City mows prairie grass, bills owner $140

upi. ^ | June 4, 2010

[stormer]

Grasses evolved to undergo regular grazing (in fact, the words "grass" and "graze" have the same root - excuse the pun). That said, while I don't like the idea of the city mowing, the property owner doesn't know what he's talking about. Regular grazing (or mowing) encourages growth and is important to the graminoid life-cycle. If this guy really wants to go au natural, as a professional ecologist who specializes in restoration, I recommend he reintroduces bison and begins prairie fires on a 4 year fire return interval.

[kidd]

The man, his house and the North Minneapolis neighborhood

Note the close proximity of other homes, in what appears to be a slightly upscale neighborhood. I would guess that his neighbors were concerned for their property values.

[TexGuy]

Anschel said he has regarded the city as environmentally progressive, particularly with widespread prairie restorations on its own properties.

Then he should go mow their grass and send them a bill for $140.00 ...

[trisham]

I think it’s pretty.

[deport]

Click for the yard that was mowed.

http://www.startribune.com/local/95583274.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl

[hinckley buzzard]

Sad. Natural prairie flora restores habitat for scarce butterflies and ground nesting birds and such. This guy should not have expected the city to go out of its way though. He should have communicated with relevant officials ahead of time.

Ideally, I agree it is none of the city's business. But in the real world, this sh*t happens when you don't play the game.

[stormer]

Monocot with a hollow stem that does not grow from an apical meristem (basically).

[Cyber Liberty]

I would guess that his neighbors were concerned for their property values.

I can understand that, and in the spirit of keeping the values of their houses up, they should bulldoze his butt-ugly excuse of a house into the ground...Is that stucco? Thanks for the pic, BTW.

[Oldpuppymax]

Hey, pal, these are lib bureaucrats you’re trying to “reason” with. What in the world were you thinking?

[Slyfox]

From the looks of his yard, he probably didn't do the real landscaping that makes prairie grass look great, instead he just planted a bunch of seed and let it grow. I have a neighbor who did the same thing because he didn't like to mow. The entire neighborhood was on his case about how bad it looked. There were always those weeds hanging out of every crevice where they had luckily found a foothold. Trash would always find its way in between the weeds and the prairie grass.

This guy is probably just a lousy, lazy neighbor. And, if he has dogs and cats, he probably lets them run all over the place doing their business in other people's yards.

[JoeProBono]

[coop71]

Guilty!

[Paladin2]

I have an issue with the overconcern with property values.

Note that as long as one is not hocked to the hilt with second mortgages or wanting to be so and one is in the house as a home for the long run, high property values just lead to high taxation. Not only can't you take money with you, land and structures apparently doesn't go to the grave with you either.

It's better to live your life and starve the government.

[AlmaKing]

How about staying off private property?

Would you appreciate it if I came over to your nicely mown yard and scalped it by cutting it down to the dirt? A neighbor did that to me.

[Paladin2]

"This guy is probably just a lousy, lazy neighbor."

You are probably the President and Chief Council of your fascist HOA.

[Paladin2]

How thoughtful.

[Responsibility2nd]

I wondered if someone would fail to see the sarcasm in my post.

Thanks for playing.

[Slyfox]

Nope. And why be so judgmental? I incorporate grasses where I can in my yard and it looks quite delightful. I am not a slob when it comes to lawn maintenance. No HOA in my area.

One other neighbor painted his house a very bright greenish-blue. It so disturbed the neighbors around him that they bought white paint and painted over it themselves.

You have to admit that their are just some people who don't care what others think when it comes to how their house looks.

It's called being a good neighbor.

[Paladin2]

"And why be so judgmental?"

Just following your lead.