I once had an environmentalist friend who used to say - Grass is the rich man's ground cover.
As you know, we live in a condo. This condo community was started in the 1970s in the middle of a Live Oak forest. The developers left as many Live Oaks as possible. In addition we have loads of other trees, shrubs and flowers. Quite a nice park like atmosphere.
When folks first move here -and I'll have to say this applies mostly to older folks and transplanted northerners - they tend to complain about the leaves and the lack of grass in some areas.
The grass won't grow. The yard guys blow the leaves into our personal flowerbeds (which we're not supposed to have) etc., etc.
This morning we saw a nice neighbor at the farmer's market. He was complaining about the leaves. When we got home our next door neighbor was blowing the leaves off his car - and complaining.
Three basic truths are being dealt with here. First, you can't have Live Oaks and golf course worthy lawns. They don't coexist. Second, the leaves fall constantly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And, third, we live in a condo community. You can't make your own rules.
Condo boards are notorious for making all the rules. We can't chop down the trees, climb up on the roof to blow the leaves or plant grass seed in common areas.
And isn't that a blessing?
The photo above is of our front yard. Actually, it's a common area with 16 majestic Live Oaks. Those are my flowers but they're in pots. In case somebody complains I'll take them inside.
When I've had a choice, even prior to moving to a condo, I've always preferred trees to grass.
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