One Man’s Weed Is Another’s Meadow

MY HUSBAND AND I moved to the Loma Colorado subdivision in Rio Rancho a year ago. The lot we lucked upon has a lovely mountain view and a “green belt” to our south. The additional amenities such as parks and paths were also draws.

We have had the small warranty issues dealt with by courteous and knowledgeable people and have no complaints except — it is well known that when soil is disturbed in any way for any reason, pretty much the only thing that grows without any prodding is a tumbleweed and that is what makes up all of the swath that was created when these homes were built, i.e. in our “green belt.”

We have approached the spokesperson for our builder, Pulte Homes, and have been told, in effect, “sorry, but no” when we put in our plea to have them remove the tumbleweeds and re-seed with what nature had there in the first place, i.e. chamisas, junipers and grasses — you know, things that don’t really require lots of water but that hold the blowing sand together. The verbage used was that the builder wanted to leave it as a “meadow”?! There isn’t anything about this area that can be remotely called a “meadow.”

I find it fascinating that as these tumbleweeds mature and seed, they seed in our yards. If we were to let them grow, you know, ”meadow-like” we would be hit with an HOA (Home Owners Association) citation requiring us to “pull the weeds” yet they don’t have that same responsibility? Excuse me?

How about it Pulte? How about actually finishing this job? We all appreciate the fact that you put in the front yard landscaping but we should not have to constantly be removing your weeds in our yards or from our driveways when they die and start blowing around, seeding as they go.

KATHY CORNELIUS

Rio Rancho