One Virginia homeowner reached out to the online community for help planning a native plant garden for the difficult conditions in their yard.
They took their request to the r/NoLawns subreddit — although, according to them, they were forced to keep some of their grass.
"I cannot go full 'no lawn' because of our HOA," they explained. "However, I need less grass in my life, so this is my plan."
They shared a sketch of their yard, with color-coded circles and blobs for the different kinds of plants they intended to grow. Their map shows a curved driveway leading from a gate to the house, with the intended garden area split up on either side. The photo also includes a list of nineteen native plant species they wanted to use.
"What I want from my garden," they said. "Semi easy to maintain, got to have the butterflies … [and] bunnies! [And] help with my excessive water problem."
The right design using native plants can meet all these needs and more. Native species are low-maintenance and rarely need to be watered because they've adapted to the weather in the area already. They fit into the local ecosystem, providing food and shelter for wildlife like pollinators and small animals, which will often be attracted to yards that have them.
This daily skin care line brings professional-grade products and in-office results into the comfort of your at-home routine PCA Skin's new daily care line extends the benefits of professional treatments to your at-home routine, with cleansers, serums, and moisturizers formulated to maintain skin health and address specific concerns. Skin is unique, which is why PCA Skin offers tailored solutions for every skin type, tone, and condition. Designed to target concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, and aging, their industry-leading treatments have delivered transformative in-office results for 35 years — and the unique opportunity to get the same quality care in the comfort of your own home is one you won't want to miss. Learn more → |
Best of all, you can use deep-rooted and water-loving plants to create a rain garden in muddy, low-lying areas of your yard. Rain gardens help the ground absorb excess water instead of letting it pool or flow away, and they make use of the moisture to grow lush, beautiful plants on that spot.
Unfortunately, many HOAs are against native plant gardens and other money-saving, eco-friendly home upgrades. Some HOA residents have to change the rules to install rain gardens and native plants as they prefer.
However, this Redditor intended to move forward with the new garden. "I specifically picked plants that are most tolerable of those constantly wet conditions," they said.
Still, there were limits to what they could do.
Stay hydrated and refreshed this holiday season — without any sugar or harmful additives Nuun’s zero-sugar hydration tablets are a perfect, guilt-free way to enhance your water throughout the day. You’ll get five essential electrolytes for everyday hydration — with zero grams of sugar. Plus, Nuun tablets are certified vegan and gluten-free, and they’re the perfect size to keep in your car, purse, or anywhere you'll want a healthy, restorative drink. Learn more → |
"I'm curious, can you do full clover on the rest?" asked one commenter.
"I cannot, at least not without [HOA] approval, but I'm not in their good graces right now," the original poster replied. "We just moved into this house maybe two months ago and we are getting letters nonstop for power washing."
Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
