An Intermezzo

Here's a little something to tide you over while The Bees’ Knees is on a holiday break. This NYT article tells the story of a Maryland couple who precipitated a state law curbing the power of homeowners' associations (HOAs) to mandate lawns or ban native plant gardens. It"s crazy there are still many places in this country where you can be required to grow an ecologically destructive turfgrass lawn.

Clashes with HOAs over sustainable gardens should never happen in the first place. But the persistence and prevalence of these tensions highlights the value of good design. A thoughtful landscape that looks attractive and intentional will help deflect some of those neighborhood conformity enforcers.

On a related note, stay tuned for a Big Bees' Knees announcement in January!

I hope your holidays are full of warmth, loved ones, and 2023 garden planning!