A proud homeowner showed off their drought-friendly native plant lawn in Arizona, only to be met with criticism that they responded to thoughtfully.
They shared a photo of their mostly gravel front yard in Arizona in the r/nolawns subreddit, writing in the caption, "100% AZ native plants. No irrigation. Giving my plants a good soak now that they're starting to wake up."
In the comments, a Redditor called rock yards "overused" or "ubiquitous."
"They tend to increase water demand from the few plants you actually have because they increase soil surface temperatures and essentially bake the plants," continued the same commenter. "I would add more plants to your yard to reduce solar gain."
"I have an HOA, but I read that there is a certain percentage of gravel required, which means I definitely have room to reduce some," the original poster replied. "I agree about those points."
Another person complimented the yard and encouraged them to add more native plants, which the homeowner agreed to, HOA rules or not.
Find the best HVAC solution to heat and cool your home more efficiently Mitsubishi Electric’s efficient heating and cooling HVAC solutions can help you stay comfortable no matter the weather or region. You can even regulate temperatures in each room with individually controlled all-electric heat pump systems. With an energy-efficient, all-climate system from Mitsubishi, you can reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home, receive up to $2,000 in tax credits, and get peace of mind knowing you’re choosing rigorously tested, high-quality products. |
Opting for a low- to no-water lawn in places like Arizona is a great way to save money on your water bill and avoid fighting the natural ecosystem to maintain a traditional grass lawn. Native plants can use up to 85% less water than a monoculture lawn, according to the California Department of Water Resources.
Xeriscaping, which is the practice of designing a landscape to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation, per National Geographic, is a great option for places like Arizona and other desert climates, but it applies to any kind of landscaping plan to help lower water usage.
And adding native plants, as the homeowner seems keen to do, is also a great way to save money because they require less maintenance than other types of lawns and plants while helping to attract pollinators and other wildlife that support the ecosystem.
|
Should homeowners associations be able to determine what you grow in your garden?
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Yes 💯 
Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight
💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands
Cool Picks
