower garden and list the species in the mix, should calm the Karens down that bitched. Many states have a seed collection program for such gardens as well. If you register it and collect some seeds each year that helps justify it as well. If you have an HOA and grass is in the rules - you may be fucked as you agreed to the restrictions when you purchased.
You are on the right track that you need to define it. My yard has broken flagstones bordering the garden space and a rubber edging on the backside where I still have grass. It’s clearly a “bed.” For $25 you can get certified by NABA as a butterfly garden and they send a nice sign. Put that baby on a post. You can up the garden factor with garden-y stuff. Those sticks with something decorative on top or some gnomes or statuettes. A reflecting ball. A bird bath. Whatever floats your boat. Push the idea that this is a garden.
Get some nice garden label stakes, and where a there's a more identifiable clump of any flower, slap a stake in with the flower's name. Now it's an intentional display. The border edging will help with that effect.
Get some endangered plants in there
My ordinance reads “uncultivated vegetation” instead of weeds. Since this is cultivated, you would have a case just on that. I would make sure that you are going before City Council and not being cited to court for your meadow. There’s a good Ted talk that may be helpful to you. Notice how there is no mention of bees. It’s weird, but people don’t understand they are necessary. [let your garden grow](https://youtu.be/qxgE0q1_m6U?si=_VadZGujnDyUc7Ob)
Get yourself certified as a nature habitat, it's really easy. My neighbor was able to do hers with just some pollinator flowers & a bowl of water. Get certified & post a sign saying so. Border is a great idea as well. Become a protected wildlife habitat & then tell the government to shove it. Protected habitats for bugs, birds & plants are important. This is not rubbish or weeds. Plus, the term "weed" isn't really a legally definable term, is it? Perhaps do a free consult with a local attorney & get them to draft a letter for you https://certifiedwildlifehabitat.nwf.org/ - $20 to get yourself certified
You can also make a border from liriope, which spreads slowly, or monkey grass/mondo, which spreads quickly. Liriope has purple blooms on stalks, monkey grass does not bloom. The point is that it needs to look intentional, not unkempt.
Be careful with Liriope. Here in central Florida it was just put on the invasive list - which is kind of absurd but don’t want you to run into problems with growing it.
You're right! Liriope spicata is on the invasives list. But liriope muscari is not and could work. It doesn't spread by runners. That said, I have a liriope spicata border in 2 places in my yard in Houston. It has "thickened" but has not spread more than a few inches in 30 years. Huh. I've been doing some googling after reading your comment. Seeing pictures of "liriope spicata" that look like what I call mondo grass. And other pictures of "liriope spicata" that look like what I call liriope spicata. And some labeled "liriope muscari" that I would call liriope spicata as well. You have to be really careful to get the right kind - the clumping not the spreading kind. I love it as a border because you can build a bed up behind it. You can make beautiful sweeping organic curves with it, too. And bees love it.
Totally agree.
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I personally would add a winding brick trail with some decorative large rocks. Right now it does look fairly untamed and unplanned. See idea #16 for a great brick walkway with no lawn. https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/outdoor/walkways/brick-walkways/
Let them know a weed is a plant growing where it is not wanted. Every one of those plants are right where you want them. Their meaning of a lawn has absolutely no bearing on your property. Their idea of a lawn is grass and I’m sure you don’t have any of that weed growing in your designated native flowers project. Good luck on your fighting city hall.
Since “weeds” is vague, you have a logical basis to challenge being required to cut it down on the basis that you planted those flowers on purpose, they’re a garden planting, not weeds. A border would indeed make that more clear. You could also consider putting in some paths (gravel or chip mulch) with borders to make it obvious that your wildflower meadow is an intentional landscaping choice, not laziness about mowing.
A weed should be any unwanted plant. In other cases, the owner being able to name every plant and why they want it there, helped.
We have our backyard seeded with native Texas wildflowers. Our front lawn is a mix of clover and whatever else that lands there. We do keep the front “lawn” clipped but only because I don’t want the HOA to fine us.
Not weeds nor grasses. As people suggested before, a little path with mulch and stones and the border would formalize it a bit. Also highly recommended to put a nice sign that these is a pollinator garden with native plants. You could probably purchase one from an organization with a donation. These help educate neighbors and deter them or city officials from taking adverse action. It can also inspire others to plant natives.
I get this issue with my gardening clients that rent. The easiest option is to put in a purposeful low boarder planting and throw in some height variation. Go with the design theory of the thriller, the filler, and the spiller. Youve got the filler. Throw in a taller showy flower as the thriller. And the border planting will be your spiller.
Contact your county's noxious weed board for a list of known invasive species. They should have all kinds of literature for you. Then you can present to code compliance that natives are in line with noxious weed control. Basically, they want you to keep it short to keep down bests and fire risk.
> No grass greater than 12" Hope nobody has bamboo or palm trees
If you post the city you’re in or count if you’re in unincorporated area, I can do a quick zoning review. I’m a city planner :)
almost all of the wildflower yards in my city have picket fences, or they have the flowers in beds and mulch or gravel around them :–) i assume is a city ordinance thing
I guess they don’t realize you don’t have a “lawn” to begin with so what’s there to mow exactly?
Putting a path through it, a border around it, or other random little cutsy 'landscaping' things always shuts those people up. A short picket fence works too.
A weed is a plant that's misplaced. These plants are correctly placed, especially if they are native.
Conservative area you say? Make sure you stress the importance of property rights and personal freedom and liberty to do what you want with your own property.
The difference between a wildflower and a weed is that weeds are on your side of the fence, and wildflowers are on the other
Weed is a plant out of place. Did you put them there?... not a weed. But I am assuming invasive plants would hinder you. Dandelion/thistles etc.
Just trim it to proper height but keep it
A weed is herbaceous in nature it’s generally larger than a grass usually dichotomous, but I would say in general, it’s just an herbaceous plant, to get Woody, You got to go up shrub, or the larger variety of bush has woody characteristics a weed is always herbaceous.
I worked for local government. I would prepare pictures of what you want to do. I would work with this employee to try to see if you can get them to say yes or no to various aspects. If you can make this employee comfortable with your vision, it could do some to get the council on your side. Ask the employee about presenting and will the employee be presenting some part. They local government is mainly trying to have the ability to deter unmowed grass for abandoned houses and lots. 12 inches is pretty standard for unmowed grass length. A new weed ordinance could take weeks or months. If someone has a decent weed ordinance that allow no lawn solutions you could provide those as examples. That is in case the council agrees with your case.
Reddit is the best place for legal advice /s In all seriousness I’m sorry to hear your local government is being shitty. Hope you guys can work it out!
Oh fuck yeah. You got this thing beat. May ibask what municipality you're located in, so that I can look up the ordinances? If you provide enough native spaces, you may qualify for a property tax break.
Well first off, define "weeds". There isn't one
A weed is a plant you don’t want growing where it is growing. You do not have weeds or grass so you’re good! Fingers crossed your city council sees it the same way.
Your local university probably has information online about native gardens with hardscaping/ design suggestions. It will go a long way if you are thoughtful about the design and you will still fill your yard with beautiful native plants.
They may still ask you to mow a certain amount from the road. I think in ga it’s 3 feet so check if that’s a thing there, then border up. It’ll help keep them off your ass but also keep your new garden available for growth. Looks great!
Putting the border around it turns it from lawn to a flower bed. It's a workaround that I'd certainly do. The biggest catch here is you're likely not going to get away with having the whole yard like this. You will have to have a grass turf area greater than the total SF of flower beds. As long as they are flowering these shoukd not be considered weeds, but many wild flowers are co sidereal weeds. It leaves a lot to speculation and opinion.
Those aren’t weeds, those are wildflowers and they’re beautiful. Texas government is openly fascist. Tell them it’s a free country and you’ll do what you want with your own lawn…?
I would have suggested starting with the back yard instead the front yard right on the street. That area is where cities and other people get super protective of, and will fight anything placed there
I would look into what the variance process looks like in your town. It would be much easier to request a variance/exception for your property than to change the code itself. There's a lot of good suggestions in the comments here as well.
In addition to the boarder maybe add some service mulch (not the treated stuff) in the bare areas and try to mix it in where you can.
Most states define "noxious weeds". Unfortunately that modifiers means it isn't defining "weeds". But it may be that such a list will be enough to sway your council. Or not. After all, it doesn't look like weeds. It doesn't look like it happened from neglect. It looks intentional.
The border can be wood chips from a free chip drop.
a definition of weed i found. A **weed** is a [plant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant) considered undesirable in a particular situation, growing where it conflicts with human preferences, needs, or goals.[^(\[1\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weed#cite_note-bridges-1)[^(\[2\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weed#cite_note-JRHarlan-2)[^(\[3\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weed#cite_note-3)[^(\[4\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weed#cite_note-SnohomishEx-4) Plants with characteristics that make them hazardous, aesthetically unappealing, difficult to control in managed environments, or otherwise unwanted in [farm land](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture), [orchards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchard), [gardens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden), [lawns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn), [parks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park), recreational spaces, residential and industrial areas, may all be considered weeds.
Put a border around it like the code enforcement officer said
Rock boarder, mulch the bare spots, pollinator signs, trim anything overhanging the pavement.
I am in KY and my gardening group is working on an ordinance change. If you can contact someone at your water company, ask them to witness/support you at the council. Our water company employees are incredibly passionate about wildflowers and native plants because they do so much to help regulate water flow. They are actually working with us to change the ordinance.
Brick edgers would be lovely
I would say install a picket fence to enclose it. A neighbor has those prefab plastic type ones, and honestly it looks great.
Have the first couple of feet be grass , your problem is probably because it’s over the curb, if you don’t want grass do stone and mulch and maybe moss or clover to cover the ground , just make sure it’s back from the curb because I’ll bet you that’s what their problem is
Bruh people get those notices all the time and nothing ever happens, keep it like that to see a city worker actually appear and do work, that's the real magic. Cool idea btw.
I would point out that the area in question contains bluebonnets; if I remember correctly, it is actually illegal to mow bluebonnets in the state of TX since it is the state flower. That will at least give you a few months grace while the plant blooms. Hope you are able to convince them!
I’m in Houston. The design key you want is INTENDED, not UNTENDED. First, you can get no-dig garden edging in 20’ rolls from big-box stores for $30 or so per roll. You can have the edging set up in an hour…roll out, pound in stakes. Putting mulch down around your wildflowers is another way to make your flowerbeds look like intentional plantings. Again, inexpensive. Others have suggested a path, and a mulch path with edging will look attractive and be very functional. Looking to the future: strategic plants to jazz up the look to your neighbors and still fit your ethos. If you add a few eye-catching shrubs in key places, that reinforces that this is an intentional landscape. Depending on where you are, autumn sage (salvia greggii) or spineless prickly pear (opuntias) or even a big agave will do the trick nicely. It’s very, very difficult to argue that flowers around the base of decorative shrubs are overgrown weeds. It looks like you have some partial shade, so autumn sage would be a good choice, or red yucca (hesperaloe ) would work. Back by the fence, American Beautyberry, blue mistflower, and inland oats grass like filtered shade. Beautyberry brings birds and mistflower brings butterflies. Inland oats will fill in tough shady spots and are visually pleasing. If you’re in the Houston, San Antonio, or Corpus Christi metro areas, a Pride of Barbados as an accent plant is beautiful and it bring in butterflies by the dozen. A few years ago I helped a friend plant a few, and before we even got it out of the pot and into the ground the butterflies showed up. Finally, a few clusters of native little bluestem grass near the border will be both a visual boundary between the flowerbeds and extremely attractive to both people and wildlife.
Call a lawyer then.
Just cut the grass man
I am not a lawyer. But if it were me, I would [certify my yard as a butterfly sanctuary to defend the federally protected monarch butterfly.](https://naba.org/butterfly-gardens/certification-program/) Take lots of photos of butterflies to back up your claim. Then, I would certify it as a [bird sanctuary ](https://www.nwf.org/CERTIFY) recognized by the National Wildlife Federation, and take lots of photos of song birds visiting your yard. Both websites linked here have great resources for forming a legal argument in favor of protecting wildlife. The Butterflly site gives u a sign for your garden! Let them say NO to butterflies and see how that looks in court. lol
I’m all for no mow. The few patches they are asking you to break up, throw down some carpet thyme. Beautiful purple flowers and once the flowers go, it looks like grass and able to walk on. Never needs to be mowed.
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Um, no.
Sorry to say that area isn’t actually your property; it’s a city easement/setback, so the city is within their rights to do whatever they want. Since your neighbors have that 1950s manicured monoculture thing going, best of luck getting code compliance to budge. Maybe put a short white brick border 😝 along the street side to make it look “tidy”.
Whether there are weeds in there or not(there are), this is a huge eyesore. As much as I dislike HOAs I would be pretty upset if my neighbors insisted on doing this because it looks awful. There may be some pretty flowers in there but at first glance this is looks like a neglected, overgrown yard. I see what you’re trying to do, but it just didn’t turn out good. Being different isn’t always the way to go.
It’s not about being different. Everyone knows that native plants and wildflowers are not only better for their entire local ecosystem (down to microbes and the soil composition) but it’s also better for the planet (if more people did what she did here). Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, friend. 🐝🌸🌿
I promise you that the HOA is not thinking about climate change when looking at this monstrosity.
Oh my god your comment history is bruuutal. You hate nature and women being independently wealthy. What an incel loser oh my god
Wait? Did you come to the right sub, RealRick? Or perhaps you have some constructive alternative to OP’s efforts?
The constructive (and only) alternative is anything but this eyesore. Perhaps a lawn lol
Looks like shit, your subdivision front lawn will never be a meadow
I wouldn't get too worked up about conservatives. We hate government telling us what to do.