oakparkhatesveggies

trying to make sense of oak park's war on vegetables

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With Mulch! guest post- the person who wrote this can take public credit if she wants, but i feel like her points are prettty salient…

More pictures of the growing criminal vegetables

July 7, 2011

thegardenrenegade Uncategorized 89 Comments

 

 

 

 

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89 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Dan Adams
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 09:25:21

    One of the members on our social site just posted a link to your story. I’ll be posting a blog about it soon, and I’ll be forwarding your story on to every sustainable living media outlet that I know.

  2. Jimmy Cracked-Corn
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 09:26:07

    Well that’s an OUTRAGE! How could you DO that to your neighbors?

  3. Angela
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 09:29:50

    Ugh. Gardening in the front lawn is really terrible of you. You just have to be “different”. Have to make everyone else feel like shit because they have a non-functional yellowing sod lawn that they have to mow every week.

    People must be jealous – because they don’t know how to garden, because they pay full prices for nasty conventional tomatoes at the store, because they don’t have “the time” to keep a garden up. Jealousy is a very evil and useless emotion.

    Best of luck to you! I’d welcome you as my neighbor. 馃檪

  4. Michoel Bass
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 11:22:52

    Is it live?
    Is it plant?
    Is it Material?

    No It’s a swing! hope you got planning permission to put the swing in the front garden!

    BTW the garden looks great.

  5. M Clouse
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 11:26:08

    Just a note: Checked the definition of “suitable” in four different on-line dictionaries and in my American Heritage Dictionary College Edition book and the word “common” as in “similar” or the “same” doesn’t appear in any of them. Closest you get is “Appropriate” and what is appropriate to your situation seems to be a matter of opinion.
    We had pesto last night for dinner made from the basil that my son is raising in containers on our front lawn. Our tomatoes and cucumbers are blooming but not ready to eat yet. These are also growing in raised beds out front.
    You need to make the case that your garden is neat, cared for, situated where it will get the most sunlight and definitely not an eyesore and utilizes less water than the same area planted in grass would use.
    “…little boxes made of ticky tacky… and they all look just the same.”–“Little Boxes”, Malvina Reynolds.

    Nice raised beds, btw.
    Martha from Saugus, MA

  6. Nick Bentley
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 11:35:14

    Keep up the good work. A little solidarity for you:

    http://climatepirate.com/front-yard-disobedience-boost-food-security/

  7. Lea
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 12:02:02

    I think the garden looks great and I’m so happy you are bringing this Front Yard Food movement to OP. I’d like to give you a dozen local fresh eggs – because OP doesn’t allow chickens!

  8. April Alexander
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 12:14:11

    Those are some mighty fine looking raised bed planters AND veggies! They honestly look much better than mine, which are made out of plywood, truth be told. I would recommend one little addition, however: First raised bed – YES, second raised bed: I, third raised bed: CAN! Everything looks better painted, don’t ya think?! 馃槈

  9. Brandon Joerges
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 12:29:15

    Bring the kid’s version of Webster’s to court with you. “Food suitable for human consumption”

    http://www.wordcentral.com/cgi-bin/student?book=Student&va=suitable

    One entry found for suitable.
    Main Entry: suit路able
    Pronunciation: s眉t–bl
    Function: adjective
    1 : adapted to a use or purpose [food suitable for human consumption]
    2 : being fit or right for a use or group [clothes suitable to the occasion] [a movie suitable for children]
    3 : QUALIFIED 1, capable [looking for a suitable replacement]
    synonym see FIT
    – suit路abil路i路ty /s眉t–bil-t-/ noun
    – suit路able路ness /s眉t–bl-ns/ noun
    – suit路ably /-bl/ adverb

  10. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 12:38:51

    oooooh- yes, please! we are all about fresh local eggs! 馃檪 -julie

  11. Diane Kerchner
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 13:24:04

    I tore out my front grass and planted native plants in my Southern CALIF home. It took2 years to look good but now it dies. Never have I received a single complaint. Fight like heck for your garden looks well tended and if you share your produce with the local food pantry no one can villify you. I love what you have done and may remove the final remaining grass plot to install raised beds just to support you! Yes, right in front of my front window!

  12. Neon Vincent
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 13:39:56

    I just drove by. They look even better in person. In fact, they look better than your neighbors sunburnt lawns.

  13. solarbozo
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 14:05:58

    Be strong, Julie. Don’t let these folks mess with your incredibly wonderful project. It is yours. Best of luck from Arcata, CA.

  14. snoodledoodles
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 14:53:50

    Your garden is looking good! (in fact, it’s looking better than my BACKYARD garden!) Keep up the good work!

  15. Neon Vincent
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 16:48:01

    Oops. That was supposed to be for Julie, not you! I wouldn’t have been able to drive past your house–I haven’t lived in Southern California for 22 years!

  16. jodip
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 17:18:53

    looks very nice, I could never do that, I have an HOA, but not much longer 馃檪 People need to mind thier own business!!

  17. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 18:26:07

    yes- or at the very least the should save their ire for something truly threatening…

  18. Sandy
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 20:11:52

    Um, ditto that, your veggies look lots better than the ones in my backyard! Lovely job on the boxes, it looks so nice and tidy, what in sam heck is the problem. BIG SIGH. Oy…

  19. bill
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 20:15:06

    Wow, I’m pretty happy I’m not your neighbor. What’s next? A Chevy up on blocks? How about a couch to sit in while watering? Throw a tarp over it to keep it dry.

    I guess you have no regard for the feelings of your neighbors. I didn’t realize you were so important.

  20. bill
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 20:28:20

    Oh, wait. I see you already have the couch with the roof.

    You keep up that class!

  21. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 21:00:25

    wow- and i didn’t realize people with little or no information could be so righteously indignant! tomato plants are harldy cars up on blocks. cucumbers are not really similar to furniture. the swing, but the way, is an OUTDOOR swing, meant to be used in yards OUTSIDE. boy, i guess you schooled me, huh?

    and just so you actually have some factual information at your disposal- my neighbors and i get a long great. most of my neighbors love the garden. not only are my immediate neighbors in full support of my right to have the garden, but now people from all over the city are coming by to offer support. i spoke to my neighbors before i put in the garden, because i- unlike you- am concerned about the feelings of other people.

    way to go, bill. feel better?

  22. Elisheva
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 21:43:04

    Bill, you’re an ass and an idiot. You wouldn’t understand class if it smacked you in the side of the head. Crawl back under your rock.

  23. Lea Finstein Thomas
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 22:05:03

    Friend or PM me on FB and I’ll bring you a dozen!

  24. Jimmy Cracked-Corn
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 22:39:31

    “Bill” is just irritated that this web site and the associated Facebook page has caused him to receive 1,000 e-mail messages in support of you at his city office computer there in your town.

  25. eliotsajerkface
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 23:29:56

    I sent my email and you are on the front page of reddit which will be thousands more.

    Silly citizen thinking she can grow vegetables in her own front yard.
    byu/aaaaaasdfgrdgbfzs inpolitics

  26. a chicwak
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 23:30:43

    There’s an army amassing to support you. You’re not alone. People love freedom and they’re tired of unelected tax feeders trying to take it from them.

  27. Melissa
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 23:31:37

    Your garden looks terrific. Suitable is suitable, and if your front yard is suitable to growing vegetables, there you go. Our tomatoes and peppers are planted along the driveway because it gets the best sun, and it would surprise the hell out of me if any neighbor (or city) complained. Our block has houses with postage-stamp lawns – some people maintain grass and others have nothing but plants and flowers. Vegetables seem like a pretty logical and healthy alternative – who can say that roses and peonies are acceptable while cucumbers and peppers aren’t?.

    And in no way do fresh home-grown vegetables resemble a Chevy up on blocks.

  28. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 23:41:43

    thank you, melissa- i totally agree!

  29. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 23:42:05

    that is awesome! thanks, a!

  30. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 23:44:00

    hahahaha- what i saw of that site looks hilarious! thanks for passing on the message! -julie

  31. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 23:50:22

    oh, seriously? is he really a city government guy?????????? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm- this just gets curiouser and curiouser….

  32. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 23:55:17

    just sent you an email 馃檪

  33. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 07, 2011 @ 23:59:34

    have i told you lately how much i love you???? THAT’S what i’m talkin’ about!!! -j

  34. Dee Dee
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 00:15:44

    I dont understand what is the problem. Why sould it make a difference if it was flowers or veggies as long as it is kept up. If you were my neighbor I would not mind the garden. Do they not have anything better to do? Do you neighborhood have a community code or something? You fight for you rights this is your yard. If your lawnmower goes out will they cut your yard for you do they pay any of your bills. This is crazy.

  35. Todd
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 07:45:54

    You have a beautiful veggie garden.

    I have to ask the City Leaders this: What ever happened to “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness?”

  36. Katherine
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 09:52:56

    Oh, yes. Your garden is such an eyesore. If I lived near you, I’d definitely report you rather than try to open my mind and learn something new about healthy lifestyle choices. So, so ugly. Oh, wait. I’m totally lying.

    If I had sun in my front yard, I’d be following your example. I think you guys are the future. AND vegetable gardens are beautiful! Just a different kind of beautiful. Keep up the good work, guys!!!

  37. Greg Gauthier
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 09:59:54

    People, this is the suburbs. What in blazes did you expect? The treatment they’re receiving from the city is not shocking at all. Suburban governments are ALL ABOUT enforcing conformity to the same bland, standard aesthetic, for the sake of stable and uniform property values.

    Here’s what’s going to happen (my rank amateur prediction): the city will point out that planting and irrigating the front yard will cause erosion. They’ll say it will draw vermin, insects, and other pests, that will do damage to flower gardens, foundations, and other structures. They’ll say the garden is therefore a risk to her neighbors, and their own property values. She’ll be made out to be the aggressor, the threat initiator, from which the city must protect her neighbors. If none of that sticks, they’ll just argue that the land is not zoned for agricultural use. and “suitable” means any vegetation that is not agricultural in nature. In the end, she’ll lose.

    I don’t feel good saying that. I think it’s sad and tragic. But it’s just a fact. If you want to live like this, you need to get out of the suburbs and into an ex-urban or rural community where you’re not elbow-to-elbow with other property owners, and where there’s more of a culture of self-sustenance.

    The suburbs are for sleeping at night after a long day at “the office”, watering the lawn on the weekends, and watching television in between. That’s it. If you violate the Rule of Conformity, you will only suffer for it.

  38. Denise
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 10:46:41

    GO VEGGIES! I live in Redford Township and have limited sun due to 2 giant maples in my neighbor鈥檚 yard. So, a few years back I put a garden in the berm (one of the few places that get full sun). The township cited me because there is not allowed to be “cultivated vegetation that exceeds 30″ within a 10-foot vision triangle” from where the driveway and sidewalk intersections. My veggies were too high. I’ve since moved my large plants from the berm to the main front yard. Luckily, I haven’t had issues with my new design.

    I heard (although not from an attorney) that there is a state law which allows for a person to be able to raise their own food. Supposedly, this is how people in Redford are able to raise chickens in their backyards.

    Your beds look wonderful, and I know you put a lot of work into them. They are well kept and weed free. It鈥檚 an outrage pure and simple! Good luck with your trial.

  39. Nancy
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 12:50:24

    Maybe take pictures of the really terrible weed stewn yards around your area and take them to court with you. Ask the judge what he would prefer to live next door to.

  40. kelly thomas
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 13:03:32

    perhaps local supporters could change what is common by planting a single tomato plant in THEIR front yard.

  41. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 15:05:00

    they have offered, but the way the city is now, they would probably ticket my neighbors 馃槮

  42. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 15:15:13

    yes, nancy- fox 2 news did that in their report. and our judge was super fair and super nice, so i’m sure she’d make a great neighbor!

  43. Reagan Lacey
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 18:09:19

    If this is what Oak Park has to grip about then seriously they need to get a life! I commend you for it. it is neatly done and very nice to see. Good luck and i hope you get lots of veggies. YUMMMMY.

  44. Diane Riley
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 18:12:49

    Best of luck!!! You have, and deserve, so much support in this! I can not believe that a jury will find you guilty!

    And if I were your neighbor, I most certainly WOULD plant at least one vegetable plant……just because! If every one of your supporters that live in your town planted just one veggie, it would be impossible to prosecute everyone…especially if all the planting was done on the same day! Too bad Independence Day has already passed! =(

  45. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 18:14:57

    thank you!

  46. Suzie
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 19:25:00

    I know you stated in previous posts that all this absurdity is the city’s doing, but I don’t suppose you belong to a homeowner’s association, do you? I know HOA officials can be complete meatheads. I agree, this is totally absurd for the city to be taking you to court over your vegetables, but when you look at what the rest of the government is doing… does this really come as a surprise? Unfortunately these city officials are idiots. It is live plant material, so why the heck isn’t it “suitable?” Because no one else has a veggie garden in their front yard? So what. Doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful yard. Sounds to me like you tried to avoid having issues with the city by putting your plants in raised beds, so I can only assume the former argument to be the one that city officials so ignorantly espouse. It is unfortunate that we live in a world today that values conformity over individuality and creative, practical solutions, in a country that was founded on rugged individualism. I hope you make the city look as stupid as their officials sound. You deserve to have a beautiful garden and no one should be able to tell you otherwise. You’ve got my support all the way from VA! 馃檪 ~*~*~ Blessings for a beautiful, prosperous garden (and a successful court date!) ~*~*~

  47. Mary Kay
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 20:45:07

    I’m sorry you have to go through this, you are obviously good people doing a good thing. Growing food is not a crime. Stand tall be strong and smile because You are not the one who looks bad here.
    I love your garden. Nashville, Tennessee

  48. justlogic
    Jul 08, 2011 @ 21:56:51

    This would make a great Youtube video or SNL skit, in Michigan you can legally grow Marijuana, but you can’t grow tomatoes.

  49. leviticalfulfillmentalan
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 00:08:09

    you have a beautiful yard!

  50. Jules
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 00:43:18

    Way to go amd I think it looks neat and tidy, besides being way healthy. I have mine in my side yard in half whiskey barrels. Get in touch with Keith Olbermann on Current Tv or his twitter or Facebook. He will shame the heck out of the people bothering you. Good luck

  51. Jules
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 00:45:10

    I forgot to add that we have people here in Tacoma WA with their gardens in the grassy areas between the sidewalk and the street, also some in the front yards. No one complains.

  52. Seedomang
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 02:54:51

    For shame how dare you grow vegetables. Put a mcdonalds stand there. How dare you be healthy! Sell fructose infused lemonade . That will learn them. What’s next a ban on fruit!!!!!!!!!

  53. Seedomang
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 02:56:44

    This is when good people get harassed for no good reason. I wish their angry neighbors the worst. What happened to America?

  54. Portland Yard Sharing
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 03:12:28

    Good luck with your battle.. You can always come live here in Portland Oregon and join TENS OF THOUSANDS of people who garden in their front yard..

  55. Phedra
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 04:19:30

    I read this story on Fox news.. sent an email to the city manager, Rick Fox, then asked everyone who read this story to send in a letter of complaint. Let Oak Park know the whole world is watching them. I’ve already gotten a ton of comments from people who said they sent their letter too. Good luck with the garden… those fresh tomatoes are going to taste awesome!

  56. Terry
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 10:21:26

    I live in a development with strict rules about appearances and when I put a vegetable garden at the top of my driveway at first it drew notice and concern for neighbors that only wanted my yard to look like a golf course. I planted a lot of perennial flowers in the front bed. Tall plants like hollyhocks toward the back with mid and low growers in the front. I grew thyme as a ground cover to hide the boards of the raised beds. Now people comment how beautiful it is. I just happen to have a decent vegetable garden hidden among all the other plants and flowers. This strategy could work for you. Beautiful decorative trellises don’t have to be expensive. You can make nice one out of bamboo. Throw in a bird bath etc. It might help.

  57. naz dagg
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 10:57:12

    small towns, villages and home owners associtaions should keep their nose out of other peoples gardening. it’s not about the garden, it’s about stupid, petty politics.
    we have a garden in the front; tomatoes, peppers, basil, tomatillos, flowers.
    last fall I wanted to aerate my yard and add organic material to the soil. I planted the whole 1/2 acre in daikon(tillage radish). what a sight that was, big green bushy plants about knee high. the root(radish) was about 3/4″ to 1′ in dia. and 8′ deep. pushed it down and mulched mowed with all the leaves in early winter. radish tried to come back in the spring, just kept it mowed.
    with the problems my neighborhood has, the building inspector just drives by and waves.
    Justice in america is on a sliding scale of what you can afford, or as a lawyer might tell you, “there is no justice, just billable hours”.
    good luck

  58. Paul Hansen
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 12:15:59

    I am a lawyer/counsel for you, you can force the hand of the City to prove their authority, which they will fail, SEE freeinhabitant.info and get the download called ‘Free Inhabitant One A’, it lays out the foundation of how you can force the City to back off, and place individual liability on agents acting without authority, to whom you can then lien, this is also retrospective.
    Why it does not seem constitutionally supported, is because it is not on private land, USA owned land yes, private no.

  59. Ray D.
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 12:34:36

    Oh no, there is pollination going on in your front yard. Have you no shame?

    I wish my garden was that nice.

  60. Johnny Law
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 15:30:23

    It鈥檚 a shame when you can鈥檛 do anything on your own property.

  61. Jennifer Boutell
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 17:36:31

    They should do it anyway. Then request jury trials.

  62. Linda
    Jul 09, 2011 @ 19:08:19

    I think your garden looks great! Glad I don’t live in your neck of the woods though, because we tilled up our whooole front yard this year. LMBO!

    Hope your case goes well. Maybe the city should give you a grant to teach everyone how to grow vegi’s in a raised bed, instead of spending all this money trying to fight what you’re doing!

  63. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 00:30:09

    hahahaha- great! you submit it to SNL and you can take credit for the idea! thanks for making me smile- julie

  64. Benjamin Glass
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 02:14:36

    After looking at the images, I’m placing my bet on the beauty bark or whatever is surrounding the beds as the infraction under “live plant matter” since it is not.

  65. B Anderson
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 13:01:25

    I don’t know what dictionary that city official was using, but I just looked it up, and “suitable” means “appropriate”, not common. The point of the law, I think is to prevent bare ground with weeds, and to have a somewhat uniform appearance of the neighborhood. From your pictures, I think you could help your cause by increasing the curb appeal of your front yard garden. I would add a 2ft high white picket fence as a divider between the front grass yard and the mulched area. Also add more flowers into your vegetable beds (marigolds keep bugs away) and artfully place as many planters of flowers and herbs on the mulched area.

  66. Laura Muresan
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 14:02:24

    I have to say, I love the raised beds, but I wonder if things like the dining room chairs on the front porch and the recycling bin planters hurt the cause? The spiffier everything looks, the less people will object to the garden. Personally, I would enjoy the garden in my neighborhood, but would look askance at the recycling bins and the indoor furniture being outside.

  67. Dig for Liberty
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 16:29:29

    Hi,
    I live in France, here vegetable gardens on any spare patch of dirt are the norm and they take precedence over other forms of gardening if space is an issue. At least where I live no house is without its own veggie patch, polytunnel, greenhouse, raised beds , however people choose to do it. I have really never heard anything so ridiculous as to criminalise vegetable. As for suitable meaning common?? Huh??? that man needs to recheck his dictionary, it has never meant that where I come from (England). Good luck with your garden and all power to you! I set up a FB page a while, Dig for Liberty because there is too much of this insanity going on and we will all be forced to buy plastic pesticide riddled “food” if monsatan and it’s minions have their way. Don’t let ’em wear you down, people across the world are rooting (pun intended) for you 馃檪

  68. Nikki
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 17:36:16

    This is funny because where I live (Berkeley, CA) if you’re lucky enough to have a front yard, planting a veggie patch is the cool thing to do. We even have patches in our parks :).

  69. Phedra
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 19:03:40

    After viewing the garden in full size, I have to agree with another person who posted. It would definitely look better if all the excess stuff was removed from the front of the house. That tends to give it a ghetto look. The garden itself is a great idea! Maybe that’s what the city is really complaining about but don’t want to come right out and say it.

    I like growing my own food so I know what’s in it and where it came from. I don’t see anything wrong with your boxes. Someone made a suggestion to put a little garden fence on each side of the walk where the grass and the tanbark meet. Another very good and inexpensive idea. Marigolds around each box would really dress it up and keep the animals out. They don’t like the odor of the Marigolds.

  70. cornfreegirl
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 19:28:00

    Hi Julie – I am not sure if anyone has mentined this yet because I have not read all the posts. But…………..I think that Michelle Obama set a “precedent” by planting her organic garden on the front lawn of the White House! Don’t you?

  71. Scott
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 19:39:01

    The county/city-mandated white sewer lateral clean-out looks so much better than those raised beds.
    (not)

  72. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 19:42:15

    hahahahaha- yep! i wonder if the prosecutor will agree…

  73. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 19:45:00

    honestly a ghetto look would be quite common around here, and therefore suitable. problem solved! hahahaha- seriously, though, we’re trying to implement suggestions where we can, and in honor of you and another blog reader, i have taken the diningroom chairs off of the front porch! now if i could only get the grass in the front to grow faster… 馃檪

  74. Veggie
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 20:18:16

    Alerted to this on a forum. I’m from the UK and we have our own brand of idiocy but this sets a new benchmark. Good luck Ms. Bass!

    Perhaps you could use the BS to fertilise those inappropriate plant organisms???

    Sheesh.

  75. Robert Jan Simons
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 21:05:17

    Looks to me as a grand job.

    So if SUITABLE means COMMON, that should mean: when everybody else has a JunkYard as a garden, YOU should have one too!

    In this case, it looks perfectly fine to me, well built, needly done – this whole circus shows the perversity of the system… it’s all mixed up, upside down..

    So hang in there, take care.
    Big hug from Amsterdam, Holland, Europe.
    Robert Jan Simons

  76. Robert Jan Simons
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 21:06:30

    Pretty good idea to just bring it up though.. it’s true isn’t it??

  77. Robert Jan Simons
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 21:13:14

    True.

    Secondly: some people simply don’t understand.

    Thirdly: they compare with themselves. So, if I step out of the line, I am disobediant (do I write this correctly? I don’t obey?), but I should obey the rules, shouldn’t I ? Because… others do too…. wherever stupid reason behind it…

    I think these are the most important issues here…

    So: SUITABLE meaning COMMON (as a guideline for gardening) is totally and hopelessly out of date, in my modest opinion, especially when food-qualitites in the stores are deteriorating (as result of pollution in air, water and chemicals in food, we call them E-numbers, like Vetsin/MSG, aspartam..)

    Good luck, you’re doing the right thing!
    Robert Jan Simons, Amsterdam (NL, Europe)

  78. Robert Jan Simons
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 21:18:13

    I don’t.

    (Paint isn’t a chemical, isn’t it?) 馃槈

    I like natural looking. So… just fine the way it is. Grand job done!

    Robert Jan, Amsterdam (NL, Europe)

  79. Robert Jan Simons
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 21:19:48

    Right!
    This is what it’s all about!! Grand job, Brandon.
    Robert Jan Simons, Amsterdam (NL, Europe)

  80. christa
    Jul 10, 2011 @ 21:21:48

    Julie-

    Have they come out and said which neighbors complained? Or is this a personal vendetta of city officials? Here in Phoenix we have an urban farmer who is using every bit of space on his property to grow all kinds of veggies and fruit bearing trees. He even teaches how to be your own urban farmer and many people have done so. Oh, and he has chickens too because he is on a third of an acre. I don’t see what all the fuss is about. Good luck and God bless!! Christa

  81. xiousgeonz
    Jul 11, 2011 @ 10:11:10

    Just a suggestion — DO NOT try to please everybody. Now that this *has* gone viral, you’re gonna get some loonies. KEEP YOUR SANITY and know when to just turn it off.
    If you’re finding yourself thinking more about organic etc… yea, keep it natcherall, and frankly, I wouldn’t spend a whole lot more energy than necessary doing more and more to please them — enough so that it’s obvious you’re doing your part, but they will try to wear you down…
    Good luck from Illinois 馃檪

  82. Oak Park, MI – No Gardening in Your Yard, or You Go To Jail! » Chus On Chow
    Jul 11, 2011 @ 13:21:29

  83. Tricia Kuhn
    Jul 11, 2011 @ 20:56:14

    thank you so much for that valuable information

  84. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 11, 2011 @ 21:10:31

    oh, thank you for saying that. there is someone who commented on the blog about what a horrible person i am- and then she elaborated about why i am so horrible. i am trying to find it again so i can respond, so this comment from you came at exactly the right time. i will try to keep my sanity- even when others push it to the edge 馃槈 thanks so much- julie

  85. netminnow
    Jul 11, 2011 @ 23:08:49

    Just emailed the local weenie in chief that he should get with the trend, after all the First Lady has endorsed this sort of activity. Also signed a petition on Change.org on your behalf. I hope all goes well; it’s a dirty shame they are wasting court time on being so petty to someone who is doing good, instead of keeping that slot open for someone dangerous in these times of “fiscal restraint”.

  86. Greg Gauthier
    Jul 12, 2011 @ 06:25:39

    This is why the good people will always lose. Because corrupt, distorted narcissists are drawn to power and good people are repelled by it.

    You cannot reason someone out of a frame of mind that they haven’t been reasoned into. Men of power are there not by way of reason, but of self-hatred, and avarice for the imposition of will.

    Yet, somehow, good people still insist on believing that power and its structures are a “necessity” they could not live without. Which is meat and drink to men like Bill.

    But there is a clear reason for why we think men like Bill should be given authority over us. It is because in all of us, even the best of us, there is a piece of Bill. A piece that craves the same power that Bill has – the power to impose our will on our neighbors and force them to live as we live – and that piece of us lives vicariously through Bill’s wielding of that power.

    As long as we continue to lend moral legitimacy to the institutions that offer men like Bill the opportunity to point a gun at the rest of us, his shadow will have a long life in the rest of us, and his kind will always win these battles.

  87. Suzie
    Jul 12, 2011 @ 16:55:49

    OMGosh, that looks so nice. I can’t believe someone complained about it. Keep your chin up and I’m hoping you win your battle, not just for you but everyone in this so called free county. We should all have to right to grow whatever we want on land we own!

  88. Gentox
    Jul 15, 2011 @ 01:03:47

    Hi just read your story and wanted to say your doing a great job.
    Your veggie garden looks very nice and tidy.
    Now let’s hope the jury will see things your way and get you of the hook.
    BTW i can’t imagine that normal thinking people could ever object to such a great initiative.
    Stay strong and keep it up.

    Greetings from Gentox
    Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

    PS i have a veggie garden too and 7 chickens, i recommend you get some chickens also fresh eggs daily and the kids love em.

  89. thegardenrenegade
    Jul 15, 2011 @ 12:46:54

    my daughter says to tell you that is so awesome!

Leave a comment

With Mulch! guest post- the person who wrote this can take public credit if she wants, but i feel like her points are prettty salient…

1. Useful links

  • 1. Official Oak Park Hates Veggies Facebook Page
  • 2. MSNBC interview
  • 3. WJBK Fox 2 News report
  • 4. WXYZ Channel 7 news clip
  • julie's email

2. Other blogs and web sites we like.

  • Adventures of a thrifty mama
  • ALL NEW! jason helvenston's patriot garden blog
  • american chronic pain association
  • chronic babe
  • Crazy Eddies Motie News
  • Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund
  • joel salatin- king of all farmers!!!!
  • KGI- you've gotta check this out!
  • Sustainable Living as Civil Disobedience
  • Take Back Urban Homesteadings
  • well spouse association

Blogroll

  • avivah werner
  • botanical interests food blog- yum!
  • crazy meds
  • Fibromy-Awesome
  • find local sustainable food
  • oh my aches and pains blog
  • the daily headache blog
  • write in the wrong way

The All-Important Petition

  • The All-Important Petition!

archives

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