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Hey Yall,
I leased a house in "suburbia"-ya know McMansions, cookie cutter homes, with manicured yards. My lease is up in 3 months. I mow the grass weekly, weed eat.
Well, I have never lived in suburbia, always out in the country. Heck, just used to brush-hogging it all and not doing fancy lawn work.
I got a letter from my realtor that says I am neglecting the yard. I dont think it looks bad. Sure Texas hot sun has weathered the grass. I havent watered-dont have a sprinkler system. Havent fertilized-never known about that kind of stuff.
I am a Registered Nurse-i aint made of money. I work full time. I dont have much time. There is nothing to be mowed-it's so dry here, that nothing is growing.
I just need to make the grass look "pretty", i guess. HA.
Tell me what I need to do-the basics. I am going to Walmart to buy sprinkler things, and fertilizer. But dont know how to do any of this. What do I do? Buy a bag of fertilizer and just walk around the yard sprinkling some from the bag? Do I need a "thing" to spread the fertilizer out evenly?
I have heard, water in the early mornings or nite, right?
Any hints? Remember, BASIC and SIMPLE. SHEESH so much for my low water bill.
I am only here for 3 more months. Dont want to get fined for "bad lawn"!!!
Last edited by NOTAM; 06-21-2008 at 11:57 AM..
Reason: add
Oh, man, Belle. That stinks! Sheesh, what do they expect from tenants? As long as it's mowed, I don't see how they can demand that you keep it all green and perfect!
Anyhoo, I don't think it's a good idea to fertilize in this heat. You could burn/kill the grass. I fertilize mine in the spring and late fall when the temps aren't so high. Just water it, I guess.
I cut my own lawn, too, but because of my illness, it takes me days to complete, LOL. In the summer, though, I hire someone to do it because I can't be out in the heat and it's still hot in the evenings. I found a small landscaping business that will do it for $40 -- and that includes absolutely everything. I suggest you find professionals to do a really good manicure maybe once a month and then you can just do a quick mow if it gets high in between their visits. That will save money. Then, if the Realtor complains, you can say you're having the pros take care of the lawn and show the receipts. That should be more than adequate!
thanks my friend..........
well mowing is out of the question for a while-used to mow once a week but in last two to three weeks-it aint grown a bit. nothing to mow. sure i can manicure with weedeater.
thanks for the info on fertilizer.
i guess i will just buy sprinkler things...........will go to walmart today and buy cheapo ones......
i tell ya. i have never lived in suburbia and this is the first and last time i will!!!!!!!
whats wierd is my lawn looks just like my two neighbors! short, cut, but slightly hay color from dry hot texas sun. maybe i should take pic as proof...in case they try to bill me/fine me when i move
oh there are plenty of soldiers who do lawn care for dirt cheap on the side, and one gave me 30bucks quote, but what would they do? there aint much to do!! i dont have flower beds nothing! i just have short grass!! that is slightly hay colored!!! very little weed eating. pay him that much just to water it??
it looks like rain today anyway sheesh
Quote:
Originally Posted by teatime
Oh, man, Belle. That stinks! Sheesh, what do they expect from tenants? As long as it's mowed, I don't see how they can demand that you keep it all green and perfect!
Anyhoo, I don't think it's a good idea to fertilize in this heat. You could burn/kill the grass. I fertilize mine in the spring and late fall when the temps aren't so high. Just water it, I guess.
I cut my own lawn, too, but because of my illness, it takes me days to complete, LOL. In the summer, though, I hire someone to do it because I can't be out in the heat and it's still hot in the evenings. I found a small landscaping business that will do it for $40 -- and that includes absolutely everything. I suggest you find professionals to do a really good manicure maybe once a month and then you can just do a quick mow if it gets high in between their visits. That will save money. Then, if the Realtor complains, you can say you're having the pros take care of the lawn and show the receipts. That should be more than adequate!
Last edited by NOTAM; 06-21-2008 at 12:21 PM..
Reason: add
That's totally unreasonable of the Realtor, Belle. Heh, I don't think they can put something in the lease that says you have to keep the yard looking like a golf course!!!! Have you called the Realtor to find out exactly what she expects or thinks you should be doing? She sounds plain nuts!
I don't use a sprinkler cuz they throw water everywhere and waste it. I hand-water my lawn. It takes some time, of course, but it allows me to direct the water to the areas that need it and not waste water. Glad it's raining so you won't even have to worry about it for a few days!!!
Hahahahahahaha, you might complain to the Realtor about the cheap grass not enhancing your enjoyment of the property and creating more work for you! That'll shut her up!!!! I have St. Augustine in my yard and it stays quite green with whatever rain we get. I don't water it much!
my landlord is a big realty company. they didnt specify in the letter what the problem is with my yard. just said that its been neglected-that all lawns need to be watered, fertilized, weedeated, etc routinely.
teatime-i am telling. ya. it does not look bad at all. i will even show you a pic..will take one later-will even take one of neighbors front lawns on both sides of me, to compare. no it aint a golf course. but its neat. dry yes.
like i said, moving out into the rural sticks in three months. surburia life aint for me........not into landscaping, just like natural environment...
Quote:
Originally Posted by teatime
That's totally unreasonable of the Realtor, Belle. Heh, I don't think they can put something in the lease that says you have to keep the yard looking like a golf course!!!! Have you called the Realtor to find out exactly what she expects or thinks you should be doing? She sounds plain nuts!
I don't use a sprinkler cuz they throw water everywhere and waste it. I hand-water my lawn. It takes some time, of course, but it allows me to direct the water to the areas that need it and not waste water. Glad it's raining so you won't even have to worry about it for a few days!!!
Hahahahahahaha, you might complain to the Realtor about the cheap grass not enhancing your enjoyment of the property and creating more work for you! That'll shut her up!!!! I have St. Augustine in my yard and it stays quite green with whatever rain we get. I don't water it much!
You know, it almost sounds like a form letter. I wonder if it's a standard letter they are sending to all of their tenants? Sometimes companies will do that, figuring it will serve as a reminder to everyone but put offenders on notice. I think I'd disregard it if I were you. As you said, you'll be out of there in a few months anyway and you're already doing what is reasonable with the yard!
Heh, I can't stand snooty suburbia, either! I'm glad I'm out in the country! Folks here keep their yards cut and neat, which is common sense because of critters moving in if you don't, but no one pays much mind to others' landscaping. I garden because it's my hobby and I enjoy it -- I like to sit outside in the mornings and evenings with a book and a cold drink, enjoying my gardens with my dogs -- but I couldn't care less what my neighbors do with their property, LOL!
yes it IS a form letter. i was almost thinking the same thing. but ya know what, i am so pissed that i am going to take pics of my yard and the adjoining neighbors yards and email it to the realty company and ask what is the big difference. how is mine so neglected? i want SPECIFICS. i want PROOF. i am so mad. it was very impersonal and stated they also have referrals for professional lawn care people-they probably get kickbacks from them...all in cahoots ya know?
yes it is definitely a form letter. but dont send it to someone like me who is a good tenant and doing THE BEST I CAN AS A SINGLE FEMALE WITH NO FAMILY OR HUSBAND, workin fulltime tryin to do my best!!!! ALL ALONE!!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by teatime
You know, it almost sounds like a form letter. I wonder if it's a standard letter they are sending to all of their tenants? Sometimes companies will do that, figuring it will serve as a reminder to everyone but put offenders on notice. I think I'd disregard it if I were you. As you said, you'll be out of there in a few months anyway and you're already doing what is reasonable with the yard!
Heh, I can't stand snooty suburbia, either! I'm glad I'm out in the country! Folks here keep their yards cut and neat, which is common sense because of critters moving in if you don't, but no one pays much mind to others' landscaping. I garden because it's my hobby and I enjoy it -- I like to sit outside in the mornings and evenings with a book and a cold drink, enjoying my gardens with my dogs -- but I couldn't care less what my neighbors do with their property, LOL!
Form letter. Reply in writing that you have corrected the weedeating problem that was brought to your attention. Ask for a company representative to meet you for an inspection at a time agreeable to you, like Sunday at 7 PM. Keep a copy of your letter for your records.
Chances of someone actually coming out at suppertime on Sunday are nil. If no-one does, write a second letter thanking them for bringing the weedeating problem to your attention and considering the case closed. If in three months they try to say the lawn wasn't maintained, you pull out your copy of the response letter and follow-up, and suggest that small claims court won't look favorably on their actions of trying to ding you when you followed their rules.
If they are concerned with the watering of your individual lawn, they'll let you know. If they are just doing a lazy form letter and/or trying to pull a stunt, you'll have the required ammo to thwart it.
If you do water, best time is in the morning from just before sunup until 9 AM. Communities with water restrictions often only allow watering certain days of the week or time. Check with the water dept. Once a week is usually enough to keep grass from totally dying. More than twice a week is not needed and can promote fungus in some cases.
WOW EXCELLENT ADVICE! i will DEFINITELY follow it. that is very wise! thank you SO much!!
how did ya think of this?
yep its all about beating it at their own game, and covering yer butt.
Quote:
Originally Posted by harry chickpea
Form letter. Reply in writing that you have corrected the weedeating problem that was brought to your attention. Ask for a company representative to meet you for an inspection at a time agreeable to you, like Sunday at 7 PM. Keep a copy of your letter for your records.
Chances of someone actually coming out at suppertime on Sunday are nil. If no-one does, write a second letter thanking them for bringing the weedeating problem to your attention and considering the case closed. If in three months they try to say the lawn wasn't maintained, you pull out your copy of the response letter and follow-up, and suggest that small claims court won't look favorably on their actions of trying to ding you when you followed their rules.
If they are concerned with the watering of your individual lawn, they'll let you know. If they are just doing a lazy form letter and/or trying to pull a stunt, you'll have the required ammo to thwart it.
If you do water, best time is in the morning from just before sunup until 9 AM. Communities with water restrictions often only allow watering certain days of the week or time. Check with the water dept. Once a week is usually enough to keep grass from totally dying. More than twice a week is not needed and can promote fungus in some cases.
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