Recently, a friend called me in some distress. She received a letter from Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) informing her that her grass was too long and that if she didn’t cut it within a specified period of time, LCG would have it cut and she would be billed. She has been starting a native garden, sowing seeds at the edges of her lawn and watching with wonder as native plants began to replace the old St. Augustine turf grass. LCG Code Enforcement staff were understanding and gave her advice about how to comply with the long grass ordinance, but the basic premise was still that she had to cut portions of her native plantings. If she did not comply, she would incur a fine weekly until she complied.
This is happening more and more often as property managers and home owners across the country begin to down size their “lawns” to create a more wildlife friendly environment. People have read Doug Tallamy’s books, Bringing Nature Home and Nature’s Best Hope, which brought the revelation for many gardeners that planting native plants in your yard provides important habitat for native insects and birds. And so, there has been a tremendous interest in native gardens and in downsizing the old standard turfgrass lawn. How can we respect the needs of important wildlife species including insect pollinators and song birds and still meet local landscaping standards?
We should begin with the basics. Grass height ordinances began as a way to combat blight and neglect in neighborhoods. Those ordinances gave neighbors a means to take positive action when properties were neglected.
The Lafayette ordinance states that no tenant or occupant shall permit noxious weeds, grass, or deleterious unhealthy or noxious growths more than 12” in height to grow on the property or the neutral ground within the city and in subdivisions in the unincorporated parts of the parish, or more than 24” in the unincorporated portion of the parish. Of course, we don’t think our native plantings are the least bit noxious, deleterious or unhealthy! In fact, by inviting nature back into our urban and suburban landscapes, we are making them healthy, less noxious and less deleterious.
We’ve looked at models from other places in the US that have amended their long grass ordinances. Two proactive steps native gardeners can take to ensure compliance stand out. First, establish a clear boundary or edge around native plant beds, such as a mowed path, landscape edging, or even log edging. This boundary contains the garden and makes it clearly look “intentional.” Certainly a 3-feet-wide mowed boundary between a native landscape and a more traditional neighboring lawn can create a useful buffer. You may want to reduce your lawn incrementally, extending the edges of your native beds slowly over time, thereby reducing your lawn area conservatively.
Secondly, carefully plan your native garden before you begin. Simply letting the turfgrass lawn grow will not lead to an aesthetically pleasing native garden. Success requires planning and caring for a native garden as it develops over time. Adding garden art, a birdbath, or feeding stations for birds, bats or squirrels would add interest to your garden area. The presence of habitat or wildlife certification signs such as the National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Habitat certification sign would help show your intent as a native plant gardener. Consider certifying your yard with ANPP to announce your intention of creating a wildlife habitat!
Pruning and deadheading to maintain a neat appearance while still leaving a percentage of seed heads for birds may also help your native garden fit into urban neighborhoods with less resistance. Speak with your neighbors about your native garden, and explain why you are using native plants. Having such a discussion early may reduce complaints from neighbors who have limited exposure or experience with the beauty and benefits of native plants. ANPP is willing to work with our members and customers to use native landscape design practices that will help native plant gardeners stay in compliance with city or HOA (homeowner's association) ordinances.
See the LNPS Communication Toolkit for guidance on how to head off conflicts and invite understanding.
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