Week 2: Yard Maintenance
- liztalley
- Jun 15
- 5 min read
Deed Restriction Reminders and City Ordinances
Mow & Edge: All lots should be maintained in an orderly fashion—grass mowed, sidewalk and driveway edges trimmed, and landscaping pruned or replaced as needed. (TDR 5.5, 5.12, 5.13, 5.14)
No Leaves in the Street: In Baton Rouge, it’s against city ordinance to sweep or deposit yard debris into streets or gutters (Title 6, Chapter 4, Part III, Section 6:430). Keep sidewalks clean and free of leaves and litter. Be sure to blow leaves back into your yard or use a mower bag while mowing. No one wants to deal with leaves blowing into their yard and leaves clog the street drains! If you hire someone to maintain your lawn, it’s your responsibility to make sure they clean up the leaves and debris.
Edible Gardens & Compost: Edible gardens and compost are allowed for personal use, but should be kept to the amount needed for one household. Compost must be out of view from the street and behind a solid fence (on corner lots). Be sure to keep them free from strong odors and pests. (TDR 5.6)
Chickens: Tara’s deed restrictions align with Baton Rouge’s ordinances, permitting up to 3 chickens and no roosters. (TDR 5.19) Chicken Coop structures must follow Accessory Building Guidelines (TDR 4.10)
Landscaping Improvements: Any landscaping changes involving permanent structures or hardscaping require approval from the Architectural Control Committee approval. (TDR 5.20)
Pruning: Keep shrubs in front of your house trimmed so they’re no taller than half the height of the facade. For healthy plants, prune annually (more if needed). Cut away lower branches from trees and remove any that cross to improve sunlight and airflow. And please—no "Crepe Murder"! Remove any shrubs or trees that have become overgrown and are growing into each other. They may fuse over time, and once that happens, they’re impossible to separate. (TDR 5.13)
Keep Sidewalks Clear: Plants, shrubs, and trees should not encroach on the sidewalk area. Prune plants and shrubs that extend into the sidewalk, and trim low-hanging branches to maintain an 8-foot clearance above the sidewalk for safe and easy passage. (TDR 5.13)
Remove Tree Stumps: A rotting stump can cause uneven ground due to sinking and may also lead to drainage issues in the area and does not add to curb appeal. (TDR 5.13)
Yard Signs: Commercial advertisements are not allowed, except for small home security or property monitoring signs in landscaping areas. Temporary “For Sale” signs and signs for services are allowed, but only for the duration of the work or property listing. No signs shall be placed between sidewalks and the street. All signs must be no larger than 3 square feet except for Birthday and special occasion announcements. Political signs should abide by size and placement requirements as well as duration requirements. (TDR 5.3)
Helpful Tips
Weed Management: To spray or not to spray. Either way you choose, there are multiple methods out there. Some weeds to pay attention to:
Dallisgrass: This fast-growing weed spreads quickly by seed. Manage it by digging it up or using a strong herbicide. The sooner you act, the easier it is to control.
Bur Clover: It looks similar to clover but features small yellow flowers and spiky green balls that sharpen as they dry, which can be painful on bare feet. It's easiest to pull when the soil is damp. However, if it's a larger invasion, herbicide might be necessary. For the best results, apply post-emergent herbicides between December and early March, before it flowers and sets seed.
Nut Sedge: Spreads through tubers from a nut seed deep underground. This one is tough and should be managed as it can take over quickly.
Lawn Care: Start with mowing at the right height — cutting too short can damage your grass and doesn’t reduce mowing intervals. Check LSU Ag Center’s recommendations for mowing height and fertilization. Want a green lawn without the fertilization and pest control research? Consider an annual lawn care treatment program from a local landscape company usually offered for a reasonable price.
Yard Drainage: Invest in a proper yard drainage system if you don’t already have one. To prevent sinkholes at drainage outlets, be sure to continue drainage system all the way to the street.
Embrace the Shade: Instead of struggling to grow and maintain grass under shady trees, consider planting shade-loving ground covers like Mondo Grass, Liriope, and Asiatic Jasmine. For larger texture and color, try Caladiums, Hostas, Hydrangeas, or Ferns to name a few.
Give Your Garden Space: Flower beds set away from the house create a layered, more dynamic look. It helps draw the eye toward the garden rather than just focusing on the house itself, and it can make the space feel bigger. Aim to start flower beds about 1-2 feet from the house (or just beyond the roof’s drip line), and give shrubs 3-4 feet of space for proper drainage and airflow. Avoid letting shrubs and trees touch the house—this helps with air circulation and keeps the foundation of the house safe. (This excludes climbing plants that need a wall for support). Adding a layer of rocks between the flower bed and the house—especially near the front porch—helps open up the space and improve drainage. It also keeps wood bark mulch away from the house, reducing the risk of termites.
Font Door and Walkway: When designing your front yard, place larger shrubs and trees towards the corners of the house, with smaller shrubs and plants near the front door. This creates a balanced and inviting look that enhances your curb appeal. Be sure to pull shrubs back from walkways to prevent crowding as they mature. Leave enough space between the walkway and lower shrubs for annuals, which will add color and warmth. For a well-proportioned look, make sure the clearance is at least as wide as your front door, or a few feet wider
Mulch: Mulch isn’t just for aesthetics—it helps retain moisture and reduce weed growth. A layer of wood or pine straw mulch is an easy and effective way to keep your plants healthy and your garden tidy. As mentioned earlier, keep wood mulch away from the house to reduce the risk of termites and to prevent moisture buildup near the foundation. Additionally, choose natural mulch colors rather than brightly colored varieties to maintain a more natural look that enhances curb appeal.
Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes love to rest under the leaves of dense, moist shrubs, and if conditions are damp enough, they can breed right at the base. Be sure your mosquito treatment targets shrubs too. Pruning them to improve airflow also helps keep mosquitoes at bay. Start your mosquito control efforts now to prevent them from taking over this season:
Check for standing water around your property and drain it (even small puddles).
Call 311 to schedule Mosquito Abatement.
Consider hiring pest control.
Investigate DIY methods including Cutters ready-to-spray, Spartan or Aion mosquito eradicators, or mosquito dunks in water-holding areas.
Moisture-Rich Spaces: For areas that stay damp, plant water-loving species like Irises, Lilies, Elephant Ears, and Swamp Hibiscus to help manage excess moisture.
Report and Fix Issues: For problems like sinkholes or water leaks between the sidewalk and street, report them via the Red Stick 311 app or call 311. You can also use the app to report streetlights or road issues. If the problem is on your property, especially near the sidewalk, be sure to call a professional to handle the fix.
Additional Gardening Resource Links: