Weeds in our lawn are going to create a debate?

Question

(I wonder if I could get some input from some thoughtful people.)

We have weeds in our lawn...quack grass in the front & some rounded, flat leafed low growing weed in the back yard.
The debate: I don't mind weeds...it's green & gets cut with the rest of the lawn. The weed in the back looks nice to me because it has tiny bluish, purple flower & it looks like a ground cover, it isn't. (We have a natural yard, not manicured)
My husband wants to use weed killer on it all because he's afraid it will bring down the value of the property if/when we resell. That & he doesn't want to upset any of the neighbours. I understand his views/position, but...
I'm against pesticides, herbacides & any other 'cides'.
We don't have the time to do it all manually...there's alot of lawn.
I've wanted to replace the whole lawn with ground cover (so we don't have to cut it any more) but that's a long time from now.
Any thoughts or suggestions to avoid a fight?
I know he's going to push for poison. :(

Answer 1

Sit down with him and discuss this seriously. Tell him you want to see if there is an option for your lawn that will be a compromise for both of you.

Possibilities include xeriscaping (also saves water and money), ground covers, or hardy grass that requires less water and weed control.

Maybe read up on it yourself, or talk to a garden center or an agricultural college extension center. Make the argument that, over the long run, you can save money with an alternative.

But if you have a Kentucky Bluegrass lawn, there's no way to be environmentally sensitive without replacing it. The stuff demands large amounts of water, fertilizer, and weed control.

Answer 2

It usually depends on the neighborhood; what neighbors do, as to how u handle your lawn. But there does seem to be a small movement to individualism where there are "rock" lawns, "natural" lawns, etc. I personally have a very strange lawn, with grape vines dominating, covering the tops of the yard, with all sorts of wild and natural flowers and grown under. And the house next door, which I also own, has a vine rose which completely obscures the house from the street when it is in bloom. Different than the norm in other words and covering the fence. I have no home owning neighbors so do not have to answer to the conformity thing. Most neighborhoods fight wild flowers, such as the pesky dandelion, but I pick them and eat them. I wager more money is spent on making the average lawn dandelion free than on any other single "home improvement." My cover is practical since it cuts down traffic noise and pollution to the house, and provides a measure of cooling shade. AS for your problem, I suggest you try to sell husband on a natural lawn of some design. Plant wild flowers, etc. ground cover.

Answer 3

The vinegar and nonchemical ideas seem pretty good. As far as your relationship with the other half. Have you considered a compromise? The ground cover idea seems really great. Have you considered planting flowers, herbs or even veggies? Perhaps ground could be dug up a section at a time to make room for some kind of garden or ground cover.


Regarding your profile, since you do not accept any kind of other contact information I thought I should at least make some kind of little note here. Sounds like you are very unhappy with some things noting one of your statements below.
"Becoming more disheartened and cynical as I get to know more people. Seems like no one cares about anybody or anything but themselves and I'm tired. "

It might help to get more association with spiritually conscious people. This might help you to start believing there are higher powers than chemicals or nuclear radiation. That would be the first rung. Check the links included for more.

Answer 4

Once you start with the weed killers, you are going to have dead brown patches in your yard for a while. It will need intensive work to bring it "up to snuff" and more to keep it that way. The poisons will contaminate ground water and other plants that you may be wanting to grow organically.

I'd suggest leaving the "weeds". I'm with you on a natural lawn look. It's what my husband and I have adopted, specifically because I grow organic berries and herbs. We also use well water. You won't really upset the neighbors. Those that really care about that sort of thing will have a great time comparing their manicured lawn to yours. You however, will have the moral high ground.

It won't devalue your home...at least to the extent that it will effect you. If selling your home becomes an issue, spend a year and make it beautiful before selling, just like you'd slap on new paint...enjoy it now the way it is. Lawns are SOOO temporary anyway.

Stay natural!

Answer 5

Just tell him to hold off until the house is actually up for sale. Then he can kill off the weeds before potential buyers come to view the place. By then you won't care because your moving anyway. Just don't let the weeds get out of control. If you don't want to kill the pretty weeds just keep them well manicured and cut out what doesn't look good. And definitely keep the grass cut. If he still argues, just bite your tongue, take out the weeds, go buy some flowers or brush and plant them in the same place. After all they're just weeds. Not worth fighting over.

Answer 6

Do you have a friend who is a Realtor? You could ask how much a lawn's appearance affects the house's value.

If you are planning to live there for awhile, I don't see how it matters, since a high resale value means higher property taxes (but to get lower taxes, you would have to argue before the county board or something, and bring pictures, so maybe it doesn't matter either way).

Answer 7

Weeds are invasives, and will eventually take over areas that contain 'desired' species. There are other ways to eradicate undesirables without using harmful chemicals:

Pour BOILING WATER over areas of your lawn that contain weeds. After weeds and surrounding grass are dead, dig up roots/surrounding soil, and replace with new soil and desired grass seed.

This method may take longer, but it works for getting rid of undesirable invasives.

Answer 8

Go to Costco and buy a few gallons of White Vinegar. Vinegar will kill pretty much anything that it touches. Also vinegar is 100% environmentally friendly.


Is vinegar allowed under the National Organic Program?
Is vinegar acceptable for use in killing weeds under the National Organic Program (NOP)? Naturally produced vinegar made from non-gmo plant materials is acceptable for use under the NOP. As described above, vinegar is a natural fermentation product of alcohol. The alcohol can be derived from various sources, including fruit, grain, and potatoes. Vinegar concentrated by distillation and/or freezing is acceptable for use in organic production. Synthetic acetic acid is not considered vinegar, and is not currently approved for crop production uses under the NOP.

Answer 9

You should spray them. My neighbor has no grass and just weeds. It annoys the hell out of me because no matter what I do to my front lawn her lawn keeps spreading the weeds to mine. It is very annoying and unattractive. It wouldn't bother me as much if she would at least cut them down they grow to like 2 feet tall before she does anything to them.

Answer 10

It will devalue your home and those around you. If you don't use a herbacide, you will have to find the time to do it manually. What's the debate? It sounds like you just want to make excuses about how you just don't want to do it.