The Do’s and Don’t of a Front Lawn
The front lawn – suburbia’s “no man’s land” – where sunflowers grow tall, garden gnomes glare at passers by and weeds leer out at passers by. It is both a public and private space, where the homeowner can enjoy a bit of extra gardening, but that contributes to the look and atmosphere of a neighbourhood.
What can we do about this strange patch of land? Are there unwritten rules about what you can and can’t do? In our experience of moving folks in and out of homes, we’ve jotted down a few.
Things To Do With Your Front Lawn
Raise a Gnome
Love them or hate them, gnomes form an essential part of British neighbourhoods. Raising a gnome of your own will help add to that number. Just be careful not to overdo it; see point #1 of the don’t section.
Make It Pretty
Nobody is questioning your right to a front lawn. However, an untidy or dishevelled looking patch can cast a gloom on the area. Stay on top of the weeding and your neighbours will be happier for it. Better still, it makes for a pleasant welcome when you return home from work.
Give To The Community
Lemonade stands, cake stalls, garage sales – the front lawn makes a perfect staging area for little ventures. The community love these sorts of ideas, and you can keep an eye on the kids while they make pocket money doing something creative.
Avoid These At All Costs!
Raise A Gnome Nightmare
Raising gnomes can be a gamble. One gnome turns into a couple, then a family, and before you know it you’ve become that house – a nightmarish horde of gnomes glaring out at the outside world. To avoid such a frightening display, curb your gnome collecting to a half dozen.
Use It For Storage
Overgrown gardens are one thing, but clutter and litter are a whole separate issue. Avoid keeping the old fridge, microwave or mattress in the front garden. It might seem lucrative to use the extra space, but it will only make you unpopular with the neighbours.
Dog Business
If it can be avoided, try not to use other’s lawns for your dog’s baser needs. It sounds like common sense but unfortunately these things do happen. There is nothing as unwelcome in this world as treading on dog muck on a Monday morning.
