To some, a "rewilded" lawn is a thing of beauty, nature at its finest. To others, it's an eyesore that makes a property look like an abandoned lot. And to the city officials caught in the middle, it's a headache they could do without.
While many view a meticulously landscaped lawn that sprawls like a thick green carpet as perfection, not all homeowners feel the same way. For advocates of rewilding, having a front yard chock full of plants native to their region is closer to ideal. How their neighbors and municipal officials feel about the untamed growth can be much less positive.
Eschewing a traditional turf lawn in favor of hydrangeas, milkweeds, and wildflowers can be tempting when viewed in light of increased pollination, better drainage, and wild beauty. However, it's not all happy bees and pretty flowers, as some who have done so discovered the hard way. Before rototilling your lawn and planting blueberry bushes, it's a good idea to check your municipal landscaping ordinances. It might be your property, but that doesn't mean you have absolute freedom over what grows there.
Where Else Would You Have High Tea?
Well-manicured lawns are often ubiquitous in suburban areas. Why this is so is open to speculation. It could be a desire for an orderly place for kids to play, a way to assert control over nature, or a harkening back to the status granted by the stately lawns of English manors.
While having a lawn that resembles the fairways on a golf course may be aesthetically pleasing, keeping it in that condition takes a toll on the environment. Depending on your location, the water required to keep hundreds or thousands of local lawns lush might strain the aquifer and other water sources. Gas-powered lawn mowers, trimmers, and blowers contribute to pollution, and non-absorbed fertilizers can have adverse effects on any water supply they end up in.
Proponents of rewilding claim a variety of benefits resulting from returning to native and non-invasive plants. These include improved drainage (native plants usually have more expansive roots and water retention than turf grass), better production from fruit and vegetable plants, and an influx of animals such as rabbits, frogs, and a variety of insects.
Anyone who has driven past a large swath of wildflowers knows they can be stunningly beautiful, but not all native plants present quite as pretty an appearance. If your rewilded front yard starts to look like an untended meadow, it may capture the attention of more than just happy bees.
Even Green Thumbs Have To Follow the Rules
Comparing municipal ordinances covering land use and grooming is an excellent way to discover America's diversity. While rural towns will likely have much more relaxed regulations regarding lawn maintenance, many suburban areas have strict ordinances that can result in fines, citations from borough inspectors, or even the Department of Public Works being brought in to cut a homeowner's lawn (at the homeowner's expense) if they let it grow too high and ignore warnings. It can be even more demanding if the home is part of an HOA.
The "it's better to beg forgiveness than ask permission" route can work sometimes, but it's probably a better idea to research your town's land use and maintenance codes before rewilding. Keep in mind that rewilding still requires a certain amount of tending and removal of invasive plants. Improving your ecological footprint and gaining protection against flooding makes rewilding an attractive option, but being harassed by your local officials and neighbors because your yard looks like a vacant lot won't be all blue skies and sunshine.
Related Resources
- You Can Sue City Hall (FindLaw's Accident and Injury Law)
- Homeowners Association Basics (FindLaw's Owning a Home)
- Land Use Laws (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
