Decorah group lobbying for rules allowing gardens on city boulevards

A curbside garden in Decorah

A group calling itself "Decorah Urban Gardens" is asking the City of Decorah to revise its ordinances so that people could use their adjoining boulevard property for gardens.

Under current city ordinances, the growing of fruits, vegetables and herbs is not specifically allowed.  Decorah Urban Gardens is asking that a clause be inserted in city ordinances to allow such practices.

City Council member Steve Matter praised the idea: "People could stop mowing their lawns and we could all have vegetables."

But some city officials say the curbside gardens might interfere with city utilities, which use the boulevard property.  The city Utilities committee, which Matter chairs, will meet soon to discuss the issues.