The people likely to plant out their nature strips are those who already do so, with or without permission, and perhaps their neighbours, inspired by the productivity next door.

For those who accuse the only Greens parliamentarian of imposing a radical agenda on the city, they might do well to reflect that the move is in reality a softening of the rules, a lessening of the nanny state tendency that so upsets a section of the community, with or without justification. At the moment, households cannot touch the nature strip without permission, submitting detailed plans for approval. The rule change proposed by Mr Rattenbury will allow what amounts to modest development without permission, and bigger developments including bollards and irrigation with permission.

Its modesty is, in fact, the key problem with his proposal as it stands – plants over 0.5 metres are not allowed, effectively ruling out tomatoes and corn, beans and perhaps even lavender unless regularly tamed. Unless the government intends to turn a blind eye to the height rule – as it apparently does now to the ubiquitous practice of cars parked on nature strips in contravention of the law – it will surely have to rethink the height limit.

The main problem identified by critics, other than a visceral opposition to the imposition of a green agenda, is the mess and trip hazard posed by a verge garden. Mess is certainly part of vegetable gardening and for many it's a joyful part, representing the cycle of life and death which is at the heart of the pleasure we take from gardens. But equally mess is a fact of life in nature strips now. Overgrown grass, piles of construction materials, old furniture dumped in the hope someone might whisk it away, cars in various states of mechanical robustness, trailers and other vehicles, these are part and parcel of Canberra's nature strips. It is, in fact, possible that we will see an improvement in the tidiness of the city's streets if people use native grasses and bark chips rather than grass.

One of the oddities of the proposed guidelines is that they envisage the use of artificial turf, and expressly allow it if owners seek permission. That is a possibility hardly in keeping with the city's garden theme.

Given the unlikelihood of rangers policing nature strips, it will be incumbent on gardeners to be aware of neighbours' concerns. Clearance zones are important so that older people, especially, or the less mobile and people with prams or bikes feel safe using the footpath and approaching driveways. Householders should always keep in mind that the verge, no matter the work they put in and the beauty of what they grow, does not belong to them but is public land.

Not only must they ensure easy public access, they will also be banned from using chemical sprays or snail baits, to ensure the safety of pets, children and waterways.

Householders would do well to remember also that utility companies or government staff might seek access to that verge also, for pipes or maintenance work, or to look after or replant trees.