Finding Contentment

Appeal to the city to use water

Because of a region-wide drought, our city has been on mandatory water restrictions for some time. Toward the end of the summer, we went to level three restrictions, which means no watering outside for any reason. These restrictions are expected to continue throughout the 2008 year.

So how does one grow a vegetable garden if they can't water it?

Today I e-mailed some city officials to ask them amend the ban so that it did not include vegetable gardens. I really didn't expect to hear anything back, but was surprised and elated that they have decided to research the subject and at least think about it.

Here is the letter I wrote followed by the response I received from the city manager. I have cut names down to just initials and have omitted or replaced my city's name for safety purposes. "Mr. M" refers to the Public Works (water) director.

Dear Mayor, City Councilmen, and Mr. M,

Every year many (of our city’s) families depend on vegetables gardens on their property to provide them with nutritious, and often organic, food. With the spring planting season fast approaching, my husband and I are greatly concerned. To our knowledge, current water restrictions do not allow residents to water any gardens, despite the fact that many people depend on them for food. Watering a large vegetable garden with buckets is not an option as it would take all day to do so.

Many families, including our own, depend on their vegetable gardens not only to provide nutritious food during the planting season, but throughout the year. Fresh vegetables can be preserved through drying, canning and freezing, providing nutritious, organic food for the entire year.

We completely understand the concern over our region's lack of water, and have been trying to conserve as much as possible. We have no intentions of watering any ornamental plants or flowers gardens, or our lawn.

But we do ask that the city look into amending its water restrictions to allow for the watering of vegetable gardens. Without vegetable gardens, many families will be forced to do without fresh vegetables this year. At the very least, they may be forced to buy vegetables that have been loaded down with chemicals and pesticides because they cannot grow their own organically. Having to buy vegetables instead of grow them could also place a financial hardship on many families.

Please consider allowing (our city's) residents to water vegetable gardens.

Thank you,

Barbara J.

Ms. J,

I think you raise an interesting argument and have framed it in a very compelling way.  I have asked Mr. Melton to look into this further and formulate a recommendation to me.  We also need to discuss it with our sister City because we are in this together with them and are trying to avoid citizen confusion by having different regulations for the two cities.  Once Mr. M has had a chance to examine your inquiry he will respond back to you.  Once Mr. M has researched the matter, I will also be soliciting additional input from our Mayor and City Council.

Thanks for raising the issue.

Mike L.

City Manager

Untitled Comment

06:25 PM, Tuesday, January 22, 2008 .. Posted by Citygal

Isn't democracy great!! I think it's so awesome that you can write to your city leaders and they will use common sense and respond to your concerns.
Have you tried mulching? I come from an area of NZ that is prone to drought, and a very experienced gardener told me that she only waters once a week as she lays straw and hay all around her vegetables, gives them a water once a week, and the mulch holds the moisture. I don't have any personal experience of this (I'm a baby gardener), but thought I'd mention it anyway.
We have heard all the way down under here about the drought you all are experiencing over there, and the city mayors calling for prayer. You are blessed that they at least turn to God in times of distress. I don't think they'd do that here in NZ.
Rachel

Untitled Comment

06:33 PM, Tuesday, January 22, 2008 .. Posted by morningsunshine

I do hope they allow it. I think that the polite and respectful way you worded your letter also helped your cause - they did not feel on the defensive immediatly. good luck on this.

Your Letter

09:30 PM, Tuesday, January 22, 2008 .. Posted by Patty

Great letter and it certainly looks like they will take your concerns into consideration. Many of us would be lost without our gardens. We save rain water, but with no rain, thats not much help.

35 carnival

03:18 PM, Monday, January 28, 2008 .. Posted by AbiBuening

You have an article posted in the 35 Homestead carival this week. View it at: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/teaching4Him/85175/

hi

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