March 28, 2024

West Des Moines council to consider veggie ban

WEST DES MOINES (AP) — The West Des Moines City Council soon may consider a proposal to bar residents from planting vegetables in their front yards.

Tasty produce may come from such plantings, but the plants can’t always compete aesthetically with manicured lawns, flowers or other landscaping mainstays.

Iowa State University Extension horticulturist Richard Jauron told The Des Moines Register that homes in established neighborhoods might be too shady for a backyard garden. But, he says, officials must consider the wishes of all residents.

City Council member Kevin Trevillyan says he’s uncomfortable pursuing the front-yard-garden ban, saying he struggles with where the council could “draw the line on property owner rights.”

Mayor Steve Gaer has asked staffers to come up with specific alternatives to a blanket ban.