A neighbor wrote at 2010-07-18 18:31:

I would think that the Village has better things to be concerned about (perhaps you should suggest that they spend some time cleaning up the Village bike paths and the adjacent space; the path that runs behind Wilcox often looks like a dump, ditto for the the creek just South and East of CVS behind the ball fields). The Village could also spend the extra time that their staff apparently has to cut down your blvd. to enforce the Village Vehicle Sticker ordinance - the one that states that all resident vehicles (like those that regularly park on the streets in our neighborhood (Gingerbrook, Francine and Faith absent such stickers) need to have stickers. Since when did following ordinaces become selective? The staff could also ensure the ordinace that states it is a violation to park vehicles across Bartlett's sidewalks. Lastly, you may want to read and forward the article that appeared in last months issue of Men's Health Magazine. The article spoke to the potential danger of the chemicals that most people regularly use on their lawns to gain the desired "weed free and green" look that it appears the Village may favor.

Your yard is OK.

Walking by wrote at 2010-07-18 19:53:

Just saw your sign and read your posting on this site. You may want to post the website more clearly it is diificult to read per your sign. Too bad if others don't like your yard. It's your yard! The Village should step up and explain exactly why they needed to cut your yard down to the ground, also why did they rake up everything? I believe per current Village rules you can have it at least several inches tall. If someone states that it is a hazard because they can't see when pulling out or driving by, they should be more careful driving!

Don Zouras wrote at 2010-07-18 21:56:

Thanks for taking the time to post comments. I realized that the URL was a little hard to read, but I had limited sign making tools to work with. I would also encourage you to let the Village know your opinions. They have a form at: http://www.village.bartlett.il.us/email.html If you were to mention your support for Native Suburbia, that would be even better!

Strolling by wrote at 2010-07-21 19:21:

I was intrigued by your sign while taking my daughter for a walk this evening. While I don't entirely get the native plant idea, I think it's interesting to say the least. I think the problem is that people buy homes in the suburbs with a certain expectation that their neighborhood will stay "suburban". That those perfectly manicured lawns will always be there to comfort you when you pull in your driveway after a hard days work. What you have in your yard would be expected in a much more rural area...perhaps it could be considered "country" and people just aren't ready to accept that kind of change. But from the looks of it,(based on your before and after pics and what I saw today) your yard has grown back full swing in only a couple of weeks. So, you might consider that a win. Take that Village of Bartlett, you can cut us down but you can't keep us out!

Dj Flex wrote at 2010-07-21 20:35:

I didnt complain but not I kind of wish that I have.

Don Zouras wrote at 2010-07-21 21:19:

DJ Flex: Why do you wish that you would have complained? This is your chance to share your opinion.

Biking by wrote at 2010-07-21 21:20:

I think incorporation of more wildflowers and nore color instead of native grasses might be preferred by your closest neighbors, but I also feel that the Village should let you manage your own yard. Ten Things the Village of Bartlett should be more concerned about than your Native Suburbia - in no particular order - - The amount of time it is taking to move the South Bartlett Rd. dirt pile. - The vacant office and residential space the Village calls Town Square. - The continued, but mis-guided pursuit of a disconnection from U-46. - Fiscal responsibility - please, no more spending on consulting studies. - Adding to the Village's bike path system (a path on Shick across Rt. 59 would be welcomed). - Road resurfacing and curb repair on Faith and Gingerbrook. The work completed on your street is fantastic; I have lived in the neighborhood for 15 years and our streets have never been worked on. - Bringing additional dining options to the Village. - Supporting a stoplight at the intersection of Prospect and Stearns. - Enforcing the Village vehicle sticker ordinace - if residents are going to park on the streets they should be good citizens and buy a sticker. - Planning on how we will keep our town the great place it is. I hope the Village is checking your website.

Read your Letter to the Editor wrote at 2010-07-21 23:01:

I read your Letter to the Editor in the Examiner and it peaked my interest. I checked out your web site and learned quite a bit about the benefits of native plant gardens. However, I will admit I am glad your not my neighbor. The "overgrown" appearance would bother me. Good luck to you and your battle with the Village.

Dj Flex wrote at 2010-07-22 11:21:

You just left it grow but dont maintain it. You only show pictures of when it looks good. For the people who don't live on our block don't see what it looks like throughout the whole year. Do you also not clean your house and just let it be? Think about it.

Benia wrote at 2010-07-22 12:29:

"You just left it grow but dont maintain it."

Dj Flex: This is simply inaccurate! We specifically planted particular species of plants that are native to the area, and weed and maintain it regularly. It will never look like a Victorian garden, but that's not what it was ever meant to be.

Open your mind to a different definition of beautiful.

Michelle Clay wrote at 2010-07-22 13:11:

I'm so sorry. I love what you are doing, and I so hate to see your town government coming down on you like this. I think you have two options, either of which could be beneficial for your community. 1. Use native plants in the front area but treat it like a manicured flower bed, stressing suburban garden aesthetics, thereby showing a good example to the neighborhood suburbanites without scaring them off. You may possibly find examples of such gardens at local horticultural societies that are to your liking, and/or you may benefit by hiring a garden consultant. Or 2. hire a lawyer.

Writing to your local newspaper was a good move. Best of luck to you in finding a solution that pleases both you and your neighbors.

Dj Flex wrote at 2010-07-22 18:11:

I have lived here for a couple of years now, there was nothing beautiful about it. I'm glad to see someone trying to be friendly to the environment but you need to realize there is other houses around you and it just doesn't blend in, it's simply ugly and unorganzied. Keep that stuff in ur backyard.

Charles H. Madary, LEED AP wrote at 2010-07-23 22:54:

I grew up nearby and I just wanted to say how nice it is to walk by your place and see plants and animals that belong in this area. I also really like your standing seam roof, which I'm sure will last 50 years. Sorry your battle with the Village didn't go well. It doesn't look like you had planted any "shurbs" or "trees" as the Code mentiond, and without looking closely, it's doubtful the grasses were really any hazard to vehicles or pedestrians.

Keep up the good work!!!

Supporter wrote at 2010-07-24 18:07:

A little bit of the way things used to be. The village cuts down your plantings, but let's the native plants along Winding Creek (down the street from you) grow to ten feet tall plus; what's up with that? I also like the natural look along the creek. Look's like opinion is running in your favor. To someone's earlier post - Yeah to you; Boo to those neighbors and residents who don't buy Village vehicle stickers. Good news is that when they get caught, I think it's a ticket and a late fee. I read where a nearby Village is looking to buy software that will track who buys required stickers and who doesn't for current and past years. Keep your garden growing! Your yard doeen't require chemicals or watering - it's good for the environment. I hope the Village is reading what people think.

Abbie wrote at 2010-07-26 11:03:

This is such a shame. The fact that some of the people commenting want to insert their own design aesthetics on you (more color!) is just laughable. Don, you should make sure that the village pays this much attention to every part of Bartlett. When you drive around town, take note of any city-owned property where grass is more than 2", or weeds exist, or you see broken glass or other debris and let them know about it...constantly...until they take care of it just like they 'took care' of your property. If you see any of your neighbors with less than a perfect ball park yard, be vocal with the city until that neighbor receives the equal treatment that you received. After all, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

Abbie wrote at 2010-07-26 11:07:

One last thought: why don't you spray paint a mini ballpark in that part of the lawn - bases, home plate, a pitcher's mound, dugout and seats included? Give them what they want...literally.

Abbie wrote at 2010-07-26 11:36:

One last thought: why don't you spray paint a mini ballpark in that part of the lawn - bases, home plate, a pitcher's mound, dugout and seats included? Give them what they want...literally.

Benia wrote at 2010-07-26 11:54:

Thank you to those who understand what we are doing. I am sad that more folks don't quite get it yet, but I hope that, in time, more of the general opinion will be in favor of responsible gardening - that is, planting natives.

P.S. Last weekend's heavy rain flooded the ball park and creek on our street. If more of my neighbors plant natives with their long, water-absorbing roots, we might be able to minimize the frequent flooding.

Miracle No wrote at 2010-07-27 07:07:

A previous post stated that the person would not want to be your neighbor - REALLY? Just think how wonderful it would be to live next to someone who did not shatter every weekend's peace with the incessant sounds of mowers, edgers, blowers and whackers? After a long work week it is nice to enjoy time outside, that is, until the noise pollution starts and drones on and on for hours - Serenity Now. As a neighbor to Native Suburbia peace and quiet would be the norm. Another plus for the Native approach - quiet time!

Bluestem wrote at 2010-07-27 22:55:

Don and Benia, I am sorry to see that the village mowed down your garden. I suspect most of your plants will survive. The plant’s should react the same was as they would if they were subjected to a prairie fire or buffalo stampede. I live in Texas and I continually wonder if my city will notice my yard because someone complained about it being different. Since your village has you on their radar, I think Michelle has a good point about using native plants in a more formal design in the parkway. Perhaps a low-growing native groundcover and a few accent flowers would work. Come up with a plan and present it to the director of public works. Did you get approval for your current plan as required by Section 7-2-1? If not, then I think the village was within their rights to mow your plantings and they will probably do it again when the plants re-grow. Too bad you could not work out anything with them.

Prairie grasses can be tricky to use in a suburban native landscape. Most people do not appreciate the different varieties of prairie grass like we do. As far as they are concerned, all prairie grasses are weeds and no different from Johnson grass (which is an invasive foreign species from the Mediterranean). I used a single, lower growing species (little bluestem) in my front yard. I think uniformity of a single species and the blue-green color helps to differentiate it from “weedy” grasses.

I wish you luck. Don’t give up, but don’t be too proud to make some adjustments to your plan if it will improve relations with the neighbors and the village. Some people and villages are slow to accept change. When we live in the close confines of a neighborhood, we sometimes have to give a little to get a little.

Dave wrote at 2010-07-28 10:51:

True, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But, hopefully one day everyone will consider sustainability even if they still prefer a lawn. Lawns were originally only for royalty. A lawn of clover used to be a good thing. It wasn't until mowers and free time that the traditional suburbia lawn took off, and thus became the norm. So, if you are willing to fight the good fight, good for you (persistance pays off). Maybe you can win over a few "haters" by doing the parkway in buffalo grass and maybe a few low growing flowers like partridge pea or something. That said, I do agree with the comment that it is your yard and it abides by the golden rule. Good luck!

Two cheers for the mowers wrote at 2010-07-29 17:10:

Congrats to the Village of Bartlett for starting to remove the eye sore. As a nature love and photographer I support the beauty of a "WILD" enviroment. With that being said there is a time and a place for everything. In the middle of the American suburbs a well maintained garden is one thing. I would have to agree with your neighbors that this is not well maintained. It is left to run amuck! Thank heaven you do not live next to me. Many residents work very hard to maintain their yards. You live in a beautiful neighborhood with well maintained homes. Unfortunatelly you are bringing down the property value of your home and all that live on your street. Your home has the apperance of a foreclosed home or worse. At lease with a forclosed home someone is mowing the lawn. If you like this type of landscape perhaps you should volunteer at a nature preserve and use you time more wisely. Yes your sign was visable but once again not under the village guidelines for signage on a parkway. For all those on your street I say mow on. The photos on this site (butterfly on flower) are clearly not from this yard as there is not a single flower that looked like that in the overgrown mess. Perhaps you should do the village a favor and move to someplace that welcomes the lack of respect for your neighbors around you. I would recomend a VERY LARGE LOT away from a residential neighborhood. If not then you might think about finding a happy medium to keep peace in the neighborhood.

Benia Zouras wrote at 2010-07-29 21:10:

Every picture on this website is from our yard, unless otherwise noted. If you don't recognize something beautiful as being from our yard, I suggest you take a closer look, nature lover.

just a thought wrote at 2010-08-08 10:57:

The Village says no to your wildflowers and grasses, but ok to the giant Pod storage unit that has sat at the end of the block for weeks?

Bluestem wrote at 2010-08-12 22:22:

I am not trying to rub salt in your wounds, but I wanted to share that not all of the news about native landscapes is negative. The Dallas Morning News ran a very positive story about my prairie today. Maybe this positive story will help change your neighbor's attitudes. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/home/stories/DN-nhg_planoblogger_0812gd.ART.State.Edition1.107dc5a.html

Benia Zouras wrote at 2010-08-19 15:06:

Bluestem: I'm thrilled that you are enjoying success and admiration of your mostly native yard. Color me jealous! Thanks for sharing the article.

This is why I love Plano, TX: "There are no design requirements for residential yards," says Scott Neumeyer, inspection services supervisor for the city's Property Standards Department. "The fact that the yard is maintained and healthy is the main concern we have."

Why can't Bartlett, IL be as agreeable?