California $75 Rebate on Rainwater Barrels

[Subrosa]

I truly can't imagine being in a situation in which my neighbors have the authority to tell me what I can, can't, and worst of all must plant on the property I paid for and pay the taxes on.

[Leafmite]

Many places do have rules but some subdivisions/towns/cities are tyrannical and petty. It is so important to read all the papers before buying a home.

[Ordphien]

I don't have a homeowners association luckily. But alot of people do in my area.
And they know it's not water wise to have grass. They just don't care.
Frankly the attitude I seem to encounter most is "if you can't afford grass you don't deserve to live here"
One friend let her lawn go for a bit after her mother died. They eventually bullied her out of the neighborhood. It was a really stupid situation.

Another, who just moved, received a list of preapproved plants that she's allowed to plant. Not only out front, but out back.
Such as "no roses other than hybrid teas. Only in white, or light pink. No bicolour roses. Must be fragrance free and trimmed to a height of 4 feet. NO YELLOW! NO EXCEPTIONS!
All roses must be planted away from the street, gates, or sidewalks."
And that was just roses.

Not all of them are that crazy though. I do think a nicely maintained lawn out front is a requirement by most though.
I agree. I can't imagine someone telling me what I colour I could paint my house let alone what I could plant.

That aside though I'm personally trying to landscape more efficiently. If only to save money.
Do you know what I found really tolerant of less water? Roses. It surprised me. If you water less as summer hits they adjust their blooming period to be in winter and go dormant in the heat of summer. At least in my area.
They don't look as glorious though. Won't lie.
I've raised my garden beds, which I find is really cutting back on watering.
Looking for a good grass replacement and more efficient watering system.

[orchidsarefun]

unfortunately at least 95% of people ( in my experience ) don't care about having a garden so mandatory guidelines go a long way. You probably buy in that area in the first place because it looks so pleasant and harmonious and those attributes are hard to maintain if you have individuals who want to be 'different' for the sake of it. I see it here with the odd house with garish-coloured siding and odd cladding. 'Different' is fine if it adds to the neighbourhood, not a WTF ? reaction. I wish for example that the HOA could act against 1 or 2 individuals who have more dandelions than lawn - and give everyone else a hassle because the seeds disperse widely.

Advice about finding out requirements/restrictions should be followed BEFORE buying into such an area. It got nothing to do with what I call 'freedumbz'.

I wish that people used their imagination/creativity more in my area for example - boxwoods and lawns reign supreme. They call them 'foundation' plantings. I am phasing out my lawn and have extensive garden beds - to the extent that I am the 'different' one in the neighbourhood, but in the nicest possible way. I know what I have said is subjective, and prescriptive...but those with a love of gardening and plants know what I mean. You can appreciate a lovingly tended garden without having to like it.

[Brooke]

What is a 'freedumbz'?

Brooke

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

unfortunately at least 95% of people ( in my experience ) don't care about having a garden so mandatory guidelines go a long way. You probably buy in that area in the first place because it looks so pleasant and harmonious and those attributes are hard to maintain if you have individuals who want to be 'different' for the sake of it. I see it here with the odd house with garish-coloured siding and odd cladding. 'Different' is fine if it adds to the neighbourhood, not a WTF ? reaction. I wish for example that the HOA could act against 1 or 2 individuals who have more dandelions than lawn - and give everyone else a hassle because the seeds disperse widely.

Advice about finding out requirements/restrictions should be followed BEFORE buying into such an area. It got nothing to do with what I call 'freedumbz'.

I wish that people used their imagination/creativity more in my area for example - boxwoods and lawns reign supreme. They call them 'foundation' plantings. I am phasing out my lawn and have extensive garden beds - to the extent that I am the 'different' one in the neighbourhood, but in the nicest possible way. I know what I have said is subjective, and prescriptive...but those with a love of gardening and plants know what I mean. You can appreciate a lovingly tended garden without having to like it.

Interesting that you think 95% of the population deserves to be forced into complying with your sense of esthetics.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Interesting that you think 95% of the population deserves to be forced into complying with your sense of esthetics.

Maybe he has good taste

[AuGrower]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Interesting that you think 95% of the population deserves to be forced into complying with your sense of esthetics.

Hey, if 95% of the population had my sense of esthetics...the world would be a much better place 😁. Although if they also had my personality we would all be in trouble.



I think the idea behind the HOA is sound. People started it with good intentions, but unfortunately it can get out of hand quickly. Communism also was started out if good intentions.



Back to the matter at hand though. I wonder if it would be possible for water to be shipped in from another state. Sounds crazy I know, but if I'm a farmer and my crops are during. You had better believe in going to find a way to get some water.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by AuGrower

Hey, if 95% of the population had my sense of esthetics...the world would be a much better place 😁. Although if they also had my personality we would all be in trouble.



I think the idea behind the HOA is sound. People started it with good intentions, but unfortunately it can get out of hand quickly. Communism also was started out if good intentions.



Back to the matter at hand though. I wonder if it would be possible for water to be shipped in from another state. Sounds crazy I know, but if I'm a farmer and my crops are during. You had better believe in going to find a way to get some water.

An idea is only sound if once it becomes reality the real world results are also sound. This is not the case with HOAs, as their primary function violates the real property rights of real people. Supporting the violation of someone's rights shows a short sighted view of things, and gives one no standing to complain if their own rights are so violated. I don't see the Monkees 'Pleasant Valley Sunday' brought to life as a good thing, but that's just an opinion. Seeing the violation of the property rights of a person as a bad thing is just a bit more if one takes the long view.

---------- Post added at 07:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 PM ----------

Originally Posted by wintergirl

Maybe he has good taste

Initiating force against people who have not violated the rights of another is always in bad taste.

[Leafmite]

I am the one with dandelions in the yard (and violets, some herbs, etc.). We once had little kids who liked to play in the yard. We also had a rabbit for nine years that loved to eat the dandelions and clover as well as guinea pigs and another rabbit before that. I have noticed that since the perfect lawn has become popular, the only amphibian I ever see are toads. I question how safe the lawn treatments are for our water supply, for us, for our pets and for the wild creatures that live alongside of us. I also think, personally, that the money spent on lawn care could do better elsewhere. And, phosphate supplies, used in lawn fertilizers, are being rapidly diminished. Runoff from lawns affect creeks, lakes and the ocean. And, funny enough,dandelions do not look so different from some of the other flowers sold for planting in beds. It is a personal choice not to treat a lawn and I think one that should be respected. Fortunately, in our neighborhood, we are not the only ones who do not treat their lawns.