Give Me Liberty or Give Me… Code Enforcement?: Weeds and Pests in the Stewardship Garden
- Andrew Hedman
- Jul 30
- 5 min read
This most recent Independence Day (known to most as July 4th) I could not help but reflect on the famous words from Revolutionary Patrick Henry, “Give Me Liberty, Or Give Me Death!”
Ironically, earlier this year we received a code enforcement letter in the mail for our yard. The way it was written it sounded like an inspector happened by our yard and gave us the citation. When I called asking for an explanation of what needed fixing within the given time period, he explained a neighbor must have called us in. I was intrigued because neither he nor I knew exactly what the problem was. Given none of my subdivision neighbors had a conversation with me about my yard, I was left to my own thoughts and wonderings. I thought maybe it was due to the dandelion seed heads having grown long due to my being too busy to make them a top priority... maybe? Well, two days prior to my calling the inspector I mowed our lawn. Upon explaining this, the inspector said if things looked good when he stopped by he would clear it.
Given I haven't heard anything since, it seems our yard passed inspection.
I write this after having been battling two species of non-native thistles in my yard for quite some time. The past few years I have either pulled them, or dead-headed them when I have seen them in flower. This year I have done the same but more aggressively and frequently. Soon, I will likely start spraying the ones that aren’t near our treasured natives we have planted (or our pond!). Unlike dandelions, these thistles are an obvious problem as one is officially a noxious weed and both species are invasive. I do have a third (also invasive) but that has been much easier to manage, I pull it (or cut it at the base) when I see it and it seems to stay away.
At this point, I have noted at least 21 invasive plant species I have seen in our yard, according to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Thankfully it seems I have eradicated one of those. Phew! If you venture over to their list of invasive species in the Chicago region, dandelions aren’t on that list. They don’t harm our local ecosystems, meaning they are merely a nuisance to those who choose to dedicate energy to it, and they do no real harm.
On July 3rd while I was driving home from a client’s, I noticed hundreds and hundreds of invasive species like Canada Thistle, Teasel, and Wild Parsnip. At the time the Canada Thistle and Teasel were going to seed. After seeing all these invasives on various government properties actively going to seed, I couldn’t help but think back to the code enforcement letter we received. The fine for noncompliance? $500 – per day! How strange someone in my neighborhood called the government on me, potentially putting my family under severe financial pressure and harm, when that same individual should have been calling our local governments.
After all, if we are unsatisfied with our government, can we simply stop paying taxes or fine them to enforce compliance? No – we would go to jail! Yet, We the People are in charge. Our option is to vote for individuals we can only hope to do a better job. Sadly, what many don’t realize is that our local governments often don’t have the resources to maintain our natural areas. Invasive species in our forest preserves are so rampant our forestry and park district staffs are undermanned and underfunded; they rely heavily on volunteers to help knock back serious problem species. Sadly, many citizens would rather see vast expanses of neatly manicured lawns that don’t do anything other than get mowed every week – how sad. Those resources would be put to better use maintaining our natural areas as true natural areas – supporting our wildlife and strained pollinator populations while providing beautiful and healthy retreats within a few minute walk or drive. Or perhaps another option, providing a space for people to grow their own food rather than import it thousands of miles – or even worse, across oceans?
The American People have been sold the idea for decades that life in the suburbs and home ownership is the epitome of “The American Dream”, the achievement of ultimate personal freedom and wealth! Yet, in my experience, I can only conclude life in the suburbs is an awkward combination of both liberty and tyrrany, or capitalism and fascism. On one hand we in the suburbs have the liberty to own land and somewhat enjoy our privacy and “self government” – away from the incredibly dense populations of urban areas and metropolises. On the other, we are expected to comply with societal expectations and rules from HOAs or laws from municipalities or sometimes states that in many cases are unnecessary.
For many, we are oppressed by this odd ideal to have pristine, neatly manicured lawns - or else! As a society, the stereotypical lawn is a comfort as it is something we simply have been used to for generations. Given its status as a wealth-symbol, well-maintained lawns are often expected! The thought of a maintained “natural area” in a yard or garden freaks people out. As a society we have been brainwashed to think these “unkempt” areas promote pests and are hazardous. How strange that an individual will fear that the same homeowner who mows their lawn every week or two won’t upkeep their garden after converting it to native plants to support pollinators, butterflies, and birds. I refer to studies below which show that areas with more biodiversity are healthier, more resilient, and have fewer pests such as ticks or mice. In ecology this is known as the Dilution Effect.
I have often witnessed mice scurry along floors of buildings that are surrounded by acres of dirt with the occasional shrub. The “fewer pests” argument is one I'm not buying. Lush, naturalized spaces attract the predators of nuisance pests. Here’s a convenient quote from Dr. Ostfeld who wrote on this very topic: “Recent field studies in Indiana and Illinois indicate that population densities of white-footed mice are considerably higher in forest patches than in continuous forest, and that mouse density tends to be inversely correlated with patch size.”
Historically, wealthy individuals didn’t have lawn just to have lawn, it was an athletic area. They often also had operational farms or workshops on their properties. Wealth in the 1700s didn’t mean one could sit-back, relax, and eat Cheetos on the sofa watching the television. Wealth often meant acquiring the ability to hire other people to work for you, usually resulting in the increase of production. Even the pleasure palace of Versailles in France also had land set aside as a hunting reserve.
If we Americans are truly going to pursue the American Dream, we should be allowed the freedom to manage our yards as desired within reason. For any who may have to offer a defense for their beautiful yard, I offer the following stories and resources:
A: Couple in Maryland wins lawsuit to keep native plants
B: laws in IL
b1: Garden Act
b2: Homeowner's Native Landscaping Act
C: studies showing biodiverse areas are more disease and pest resistant
c1: Myths re: Naturalized Gardens and Pests
c2: Dilution Effects in Disease Ecology
c3: Biodiversity, Community Ecology, and the Dilution Effect, Dr. Richard Ostfeld
RESOURCES:
Chicago Botanic Garden Invasive Species List
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