A Georgia transplant with a scorched lawn and a cautious eye on their new homeowners association has sparked a wave of neighborly advice online.
In a post on r/NativePlantGardening, a Reddit user shared that they're moving to northern Georgia near the Savannah River and want to give their flat, grass-heavy yard a more useful makeover — one that won't trigger the local HOA's wrath.
"I want to improve upon [my lawn] without getting off on the wrong foot with the neighbors," they wrote. "I know, there is probably very little overlap between these goals."
They were starting from scratch with a yard that was mostly just grass. The homeowner was hoping for plants that fight off termites and mosquitoes, survive Georgia heat, and maybe even feed them. They also wanted to avoid using their underground sprinkler system if possible, to sidestep wasting water or triggering any HOA penalties.
The OP admitted that they do not have the specifics yet, nor know how in-depth they are. The HOA was still going to be "under developer control" until all the homes were built. The OP said they assumed they would "have a defined 'flowerbed' separate from the lawn, at least to start."
They then mentioned that they will talk to their neighbors, "and see what has already been done without pushback and do some similar gardening with native plants."
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This type of landscaping isn't just about saving money or reducing yard work. Swapping a turf lawn for drought-tolerant native plants cuts down on air and water pollution, saves on your water bill, and gives pollinators a much-needed boost.
But in many places, HOAs are stuck in the past, enforcing outdated yard rules that discourage eco-friendly updates like native plant lawns or rooftop solar panels.
The rules against solar panels are especially nonsensical since they are the ultimate energy-saving home upgrade. And, if you're looking for the best rate on solar panels, EnergySage can help with quotes from reliable, vetted local vendors.
If you're struggling to work with your HOA's rules around lawn care or landscaping, it may be possible to work with the association to change outdated rules.
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Should homeowners associations be able to determine what you grow in your garden?
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Yes 💯 Folks were happy to share tips:
One offered, "Make your garden look intentional. That means stuff like edging and/or decorative fencing, deliberate paths, and maybe making sure you've got aesthetically pleasing species at the visible forefront."
Another mentioned, "Liatris, purple coneflower and black-eyed Susan are widely accepted garden favorites."
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