Front-Yard Vegetable Garden Sparks Debate

Tomatoes, zucchini and controversy are growing in one Northbrook front yard.

After a resident complained to Village Hall about a street-side vegetable garden on Shannon Road, Alex Lyakhovetsky was told that he might have to remove it. His 69-year-old mother has planted the garden in front of the house because there's not enough sun in the backyard, he said.

Pending final word from the village board, Northbrook residents have drawn a proverbial line in the fertilized ground over whether the garden is acceptable. Northbrook Patch hit the street to gather their opinions.

David Jaimovich, a resident who also owns a farm in Wisconsin, said he knows what it's like to grow vegetables. "I don't have a problem with [the garden], as long as it's kept clean and well-fenced," he said. "As long as the animals are kept out and it's not unsightly, I think it's fine."

Several residents said they, too, worried about the potential negative consequences of a poorly kept garden in the front yard. "I wouldn't want it by me," said Susan Glazer. "If it's messy, it would attract animals."

The aesthetic value of a front-yard garden is subjective, which makes a potential ruling by the village board more difficult. Still, several residents said they preferred a tended garden to the state of other, more traditional front yards in the area.

"Some people have weeds and others have brown grass," said John and Jenny Spiggos, Northbrook parents and gardeners. "We'd much rather people have a veggie garden than an ugly yard."

Kathryn Samuelson of Glenview agreed: "As long as it's not an eyesore, they are tomatoes. It's a plant. It's her yard, so I say, let her grow."

Several residents pointed to America's standing as the "land of the free" as defense for the garden. That did not mean, however, that they were all thrilled about the idea.

"In America, she probably could [put a garden out front], but I wish she wouldn't," said Kathy from Northbrook, who declined to give her last name.

There are also those who side with the neighbors protesting in opposition. Donna Weisman is one of them.

"I think [the garden] is terrible, and I don't know why the village puts up with it," she said. "It's not a proper way to use yards. Front yards should present a good face to Northbrook. Backyards are for gardening."

For every Weisman, however, there is someone like Lynn Cohen, a mother of three and gardener herself.  "Locally grown vegetables are wonderful. Why should we be flying in oranges and tomatoes from New Zealand and other countries when she's growing veggies right here? It's her house, she should be able to grow them where she wants."

The village board plans to make a decision about the garden in a few weeks. Its  next regular meeting is Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.