How to Pass Weed Inspection -- A Real Life Story

How to Pass Weed Inspection -- A Real Life Story & Guide

6/11/2018

This was my second time. The first was about four years ago when our front lawn was taller than six inches and had a few dozen dandelion seed heads in it. Three months after that notice I tore out most of the yard and put in large prairie garden beds. No one has reported the space since, oddly enough.

On May 23 of this year we received another warning -- this time a bright orange sign staked into the middle of the front yard -- notifying us we had to cut down the back meadow (just weeks before a local garden tour). This designed space began in 2015 because I refused to water a lawn we never used, that burned hard every July and August, and was becoming patchy; it's also become a wonderful proving ground for my business. You can read more about the 2,000 foot meadow planting here.

After sending a plant list to the local weed superintendent, he was gracious enough to meet at my home to discuss the issue. Here's how it went, what we both learned, and what you need to take away as we move to more sustainable wildlife landscapes in urban areas.

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At first we were both in our ideological corners. I was being quoted ordinance about vermin, snakes, and fire, while I was quoting stats about snakes eating mice, native bee decline, and the low burn temperature and quick burn time of prairie grasses. I planned to approach our talk as calmly as possible, but after pacing for a solid hour beforehand I'd worked myself up. So, the first lesson is don't pace for an hour beforehand.

But after awhile we settled into a very productive and friendly half-hour conversation I was thankful for. We taught each other and, I believe, pledged to work together here and around town. One of the largest sticking points centered on cutting down plant material in fall so as not to be a fire hazard. Since every garden I design is planned to be aesthetically pleasing in winter -- not to mention a haven for birds and overwintering insects -- I kept coming back to how we needed to find a solution to have the garden standing. Heck, in spring I leave 12-18" of stubble for nesting bees. Eventually, I heard "hey, if no one complains in winter I won't come knocking on your door."

As we walked around I was able to provide the Latin and common names to over 90% of the plants (I should have had coffee because I can hit 100% just fine). And as I discussed plant communities, how the space was designed, what the intention was and how it would continue to develop, the superintendent noted that it was clear I knew what I was doing. He even said both my front and back gardens could serve as an example of what and how to design effectively and avoid the hassle or stress such meetings produce. The other inspector that came along mentioned that as we face climate change, these types of lawn alternatives will have to become more prevalent -- I'm sure not only for aesthetics but as a practical purpose to help combat the invasive exotics their department diligently patrol. Open ground is an invitation to real weeds.

It was a wonderful, energizing conversation and I felt like there was room for future collaboration, especially as we noted some struggling public spaces around town that had recently been planted but were filling up with weeds. The super also asked me what I tell people at my talks about designing a space all species can be comfortable with, and I'll tell you what we agreed on and what I say everywhere I can:

1) It can help to hire a professional to get you started. That can be a landscape plan, a consult, or a coach that keeps coming back to help you progress. You can install a design yourself or have the professional do it for you then modify on your own, but having good bones is critical -- especially in front yards (my backyard has a wood fence and faces acres of dense red cedars, but I still got in trouble).

2) Plant in masses and groups and tiers. These are traditional design strategies that we're all accustomed to, and so they help folks see that a landscape has intention. Grouping plants also serves as a larger beacon for pollinators flying overhead, so design with 3, 5, or 7 of a kind. Have tall plants in the back or middle with shorter plants toward the front. Don't just toss out a bag of seed or let the lawn go to see what comes up. Convert the space quickly or do it one piece at a time over years.

3) Always have something in bloom. People like flowers and flowers show intention -- plus bloom succession is critical for pollinators.

4) Have a mowed edge around beds that abut sidewalks, driveways, or property lines. In lieu or combination with that strategy is placing low plants along the edges. For example, I have nothing that gets taller than 2 feet within 4-6 feet of the sidewalk. Hey, people don't like to be touched by plants they don't know.

5) Have a sign that says what you are doing and why. The super mentioned signs significantly mitigate their workload. Something as simple as "This is a low-maintenance, native plant pollinator garden."

6) Show human use by including a sitting area, bench, or mowed pathway through the space. Using sculpture or fountains also helps create visual foils so it's easier to interpret the space and focus on what might at first seem chaotic wildness (even if plants are grouped and tiered -- anything that isn't lawn up to the foundation walls is suspect).

7) Native plant pollinator gardens don't have to look like meadows. They can be more simple and modern looking, or formal and angular. There is a middle way, too, a place where we can all meet in the landscape.

8) Talk to your neighbors. Tell them what you're doing. Invite them over for drinks. Knock on doors and calmly / warmly ask if they'd like to talk about it or see it. Don't accuse anyone of anything or act like you're better then them. Educate. Teach. Welcome. Even if you're a passionate activist who believes the sixth mass extinction is here and our over-manicured lawns are creating an ethical crisis that will consume us all (ahem), hold back and just listen. We can still have constructive and friendly conversations regardless of what is modeled for us online and in the news.

And here are more specific tips on making weediness appear garden like and acceptable.

So there you go. Rest assured, there are ways to design a space that not only passes weed control inspection, but that can model where we need to go. Lush, layered gardens using interlinked plant communities lower air temps, clean that air, sequester carbon, reduce runoff into storm drains, provide valuable habitat, combat invasive weeds, and increase home values while making us psychologically and physically healthier.

If you're interested in the above ideas, A New Garden Ethic is a superb place to start. Then, explore the suggested book list in the back for even more guidance and encouragement on design, native plant benefits, ecosystem gardening with science, and environmental philosophy.

Additionally, in my research leading up to the on-site meeting, I gathered some helpful links debunking common weed ordinance concerns (pests, fire, etc), as well as legal precedents from around the country if your case goes to court.

As Natural Landscaping Takes Root We Must Weed Out Bad Laws (25 years old, so there is surely more legal precedent to find)

Weed Laws and Ordinances (lots of links)

Sourcebook of Natural Landscaping for Local Officials (incredible treasure trove of why, how, and where)

It's amazing to me that we've been struggling with the same issue for decades now -- even when "natural" garden design was once the default landscape mode long before lawns came into vogue just after mid century. But what we see is what we accept, and what we see is what we assume is good. The prevalence of highly-managed lawn, and wood mulch as a design aesthetic in its own right, is harming a push toward sustainable design -- we need more public examples of what we can do, even if those examples require more intensive management to withstand scrutiny.

One final note -- the super said it's important for folks to know landscapes like mine are also high maintenance like lawn. I'm not sure. I mow the back meadow in spring and am done. The front 400 foot garden and the older 1,500 foot main garden I simply use a hedge trimmer on and leave the detritus as natural mulch (another ordinance no no, even if it's what more and more large public gardens do). Obviously, if you try to take on more than you can chew from the outset then you can get overwhelmed, give up, and let the weeds come in. But for me, I honestly spend one day a year in spring doing the majority of my work. With tight-knit plant communities (layers of plants on 12 inch centers or closer), my big job is cataloging wildlife and observing plant growth -- with the occasional yanking of a tree seedling, musk thistle, or bush honeysuckle.

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Learn more!
1) 200 free articles on sustainable design for wildlife plus native plant profiles.
2) Online classes from gardening for climate change to how to start a native plant garden.

Loret link

6/12/2018 07:33:22 am

Fantastic! What a great how-to piece. Well Done Benjamin!

Benjamin

6/19/2018 07:30:06 am

Thank you for reading, Loret!

Julia E

6/21/2018 12:23:27 pm

Thanks for sharing, I believe education and collaboration are key to our cause.

Judith Luna

6/12/2018 10:17:59 am

Thank you. A great educational read covering all the basics!

Nell

6/13/2018 06:54:43 pm

I' m wondering how the orange sign patrol were alerted to your backyard garden. Did a neighbor call them?

Benjamin

6/14/2018 06:50:14 am

Yes, it is an anonymous online system, I'm told (though not sure how it can be anonymous). It was either a neighbor or utility crews working in the area.

JAMES H RICHARDSON

6/14/2018 03:50:13 pm

I have a dedicated "Ponder Here" Leopold Bench in my wildlife garden for passerby's to use at their leisure. My wife actually painted "Ponder Here" on the bench to invite it's use.

Benjamin

6/19/2018 07:31:09 am

I have about 5 ponder benches, though I tend to ponder how long I can stand not doing anything before I leap up to pull a weed or photograph a plant.

Lynda link

7/10/2018 10:06:26 am

It is so! ;)

Misti link

6/17/2018 06:40:18 pm

I hope you also gave them your book!

I would think that after so long having your garden like this that it wouldn't be a neighbor. Glad it worked out for you!

Benjamin

6/19/2018 07:29:08 am

Of course I did! :)

Wanda Linsley

6/21/2018 06:45:19 pm

We had a neighbor that didn’t understand why were replacing most of our front yard with plants. I gave her a book about why to plant native plants. Later she came over to let us know that there were catipilers eating our plants. When I explained that was why we had planted them I think she finally understood.

Benjamin

6/22/2018 07:48:34 am

Yes, we WANT to see leaf damage! Good job.

James McGee

6/22/2018 07:31:54 pm

Could you please expand on cutting the dead vegetation and leaving it to decompose? I have been cutting away the dead vegetation in a relative’s prairie garden. They don’t want me to burn what I cut. Usually, they put it out for the municipal brush collection. I have bought an electric chipper and plan on running the stuff I cut in the prairie garden through this machine. Does the stuff you cut and leave in place decompose within a reasonable time frame? I am trying to decide whether I should put the stuff I run through my chipper/shredder back on the garden or if it would be better mixed with green stuff and composted.

Benjamin

6/23/2018 07:38:55 am

James -- It's pretty straight forward. I use a hedge trimmer (string trimmer works too). Where material falls it falls. For larger stems of several feet I'll break apart by hand a little and broadcast around the plants. By next year there's little to nothing left. Of course, an occasional burn would be the ideal in a designed prairie bed.

James McGee

6/23/2018 08:31:17 am

The prairie garden I was talking about before must be missing some important decomposers. I’ve seen dead stems not decompose for many years. If I did not remove the dead stems then I am sure they would eventually build up to be at least a few inches thick. In a local agricultural field there are still corn cobs present after nearly a decade even though it receives regular burning. I am hoping by mixing the dead vegetation with green lawn clipping that are high in nitrogen in a compost pile I will be able to get the dead stuff to decompose faster. This is probably what the mound building ants do, but since they are not in the garden I need to do the process for them. Of course, if I could burn occasionally it would take care of the problem and be much easier.

James McGee

6/23/2018 08:37:07 am

I forgot to mention before that the agricultural field that still has the corn cobs has been in the process of being restored into prairie for almost a decade now.

Joe Jones

1/31/2020 04:27:58 pm

It's a lack of grazing animals and fire.
Native prairie was a food source for much larger animals before they were all slaughtered.
If you want to see what these gardens
(they are in fact gardens and not functional prairies) are missing, check out the work of Joel Salatin or Allan Savory.
Grasses are meant to be grazed. The plants with more woody stems are meant to be crushed and stomped into the ground by heavy, hooved animals. There are no cattle in neighborhood gardens or "restored prairies" to do this work. The prairie was the home of buffalo in the past. It will never function in the way that nature intended without the inclusion of cattle.

I commend the efforts of neighborhood gardeners, because these more wild areas are much needed. But to call them prairies is a bit of a stretch when the actions of large animals is completely excluded.

James McGee

1/31/2020 06:07:49 pm

Where I live, all the best remnant prairies are the ones that had not been grazed by cattle. I’m not saying grazing is bad, but in excess it will cause species that cannot tolerate grazing to disappear. Ecologists try to quantify this phenomenon with something they call the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.

A second impact is grazing reduces fuel loads for fire, which results in more woody species taking hold in a prairie. Conversely, trampling compacts the soil which reduces the amount of water it will hold. In conditions where moisture is limiting more drought tolerant plants, like grasses, are favored.

For decades, I have watched a remnant prairie that has neither been burned nor grazed. In this remnant prairie, much less dead plant material remains at the end of the season than would occur in a prairie reconstruction. The reduced amount of dead plant material in the remnant prairie is probably because it is digested and transferred up the food chain since the food chain is still intact. The dead plant material that does remain in the remnant prairie decomposes. However, I wish a portion of this remnant prairie was burned periodically. An absence of fire is causing it to be over taken by both native and invasive woody species.

In the end, the amount of biomass consumed by cattle is small compared to everything else that lives in an intact prairie remnant.

I do acknowledge the gardening involved in creating a prairie reconstruction, whether a few hundred feet or thousands of acres. However, large animals are not being completely excluded. An over population of deer is a perennial problem for those managing natural ecosystems in suburban or urban areas.

kaitilin griffin

6/24/2018 03:17:36 pm

Great story. Worthless vegetation....?! I am now leaving many weeds in a public garden in defense against the ever worsening heat waves...and praying I won't get push back from my municipal emoloyer. Also should you include for the inspectors the fact that mown areas attract Canadian geese, and high grasses discourage them?

Laura Kelly

7/1/2018 11:32:08 am

Beautifully written and nice to see that the city actually understood! Wouldn't it be nice if they hired you to transform some public spaces with permanent signs educating the general public of the purpose so the next time it's encountered it's not misunderstood.

Vernah Fleming

7/2/2018 06:45:58 am

Hi Benjamin, what a timely article. This Thursday, my partner and I are meeting a town official at a site our nature group(Ontariogreen) planted a year ago. Approximately 60 native trees and shrubs were planted by volunteers and completely funded through a grant. Our local council was very much in favour of this as our town has large parks but not enough money to properly plant them up. A few weeks ago we received an email from the Director of Parks that a complaint had been made by a homeowner bordering the park that our planting was the cause of allergies and asthma of their daughter. Never mind that there is a storm retention pond directly beside this planting that has been left to grow wild(a positive in our minds) and which no doubt is the source of allergies, or that the park is large and grassed, which could also be the source of allergens. In fact our whole area is heavily treed as we live in the Niagara Escarpment area. The official has asked that we move our planting 30 metres, which is ridiculous as the we have prevailing south -west winds and the houses all would be subject to that, plus the fact that the trees and shrubs we planted were very small and so not capable in the least of producing significant pollen in their second year. I don't think that we will have a problem, given the overwhelming support of the mayor and council but we do need per your article to up our educative efforts, which is part of our plan but we need to make that a priority.
On a secondary note we have been cleared to start a native butterfly garden on another public park, but even though the two of us are pretty knowledgeable about native plants and simple garden design, we're finding it tough to come up with a comprehensive, multi-year plan that impresses the town and possible community partners. We do share many plant communities as the mid-west, but are also in a very unique area called the Carolinian zone. Not sure if that is something you're familiar with but if you would email me I'm wondering if the design of this large public garden is something you could consult on.

Benjamin

7/2/2018 02:15:21 pm

Contact me about this via email (contact form on this site).

Donna VanBuecken link

7/2/2018 11:34:03 am

Good job on the encounter with the Superintendent, Benjamin. Just wanted to let you know your link to your book A New Garden Ethic is broken -- Donna

Benjamin

7/2/2018 02:14:50 pm

It's working for me and a few other folks. Refresh your browser or switch browsers?

Jill Miller

7/2/2018 04:00:14 pm

I'm also not able to see that link. I use FireFox browser with an ad-blocker; it has no complaints.
The actual URL behind the link looks weird:
https://67169427-487901720868724039.preview.editmysite.com/store/p21/newgardenethic
What is the long initial number?

Jean C link

7/4/2018 07:16:25 am

People do tend to be afraid of or concerned by things they don't understand. And they focus on the one thing that's different in their world. Would you consider putting in some plant stakes to identify your plants, with a bit of description about them? I heartily applaud you for doing what others might be too fearful to try. I like the suggestion of adding intention to a prairie garden with hardscaping and sitting areas. Good luck with your efforts. I think in time you'll win over your neighbors.

Benjamin link

7/10/2018 02:27:07 pm

Orange signs orange signs... yay... time to get intimate with the common and Latin names of the native plants my mother planted when I was young. Her butterfly garden comes up every year and our kids enjoy watching the caterpillars and other critters that seem to come again and again to munch on leaves and hang out in this serene space.

Not the first time dealing with the orange signers, surely not the last, but I will take your advice and educate myself so I have an arsenal of non-ignorance in hopes of being able to keep the garden without giving it the hack to satisfy the knee-jerk ordinance enforcement.. (funny how they can't mow the parks...but are worried about our gardens) ..I digress, thanks again for the write up Ben.

charles vannette

7/18/2018 12:26:16 pm

Thanks !

Leesa

1/8/2019 10:13:06 am

We need contests with prizes for the best in-city native garden/yard! Leesa

Angie

11/25/2019 10:27:26 am

Some cities are doing this! Mine, in fact :)

Michael wauschek

1/15/2019 09:37:47 pm

I say for my city i really have do hard homework on all of the rules that I have for my city. My city is pretty strick on how should a yard should look. But yes we differently need more native especially pollution plants

Carolyn link

11/30/2019 12:35:12 pm

Well written information! I love number 8: Talk to your neighbors, educate, welcome...

rachel frampton link

4/1/2020 12:01:46 am

Annually, our gated community conducts a weed inspection on both of our gardens and backyard. I never knew that planting in masses and groups or tiers can help eliminate the growth of weed. Although I think it's too late now, maybe it's best if I'll just look for a weed sparing service that can address this matter.

Tex Hooper link

10/18/2022 08:07:59 pm

It sounds like there is a lot of litigation surrounding medical marijuana. Is it possible to get a medical marijuana card for an illness that is not life-threatening? I'll have to get more information from a doctor.

residential artificial grass link

1/27/2023 07:30:54 am

In order to pass a weed inspection, one must ensure that their property is free of any visible weed growth. This means that all areas of the property, including the yard, garden, and any other open spaces, must be free of any weeds. Additionally, any areas where weed growth is likely to occur, such as along fence lines or in flower beds, must be regularly monitored and any weeds that do appear must be promptly removed.

Steve Smith link

9/5/2023 12:32:32 am

It's great that you elaborated that a proper weed inspection could help eliminate unwanted animals and pests in your residential home. My mother told me yesterday that she was hoping to find a lawn weed control treatment service that could resolve the overrun weeds in her garden for the best landscape condition and appearance. She asked if I had ideas on the best lawn treatment approach. Thanks to this enlightening landscape guide article for effective planning. I'll tell her that consulting a trusted weed control service can help provide more information about the process.

Evergreen link

3/12/2024 04:03:55 am

This article is incredibly insightful and provides valuable guidance on navigating weed inspections while advocating for sustainable landscaping practices. The author's personal experience with weed control inspections offers a practical perspective on how to approach such situations with professionalism and understanding. The tips provided, from hiring a professional to engaging with neighbors and creating signage, are not only helpful for passing inspections but also for fostering community understanding and appreciation for native plant gardens. The emphasis on creating lush, layered gardens that benefit the environment while requiring minimal maintenance is inspiring and highlights the importance of sustainable landscaping in combating issues like invasive weeds and climate change. Overall, this article has helped me grasp the importance of thoughtful landscape design and advocacy for environmentally friendly practices.

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3/14/2024 02:30:10 am

This article provides a fascinating real-life account of navigating weed inspection regulations, offering valuable insights and practical tips for creating sustainable and wildlife-friendly landscapes in urban areas. The author's personal experience of engaging in dialogue with the local weed superintendent demonstrates the importance of communication, education, and collaboration in overcoming regulatory challenges. The detailed suggestions, from hiring professionals for landscape design to fostering community engagement, are presented in a clear and accessible manner, making them easy to understand and implement. Overall, this article not only sheds light on the complexities of weed inspection but also inspires readers to embrace innovative approaches to landscaping that benefit both the environment and the community.

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5/19/2024 06:29:23 am

Reading this article about passing weed inspection feels like uncovering a treasure trove of knowledge on creating beautiful, sustainable landscapes while navigating regulations. The author's personal experience with transforming their yard into a thriving meadow garden serves as an inspiring example of how we can coexist with nature in urban areas. Their practical tips, from hiring professionals to fostering community engagement, provide valuable insights for anyone looking to create environmentally friendly landscapes. This article not only educates but also empowers readers to embrace sustainable gardening practices and advocate for change in outdated ordinances.

New York Dispensary link

6/20/2024 04:19:02 am

This article about navigating weed inspections through thoughtful landscaping is inspiring and educational. It shows how creativity and knowledge can turn potential conflicts into opportunities for collaboration and environmental stewardship. I've learned that transforming traditional lawns into vibrant, wildlife-friendly gardens not only enhances beauty but also addresses important ecological concerns like habitat loss and climate resilience. The practical tips shared here, from planting in masses to engaging with local officials, demonstrate a proactive approach to sustainable gardening that benefits both nature and community. This article encourages me to think differently about landscaping and the positive impact it can have on our environment.

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