5 ms·

At the very least moss is beautiful. Personally I don't have a problem with "weeds" as Americans see them. If covid ever lets up, you should try taking your w

At the very least moss is beautiful. Personally I don't have a problem with "weeds" as Americans see them. If covid ever lets up, you should try taking your wife on a trip to Japan. The moss in Japanese gardens is extraordinary!

GordonS 6y ago
We've actually been to Japan, and both loved the "moss lawns"! They are really nice to walk on too - almost springy.
tomcooks 6y ago
I assume it has to do with the US house price laws that mandate one takes care of the lawn, or risk incurring in fines or losing the house (quoting an US friend not sure about the details)
- kingnothing 6y ago
  There are no such laws. What some neighborhoods do have are homeowners associations which, in practice, function as micro governments, and can mandate such things. About 25% of all homes in the US have an HOA, and those will all vary in what maintenance they require. Some are expensive and strict, some are optional and just there to take care of a sign and lighting at the front entrances.
  - cptskippy 6y ago
    In addition to HOAs, some municipalities have ordinances for keeping yards tidy (e.g. cutting the lawn) but usually much less restrictive. In historical districts and houses deemed landmarks they have ordinances closer to and sometimes stricter than HOAs.
  - thatcat 6y ago
    Some cities will come mow your lawn then send a bill to the land owner.
- jacobsenscott 6y ago
  You can't lose your house. Maybe an HOA can fine you if you don't mow your weeds. Recovering a lawn that is overrun with weeds is very expensive, time consuming, and hard work under the hot sun. A well maintained lawn only needs a few maintenance applications of weed killer every season, or can even be handled by hand. If you want flowers for the insects (I'm all for it) plant flowers. But just "let it go wild" never ends well. Also, when it is time to sell your house a buyer is going to look at a wild lawn and just see a money/time sink.

GordonS 6y ago

We've actually been to Japan, and both loved the "moss lawns"! They are really nice to walk on too - almost springy.

tomcooks 6y ago

I assume it has to do with the US house price laws that mandate one takes care of the lawn, or risk incurring in fines or losing the house (quoting an US friend not sure about the details)

kingnothing 6y ago
There are no such laws. What some neighborhoods do have are homeowners associations which, in practice, function as micro governments, and can mandate such things. About 25% of all homes in the US have an HOA, and those will all vary in what maintenance they require. Some are expensive and strict, some are optional and just there to take care of a sign and lighting at the front entrances.
- cptskippy 6y ago
  In addition to HOAs, some municipalities have ordinances for keeping yards tidy (e.g. cutting the lawn) but usually much less restrictive. In historical districts and houses deemed landmarks they have ordinances closer to and sometimes stricter than HOAs.
- thatcat 6y ago
  Some cities will come mow your lawn then send a bill to the land owner.
jacobsenscott 6y ago
You can't lose your house. Maybe an HOA can fine you if you don't mow your weeds. Recovering a lawn that is overrun with weeds is very expensive, time consuming, and hard work under the hot sun. A well maintained lawn only needs a few maintenance applications of weed killer every season, or can even be handled by hand. If you want flowers for the insects (I'm all for it) plant flowers. But just "let it go wild" never ends well. Also, when it is time to sell your house a buyer is going to look at a wild lawn and just see a money/time sink.