Try living green in the city

[sugarbush]

It's a struggle because the neighbors can't mind there own business. Got a letter in the mail today from code enforcment because of weeds over 12" high.......well what they are calling weeds are raspberry bushes that I planted......I read the code and it states that decorative and crop plants are exempt. Time to call the code enforcer and appeal. I think I will let my lawn grow out as it is all clover and I raise bees, so I can call it my honey crop I try hard to stay under the radar as I am riding a really fine line with the bees and the Laying Ducks. The neighbors are mad about the compost bin, but that was given to me by the city and the rain barrels too...... They are really reasonable, but the code is open for interpretation so they can get you on anything if you get on there bad side.......

[njmama]

Fence

[Vanne]

Yup. A good fence!

[katydidagain]

You have ducks? I keep threatening to put a chicken tractor in my front yard but haven't yet; I'd be busted for sure. My composters came from the county so I'm safe on that. Fences work for me; nobody complains about my jungle but, then again, I live in a house zoned commercial and anything green is considered "precious".

[sugarbush]

Yeah I have ducks in a duck tractor. One of my neighbors is the city health inspector and he came over to see my ducks.....said that he has run chickens out of town, but didn't think he had any footing with ducks unless they became a nusiance. I want to put up a privacy fence to replace the chainlink, but my wife is opposed to it so we are working on planting a hedge of blackberries. I wanted to sod my roof last year...the city did not know what to say

[Ford8N]

Originally Posted by sugarbush

I think I will let my lawn grow out as it is all clover and I raise bees,

No wonder you are having problems. What you need to do is move out to the country so that you can plant whatever you want and have whatever critters you like.

You have heard about city folks moving to the country, then complaining about the farms and the smells associated with them or people who move near the airport and complain about the noise. Your situation is similar, or maybe 180 degrees from it. You are a square peg in a round hole and need to move or you will be constantly be bucking the system and P.O.ing your city neighbors.

[Siryet]

There is a good article about a woman and her husband living in the city and being "Green" in the latest issue of Countryside and small stock journal or just Countryside magazine

[sugarbush]

If we moved out of the city we would be increasing our personal dependancy on forign oil. I would rather fight this local battle than contribute more to the need of forign fuels.

[Beeman]

It is actually easier to live simpler in a low rent part of a city than in a rural area. It just sounds to me like you have the wrong neighbors or you're trying to do this in the wrong part of town.

[Sonshe]

But what if you can't move? What if you're "stuck" in the city? And, please, don't tell me I have an option. I've checked them out. And again. And again. Now I'm retired, in fairly poor health, and live alone. It would be extremely difficult to move back to the country where -- in my mind -- I belong and where I lived until my husband died. So I make-do with what I have. Sure wish, though, I could have some chickens!

[texican]

Originally Posted by Sonshe

But what if you can't move? What if you're "stuck" in the city?

I think Abe Lincoln ended slavery...

There are quite a few folks that don't get around as good as they use too, living out here in the country.

Personally, I'm glad we have cities... otherwise I'd have more folks living out here wanting to be my neighbor...

[katydidagain]

Originally Posted by Sonshe

But what if you can't move? What if you're "stuck" in the city? And, please, don't tell me I have an option. I've checked them out. And again. And again. Now I'm retired, in fairly poor health, and live alone. It would be extremely difficult to move back to the country where -- in my mind -- I belong and where I lived until my husband died. So I make-do with what I have. Sure wish, though, I could have some chickens!

Don't let anyone tell you what to do or make you feel less because you say you can't move; you know your limitations. I too am stuck in the city. I am not retired and am physically able to "do it" but life sometimes dictates where we "land" or so I have found. I may be moving, reluctantly, back home to 3 very neglected, deer infested acres to care for my 88 year old father, who knows how to hatch chicks, raise them and has no qualms about sending them to freezer camp, lives. Sounds good, right? I'd much rather have my own place but, again, sometimes life sends us where we don't plan to end up.

[vickiesmom]

Originally Posted by sugarbush

It's a struggle because the neighbors can't mind there own business. Got a letter in the mail today from code enforcment because of weeds over 12" high.......well what they are calling weeds are raspberry bushes that I planted......I read the code and it states that decorative and crop plants are exempt. Time to call the code enforcer and appeal. I think I will let my lawn grow out as it is all clover and I raise bees, so I can call it my honey crop I try hard to stay under the radar as I am riding a really fine line with the bees and the Laying Ducks. The neighbors are mad about the compost bin, but that was given to me by the city and the rain barrels too...... They are really reasonable, but the code is open for interpretation so they can get you on anything if you get on there bad side.......

Maybe you should try rabbits...here it is sort of a grey area..some cops will give you a ticket..some won't. Depends on how many you keep...and if you have a 4 H-er all the better because they leave you alone...assuming that after the fair they will be sold at market... I have a friend who lives in Detroit and keeps chickens and baby pigs until they are slaughtering size.

[texican]

Originally Posted by katydidonce

I may be moving, reluctantly, back home to 3 very neglected, deer infested acres to care for my 88 year old father,

Katy, deer infestation eh? He isn't in E. tx by any chance? I've got a sure fire remedy for those kind of infestations!!!

[katydidagain]

Originally Posted by texican

Katy, deer infestation eh? He isn't in E. tx by any chance? I've got a sure fire remedy for those kind of infestations!!!

No, he's in what once was "the country" about 12 miles from the District of Columbia border so you can't shoot nuttin' there. I can walk within 15' of those "rats" but can't do a darned thing! They must know it because they're absolutely fearless. I've been charged by a buck and "stomped and snorted" back until he lost interest; I generally come across does and fawns. If I could get close enough, I swear I'd strangle Bambi!

[jen74145]

Originally Posted by katydidonce

No, he's in what once was "the country" about 12 miles from the District of Columbia border so you can't shoot nuttin' there. I can walk within 15' of those "rats" but can't do a darned thing! They must know it because they're absolutely fearless. I've been charged by a buck and "stomped and snorted" back until he lost interest; I generally come across does and fawns. If I could get close enough, I swear I'd strangle Bambi!

I'm sure you've thought of this, but... is it just guns that are illegal? Might look into picking up a bow one of these days if that's allowed...

BTW, I live in a no-shooting area too. Going to trap that bleepity-bleep possum and set him loose in the next city council meeting, I tell ya.

[Selena]

Originally Posted by katydidonce

No, he's in what once was "the country" about 12 miles from the District of Columbia border so you can't shoot nuttin' there. I can walk within 15' of those "rats" but can't do a darned thing! They must know it because they're absolutely fearless. I've been charged by a buck and "stomped and snorted" back until he lost interest; I generally come across does and fawns. If I could get close enough, I swear I'd strangle Bambi!

Read up on the local rules - in my area, it is legal to shoot a deer you believe has CWD. Of course it might not be as bad of an issue in that area but there just *might* be some disease that would justify it. Is bow hunting allowed? Our former village does not allow gun hunting within the village (the village idiots would be in danger, trust me) but bows are legit during the state bow season.

[Selena]

Originally Posted by sugarbush

It's a struggle because the neighbors can't mind there own business. Got a letter in the mail today from code enforcment because of weeds over 12" high.......well what they are calling weeds are raspberry bushes that I planted......I read the code and it states that decorative and crop plants are exempt. Time to call the code enforcer and appeal. I think I will let my lawn grow out as it is all clover and I raise bees, so I can call it my honey crop I try hard to stay under the radar as I am riding a really fine line with the bees and the Laying Ducks. The neighbors are mad about the compost bin, but that was given to me by the city and the rain barrels too...... They are really reasonable, but the code is open for interpretation so they can get you on anything if you get on there bad side.......

Check your ordinances (state as well as local) as there might be a rule against non-stop harassment such as what your not-so-smart "neighbors" seem to be doing. And do buy a weed book as well as a fruit/vegetable book so it is in black and white (color is nice though) as to what constitutes a weed. Why, I bet the neighbors have CRABGRASS or other noxius weeds except they'd call a lawn service and poison everything.

[katydidagain]

I have done some reading. Bows are possibly allowed but you have to hire a professional through the County; they take the spoils and charge you for the pleasure. (Houses have been built very close so it's questionable.) STBX did take out a doe a few years ago with a 22; not sure if it was in season or not but that was definitely illegal. (He earned expert marksmen during Vietnam so I trusted him to shoot the excess squirrels and pigeons plus rats here in the city--I kinda miss him for that!) Much as I hate these things, I didn't go immediately to check it out. When I did, she was gone!

My father, H, brother and DS went off hunting for her knowing that if she were found "wounded" there'd be an investigation. 2 hours later they found her--quite dead. We hadn't a clue what to do with the carcass. Fortunately, BIL is a chef! Unfortunately, he took his sweet time coming over to cut up the spoils. We had a few bits from the hind and the rest was carefully buried in the woods. Shhhhhh!

[Vanne]

I agree to check ordinances. In my city there is a variance to allow your lawn to go to seed. Rabbits are not considered livestock and are permitted if they are not considered a nuisance. There is no regulation regarding compost bins/piles. Lawns can be anything up to 6" tall - clover would be just fine. Bee keeping is unregulated.

Fences make good neighbors. Hedges make good neighbors. Stay in contact with the zoning inspector tyoe people and make sure your neighbors will never have a leg to stand on.

Good luck!