SCOTTDALE, Pa. -- A Westmoreland County couple is at odds with the community of Scottdale over the manner in which they're growing their garden.

Thomas Zeller and Phyllis Georgic told WTAE Channel 4 Action News reporter Jennifer Miele that the trash bags piled in the front yard of their Market Street home are stuffed with leaves, helping to insulate the ground so they can grow an estimated 3,400 pounds of vegetables year-round.

"This is a work in progress, and another two or three years, this will be nothing but a green garden, 365 days a year," Zeller said.

But the borough is more concerned with what the yard looks like now, prompting a citation to be issued for gathering rubbish.

Zeller appealed the $600 fine and was cited two more times for defects to the exterior of his house, including the roof and wood surfaces.

In the 1990s, Zeller landed in trouble with the law for growing marijuana. Police said he put a curse on Judge Gary Caruso.

"I think Judge Caruso is fabulous. What I want to make mention of, the nature of the law, to violate my rights like that tends to bring a curse on the people at large," said Zeller.

Zeller said he is a naturalist, Georgic a homeopath, both focused on healthy eating.

"Who has Russian Kale and Jerusalem artichokes in any of these properties around here?" said Georgic.

Georgic and Zeller are due in court on March 25.

UPDATE: On April 21, a judge ruled that the yard must be clean within 30 days.

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