A College Park, Fla. couple may be fined for having a garden in their front yard, but they are determined to resist taking it out. The couple has been told by city officials that they had to take out the vegetable garden by Thursday, but Jason and Jennifer Helvenston are hoping to avoid both the fines and taking out the garden. Click Orlando shared the details Jan. 7.
The Helvenstons have a 25-by-25 foot vegetable garden in their front yard, which goes against city code that says front yards have to have a “finished appearance,” says MSN. The couple was warned last November that they had to get rid of the garden, but they have resisted. Now they have been told if it is not out by Thursday, they could be fined $500 a day. The “Patriot Garden,” as they call it, has sparked the couple's “Plant a Seed, Change the Law” protest to try to gain the ability to keep their garden.
Since news broke that the couple would be fined for having a garden in their front yard, the Helvenstons have received a great deal of support. While the city officials gave them more time before the fines would kick in, now they seem to be putting their foot down. Jason Helvenston has said, however, “They will take our house before they take our Patriot Garden.” He says he doesn't understand why this is even an issue, and they do seem to be rallying a great deal of support. Orlando officials told Click Orlando Tuesday that the case is on hold, but didn't elaborate.
Do you think the couple should be fined for having a garden in their front yard? If it is maintained well, which the Helvenston “Patriot Garden” appears to be, shouldn't that be acceptable in most neighborhoods?
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