Courtyard Villas With No Grass

[REDCART]

The new CYVs are being built with no grass to be environmentally friendly. In the new CYVs they've added a cement slab which extends outside the lanai to within 5' of the wall which eliminates the grass in the back yard. And in stead of traditional sprinklers, they're using drip irrigation. It's great to see that TV is learning from experience and able to change with the times. Besides the privacy of a CYV, many people CYVs to minimize the cost of landscaping and outside maintenance. This has to save water and the cost of pouring water back into the ground.

[JohnN]

great idea, because I don't like mowing or watering or paying for either

[kar guy]

I was fortunate to get a CYV in Hadley. We have no grass, no grass fertilizer, no grass expense. Our 2 dogs love walking on the "pine straw". As stated above, we have a very large cement area that is great. The water usage is very low for what we have outside. The builders put in over 200 plants (aztecs, etc.) that look great. I do not want grass and i am glad that they are doing what they are doing. TAKE CARE...KAR GUY.

[punkpup]

What if I don't want a slab which extends to 5' from the wall because I want to build an in ground pool? If there's a slab I will have to spend more money for excavation than if I were just digging up grass! ???

[REDCART]

PKP, if you're determined to buy a new CYV, you wouldn't have a choice. Might help you decide to buy a resale.

[punkpup]

Thanx gryoung,

I guess I won't have a choice since we're not planning to buy for at least a year >:(
Or as you suggest a previously owned CYV would work. :edit:

[Bubbalarry]

I was fortunate to get a CYV in Hadley. We have no grass, no grass fertilizer, no grass expense. Our 2 dogs love walking on the "pine straw". As stated above, we have a very large cement area that is great. The water usage is very low for what we have outside. The builders put in over 200 plants (aztecs, etc.) that look great. I do not want grass and i am glad that they are doing what they are doing. TAKE CARE...KAR GUY.



Hey are you in Hillcrest Villas? If so then hello neighbor. Also those plants they installed are supposed to be good and take very little water. Found from the landscaper that they messed up and put in both types of plants some needing water and some not.

So if you find plants that are brown or dead contact warranty dept and have them put in the correct plants that don't require lots of water.

[ditzyfitzy]

Hi-
I just got back to Cleveland after spending Nov and Dec in The Villages. Not a good re-entry. I have to disagree with what they are doing in the new Courtyards...and have asked every realtor that I ran in to to express my concern. I can understand why some people want the "pokers" as I call them---with no grass. But, for ME---I want a Courtyard Villa...because of 5 pound dogs. I can see the dog getting one of those pokers stuck as she is going to the bathroom at there...OR, worse--trying to EAT THEM and getting them stuck in the throat. Also, if I wanted to see BROWN everywhere---I could move to Sun City West in Arizona. Part of the appeal to FL is the green areas. I encourage the builders to RE-THINK their plan for Courtyards and make some with the pokers and some with grass. I believe that they are NOT being fair to those that want to have pets and a Courtyard Villa.
Lynn

[mzmom3]

It seems choices when building are long gone. Alas.......................

[ditzyfitzy]

Doesn't HAVE to be that way--if people, like me, stand up for GRASS in at least SOME of the new COURTYARD VILLAS. Then people can make their own choice. It is NOT an environmental issue with them....it is a cost savings measure FOR THEM. Notice, that they are not making the HOMES with pickers.....they will have a nice green lawn....
Lynn

[boobear51751]

From day one going back to the 1980's - other than Silver Lake and Orange Blossom -there have only been a few models to pick from when buying into 'The Villages'. When Mr. Schwartz designed his very first set of modular homes (NOT DOUBLEWIDES TRAILERS) there were only a hand full of designs to select from. You can see that from the Country Club Hills village. This was his first dream village, the one that made all the rest of this community come about and the one the set some of HIS ground dreams. Unfortunately, those green lawns that are in the Country Club Hills village won't be in those villa's. Air quality depends greatly on the amount of lawn, trees, shrubs and other vegetation. Fact is folks, the air quality in Sumter county where the clear cutting has occurred will be pretty nasty once all of those cars, trucks and gas golf carts start rolling in. Don't think for a minute the grass from the golf courses will clean the air in your lovely area, they won't. Those blades of grass are kept so short they can hardly keep the plant alive let alone clean the air for us to benefit. Grass also helps to keep the rain in the ground once it rains so that is a benefit that is being taken away by all of the city cement being poured over the earth. So think again about not wanting green around you. Wait until you have your first dust bowl experience from the clear cutting the villages has been doing. I have seen it. It isn't pretty. I suggest you wear a dust mask. PS: I have a lawn and it takes 17 minutes to mow and I get to talk with my neighbors when I am out doing yard work. I still play golf 3 days a week and that's a good thing.

[Russ_Boston]

Boobear - Is there any actual science behind your statements? I'm not criticizing but before i look it up I'd like to know if I'm wasting my time. The last time i looked most of the golf courses had rough that was a couple of inches thick - Correct? Does it need to be longer? Might hurt my game but heck if it's good for the environment!

I also think that ALL of the new homes (ranch, designer, premier for example) EXCEPT certain villas have a grass area. Yes? No? Was i seeing things? If so I'll make an immediate opthomology appointment.

Interesting - The Villages will turn into a dust bowl? And you've seen it happen before? We'd better be careful! Fortunately I'm a nurse so i have a ready supply of masks!

Just busting - But seriously c'mon!

[gfmucci]

Of all the homes, Premier, Designer, Ranch, and Villas, the new "Courtyard Villas" (a subset of "villas") is the only model without grass.* While Courtyard villas account for a significant percentage of the number of homes, they account for a relatively small percentage of the area of development, probably less than 15%.* And even with the extended concrete areas, probably 10% +/- of each courtyard villas area is pervious area, allowing rainwater to perk into the ground.* The net benefit of no grass/little irrigation probably exceeds the marginal benefit of little strips of grass, especially when maintenance is considerd. And think of the reduction of noise in the neighborhood, not having all the lawn service mowers and edgers cranking up at 7 or 8 in the morning (I'm not sure when they are allowed to begin).*

We are getting the Courtyard Villa and find there is plenty of room for our Pom to do her business. :bigthumbsup:* We were pleased to see the grass removed. :clap2:

[mzmom3]

I still love courtyard villas. Wish I had purchased one years ago.

[lm01]

It seems to me that there are + and - to this issue.
If you are a snow Bird +++++++
If you hate to mow +++++++
If you want minimum grass maintenance +++++++++++

If you love grass ---------
If you like to putter in the yard --------
If you want that pool -------
If you don't want to be like all the other people who concreted their yard who live in a Baltimore row house --------

The good thing about this issue is you still have a choice buying a resale is not a negative in my book if you really want grass. And, I bet the owners will also leave you the mower.

[ditzyfitzy]

Where will you Pom do her business? I say that we all change in the pokers for stones......and let them go on the stones. THEN, the builders will have a nice stinky mess on their hands.
Lynn

[ditzyfitzy]

To LM01,

I don't want pre-owned....I want a NEW courtyard and I want some grass on it. I don't think we should let them dictate the way it is going to be---but, rather complain until they start making some of each. There are NO postives for me...
Lynn

[lm01]

ditzyfitzy You made me think of the good times growing up in Baltimore, there is nothing like looking out your door at dog poo #2. on the cement. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Besides Lynn I'm on your side here because I like grass.... but The Villages has there own way about how they do things and why they do them. You use to have choices but no longer in how the homes will be built. Yours and all other folks' options are now very limited.

Welcome to the Villages. Its still a great place to live. And I do mean that. It is a great place to live.

[punkpup]

I find this whole issue of building the new Courtyard Villas without grass very disturbing. I for one really enjoy greenery. I mean it's not like the plots were all that big to begin with. I'm with ditzyfitzy.... I would much prefer new to pre-owned.

[JohnN]

I prefer no grass, don't want to mow, don't want to water a lot, and will be traveling and snowbirding some,

to each his/her own, I'd say

[gfmucci]

ditzy...

Roughly half of the back yard area is not concrete - half is organic mulch.* While it's not grass, it is still organic.* Shelby's (the Pom) "business" will not be done on the concrete, it will be done in the mulch, just as she would have done on the grass.* She knows better.* Don't most dogs prefer to go on grass or mulch rather than concrete? :dontknow:

And even if the entire back yard were grass, in a relatively small back yard as the courtyard villas have, Shelby would make sure we pick up her "business" periodically.* I don't know how they do things at Baltimore rowhouses, but Shelby has better manners than to leave her stuff around very long.* Fortunately, her "business" is about the size of that of a moderately-sized rat. ;D

I don't understand the reference to "the builders having a stinky mess on their hands." What does that have to do with the back yards of courtyard villas?

[Muncle]

To LM01,

I don't want pre-owned....I want a NEW courtyard and I want some grass on it. I don't think we should let them dictate the way it is going to be---but, rather complain until they start making some of each. There are NO postives for me...
Lynn


If that's the way you want it, may I suggest you buy the NEW courtyard that you want, get a jackhammer and take out the concrete, and either plan grass or lay sod. Compared to the cost of the house, it won't be that much. :yikes:

[ohiogolf]

we are renting but ready to buy a CV in Hadley and are absolutely thrilled that it has no grass so that our maintenance and water use are limited. we will be snowbirds and this is perfect for us. To each his own but for us this is a big plus selling point for new versus pre-owned.

[joe kaelin]

At the risk of starting yet another controversy, I am a Courtyard Villa owner who can't wait to get down there next week to make arrangements to have concrete poured in my rear yard. I haven't heard anyone talk about the fact that no one in Florida can sit, lie, or otherwise lounge about on their rear lawn, front lawn, or any other lawn, without fearing the fire ants, snakes, or other critters that you WILL encounter. I know, I know, some will say, "well you have to get Massey's or some other service to minimize that problem." Massey, Shmassey, I don't care what service you have, these critters don't go away for long, and you all know it. We love our home, but we also love to sit in, and otherwise utilize out yard. :joke:

[JohnN]

another thread here has a discussion on artificial grass, wonder if that deters critters

[Halle]

Having lived in Florida for most of my life I feel qualified to address the concrete yards. The concrete will be incredibly hot in the summer so hot you will not be able to walk on in it in bare feet. It will also make the inside of your home much hotter. We had Kool decking around our pools and it was still hot. We were sure we wanted a Courtyard Villa until we saw all the concrete and lack of green. Also they were much too close to the neighbors for comfort and no parking. So we bought a Ranch and will deal with the fire ants and other critters. We were able to find a lot that backs up to a tract of undeveloped land that the Villages doesn't own and hopefully won't be developed since it is agricultural. A chance we were willing to take for the privacy and cooling effect of the large oaks. Of course right now the heat sounds good since we have had a foot of snow and it is still coming down.
Hope you find your Dream House there are plenty of options in The Villages.

[gfmucci]

I've also lived in Florida roughly 45 years - south Florida and north Florida. If your yard is reasonably maintained, there is no issue with snakes or fire ants, unless you live in the woods. If you have mature landscaping with lots of bushes and "too thick" St. Augustine, after a number of years, you may attract an occasional critter. It is definitely an overstatement to say you can't use your yard because of snakes and fire ants, lawn or no lawn.

Insofar as heat generation from concrete is concerned, it is more related to the lightness or darkness of the surface than to material. Take beach sand for example. Beach sand on the east coast of Florida is relatively dark, it absorbs the heat and you can't walk on it without burning your feet in a summer mid-day. On the other hand, the sand along the west coast, especially along the panhandle in the Destin area is bright sugar white. At noon in mid-summer you can walk on it comfortably. It reflects instead of absorbs the heat.

So, to be able to comfortably walk on concrete, it would follow that a lighter color would be cooler. But the catch is that it also reflects more heat, possibly making the environment immediately around the house a bit warmer. Creating some shade is the remedy. My plan is to identify some small/medium sized trees and to be liberal with the planting around the perimeter of the back yard area. A lot of Queen Palms are used here. They provide some nice broken shade as they mature to 15' or taller. There are many other species that will provide some good shade when they are 5 to 10 years old. My motto at my age: plant no small trees; like Village Kahuna says: Avoid green banannas. I expect my backyard landscape budget to be $1,000 or more. Also, there are retractable awning systems, the one by Sunsetter comes to mind. I presume they would be permitted in the Courtyard Villas back yards

[JohnN]

awnings and shade sound the way to go

[RCT]

another thread here has a discussion on artificial grass, wonder if that deters critters
Would just attract those bothersome artificial critters, I'd think. ::)

[The Great Fumar]

I had a courtyard villa when I first moved here four years ago....I took out the grass front & back and replaced it with stone (river rock) ....Planted three big palms and many hibisci bushes (for those of you south of 466 it means many hibiscus ).....placed a flagstone path and a water fountain and had our own little jungle......absolutely loved it . then fell in love with village lifestyle and decided to move here full time ...Well WE (notice I said we) decided we wanted a bigger house ...So we have a bigger house but I still miss the neat little jungle and privacy of our Courtyard Villa........

Missing my Villa Fumar

[lm01]

http://www.synthetic-turf.com/prodSoftLawnTipede.asp

Where there is a will there is a way I always say. I also saw special grass just for dogs on the net

[Bubbalarry]

I was fortunate to get a CYV in Hadley. We have no grass, no grass fertilizer, no grass expense. Our 2 dogs love walking on the "pine straw". As stated above, we have a very large cement area that is great. The water usage is very low for what we have outside. The builders put in over 200 plants (aztecs, etc.) that look great. I do not want grass and i am glad that they are doing what they are doing. TAKE CARE...KAR GUY.



Are you in Hillcrest Villas?