6 replies to this topic

[Jennyfoo]

In the past, we've received 2 notices for our front yard landscaping not being up to snuff. Ya, a few weeds here and there- less than on the spaces HOA is responsible for. Our front lawn was put in with no topsoil and has struggled since day one. We've consulted with lawn care specialists and we're doing everything right according to them. We do not over-water and never have run-off that goes onto the sidewalk or down the gutters like most homes in the area seem to have. We have some dry spots and thatching of the lawn. BTW, our backyard lawn is awesome, despite 2 dogs and 4 kids running around on it all the time- we put in 4 inches of good topsoil before we did the lawn.

So, if we cut our watering in 1/2, that means our lawn will look even worse, more dry. Is the HOA going to let things slide due to the city water restrictions or are we going to have to up our watering on the days we can water in order to keep our lawn 1/2 decent? That kinda screws up the whole water-reduction issue now doesn't it?

[ducky]

In the past, we've received 2 notices for our front yard landscaping not being up to snuff. Ya, a few weeds here and there- less than on the spaces HOA is responsible for. Our front lawn was put in with no topsoil and has struggled since day one. We've consulted with lawn care specialists and we're doing everything right according to them. We do not over-water and never have run-off that goes onto the sidewalk or down the gutters like most homes in the area seem to have. We have some dry spots and thatching of the lawn. BTW, our backyard lawn is awesome, despite 2 dogs and 4 kids running around on it all the time- we put in 4 inches of good topsoil before we did the lawn.

So, if we cut our watering in 1/2, that means our lawn will look even worse, more dry. Is the HOA going to let things slide due to the city water restrictions or are we going to have to up our watering on the days we can water in order to keep our lawn 1/2 decent? That kinda screws up the whole water-reduction issue now doesn't it?

Have you tried using gypsum to improve the soil? Also, if you have female dogs they can be the cause of brown spots in a lawn.

[Bill Z]

Have you tried using gypsum to improve the soil? Also, if you have female dogs they can be the cause of brown spots in a lawn.

So can infestations of Crane fly larvae

[gm2005]

You know we have exact same situation.
Back lawn looks awsome, it's watered less, two dogs running on it and a kid. Front yard is watered more, no dogs, no kids. Figure that one. Well, actually easy to figure, we put top soil in the back.
Not sure how HOA will react when lawns start looking "dryed out"

[ambrno33]

Our front lawn looks pretty bad too...mostly green with a lot of dry patches. Our backyard looks great, always lush dark green grass. The front is sure to look worse after less water.

[Jennyfoo]

I know we're not the only ones with this problem with our lawn. I just take a walk down my street and about 1/2 the front lawns look like mine. And yes, we were told by a professional gardener that the problem with our front lawn was that there was no topsoil used and it could not get established well in the clay soil. Our yard was levelled down, not raised up, so the topsoil was all removed. Neighbors across the street who's lot was built up have an awesome front lawn. And yes, our lawn is looking even worse now. We are planning to either hire a gardener or perhaps hiring a landscaper to come tear out our front lawn and put in drought-friendly landscaping instead- if we can get approval from the HOA.

[pinkponger]

I know, I have a question, I was trying to get on your forums today but the search wouldnt let me. Is your forums down for maintenance or something?