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Really? I've never seen anyone water their lawns anywhere I've lived. Not even during drought years.
I guess we're all smarter -- or exhibit more pronounced cheapskate tendencies -- than the "vast majority of households."
Assumptions are dangerous things, Grasshopper.
You've seriously never seen people water their lawns? Wow lol, it is basically a must here to keep a green lawn.
Last year was an ugly year here, no matter the water there was a lot of brown lawns, first time in my life things were like that, even places like lowes or home depot had brown grass. Didn't rain much until autumn.
Even on a good raining year people water their lawns at least once a week.
If grass were outlawed or something Id put in a pool and paved entertainment area for the back, and the front I would want to make into a decorative path and gardens.
If water restrictions/prices made having a lawn unworkable - would you still want the same sized lot? Just curious for those who are married to the quarter acre lot. If so, what would you do with the lot instead? If not, would you consider ditching the SF detached altogether or just downsize a little (lot not home).
Notice - those of you in the Eastern third of the country likely will never have to face this question - those of you in the mountain west likely already have faced it and made decision. This is more for the middle third of the country who are in semi-arid lands and living in communities that may face decisions as to allocation of limited water resources now or in the near future.
I have 5500SF lot with a small patch of lawn in the front yard (about 20x20) and dirt in the back yard. The plan, assuming I stay here, is to install drought tolerant landscaping.
Some of my parent's neighbors had automatic sprinklers that went off while it was raining. I saw one go off 6 hours before Tropical Storm Irene approached. My parents water their lawn but off and on.
You can actually shut off the timer on an automatic sprinkler system. That's what we do on the rare occasions where it rains enough not to have to water.
Quote:
Originally Posted by almost3am
Well, I don't think it is necessary to water lawns in most of Iowa or Missouri. I think the mid point of the US is in Kansas somewhere. I had friends that lived in KC that didn't water their lawns either. Maybe i don't understand why he excluded only the eastern 1/3...people obviously do water in these areas, but it isn't necessary.
I'm not really part of your target group, because I have a small urban lot, and don't need to water. But, I do like having a yard for planting things. I don't care about lawn/grass, though.
I've seen examples of terrace gardening, and that doesn't have the same appeal for me. So, that's one reason I wouldn't be interested in condo/apartment living.
If I lived somewhere where watering was necessary for growing a standard lawn, I'd look into xeriscaping.
Xeriscaping has to be watered until it is established.
Me personally, I only own a house because const. is so bad in the US when it comes to privacy and sound pollution. Give me a well built 2br 2 bath made from concrete that doesn't cost $500k in Denver metro and I am there. I don't care for mowing the lawn or pulling weeds. It's just a buffer space.
I am not sure but sounds like the Op has traveled much to areas that get little rain fall. Most of these areas do not have lawns as most know them. hey mostly have other grown cover that needs little watering. tose that are rich perhaps do water but its very expensive. Even here we do not use public water to water in summer when there is little arin fall some years /We use well water. Were i live people ahve lots between /12 acre and ten acres. mine is one acre and its been thsi way since I can remember ;really.
I did replace much of my front lawn with a decorative garden and veggies in the back. The veggies take a lot of water to make happen. I like nybbler's RC car racetrack idea. I can mow my whole property in about 15 minutes with a reel mower but I still can't stand doing it.
I thought I'd love having a yard, but I'd gladly give it up.
If I couldn't have a lawn I'd want a yard with racetrack for RC cars and an RC helicopter landing pad, but I'm not sure my wife would go for it :-)
Ooooh, I'm surprised my late spouse didn't think adding those features to our lawn. LOL. He didn't want me to plant trees in the side yard because they would ruin his fairway. I told him the trees would add to the challenge, but no ...
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