I agree with Gary... there are some quite Minneapolis-specific questions in my mind about this whole issue.
The first has to do with the lawn care option I forgot to mention in my previous post (and, in my opinion, the best option): to let it go. My favorite yards have always been little prairie reserves, with native wildflowers and weeds up to the knees. They require no mower emissions, fairly little work, no pesticides. I've heard they're a great way to preserve native species, and they have the fringe benefit of being absolutely gorgeous. Now, over in the sister city, the following took place a few years ago. A family decided they wanted this sort of prairie lawn. Their neighbors objected, ostensibly because the seeds from the wildflowers would make it more difficult for them to keep their (semi-artificial) turf pristine. These neighbors called the city, and it turned out there was an ordinance banning the wild lawn option. The environmentally-friendly family was forced to choose between cutting their grass and getting a fine. Could the same thing happen here? Do we have laws mandating crew cuts for lawns? If so, it would be pretty amusing: as we spend city money to do prairie restoration in our parks (as I understand we are...) and bar the people from helping out. Second question. I know it was meant in fun (the little smily-winky-sideways-guy clued me in), but is it legal to own a goat within the city of Minneapolis? I've wondered this for years. Finally, what legal control do renters have over the lawn care method used on the properties at which they live? Any? Robin Garwood Seward P.S. On the Minneapolis-5th District Green Party list the other day, there was the coolest strategy for dealing with dandelions (if you find them to be a problem) without herbicide. Oats! Get the sort of oats that horses eat from a pet-supply place. It's important that they be able to grow. Spread them around the areas where the dandelions are sprouting. When the oats grow, they put down roots deeper than the dandelions', thereby crowding them out. The grass, however, outcompetes the oats! I haven't tried it, but it sounds pretty neat. _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
