A woman who put a vegetable garden in her front yard has been charged with a misdemeanor and could even be facing jail. Julie Bass, of Oak Park, Michigan, created the garden after her front yard was torn up to replace a sewer line.But a neighbour complained and called the city, who deemed it unsuitable.Every front yard in the area is grass.One of the cool things about the street where I grew up in Culver City, California, was a crazy old guy named Ray, who turned his whole lot, except for the shack he lived in, into a garden. Front, back, sides, the whole thing. We called it "Ray's Half Acre", although thinking back, I doubt it was an honest half acre. My dad used to take me down and visit with Ray once in while.
Miss Bass's garden features five large planter boxes containing fresh basil, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers. The city sent out a code enforcement who gave her a warning. Miss Bass then received a ticket and now she's been charged with a misdemeanor.
Neither side is backing down and the case could be heading for a jury trial.
When I was 12, we moved to a more upscale neighborhood in Los Angeles, Rancho Park. We didn't have crazy old gardeners there, although some of the residents were equally odd, but in more discrete ways.
Our current neighborhood is nice enough. I'm pretty sure we wouldn't get in trouble for a garden in the front yard. Loose chickens might get noticed (or eaten), and pigs would probably get us talked about.
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