A Garden in Your Front Yard? Not here.
By Steve Kinsman, 19th Jul 2012 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutNewsEnvironment
When they planted a vegetable garden on their front lawn, the town said - oh, no you don't.
Remove that garden right now!
In more and more places people are tearing up their front lawns in order to plant vegetable gardens, a result of both dire economic times and the desire to eat healthier foods. However, municipalities are in several instances taking a dim view of their efforts. In Michigan recently, a man was threatened with a jail sentence if he failed to remove his garden.
Meet the Beauchamps
This spring, Josee Landry and Michel Beauchamp of Drummondville, Quebec, planted what they called the front yard of the future, a spectacular front yard garden full of nutritious organic vegetables. Now, however, town officials are warning them to remove almost all of it., pointing out that the town code prohibits front yard gardens of any kind from taking up more than 30 percent of the lawn space. They have two weeks from today, July 19, 2012, to remove the bulk of the garden or they will face criminal charges.
Gardens are hardly a problem; they're part of the solution to healthier lifestyles for all of us. The one-minute video below shows the construction of the Drummondville front yard garden. It is a delight to watch.
Link: In a Stunning Reversal, Drummondville Couple told they can Keep their Front Yard Vegetable Garden
Preview photo from treehugger.com
Drummondville garden photo from commondreams.org
Comments
19th Jul 2012 (#)
I applaud this idea. For those that want them this way a garden should give you a benefit. When I was a kid we used to grow vegetables and fruit in the back garden. This is not something I have done since owning my own home.
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
Why not start a garden this coming spring? Thanks Peter.
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19th Jul 2012 (#)
Shame on the powers that be for trying to stop this family from doing the right thing. Everybody should be able to grow food - their garden looks great.
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
It seems awfully silly that people are not allowed to grow food on their own property. Thanks for commenting Mark. Thanks also for sharing on twitter.
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
Face criminal charges for planting a garden in their front yard? If a man owns his property, he should be able to grow what ever he wants on it, as long as it isn't Marijuana.
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
Frankly, I think we should be allowed to grow that too.
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
Frankly, I agree with you Steve.
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
you are too funny Jerry! have to love you...
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
it is downright terrible that people cannot do what they want on their own property and growing veggies and fruit is fantastic healthwise ..it seems to me that the norty municipalities are hand in glove with big business, food companies and Monsanto Killee....oops! thank you again Steve for a most enlightening write up...
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
The agribusiness giants would make it illegal for us to grow any of our own food if they had their way.
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
The benefits far outweigh flouting of archaic rules! The rules have to be changed in tune with the times. Thanks again Steve for another news worthy piece - siva
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
Would that be too crude if I say that it is ridiculous dear Steve? A thought peovoking article! (I am learning now how to give a nice and Catchy title and a nice interesting summary to the articles!I am following you!) Thanks!
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
Would that be too crude if I say that it is ridiculous dear Steve? A thought peovoking article! (I am learning now how to give a nice and Catchy title and a nice interesting summary to the articles!I am following you!) Thanks!
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
Thank you AK. I appreciate your comment.
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
Makes perfect sense from the viewpoint of the huge money grabbers, read here:http://www.wanttoknow.info/fredburksresigns
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20th Jul 2012 (#)
Thank you Tranquilpen. I'll check itout.
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21st Jul 2012 (#)
A fence surround would be a good idea. Think about it! Otherwise, it just looks odd! Thank you, Steve.
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21st Jul 2012 (#)
Thank you Ivyevelyn. I appreciate your comment.
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23rd Jul 2012 (#)
Great article Steve, I hope they keep their garden : )
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23rd Jul 2012 (#)
Good morning Maria,
Actually they could keep part of their garden if they reduced the size of their garden. The town code states that a vegetable garden can take up 30 percent of a front yard at most, and Landry and Beauchamp's is in violation. At least they could keep their smaller garden this year. According to a CBS news report, the town plans to make any front yard garden illegal this fall.
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23rd Jul 2012 (#)
Thank you Maria and Jerry. Jerry, I didn't know they are planning to make any front yard garden illegal this fall. Why on earth would they do that?
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23rd Jul 2012 (#)
I have no idea, Steve, the CBS report didn't elaborate on that. If I was to venture a guess, I would say it was to eliminate needing to prove if a garden violated the 30 percent rule. Perhaps the petition that is circulating to get the authorities to allow Josée Landry and Michel Beauchamp to keep their garden as is has something to do with it. They have already gathered over 7,000 signatures on their petition. The petition is online at http://www.causes.com/causes/11991-plant-healthy-gardens-feed-a-hungry-world/actions/1667714 if you want to check it out.
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23rd Jul 2012 (#)
We're right on the same page on this one Jerry. I signed the petition. Thanks for posting the link.
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16th Aug 2012 (#)
"I'd rather have green beans, than brown grass."
You can quote me on that, post it on a tee-shirt, whatever. That should be your slogan in those cities. The grass varieties required by those same cities, tend to use a lot more water than even the biggest bean plants. I think it's just a war on the poor and on the sane.
Funny thought: MJ AKA "weed" is normally brownish colors. I don't smoke, nor plan on starting. ;)
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
Thank you Joe. I like your take on it.
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16th Aug 2012 (#)
I wonder what they are growing in their back garden? Property value has to be considered and, quite frankly, I think the vegetable garden in the front of the house would devalue property on that street. I would not want my neighbors to have a vegetable garden in the front of the house.
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
Chacun a son gout.
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
Are you deleting my comments, Steve?
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
No, I respect the fact that we can differ. I just wonder why we put 'property values' ahead of conscious and sustainable actions toward a better, healthier planet. Too bad that the first thing people think about in a case like this is their property values, when human values should prevail.
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
I did not buy my house to grow vegetables in the front yard. If that is what some people want to do, fine! Just don't tell me what to do on my own property. (Your side-kick is back)!
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
I totally LOVE the idea of people growing food in their front yards, back yards, and so forth. Heck grow it on your roof too!
As long as there are more and more people and cities are taking over farm land, it is the smartest thing to do.
To heck with property value. I did not buy my house as an investment, I bought it to be a home, a roof over my head, and a yard to do with what I want.
I would be proud to have those people as my neighbors (hopefully they share their extra veges lol) and would support them fully if they were.
Nobody is telling you that you have to do the same Ivy, but I think you understand that.
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17th Aug 2012 (#)
Right on, BNelson! I totally agree with you. Thanks for commenting.
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