When we consider whom a “nuisance gardener” may be we rarely lump ourselves in with this bunch of misfits. Instead it’s usually a term we save for our neighbour or pesky community member who annoys the bejeevers out of us. Yet it is conceivable that some of our garden activities may not endear us with the neighbours.
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So, before we point the finger at those who “get under our skin” let’s take a quick look at some of those pesky activities to see whether we may – perish the thought! – be considered a nuisance gardener.
The Sunday-Morning-Mowing-Nuisance-Gardener
The most hideous of all nuisance gardeners is the noise nuisance. This individual has little, or no, concern for the well-being of neighbours and insists on using the mower/blower-vac/chainsaw or other power tool first thing Sunday morning. The only nuisance who rates higher than this is one who performs these similar activities on a bank holiday. Imagine the gall!
The Boundary-Hedge-Trimming-Nuisance-Gardener
Next, but not a distant second, is the gardener who takes joy in trimming their boundary hedges only to leave their neighbour’s prunings laying in situ. While the gardener’s side of the fence looks neat and manicured the neighbours now resembles a green-waste depot.
Maybe you’re justified leaving the waste to lay there week after week because your neighbour refuses to trim their side of the hedge – but really! Is it that difficult to keep harmonious relationships?
The Foul-Wind-Fertilising-Nuisance-Gardener
I swear that most gardeners in my neighbourhood wait until the wind changes before they apply their organic fertilisers. The moment you crack open a well-earned cold beer and take a seat on the patio your skin becomes a noxious green as you gasp for breath and the odour of fertiliser envelopes the street.
Admittedly, I haven’t always checked the prevailing weather conditions before applying soil ammendments but this is one activity that will certainly wind you up as a nuisance gardener.
The View-Blocking-Tree-Growing-Nuisance-Gardener
As gardeners we’re all keen to make the most of a borrowed landscape yet not so impressed with a view-blocking landscape. A nuisance gardener is one who doesn’t consider what their landscaping activities may inhibit their neighbours from viewing. Instead they plant trees, hedges, large growing shrubs or erect landscape structures that clearly don’t promote neighbour harmony.
Most will argue that a view is a valuable commodity and hindering that outlook may cause enemies rather than develop life-long friendships.
The Nuisance-Pet-Owner
This nuisance gardener doesn’t have to be a dog, or cat, owner. Crowing roosters, threatening geese, roaming peacocks and arrogant alpacas can certainly bring the level of neighbourhood consonance to its knees. Put yourself in your neighbour’s shoes and ask the question, “If my car had become the territorial interest of my neighbour’s gander would I be removing them off the Christmas card list?”
The Smoking-Nuisance-Neighbour
Tobacco. Pot. Backyard incinerators. Regular burn-offs. Patio incense burners. Smoke, no matter the source, can strain neighbour relationships beyond burning point. It’s often an unpleasant odour that can keep neighbours indoors and label you a nuisance gardener.
In the interests of keeping friendly relationships with your neighbours it may be worth considering some of your gardening activities and assessing whether or not you may have become the nuisance gardener yourself. I’m not saying you are….just asking the question!
