As for my galvanizing issue, it is my yard and garden. I have been putting a lot of effort into making my yard a nicer place to be and to see. I am aware of the HOA's dislike of dandelions and was looking for a way to reduce their growth in my grass. I am also keen to keep my yard free of hazardous chemicals, such as pesticides and certain fertilizers. So, a couple of years ago, my husband and I were shopping at our local nursery and we found a product called Envirolawn (www.baileyseed.com/envirolawn.asp). Envirolawn is a mix of grass seed and other beneficial annuals and perennials, such as yarrow, daisies, Strawberry clover, Alyssum, and Baby Blue Eyes. These plants are beneficial because they fertilize the soil, compete with other weeds like dandelions, attract and nurture beneficial insects and, in my opinion, look nice.
It is stated in the HOA CC&Rs that one's yard "shall be attractively landscaped and maintained in a neat and orderly manner free of weeds and debris." What I had not understood was that the board of the HOA defines a weed as any flower growing grass (or, as I understand it, the corollary of any grass growing in flowers). This, of course, presented a problem for my new lawn, even though I was now free of dandelions. I also felt that this issue represented a few more important issues.
The first and most important issue was the lack of communication regarding interpretation of the CC&Rs. What is a weed? What is attractive? Is it possible to make these definitions more specific? Are they written down anywhere that is easily accessible? Is it possible to make guidelines or a list of frequently asked questions associated with these rules (perhaps based on frequent discussions at the monthly meetings)? Could this information be on line? These are the kinds of questions I will work on if I am elected to the board.
Another thought regarding communication that came out of this was that it would be really helpful to know how others in our neighborhood have succeeded in maintaining a yard free of weeds (like this: www.richsoil.com/lawn-care.jsp), or in attractively landscaping their yard, or in a multitude of other activities that we all have in common in this neighborhood. The Internet provides amazing tools for this kind of communication and sharing of knowledge. I would like to create such a place. We could use it to share other ideas too, or questions and activities within the neighborhood. Some ideas I have had include plant or produce exchanges, or work exchanges; yard maintenance is just one example. We could share ideas about activities with children, or organize summer BBQs in the park. Where this forum could go would depend on you, the users.
Another issue that arose out of my experience with the HOA regarding the flowers in my grass is the question of landscaping and who decides (if anyone other than the homeowner) what is "attractively landscaped". I learned some important points about this question at the April monthly meeting that I believe the neighborhood should be aware of. First, a few years ago, there was a new rule developed that trees removed from the city strip must be replaced. The replacement tree must come from a list of tree species defined by the HOA. I also learned that there is interest in forming a Landscaping Committee to develop rules or guidelines regarding what is "attractively landscaped". I am very much in favor of improving the clarity of this rule but I am also concerned that this rule not be overly restrictive. It is my hope that many people in the community, particularly those interested in all types of gardening, will take part in this landscaping committee and the discussions it brings about.
Jen, I too share your concern about the definition of "attractive". I'm also concerned that with too many rules, people will be discouraged from creating their own landscaping and they will loose that form of self-expression.
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