There was a question on some concerns regarding natural landscaping. www.almanac.com/garden/ THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC Debunking common myths about natural landscaping (with some additional information-kmm)

**Tall meadow grass does NOT constitute a fire hazard. In a landmark Wisconsin case from 1976, a United States Forest Service expert testified that a grass fire supports high heat for only 20 seconds, not long enough to pose a danger to a home.

**Wild areas do NOT support rats and mosquitoes. Experts have proven in court that natural landscapes are neither homes nor sources of food for pests such as the Norway rat (natural landscapes support predators for rats!), nor are they breeding grounds for the common mosquito (as long as the same water, with no flow, does not sit for more than 6 days).

**Natural landscapes do NOT cause allergies. Actually, health officials say that common turf-grass, trees, and herbaceous non-native weedy plants such as ragweed (which has inconspicuous flowers that bloom at the same time goldenrod's do), which are not found in well-established native meadows or prairies, cause the most sniffling and sneezing. Native wildflowers such as golden-rod, lupines, milkweeds, and other common natural-gardening plants don't produce airborne pollen, an allergy sufferer's worst enemy.

**Natural yards are no more likely to be unattractive than more artificial ones! Who can say whether a perfectly manicured lawn is prettier than a meadow of blooming wildflowers? In a court of law, aesthetics can't be measured, and beauty, as the old saying goes, is in the eye of the beholder.