As urban gardens become more popular, more and more people are rethinking their courtyards and turning them into gardens with a mixture of flowers and fruits and vegetables.
Bethany Pratt, horticultural agent in the Jefferson County office, UK Cooperative Extension Service, recently hosted a webinar on how to make this change without fines or annoying neighbors.
“In really urban areas like Louisville, we often see people receiving notifications, fines, or other quotes for the look of their yard or garden,” she said. “Why this happens in general is due to aesthetic differences.”
Pratt said that anyone thinking about gardening in a more publicly visible area of their lawn, like a front yard or a back yard, can take some steps to ensure the experience goes smoothly.
“Take a walk around your neighborhood and find out what the aesthetic of the neighborhood is,” said Pratt. “Especially for fruit and vegetables in the front yard. Figure out how that fits into the aesthetic so you have that beautiful picture walking down your street. “
Some municipalities have a complaint-based enforcement system. If there are rules and regulations about what can be done in a yard, a neighbor must complain about the situation before action is taken.
A neighbor will complain less about the situation when they know the gardener, and the garden will be well planned and neatly presented, she said.
“If you know your neighbors and what they like and what their yards look like, and if they like you as a person, even if your yard looks a little different than maybe every other yard on the street, it’s probably less likely they complain when they know you, ”said Pratt.
Owensboro resident Shirley Lambert has a lifelong love of gardening and it is a passion that has led her and her husband Starling to gradually expand their home garden to the front, back and side yards of the house they have been for 42 years share .
While she prefers to focus on flowering plants rather than foods like fruits and vegetables, Lambert says she likes the pop of color her garden offers. The spacious gardens didn’t cause her any grief, she said.
“I’ve never had a problem with someone saying they didn’t like anything I had or anything,” she said on Friday.
Lambert walked through the well-labeled, brick-lined flower beds in her house, telling new gardeners to stay away from hanging baskets, which are pretty but labor-intensive.
“They think I want to start gardening, so I’ll buy a big, nice hanging basket. too much commitment, ”she said. “You have to water it every day.”
Lambert said that while her flower beds take a lot of time and work, there is nowhere she would rather be than in her own garden.
Pratt said that those who want to plant some vegetables in a more visible area of their yard can add some flowers in the garden as well. This way, the sole focus is not on the vegetables and the flowers also ensure good pollination.
“It’s really important to take the time to think about the color, texture, and flowering time to make your garden more ascetic,” she said.
Those new to gardening can start small thinking about how to expand their home garden over time.
“Do a few things at once, but keep that big face card in mind,” she said. Plan to work overtime and that way you acclimate people to the difference. “
