I don’t want this much ornamental grass, what do I do? Let nature take over a patch of it? Hire a landscape designer for a minimum of 10k? Please send help.

More info: I’ve stopped using -icides and I have a robot mower at 3.5”.

I have let a patch grow wild and added a couple apple trees and wildflowers. The city code enforcers want to mow it and fine me, but I don’t plan on letting them.

I’m kinda against fences because they feel pretty anti-social and I’m already only allowed to see people if I use a car. Then again, fences seem like the only way to combat these crazy deer.

I don’t want to design it myself because I want to believe that professional landscape designers do more than just plop stuff around on a whim.

  • cerement@slrpnk.netEnglish
    93·
    5 months ago
    • stop using weedkiller and insecticide – save a little money and save your own health
    • add in inoculated clover seeds – “inoculated” adds in bacteria that makes the nitrogen more available to other plants – pick a clover that is relatively native to your area – up until WWII and the proliferation of modern weedkillers, healthy lawns were a mix of grass and clover
    • leave the dandelions alone – ALL parts of a dandelion are edible – the leaves are a classic bitter green (goes really well with a dressing made from walnut oil, mustard, and balsamic vinegar) – roasted roots used to be a coffee substitute – early buds can be pickled as an alternative to capers – and yes, dandelion wine is actually a thing
    • throw in lots of native flowers – attracts the pollinators that keep the rest of your garden going strong
    • if you must mow, don’t mow shorter than 6 in / 15 cm – encourages stronger, more robust growth
      • take up scything instead of mowing for personal exercise
    • Blue_Morpho@lemmy.worldEnglish
      7·
      5 months ago

      He said acres. If it’s really acres then planting clover, dandelion and native wildflowers are completely irrelevant.

      In a few years it will grow into impassible 4-6’ thornbushes. All other plants like clover and wildflowers will be smothered by the native growth.

      • GBU_28@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        5 months ago

        Moving through annually with a high level brush cut will handle this.

        • Blue_Morpho@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          5 months ago

          Oh sure, I’ve rented Bush Hogs to get it under control. But I let it grow as much as possible to be wildlife friendly.

          The OP saying let it grow and use a scythe must live in the city with a 10’ square patch of yard.

          That doesn’t work with acres.