Woman faces Jail over growing veggies in her own yard...

[Dizzy]

Someone linked this on facebook.... teh crezeh.

oakparkhatesveggies

Woman Faces Jail Time for Planting Vegetables on Own Property

Vegetable gardens may be popping on abandoned land in Detroit, Michigan, but nearby Oak Park apparently likes broccoli as much as does George H.W. Bush. At least, that is, when it’s growing in a homeowner’s front yard.

Resident Julie Bass is learning this the hard way. After Bass’s lawn was torn up during a sewer line’s replacement, an ambitious green thumb and the price of organic food inspired her to pursue a botanical project a bit more interesting than watching grass grow. The result was five large planter boxes boasting fresh basil, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, cumbers, and more — all visible from the street. Explains Bass, “We thought it'd be really cool to do it so the neighbors could see. The kids love it. The kids from the neighborhood all come and help.â€

But one neighbor wasn’t so helpful. He called the city and complained, prompting a visit from a code enforcement officer. Bass related what happened next to ABC News, stating:

They warned us at first that we had to move the vegetables from the front, that no vegetables were allowed in the front yard. We didn't move them because we didn't think we were doing anything wrong, even according to city code we didn’t think we were doing anything wrong. So they ticketed us and charged me with a misdemeanor.

Bass now faces a jury trial and a possible 93 days in jail if convicted.

 

[release the hounds]

how grand it is to live in the land of the free. Either there is more to the story, or some people have really flipped their lids.

and yet another product of our pervasive need to have control over everything that everyone else is doing. We must control, because it affects US.

 

[GipsyQueen]

My first thought to that was: "Only in the USA". (Not ment in a bad way )

Anywho, thats pretty insane? I mean common - its veggies in what is probably a pretty big front yard.
We have our veggies growing in our front yard - oh noes (We don't really have a backyard though. )

 

[Dizzy]

how grand it is to live in the land of the free. Either there is more to the story, or some people have really flipped their lids.

and yet another product of our pervasive need to have control over everything that everyone else is doing. We must control, because it affects US.

The first link is the woman's blog - straight from the horses mouth!

 

[nancy2394]

that is ridiculous. People are making a stink about VEGETABLES. Next thing they'll complain about is clover growing wild on a front lawn. I am still just at awe at how ridiculous this really is. It would be different if she was growing marijuana or something actually illegal. What's the difference between flowers and veggies.. other than the fact that one is pretty and the other isn't. They're both still PLANTS. I guess the USA is the land of the free as long as you conform to what they consider the land of the free.

 

[Renee750il]

Tomatoes aren't a vegetable

 

[Moth]

People are so weird... They get offended by the stupidest things

Lots of folk around here grow stuff that isn't flowers in their front yards. It seems to be pretty normal.

 

[~Jessie~]

Tomatoes aren't a vegetable

Yeah, it would've been fine had she just grown veggies in the yard... But fruit?! :yikes:

I wonder if she lives in an HOA? If not, I don't see how it's illegal.

 

[Snark]

Completely ridiculous!

I kinda wish there was some way to bring this to the attention of Michelle Obama - isn't her pet project about getting Americans to eat healthier? Didn't she plant a vegetable garden at the White House?

 

[Dizzy]

I think the lady in question is asking for people to repost her blog etc on facebook, blogs, twitter, forums etc etc

 

[Greenmagick]

Sadly this is not first time I have heard similar. Usually it is some kind of subdivision or HOA involved where vegetable or herb gardens, or natural lawns, or what have you are deemed to lower property value. Its quite sickening.

 

[Psyfalcon]

Sometimes, its the city, the laws probably date back to the 50s or 60s where a well trimmed lawn was a major part of the American dream. I have heard, (but I'm too young to have been there in person) that one of the favored reasons to keep blacks off your street, without being outright racist, was to claim they wouldn't keep up their yards.

Green grass meant you were rich enough to to waste time, money and land on grass rather than food.

 

[~Jessie~]

In my neighborhood, a front yard garden wouldn't be allowed. We're supposed to have grass/sod and if it isn't kept up on you could be fined... or the HOA will have someone come and mow the yard and then charge you for it.

For us, that was what we wanted... it helps the resale value because the homes around you are well kept up on. Our HOA isn't crazy strict, but there are certain things you can and can't do and I wouldn't be happy if someone had a veggie garden in their front yard.

However, if you don't live in an HOA I can't see NOT being allowed to have whatever you want in your front yard. It's all about the neighborhood you bought into...

 

[Shai]

Hm...dandelions are edible...are they illegal too? :yikes:

 

[NicoleLJ]

HOA or not what is it anyones business as long as you keep it neat and tidy? I guess when you buy a house and property you don't really own it. This is why I would never live in a condo. Some have some crazy rules like no decorations on your doors and so on.

 

[Psyfalcon]

HOA are for those obsessed with resale values. Apparently, a street full of green grass is what everyone should want, and so it will help keep neighborhood prices up. Just one tomato garden would ruin the streets value.

 

[Dizzy]

LOL @ land of the free?

 

[Gypsydals]

Umm I think I just might be in trouble then. LOL Because my vegetable garden is in the side/front yard. You can defiantly see it from the street. OPPPSSSSSSS.
Of all the things to cite someone for.

 

[Renee750il]

LOL @ land of the fee?

There. Fixed it.

 

[nancy2394]

Tomatoes aren't a vegetable

I can't help it.... i just don't see a tomato as a fruit, even though it is..lol It will always be a veggie in my brain.