Homeowners Cited for Illegal Gardening: Orlando Couple Fight for the Right to Grow Food

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The Helvenstons' residential neighborhood is largely comprised of rental homes, which they say are often maintained to a barely attractive state. By contrast, many neighbors say they enjoy the Helvenston garden.
The Helvenstons' residential neighborhood is largely comprised of rental homes, which they say are often maintained to a barely attractive state. By contrast, many neighbors say they enjoy the Helvenston garden.
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 In a war on gardens, Jason and Jennifer Helvenston have been cited by the City of Orlando for not keeping their front yard garden in a
 In a war on gardens, Jason and Jennifer Helvenston have been cited by the City of Orlando for not keeping their front yard garden in a "clean," "finished" state, choosing instead to grow beans, greens and other vegetables. 
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Several large trees block sunlight from the Helvenstons' backyard, causing them to choose a site in their front yard to grow vegetables. 
Several large trees block sunlight from the Helvenstons' backyard, causing them to choose a site in their front yard to grow vegetables. 

Jason and Jennifer Helvenston didn’t set out to be
revolutionaries. Their small house in urban Orlando is located on a street comprised
mainly of unkempt rentals. They stand out, however, because in front of their
home is a vegetable garden, overflowing with chard, beans, tomatoes and greens.
But now that garden is in jeopardy. They were told to remove it by Nov. 7 or

  • Published on Nov 15, 2012
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