Florida Lifts Ban on Front-Yard Gardens

[NatureBoy]

Florida Lifts Ban on Front-Yard Vegetable Gardens (https://returntonow.net/2019/04/08/florida-lifts-ban-on-frontyard-vegetable-gardens/)

State lawmakers in Florida have told cities they must respect citizens’ property rights, and seemingly even more basic right to grow their own food.

They just passed a bill “prohibiting local governments from regulating vegetable gardens on residential properties.”

“Such regulations are void and unenforceable,” the new law says.

Anyone know how this would affect deed restrictions?

The clear exploitation of this law would be to plant corn or beans or other tall crops to create a privacy screen.

[villagetinker]

OP, I think the article you sited may have jumped the gun. I did a google search and found many confusing entries on this subject, but it appears this is still working its way through the legislative process. I could not find an article stating the bill had been passed and signed by the governor.

[JerryP]

OP, I think the article you sited may have jumped the gun. I did a google search and found many confusing entries on this subject, but it appears this is still working its way through the legislative process. I could not find an article stating the bill had been passed and signed by the governor.


Effective Date: 7/1/2019
Senate Bill 82 (2019) - The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/00082)

[Bogie Shooter]

There has to be more important things State lawmakers could/should be working on.

[graciegirl]

Florida Lifts Ban on Front-Yard Vegetable Gardens (https://returntonow.net/2019/04/08/florida-lifts-ban-on-frontyard-vegetable-gardens/)



Anyone know how this would affect deed restrictions?

The clear exploitation of this law would be to plant corn or beans or other tall crops to create a privacy screen.

I am all for gardens. I have harvested and canned food in my past, but I really don't think this is a good idea for The Villages. It would destroy the beauty and I doubt it would be beneficial or really needed either.

[kansasr]

Effective Date: 7/1/2019
Senate Bill 82 (2019) - The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/00082)

That would be the effective date IF it makes it through the house and IF it is signed by the governor....

[sallybowron]

I agree

[JimJohnson]

I like the idea of gardens. Better tomato’s and cabbage rather than tulips

[NatureBoy]

That would be the effective date IF it makes it through the house and IF it is signed by the governor....

Senate Bill 82 (2019) - The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/00082/?Tab=VoteHistory)

The FL Senate passed it 35Y to 5N. That would seem veto proof. But it does still need to be approved by the House.

(Ugh! And now this thread has descended into politics. :blahblahblah:)

[Villageswimmer]

I like the idea of gardens. Better tomato’s and cabbage rather than tulips

Tulips don’t grow here. :)

[graciegirl]

Tulips don’t grow here. :)

I was just going to say the same thing. They have to have COLD, COLD, weather.

[Villageswimmer]

This is a very interesting development. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[JoelJohnson]

Good, now I can plant weeds, that's the only thing that I can grow anyway.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Well anyone who's interested (for serious) can learn how to grow a good looking AND functional vegetable garden here:
Vegetable Gardening in Florida Series - Gardening Solutions - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/vegetable-gardening-in-florida.html)

and regardless of the law, the deed restrictions still do allow you to have potted plants. You can grow small quantities of edible plants in decorative pots, the same website has a page dedicated to it here: Harvest as You Grow Container Gardening - Gardening Solutions - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/havest-as-you-grow-container.html)

While some might catch a complaint from a neighbor if it was growing in the flower bed on the front lawn, I'm thinking a sunny spot on the lanai wouldn't violate anything at all for a pot containing a grape tomato plant, and a couple of flowering basil plants growing in pots beside it.

[New Englander]

A vegetable garden in the front yard of TV would not look too good. Plant flowers instead.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

A vegetable garden in the front yard of TV would not look too good. Plant flowers instead.

Though, a flowering herb garden would be awesome in a modest-sized front lawn's flowerbed. Lemon balm, mints, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and more. Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, honeybees, and repels mosquitoes, aphids, and ants. And smells amazing. And - all edible.

[stan the man]

Do you think the rain will hurt the rhubarb

[queasy27]

Perhaps I avoid the landscaping forum at my peril, but the majority of comments here are from people who prefer that someone else take care of their yard work, full stop. I can't see many people, freed from restrictions, planting and caring for large veg gardens.

There are interesting legal niceties: Would the description of "local governments" override HOA requirements in individual neighborhoods? Even if TV is legally considered to be a "county, municipality, or other political subdivision," does TV enact its own "local ordinances or regulations" or does it merely (semi-randomly) enforce deed restrictions?

[Arctic Fox]

Though, a flowering herb garden would be awesome in a modest-sized front lawn's flowerbed. Lemon balm, mints, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and more. Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, honeybees, and repels mosquitoes, aphids, and ants. And smells amazing. And - all edible.

We have several herbs planted in our front garden, well away from the road, and the neighbors have been told to help themselves.

If you have a garden service, ask them not to spray insecticide etc. on the plants.

[justjim]

Haven’t read the bill but deed restrictions should definitely override the planting of a front yard garden in a deed restricted community. There may be such provisions in the bill. If you have a back yard, why would you plant a garden in your front yard anyway? As they say, “don’t worry bout it”.

[graciegirl]

Haven’t read the bill but deed restrictions should definitely override the planting of a front yard garden in a deed restricted community. There may be such provisions in the bill. If you have a back yard, why would you plant a garden in your front yard anyway? As they say, “don’t worry bout it”.

I so enjoy your sane posts.

[Arctic Fox]

...deed restrictions should definitely override the planting of a front yard garden in a deed restricted community.

Deed restrictions against having solar panels and washing lines were made null and void by similar enactments a few years ago, so maybe not.

[Two Bills]

Though, a flowering herb garden would be awesome in a modest-sized front lawn's flowerbed. Lemon balm, mints, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and more. Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, honeybees, and repels mosquitoes, aphids, and ants. And smells amazing. And - all edible.

Mint and Lemon Balm?
Those two are best kept in a container, unless you are in favor of world domination.
A pair of thugs if let loose in a garden.

[skip0358]

Gee I wonder who will plant the first corn maze ?

[ColdNoMore]

Since it's been so hard for me to find someone that can stay ahead of my weeds...I'm gonna plant wheat & soybeans.


Might as well make a few bucks off of my front yard...instead of constantly paying to maintain it.



:1rotfl:

[papasetti82]

Do you think the rain will hurt the rhubarb

Not if they are in cans.:1rotfl:

[Villageswimmer]

Haven’t read the bill but deed restrictions should definitely override the planting of a front yard garden in a deed restricted community. There may be such provisions in the bill. If you have a back yard, why would you plant a garden in your front yard anyway? As they say, “don’t worry bout it”.

Sun exposure.

[Bogie Shooter]

Well anyone who's interested (for serious) can learn how to grow a good looking AND functional vegetable garden here:
Vegetable Gardening in Florida Series - Gardening Solutions - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/vegetable-gardening-in-florida.html)

and regardless of the law, the deed restrictions still do allow you to have potted plants. You can grow small quantities of edible plants in decorative pots, the same website has a page dedicated to it here: Harvest as You Grow Container Gardening - Gardening Solutions - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/havest-as-you-grow-container.html)

While some might catch a complaint from a neighbor if it was growing in the flower bed on the front lawn, I'm thinking a sunny spot on the lanai wouldn't violate anything at all for a pot containing a grape tomato plant, and a couple of flowering basil plants growing in pots beside it.

You can grow in pots now.

[Velvet]

I planted Italian tomatoes at the back in the city once, they turned out delicious but also attracted a great number of wasps. My family always had a “kitchen garden”, herbs and spices and that did not attract insects, shallots and garlic actually repelled them.

[Bogie Shooter]

Perhaps I avoid the landscaping forum at my peril, but the majority of comments here are from people who prefer that someone else take care of their yard work, full stop. I can't see many people, freed from restrictions, planting and caring for large veg gardens.

There are interesting legal niceties: Would the description of "local governments" override HOA requirements in individual neighborhoods? Even if TV is legally considered to be a "county, municipality, or other political subdivision," does TV enact its own "local ordinances or regulations" or does it merely (semi-randomly) enforce deed restrictions?

No HOA in The Villages......

[Bogie Shooter]

More food for the wildlife....gotta be a dumb idea.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Mint and Lemon Balm?
Those two are best kept in a container, unless you are in favor of world domination.
A pair of thugs if let loose in a garden.

A raised flowerbed can be contained with brick, paver, natural stone, with a several-inch mulch barrier between the containment method and the planting. They can also be contained further within the bed so as to prevent them from spreading toward other plants in that bed. And yes of course you can plant them in pots. Lovely decorative ceramic or terracotta pots. And you can even put those pots - right on top of the flowerbed.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

We have several herbs planted in our front garden, well away from the road, and the neighbors have been told to help themselves.

If you have a garden service, ask them not to spray insecticide etc. on the plants.

:coolsmiley::clap2::highfive: Love it. Do any folks in the Villages use diatomaceous earth in and on the perimeter of beds instead of insecticides? It's a common alternative here in New England, no idea how it would fare in Florida. Climate differences and all.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Florida Lifts Ban on Front-Yard Vegetable Gardens (https://returntonow.net/2019/04/08/florida-lifts-ban-on-frontyard-vegetable-gardens/)



Anyone know how this would affect deed restrictions?

The clear exploitation of this law would be to plant corn or beans or other tall crops to create a privacy screen.

Are the "governments" of the Villages recognized as valid governmental entities by the county and state governments? If they are, then they might affect deed restrictions. If it isn't, and the term "government" is a Villages-specific designation, then no it wouldn't affect them at all.

The bill, if passed into law, would prevent the *government* from banning it. In other words, it'd be a county and town zoning thing. The town in which Fenney is located, would not be allowed to prohibit a Villager living in the Fenney portion of the Villages from planting a garden on their front lawn. But the Villages, being a private entity, might be allowed to still place the restriction within their entity-owned community.

[thetruth]

Florida Lifts Ban on Front-Yard Vegetable Gardens (https://returntonow.net/2019/04/08/florida-lifts-ban-on-frontyard-vegetable-gardens/)



Anyone know how this would affect deed restrictions?

The clear exploitation of this law would be to plant corn or beans or other tall crops to create a privacy screen.

Far as front yard vegetables. Date palms? Blueberries they actually make a nice hedge. They flower, they turn red in the fall and you get fruit-IF YOU CAN BEAT THE BIRDS.

Far as EXPLOITED LAW? WOW who would figure. Certainly not the people who use SPECIAL PARKING because not there grandma needs it. SERVICE DOGS?

As to corn? First of all you need about 6 rows of corn for it to properly pollinate. Between the CROWS and the raccoons-FAT CHANCE