26 August 2008
On un-neighbourly thoughts
I’m supposed to be on holiday right now, or off work at least. But tightening our belts means that we have not planned to go away and this, combined with me falling behind at work thanks to being a bit poorly sick a little while ago, means that I have today been stuck at home in front of the computer trying to work with little success. I’m suffering from a major lack of motivation.
It’s not just in relation to work either. The weather is dry and the sun winks at us from time to time so I could be in the garden doing some bits and pieces. But I find myself feeling a bit disappointed with it all, to be honest. My leeks and onions have been trampled to bits by our local fox (the beds they are in just happen to be the local fox thoroughfare). My squash plants are huge and impressive and flowering profusely, but show no signs of producing fruit. My courgettes are still miles away from glut-ness. The tomatoes, as well as looking foolish thanks to my complete misunderstanding of Mr Flowerdew’s ripening instructions, appear to have blight.
I think that the main reason for the difficulties in the garden is to do with our neighbours. No, really. The house next door was empty for a long time and since new neighbours have moved in (a year ago?) they have not touched their garden at all. This means that they have a huge patch of shoulder-height grass and weeds. Worse than that are the huge conifers next to our garden that shade couple of my veg beds. We had hoped to negotiate with the new neighbours about getting rid of these monstrosities, but given that we have barely laid eyes on them this is proving to be rather difficult. A friend of mine has suggested that we sneak into their garden and poison the trees so they die. I’d like to find a solution that doesn’t involve criminal damage, but in my imagination I am a chainsaw-wielding demon. Must. Resist.
I’m sure that my end of summer flatness will not last long. I will feel much happier about both work and the garden in no time at all. But those bloody trees will still be there and the neighbours will still be like phantoms. In which case, all future gardening disasters will be attributed to them. Ner ner ne ner ner!
Yes, I feel much better now. Thank you.
Filed under: Mulch — Clare @ 2:45 pm
Possibly the neighbours are feeling overwhelmed about the conifer problem as well. It must seem like a big financial headache. If they are really unapproachable, I think the local council can do something about conifers now.
(26.08.08 @ 9:39 pm)
Glad you feel better now
Neighbors and huge trees aside;- I do think the very poor summer has not helped any-ones mood. A sense of disappointment certainly is how I feel about the garden and the veg this year.
Perhaps Lottie Wannabe is right and your new neighbors are overwhelmed by their garden and don’t know where to start. (No, no don’t make a start for them with a chain saw
)
Karen
(26.08.08 @ 10:11 pm)
Hi both – I would like to think that the neighbours are simply overwhelmed by the garden and the trees, but based on other evidence, I think they are just neglecting both the house and the garden. I will be steering clear of taking matters into my own hands, don’t worry. But I think you’re right, Karen, the downturn in the weather has not helped my humour at all. Here’s to more sunshine next year!
(27.08.08 @ 8:21 am)
The ultimate killer answer to bastard neighbours is to toss a small piece of Japanese Knotweed root into their garden. This is pretty much the Final Word in Revenge, but it has two small drawbacks:
1. It’s illegal (but who’s gonna prove you done it?)
2. Your own garden will pretty soon be swamped by the wretched plant as well as theirs.
So a kind of Pyrrhic victory, I guess. Unless you do it the day you sell up and leave.
*Grins evilly*
(27.08.08 @ 8:12 pm)
Soilman – Remind me never to get on the wrong side of you!
(28.08.08 @ 10:30 am)
When I used to work at a well known supermarket in the Construction dept, it used to cost at least £100k to get rid of that Japanese knotweed – be it a massive plant, or a small bush and I have it growing up my drive…..its evil stuff!! Depends how much you like your new neighbours…..!
I would probably start just start chopping bits off gradually, then its not that obvious….? Cat x
(28.08.08 @ 5:30 pm)
I have heavily trimmed back 70 yards of conifers for the neighbouring farmers comfort/financial benefit and it was hellishly expensive [£700], but I am required to do so. See the link to understand your rights.
http://www.gardenlaw.co.uk/trees.html
(03.09.08 @ 12:10 pm)