topic Re: I'm going native in Garden

I'm going native

PuppyLoverBob666 — Wed, 25 May 2022 14:57:43 GMT

I decided to cancel my yard service--mostly because it was edging up toward $400 a month--and let my yard "go native"--revert back to its untouched state.

Wow, what a change. My lawn is about knee-high and rather than walk on it, I have to wade through it. My husband could have mowed it a few weeks ago but now it's too late (you can actually rent goats for that kind of thing but I don't want to have to dodge goat poop while the grass grows back up to my knees again).

What's really interesting is how the flower beds are going back to their wild state. Flowers I never knew of are starting to show up and all kinds of irises--that I didn't plant--are shooting up too. Right now I have one the color of grape juice; and the blindingly white irises I planted a couple of years ago might take over. They're so pure WHITE, I can't desribe it.

Two years ago I dug up part of my front yard and planted wildflowerrs. It was the talk of the neighborhood. This year I haven't done anything with that area and all kinds of plants are showing up; I even have clematis vines running through the hedge.

I just love to garden. I'm 72 and I hope I have a few more years left to indulge in my favorite hobby.

Re: I'm going native

Sooner — Wed, 25 May 2022 15:04:38 GMT

@PuppyLoverBob666 wrote:
I decided to cancel my yard service--mostly because it was edging up toward $400 a month--and let my yard "go native"--revert back to its untouched state.

Wow, what a change. My lawn is about knee-high and rather than walk on it, I have to wade through it. My husband could have mowed it a few weeks ago but now it's too late (you can actually rent goats for that kind of thing but I don't want to have to dodge goat poop while the grass grows back up to my knees again).

What's really interesting is how the flower beds are going back to their wild state. Flowers I never knew of are starting to show up and all kinds of irises--that I didn't plant--are shooting up too. Right now I have one the color of grape juice; and the blindingly white irises I planted a couple of years ago might take over. They're so pure WHITE, I can't desribe it.

Two years ago I dug up part of my front yard and planted wildflowerrs. It was the talk of the neighborhood. This year I haven't done anything with that area and all kinds of plants are showing up; I even have clematis vines running through the hedge.

I just love to garden. I'm 72 and I hope I have a few more years left to indulge in my favorite hobby.

@PuppyLoverBob666 I assume you live in the country and don't have neighbors where you can do that

Re: I'm going native

Biftu — Wed, 25 May 2022 15:15:34 GMT

My town administers fines if your lawn grows to a certain height.

Re: I'm going native

PuppyLoverBob666 — Wed, 25 May 2022 15:18:45 GMT

No, I'm out in the "burbs". I don't plan to let everything run wild so they can invade other people's yards; my lot is pretty average so I'll confine everything to just my house.

Good thought, though.

Re: I'm going native

KingstonsMom — Wed, 25 May 2022 15:20:54 GMT

Watch out for snakes, especially when you're walking through it.

As well as watch out for other creatures who will use the tall grass for 'cover', mice, possums, raccoons, squirrels, etc., to invade your home.

Re: I'm going native

Kachina624 — Wed, 25 May 2022 15:22:55 GMT

In my town, the code enforcement patrol would be around inviting you to discuss your gardening choices with a municipal judge. It would be due to weeds since everyone has a rocked yard.

Re: I'm going native

PuppyLoverBob666 — Wed, 25 May 2022 15:27:31 GMT

@KingstonsMom wrote:
Watch out for snakes, especially when you're walking through it.

As well as watch out for other creatures who will use the tall grass for 'cover', mice, possums, raccoons, squirrels, etc., to invade your home.

Great advice; thank you because I didn't think of that.

Re: I'm going native

PuppyLoverBob666 — Wed, 25 May 2022 15:36:46 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
In my town, the code enforcement patrol would be around inviting you to discuss your gardening choices with a municipal judge. It would be due to weeds since everyone has a rocked yard.

In my town, they would't.

However you actually have to get permission to cut down trees, no matter how old and dead and rotten and dangerous they are.

Re: I'm going native

geezerette — Wed, 25 May 2022 15:39:11 GMT

@KingstonsMom wrote:
Watch out for snakes, especially when you're walking through it.

As well as watch out for other creatures who will use the tall grass for 'cover', mice, possums, raccoons, squirrels, etc., to invade your home.

And depending on where you live, ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, etc.

Also depending on where you live, fire.

Re: I'm going native

BirkiLady — Wed, 25 May 2022 16:05:03 GMT

You must not have a HOA. Your "landscaping" would never be acceptable in our neighborhood where immaculate lawns are the norm.

Re: I'm going native

proudlyfromNJ — Wed, 25 May 2022 16:09:36 GMT

No HOA around here in the suburbs but most homes and yards are kept neat and tidy and woodsy.

Re: I'm going native

Jk9 — Wed, 25 May 2022 16:12:16 GMT

I echo the warning about snakes. They like high grass....

Re: I'm going native

Sooner — Wed, 25 May 2022 16:26:27 GMT

@PuppyLoverBob666 wrote:
@KingstonsMom wrote:
Watch out for snakes, especially when you're walking through it.

As well as watch out for other creatures who will use the tall grass for 'cover', mice, possums, raccoons, squirrels, etc., to invade your home.

Great advice; thank you because I didn't think of that.

@PuppyLoverBob666 Plus, the way your yard looks and how you keep your property affects the value of all your neighbors houses. And doesn't lead to good relations in the neighborhood either.

Re: I'm going native

PA Mom-mom — Wed, 25 May 2022 16:34:17 GMT

@PuppyLoverBob666 Your lawn care bill is certainly very high, and I can see how you would want to seek an alternative. However, as @geezerette suggested, tall grass and other thick undergrowth is a breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes. You may be keeping your lawn from spreading to your neighbors' yards, but you can't stop the mosquitoes and ticks. Here's what the Terminix website has to say about it:

When bushes and other natural areas go unchecked and overgrow, they become a perfect shelter from wind for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can even find protection from grass that is too tall!

Re: I'm going native

Krimpette — Wed, 25 May 2022 16:44:21 GMT

I sure wouldn't want to live next door to someone's knee-high grass!!!!! Fortunately, we have an HOA in my neighborhood.

Re: I'm going native

goldensrbest — Wed, 25 May 2022 16:58:04 GMT

I have read about people doing this, also instead of grass ,planting white clover ,i lost my grass that is over the septic tank last year, grubs killed it ,i planted clover, i like it,i do not spray any chemicals on my law , so lots of weeds, in my yard.Ticks here in Maine is a big problem.

Re: I'm going native

Pook — Wed, 25 May 2022 17:35:00 GMT

@PuppyLoverBob666 Glad I don't live next to anyone who does that!!! Skipping a week or so mowing is one thing but that is setting you (and probably your neighbors) up for every varmit appearing looking for rats and mice for food as well as a bug infestation and those ground bees will have a field day!! In the end you might end up paying way more than your yard service to deal with all that!!

Re: I'm going native

Nataliesgramma — Wed, 25 May 2022 17:42:24 GMT

I'm glad that I don't have to look at your yard....

Re: I'm going native

Winkk — Wed, 25 May 2022 19:06:27 GMT

When you eventually do cut it what are you going to use? That's really high for a regular mower. Plus, you will have to rake all that cut grass or it will lay there and dry out. Not sure if a mulching mower can handle that.

Re: I'm going native

Scooby Doo — Wed, 25 May 2022 19:12:22 GMT

I have a neighbor that's done this for the last couple of years and I'm about to go postal on her. We live in the middle of a subdivision. Her yard used to be the prettiest on the block when the previous owner lived there. After she and her daughter moved in they completely let the property go. The grass is knee high and turned to field grass. When the grass seeds and the wind blows the rest of us get field grass growing in our lawns. It has taken over my flower beds. This month I've had to dig everything out of my flower beds, try to remove the grass and replant. I'm exhausted and I still have 2 beds to go. It's invading my lawn and all the neighbors have the same problem. She leaves pine cones all over the driveway and sidewalk, doesn't bring in her garbage can for days, doesn't shovel snow off the walk. I think she bought the house because she doesn't want to pay condo fees. It's just not fair to the rest of us who try to have a nice yard and spend lots of money doing it. I'm going to put a letter in her mailbox advising her that I'm going to look into city ordinances. I'll be the neighborhood Karen.