The city has ordered a Kanata couple to move or tear down part of their front-lawn garden by July 30, but they have no plans to budge.

"We're not moving it," said Shannon Lough, who bought the house with her partner Will Needham in September. Lough said Neeham plans to sit defiantly in his garden July 30.

The couple was told there had been a complaint and was given the option of moving their garden back six-to-eight feet. According to Lough, that's not an option as the plants wouldn't get the sunlight needed and the current garden's spot will remain as a brown patch.

"They're not going to give us new grass ... is (brown patch) better? I don't think so."

Bylaw chief Roger Chapman said in an e-mail enforcements are carried out on a complaint basis for public safety and implications for road maintenance work.

Failure to comply could result in the work being done by the city at the property owner's expense with additional fines. The bylaw does not provide for an appeal process, nor is there such a requirement in the enabling legislation, Chapman said.

#KanataSouth resident who complained about our garden. What did it do to you? Is it noisy? Is it too fresh for you? pic.twitter.com/M3Hk5mSDx3 — Shannon (@salough) July 6, 2015

The garden currently has strawberries, kale, tomatoes, bell peppers and more.

Lough said it adds a "community-type of feeling" to the neighbourhood and others are upset by the city's order.

"I can't imagine anyone complaining ... they've been watching it grow."