Michigan Woman Faces Jail Time for Planting Vegetable Garden

By Max Follmer
July 8, 2011
10 comments
garden
(Photo: Getty Images)

Michigan resident Julie Bass thought the price of organic food in her area was just too high. So she decided to plant a home vegetable garden. 

And she thought she'd put it in the front of her house, "so the neighbors could see. The kids love it. The kids from the neighborhood all come and help," she told MyFox Detroit. 

Sounds great, right? Another homeowner trying to break away from the industrial food system by growing her own food? Well, clearly, you haven't met the code enforcement folks for the city of Oak Park. 

"That's not what we want to see in a front yard," Oak Park City Planner Kevin Rulkowski told the Fox station.

And so, they want to see this home gardener in court. Check out the full video report, after the jump:

 

Comments

10
"The rules" can SUCK my eye balls.. this is an excellent idea.. more people needs to be like her..
JocelynAG
posted on Jul 14, 2011
Move the garden to the backyard where it belongs. Watch this woman will be complaining when the produce ripen. People will be stoping and picking fresh fruits & veggies. Just follow the rules!
Obert Brinley
posted on Jul 11, 2011
OMG! This is crazy, I never thought someone can get suit for planting vegetables in front of their homes. In my opinion, it looks better than the front gardens that are not being taken care.
jomarina
posted on Jul 11, 2011
this is so sad :( She has a very small yard and probably not much of a backyard. It is her property! People need to mind their own business. A garden is beautiful!
brandi78
posted on Jul 10, 2011
First off, he only used the definition of 'Common' that suited his needs. Secondly, if she wants to 'comply' she simply needs to.... Let a vegetable plant go to flower, Build planting beds for her 'flowers' ...she already did. Put in bark landscaping for walkways, with patio stones...(she did that already also) Let one or two 'weeds' grow so she also complies with having grass... I'm sure there are numerous houses on that block that have flower beds, grass, and flowers and she seems to be in compliance already. Johnny
JohnnyRhea
posted on Jul 10, 2011
I believe if they would do this to her then they need to do the exact same to those who have totally unkept yards! I would MUCH rather see her vegetable garden! So it may be different but leave her alone! Seems to keep the kids busy and off the streets and that in itself is a service to society. If kids truly get involved I happen to know this is a perfect thing for them to do. It teaches them things they may need to know too. There's always someone that has to be the neighborhood complainers and I don't think it's right to give into them. It's better to just keep the peace.
Becky Ward
posted on Jul 9, 2011
Talk about taking someones rights away from them! Thats exactly what they did here and when she WINS her case I hope to see that she SUED the hell out of them all she needs is a good Civil Rights Lawyer.
Vickie Lee Reeves
posted on Jul 8, 2011
I agree with Aj Scaff
Rachel Ambrose
posted on Jul 8, 2011
Completely ridiculous. An utter waste of time and resources.
Laura Chin
posted on Jul 8, 2011
This city planner is INCORRECT in his quoting of websters dictionary as to what "suitable" means. It means, and I quote..."adapted to a use or purpose" -http://www.merriam/-webster.com/dictionary/su​itable From the Free Dictionary: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sui​table From my computers (Mac) dictionary: right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose or situation. He is WRONG. The City is WRONG. Additionally, planting a veg garden is more water-wise than grass, as it will use less. It no less a landscaping plan than a blanketing wash of grass, in fact it is more. It helps bees and other beneficial insects to thrive. Which in turn helps keep a healthy balance in nature.
Aj Scaff
posted on Jul 8, 2011