Do I need to mow?

[Anonymous]

Our backyard is pretty small and is about half grass/half clover, wild onion and various other things
Is there a reason to mow? My son likes the nice long grass.

[Anonymous]

Rats will like it too.

[Anonymous]

Yep - snakes, rats, bugs, etc will be attracted to it.

Depending on who can see your yard (fencing, if someone can see in from a second story, etc), you could be fined by the city - most have very clear rules about how high grass/weeds can be.

I'd personally be embarrassed to have people over with a yard not being kept up.

If you want to do something like this, I'd do it purposefully and put it in a raised flower bed and specifically plant wild-flower type things to grow. But I think that is more work than most people would be willing to take on!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yep - snakes, rats, bugs, etc will be attracted to it.

Depending on who can see your yard (fencing, if someone can see in from a second story, etc), you could be fined by the city - most have very clear rules about how high grass/weeds can be.

I'd personally be embarrassed to have people over with a yard not being kept up.

If you want to do something like this, I'd do it purposefully and put it in a raised flower bed and specifically plant wild-flower type things to grow. But I think that is more work than most people would be willing to take on!

Snakes and rats are a good reason. My friends certainly wouldn't care and we're renting so I'm not interested in changing the landscape beyond my little garden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rats will like it too.

OP's yard will not spontaneously generate rats.

Also, in the extremely unlikely event that the municipality cites OP for an unmowed back yard, OP need only explain that OP is purposely maintaining a natural landscape. I wouldn't try this against an HOA though, since an HOA can generally make whatever fool rules it feels like.

Also, OP, at some point, if you do want to mow, and you have a pretty small backyard, I strongly recommend a push (reel) mower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Snakes and rats are a good reason. My friends certainly wouldn't care and we're renting so I'm not interested in changing the landscape beyond my little garden.

What does your lease say about lawn maintenance? Your landlord may have an opinion on it too.

It's not unusual to get cited for an unmowed back yard, as it does create a hazard for attracting/breeding the animals discussed. The city does care. The key is really if anyone can see into the back yard. If you have a 6 foot privacy fence - unlikely. If you have no fence or a low fence or a fence people can see through - someone will be calling the city on you guaranteed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rats will like it too.

OP's yard will not spontaneously generate rats.

Also, in the extremely unlikely event that the municipality cites OP for an unmowed back yard, OP need only explain that OP is purposely maintaining a natural landscape. I wouldn't try this against an HOA though, since an HOA can generally make whatever fool rules it feels like.

Also, OP, at some point, if you do want to mow, and you have a pretty small backyard, I strongly recommend a push (reel) mower.

The neighbors certainly wouldn't complain, given their various violations. We do have a mower in the shed and mow the front yard. I have thought about getting a push mower because it seems silly to use the gas for a small area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Snakes and rats are a good reason. My friends certainly wouldn't care and we're renting so I'm not interested in changing the landscape beyond my little garden.

What does your lease say about lawn maintenance? Your landlord may have an opinion on it too.

It's not unusual to get cited for an unmowed back yard, as it does create a hazard for attracting/breeding the animals discussed. The city does care. The key is really if anyone can see into the back yard. If you have a 6 foot privacy fence - unlikely. If you have no fence or a low fence or a fence people can see through - someone will be calling the city on you guaranteed.

It's a 6 foot fence, my neighbor who serves as the "property manager" said the lawn typically dies in the summer. I'm not really sure if it's because no one has kept it up or if it's just not hearty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The neighbors certainly wouldn't complain, given their various violations. We do have a mower in the shed and mow the front yard. I have thought about getting a push mower because it seems silly to use the gas for a small area.

You might be surprised. Just because they have violations, there are lots of people who get huffy about lawns. They can report it to the HOA without them necessarily getting in trouble for their own violations - especially since you're a renter. Renters tend to be the target of HOAs more than owners, some HOA members get all worked up about renters.

It's not that big of a deal if you do get a citation though. You get a warning, you mow it - it's over, no big deal. Your landlord might be a little annoyed you got a citation, and might be harder on you through the rest of the lease, but it's not like you're going to get a $500 fine off the bat.

I still think it's kind of trashy and lazy, but if you want to do it - there's no yard police who are going to come arrest you. But be open to the reality that you might get a citation and then have to deal with it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. I'll probably mow it, but not weekly, a happy medium. I grew up in a low water area with a xeriscaped lawn and lived in apartments my whole adult life so this is all new to me (and I'll be returning to a condo soon!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. I'll probably mow it, but not weekly, a happy medium. I grew up in a low water area with a xeriscaped lawn and lived in apartments my whole adult life so this is all new to me (and I'll be returning to a condo soon!)

Oh yeah, I think you can *easily* get away with going 2-3 weeks before mowing!