The Gardens that keep showing up around the community

HOA - quite possibly the most unattractive gardens keep showing up around the community. There isn’t a person who sees these gardens that would allow this type of dirt plot to be put in their yard; why is it any different for the community as a whole. These gardens look as if someone just didn't know what to do with their time. The plants look anemic, there is no mulch, the gardens that were created a year or two ago (by the school) looks more like weed patch than a garden. Its time for the HOA to consider the ramifications of continuing with these ridiculous gardens that devalue the community and take up valuable space for residents to enjoy what used to be nice parks. HOA, when should we expect to see these gardens completed with mulch and properly maintained? Winter is fast approaching and the dirt path near the cross walk is going to be a disaster if mulch isn’t put down soon.
I look forward to reviewing this with the Board on Tuesday evening the 11th and encourage anyone who agrees or disagrees to participate at the nature center at approximately 6 pm.

 

Pictures? What looks like a weed to you may be a native plant. It takes a few years for gardens to mature; it's possible that the gardens you reference are doing that right now. Many "manicured" garden plots are too full when planted, then become overgrown when the plants are mature. Mulch may make a garden more attractive, but isn't always the best choice. Leaf mold is a great alternative for the health of a garden, especially in our area where clay makes it hard to establish a healthy garden;

http://www.finegardening.com/making-leaf-mold

 

There are no words.

 

I much prefer a garden 'weed patch' over a sterile carpet of sod, anytime!

 

Scott-
The meeting this week was moved to Wednesday due to the Veterans Day holiday on Tuesday. I look forward to hearing your concerns.

 

Regardless of the teams experience and knowledge associated with selecting plants, picking locations and the kind of ground coverage, to me and many others the so called Gardens look terrible. If the gardens looked like those in the pictures linked above, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but they don't. I would love to know the expected turnaround time, the time it’s going to take for the gardens to look like something more than the current so called gardens. The past two gardens have been in existence for almost two plus years and look as anemic today as they did the day they were put in. As for the dedicated team maintaining them, might I suggest that instead of biting off more than can be chewed by adding another garden, that the last two gardens be maintained, weeded, trimmed and generally attended to.

As much as I appreciate the offer to participate, "You're either part of the solution or you're part of the problem."--Eldridge Cleaver I would be happy to, however, my efforts to fix up the gardens would be geared towards ripping them out and planning grass seed, which may be viewed by the gardening team as counterproductive. But I would be happy to donate time for that improvement.

In the upcoming months as we wait for these gardens to grow Leaf Mold, I suggest that we, the community lead by the HOA, invest in mulch to help ensure that the dirt doesn’t’ become over run with weeds, like the other gardens and help prevent the sidewalk and crosswalk from becoming a dirt path every time it rains. This temporary solutions would allow those residents with kids and dogs to once again use the parks that were set aside for recreation to enjoy the fields without having to come home covered in mud while we wait for these gardens to take hold and Leaf Mold to grow.

If you would like my participation, I would be happy to help spread mulch!
Unfortunately with the change to the HOA meeting I will no longer be able to attend, but I do look forward to the opportunity to discuss this issue with anyone and everyone.

Regard.

 

It sounds like it is not an HOA issue. Perhaps the groups that maintain the areas can list their contact information here so Scott and other interested parties can work directly with them.

 

Scott-
Are you referring to the gardens that were planted in the HOA Open Space lot on the south side of Ridgeway, east of Mill Run?
If so, I believe our Habitat Committee oversaw their installation and would probably be interested in hearing from you. I believe their contact info is in the Newsletter.
If you are referring to other areas, please be specific as to where they are so they can be looked into.