Michigan woman faces jail time for growing vegetables in her front yard

FLASHBACK

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.

Home-grown: Julie Bass has fallen foul of local authorities by growing vegetables in her front yard

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.

She said: 'The price of organic food is kind of through the roof.

'We thought it'd be really cool to do it so the neighbours could see.

'The kids love it. The kids from the neighborhood all come and help.'

Legal fight: Unwilling to back down, Julie Bass is bracing herself for a jury trial

Tough stance: Kevin Rulkowski says a front yard must be 'suitable' with grass, bushes and flowers

'I think it's sad that the City of Oak Park that's already strapped for cash is paying a lot of money to have a prosecutor bothering us.'

Oak Park City Planner Kevin Rulkowski said: 'That's not what we want to see in a front yard.'

'If you look at the definition of what suitable is in Webster's dictionary, it will say common.

'So, if you look around and you look in any other community, what's common to a front yard is a nice, grass yard with beautiful trees and bushes and flowers.'

When asked by Myfoxdetroit.com if the whole saga was a little ridiculous, Mr Rulkowski replied: 'I would argue that you won't find that opinion from most people in Oak Park.'

The offending boxes: Julie Bass says local children love to watch the vegetables growing

Some neighbours are backing Miss Bass.

Devorah Gold said: 'I have a bunch of little children and we take walks to come by and see everything growing.

'I think it's a very wonderful thing for our neighborhood.'

Ora Goodwin added: 'They don't have anything else to do if they're going to take her to court for a garden.'

Miss Bass is unrepentant. She said: 'They say, "Why should you grow things in the front?"

'Well, why shouldn't I? They're fine. They're pretty. They're well maintained.'

The norm: Other houses in the neighbourhood have neat lawns

'I could sell out and save my own self and just not have them bother me anymore.

'But then there's no telling what they're going to harass the next person about.'

On her blog, she wrote: 'Our attorney spoke to the prosecutor today.

'His position: they are going to take this all the way.

'Officially, this means i am facing 93 days in jail if they win. No joke.'

A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for July 26.

Originally Posted On: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2012640/Woman-faces-jail-growing-vegetables-yard.html#ixzz2YswfRtrn
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Follow up on this story:

"All charges dropped against Julie Bass, the Michigan gardener threatened with jail time for growing vegetables in her own yard"

This is a breaking news update: Michigan gardener Julie Bass has confirmed with NaturalNews that all charges have been dismissed in her case, including the two misdemeanor dog licensing charges the city threatened her with after dropping her "illegal gardening" charge.


Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/033175_Julie_Bass_Oak_Park.html#ixzz2YtBEN5mN