Help! My lawn is making me go broke! (St. Augustine: foreclosed, HOA)

[JerseyGirlinFL]

I have just realized that I am slowly going broke just maintaining my lawn. I am paying $90 per month for mowing ($1080 annually), $129 every other month for pest control ($774 annually), and an average of $50 per month in irrigation ($600 annually). This totals a whopping $2454.00 per year. If I had my way, I'd let the St. Augustine grass all die and replace it with stones, which can be a very nice look. However I unfortunately moved into a neighborhood with an HOA, big mistake. Is there any way to beat these costs? I am willing to mow it myself, but I do travel a lot so it was easier to hire a service. But I think this is way too much money to spend on a lawn. (I also question why irrigation is so much higher than regular water consumption!) Just thought I'd rant a little. Thanks! (ps HOA not doing much with the foreclosed properties either)

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by JerseyGirlinFL

I have just realized that I am slowly going broke just maintaining my lawn. I am paying $90 per month for mowing ($1080 annually), $129 every other month for pest control ($774 annually), and an average of $50 per month in irrigation ($600 annually). This totals a whopping $2454.00 per year. If I had my way, I'd let the St. Augustine grass all die and replace it with stones, which can be a very nice look. However I unfortunately moved into a neighborhood with an HOA, big mistake. Is there any way to beat these costs? I am willing to mow it myself, but I do travel a lot so it was easier to hire a service. But I think this is way too much money to spend on a lawn. (I also question why irrigation is so much higher than regular water consumption!) Just thought I'd rant a little. Thanks! (ps HOA not doing much with the foreclosed properties either)

Stone would be your best option. It lasts forever and you don't have to mow or water it. They passed a law saying as long as you change your yard, it just must be "landscaping friendly". That means as long as you use plants, mulch, stone, etc, it's acceptable. Check with your HOA's about the new rule. HOA --* Florida-friendly landscaping (http://www.ccfjedu.net/HOAFLORIDAFRIENDLYLANDSCAPING.htm - broken link)
I see ppl doing it in other subdivisions.

Yes, it is very hard to maintain a yard in FL.

[Alyzza]

Wow, how big is your yard? Ours is almost a half acre and I only pay $30 for a guy to come out, cut the grass, edge, and do weed-eating. During the real rainy season I have him out here every other week but usually I just do the yard myself. I'll probably get him out here again when the leaves start falling. I had a service for pest control but that was very expensive and the yard looked no better when they were spraying their chemicals on it than it does right now. Our watering days are Thursdays and Sundays, so when it's like this I put the sprinklers on for 20 minutes or so. Eventually I want to change most of it to xeriscaping which will cut down on the amount of grass. I like the idea of all stones or even lava, too!

[Parrotrosie]

Your pest control fees seem to be out of kilter with your mowing prices...I sent you a PM regarding who I use, etc.

[JerseyGirlinFL]

Originally Posted by beckycat

Stone would be your best option. It lasts forever and you don't have to mow or water it. They passed a law saying as long as you change your yard, it just must be "landscaping friendly". That means as long as you use plants, mulch, stone, etc, it's acceptable. Check with your HOA's about the new rule. HOA --* Florida-friendly landscaping (http://www.ccfjedu.net/HOAFLORIDAFRIENDLYLANDSCAPING.htm - broken link)
I see ppl doing it in other subdivisions.

Yes, it is very hard to maintain a yard in FL.

Wow thank you for this information! I had no idea stone would be allowed, and I will look into it! Thanks so much!

[JerseyGirlinFL]

Originally Posted by Alyzza

Wow, how big is your yard? Ours is almost a half acre and I only pay $30 for a guy to come out, cut the grass, edge, and do weed-eating. During the real rainy season I have him out here every other week but usually I just do the yard myself. I'll probably get him out here again when the leaves start falling. I had a service for pest control but that was very expensive and the yard looked no better when they were spraying their chemicals on it than it does right now. Our watering days are Thursdays and Sundays, so when it's like this I put the sprinklers on for 20 minutes or so. Eventually I want to change most of it to xeriscaping which will cut down on the amount of grass. I like the idea of all stones or even lava, too!

My yard is under a half acre, plus I have a large lanai, so the actual grass area is not that big.

Thanks for mentioning xeriscaping...I am on a mission now. I never knew I had alternatives! Thanks for your response!

[JerseyGirlinFL]

Originally Posted by Parrotrosie

Your pest control fees seem to be out of kilter with your mowing prices...I sent you a PM regarding who I use, etc.

Thanks so much for your help!

[beckycat]

Let us know how you make out.

[tworent]

go with Empire Zoysia grass I did less water less bugs and falls under florida friendly. After I put it in 8-9 homes followed.

Empire Zoysia Grass Low Maintenance Low Water Turf Grass Varieties Empire Zoysia Sod Florida

[tworent]

Originally Posted by JerseyGirlinFL

Wow thank you for this information! I had no idea stone would be allowed, and I will look into it! Thanks so much!

they cannot stop you from putting in florida friendly but they can stop you from what type you can put in if your doc's say turff or grass you must put it in that is why I went with the Zoysia