How to get your husband to do the yard work he hates doing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many things that someone has now named as an invasive. Stop the madness.

Yep. Best way is to use a native ornamental grass. My HOA has a 3 acres forest easement included in our common property and half of it is taken over by Chinese wisteria and bamboo. Both are invading homeowners properties rapidly - it's a continuous maintenance hassle. We got an estimate to remove it and it was nearly $200,000. We're currently trying to find grants to help. So yeah - invasiveness is real and it can destroy the value of your property not to mention what it does to nature. Stop the madness - ban these plants and don't plant any more of them.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many things that someone has now named as an invasive. Stop the madness.

Yep. Best way is to use a native ornamental grass. My HOA has a 3 acres forest easement included in our common property and half of it is taken over by Chinese wisteria and bamboo. Both are invading homeowners properties rapidly - it's a continuous maintenance hassle. We got an estimate to remove it and it was nearly $200,000. We're currently trying to find grants to help. So yeah - invasiveness is real and it can destroy the value of your property not to mention what it does to nature. Stop the madness - ban these plants and don't plant any more of them.

OP here. You are EXACTLY right. Places like Home Depot often sell the invasives and label them like the non-invasives. For instance, the American wisteria var. Amethyst Falls is very well-behaved, but people aren’t aware there is a difference in varieties. I have a few Miscanthus var. Morning Light which do not spread. Another is Sweet Autumn Clematis. There is an invasive variety and a non invasive variety and they are labeled the same. I made that mistake early on and am still paying for it.

Same with Vinca. Perfectly manageable in New England and here, it’s impossible. Ask me how I know….

I never see natives at Home Depot. Stopped even going there.
People should also keep in mind that invasiveness isn't just a matter of spread in their own garden. Even if a non-native is contained in your garden, pollinators and wind can spread it elsewhere and cause another invasion in someone else's yard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a large lot and the miscanthus spreads terribly. We have to maintain it (HOA) so have to cut it down every year. Hired out, it’s over 2K. We both HATE cutting down those grasses and this year he flat refused. I’ve been out there doing it. We both think it’s best to just remove them and I was resenting the hell out of him. Then I had an idea. I said that we should rent a digger for the day, that it would make short work of removing them. I said that I’m sure our Son-in-law would love to drive that thing and do it. He eagerly said he’s always wanted to drive one so he wants to do it. Shoulda thought of that from the start So tomorrow, I call Dig Safe and have the lot marked.

Bottom line - give a man a fun toy to drive and he’s game!

There are much cheaper and easier ways to get your husband to do household chores he hates.

[Anonymous]

Pay someone to get it under control. Get a riding mower.

[Anonymous]

If I were him I would be in your state capital working on getting HOAs banned. The worst.