Community Landscaping (Atlanta: HOA, homes, neighborhoods)

[boricuapower927]

I have a question maybe some of the natives could answer. Driving around many communities I find a real lack of nice landscaping on alot of homes such as uncut grass, weeds, etc. It seems so prevalant that it makes me wonder if there is some inherent problem that causes this to be the case? Can someone shed some light on why so many home owners don't keep up their curb appeal?

I am from the Pennsylvania and am used to homeowners taking more pride in their homes and especially the landscaping, so this is a kind of different for me.

Also this seems so strange since most of these communities, if I am not mistaken, have HOA's that require a certain amount of care be taken or the homeowner can get into trouble.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide into this phenomenon.

[smuboy86]

What you may be seeing is xerascaping. Native grasses and plants that require little water. Most native grasses and plants can look unkept and like weeds, the city encourages it to save water.

[boricuapower927]

I am familiar with xeriscaping, however this looks more like it is abandoned as oppossed to some characteristic of the plants being used. Thanks for your input.

[wCat]

Hello Boriacu.....It's really hard to answer your question since we don't really know exactly what neighborhoods you are talking about. I agree that it doesn't make sense especially if there is a HOA that might regulate that kind of thing.

I've lived the majority of my life in Texas, but I've traveled extensively and have friends and relatives in other parts of the country. I do understand a little about what you're talking about. These past couple of years have been especially bad because of the severe drought conditions and water restrictions that this area and much of Texas has been under. Hundreds and thousands of dollars have been spent and lost on expensive landscaping and lawns because they can't be watered to maintain them.

Beyond that, I think it's generally the climate and topography that Texas is up against. I have a lot of family in Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina. They have the most beautiful gardens and lawns.....but they also have a lot more humidity and rain than we do. My mother's magnolia tree pales in comparison to what my Aunts have in Birmingham and Atlanta!

It seems areas that have more trees here (the huge oaks especially seem to do better here)...obviously the lawns don't get baked in July and August.

As far as general neglect.....I can't answer that. It could be a number of things....working couples that can't afford a yard service and don't have time?
Elderly people who can't do it themselves and don't have the income to have it done? It's discouraging to mow dead grass? And depressing to watch it die? It definitely takes a huge green thumb to keep yards up in South Texas......but I do know that it's not a universal problem to the whole area.

As a whole.....we really are in (and hopefully) leaving a very dry and difficult period. Hopefully things will look a bit better soon!

[boricuapower927]

Oh, ok. This makes total sense. I guess it would be kind of discouraging to do any landscaping if you can't water it properly. Thank you for your input.

[rd2007]

I'm new to this forum and didn't want to start a new thread as my first post, so I'll borrow this one..

We're looking to do some improvements to the back yard and need a good landscaping company/contact. We had a guy over from Artscapes, but his prices were a little steep.. We were looking to put a decorated cement patio addition to the patio that's there and sod the back yard. We also need to get rid of an above ground pool and a deck..

BTW, if anyone wants a free 28' x 18' (I think that's the size) above ground pool, feel free to PM me. If anyone wants to haul it off it's theirs for the taking.