I found out this week that I’m a lawbreaker. If you’re still my friend after I confessed to eating oxalis, you may want to reconsider. Don’t let me near your children; I could be a bad influence. What is my offense?
I water my garden. Yes, our town has deemed watering the garden a $200 offense. Now I am all for water conservation. Fine the people watering their grass or pressure washing their house. Turn off the decorative fountain, drive unwashed cars, take quick showers. Give out rainbarrels and educate about how to build a graywater system. But really? Fining people for growing food? I live in a rural area and I know that many of my neighbors depend on their gardens. The food in my freezer may not make or break us, but it certainly helps.
As my neighbor, Mr. Police Officer, was picking tomatoes, basil, oregano, and a green pepper from my garden for his dinner pizza, he affirmed he wouldn’t enforce this rule for gardens. So there, city council.
Inexplicable Ways 
I’m so glad you’re not letting your garden die. That kind of waste makes me so sad! My parents have a garden too, but unfortunately they live in a fairly populous area and don’t feel comfortable “breaking the law.” Oh, by the way. I was walking by a restaurant in Central last week (that would be Pickens County, after the restrictions were in place) and they were generously sprinkling their lawn and landscape with what appeared to be an automatic system. Is there some kind of out for people whose livelihood depends on it? Because I think you could certainly argue that for a home garden.
You might want to consider adding a rain barrel – it’s cheaper than a $200 fine 🙂 I found the greatest selection of products here: http://www.aquabarrel.com
My mom has a rinse bucket in her sink and saves all water that runs from her faucet rinsing stuff…..plates, cups, silverware, veggies, hands, etc. She said she gets several buckets a day and uses them to water her potted plants outside. works pretty good for her. I must admit that I am not that frugal with water but perhaps I will start that habit as the rain is not coming in my neck of the woods.
I see people EVERY DAY watering their sidewalks due to misplaced sprinklers. Arg. Over here where we live (well, OK, maybe not in OUR neighborhood but nearby) people have these crazy huge sprinkler systems that come on automatically. I have seen them running even in the rain. Bah. Fine THOSE people, not the food growers…
We are still obstinately watering our garden as well, though Jason has installed a sneaky ground soaking system. When the county decides to contribute money towards the ever-increasing price of fresh groceries, I’d be glad give in. For now, it’s fresh cucumber salad for dinner 🙂
I love my few plants outside and inside. I brought the ones on the porch in and water them a little. But since I take a quick shower of the morning and a hot tub soak at night to help me sleep, I’ve been keeping the water I soak (no soap) in the tub and yes…getting up 10 minutes earlier the next morning. I’m using this way to water the few plants, just a couple of pitchers with about 3 trips and I’m done. The plants don’t seem to mind. Recycled water!