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Mar 8, 2016 6:46 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Linda
Omaha, N.E (Zone 5b)
Always room to plant one more!
Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Nebraska Hummingbirder Houseplants Critters Allowed Container Gardener
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I raked leaves in the back yard and had to rake away from my chain-link fence and it looks tidy. I want it to continue to
look tidy as it took me awhile! Here is my question: The other side of the chain link fence is a neighbors property with
lots of leaves so I put my rake over the fence and raked them further away from the fence to hopefully keep the wind
from blowing them all back on my side, the areas I did this to are way way back in their yard where there is no lawn,
I did not do it where they have lawn....and I do not know the neighbor so I did not go to their door and ask their opinion.
Was I rude or not to rake the leaves on their side further towards their side by putting my rake over the fence to do so?
I want to find out if there is something I can put all along my side to contain their leaves in the future.
You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because they have roses!
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Mar 8, 2016 7:04 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database.
If the neighbors are fussy, or possessive, or trouble-makers, or a little crazy, you might have bought trouble, if they notice.

I have one fussy, trouble-making crazy neighbor that is hard to get along with.
Or perhaps I'm hard to get along with, when it comes to sharing access to MY yard.

I don't want to be too pessimistic or negative, but ...

Honestly, if someone messed around with anything in MY yard without asking, I would take great offense and assume that they knew they had just fired the opening shot in a war. Maybe that's just me.

But if wind blew them to the fence before, it will probably blow them right back again.
Hopefully before they notice, or hopefully they will be more understanding than I would be.

Sorry, but I'm very possessive of every square foot in my (tiny) yard.
Maybe "territorial" is a better word. Like a mean dog!

If you asked first, I MIGHT not mind a LOT, but I've learned to not try to "share" garden space, even with a Significant Other.

Since leaves will blow back, is there any long-term solution other than the neighbors raking up all their leaves? Which I guess they don't want to do.

Would it be enough to keep their leaves from blowing THROUGH the fence? You could weave plastic Venetian Blind slats through the bottom few feet of the chain-link to block things from blowing through it. That might also hide their leaf-pile.

My attitude towards neighbors is that I would rather one left a note or made a phone call, rather than just appearing at my door unexpected. I would try to discuss it with them before doing things IN their yard again. They might well consider it trespassing, and might even be right.

Or, if they are very reasonable people, "what harm was done? Forget about it."

Having lived in New Jersey for too long, I don't assume reasonable neighbors.
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Mar 8, 2016 8:31 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Linda
Omaha, N.E (Zone 5b)
Always room to plant one more!
Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Nebraska Hummingbirder Houseplants Critters Allowed Container Gardener
Cat Lover Butterflies Bookworm Birds Garden Ideas: Level 1
Rick, thanks for taking out time to post your honest opinion, I appreciate the honesty. It is a elderly lady that lives there, and wish I
had time and energy to rake for her. I do like your idea about weaving Venetian blinds idea. I was thinking earlier about knocking on her
door to ask her but felt odd about it, like I thought of her as a bad neighbor or her thinking I was being way picky. Guess I could just rake
all through the next few weeks (good exercise anyway) and get healthier!
You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because they have roses!
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Mar 8, 2016 8:45 PM CST
Name: Cheryl
North of Houston TX (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Greenhouse Plant Identifier Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Plumerias Ponds
Foliage Fan Enjoys or suffers hot summers Tropicals Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
I clean up the grass area on the side of the yard that my neighbor's and I share. I also blow off most of their driveway while I am at it. They never thank me but they don't tell me to go away, either. I can't keep their leaves off my side of the yard so I clean up the entire side of the yard of leaves. But I also leave some leaves for them to rake, too.

I think if you can't or unable to clean your neighbor's yard for the sake of your own, I think blocking the leaves would be your best bet.
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh
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Mar 8, 2016 9:04 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database.
I'm very glad you weren't offended, Linda.

Maybe there is some fabric or net that would look better than weaving blinds through the chain-link ... or maybe there is a commercial product that works better than blinds' slats. I've seen chain-link fences that had been made into "privacy" fence with that weaving.

>> I was thinking earlier about knocking on her door to ask her but felt odd about it, like I thought of her as a bad neighbor or her thinking I was being way picky.

I agree - that's a delicate negotiation, and you want to stay on good terms even if you've never spoken yet. And since she is older, I bet she's sensitive about requests that she can't do anymore because of her age. I am, anyway!

It's too big an area for you to volunteer to rake ... if someone loaned you a leaf blower, is the slope or some windy days such that you might be able to wait until all the leaves are down, and the wind is in the right quarter, that you could blow most of them somewhere they won't blow back to your fence?

Or blow them into a compost heap and then share the compost?

IF something like that was possible, you COULD lead up to it with a phone call asking if you can come over to drop off some flowers or vegetables and introduce yourself. I think that older people expect that from neighbors more than the most recent few generations expect it.

If she's welcoming, do it again a time or two before bringing up the subject of leaves in a roundabout way.

If she "knows you" and knows you're not a complaining sort, she might be very grateful for any small things you can help her with ... and then blowing leaves around would hardly be noticed.

Of course, she might turn out to have too many requests if you start down that path ...
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Mar 8, 2016 9:34 PM CST
Name: Betty
MN zone 4b
Frogs and Toads Birds Hummingbirder Irises Lilies Peonies
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Linda, they have fence weaving products that are strips made for chain link fences to provide privacy. I think they would last much longer and look nicer than blinds which get brittle in the sun and break. Just google privacy weaving for chain link fences, they come in different colors.
If you want to be happy for a lifetime plant a garden!
Faith is the postage stamp on our prayers!
Betty MN Zone4 AHS member

Last edited by daylilydreams Mar 9, 2016 9:57 AM Icon for preview
Avatar for delab
Mar 9, 2016 4:44 AM CST
Name: Paul
Madison, IN (Zone 6a)
just a thought, if you have difficulty raking the leaves, for whatever reason, you might contact a girl scout or boy scout troop. They are generally looking to have good deeds and community service hours. the same for some of the high schools, many have community service hours necessary for graduation. they will rake the yard if she's not able to and do it with a smile.

If anyone wants to rake and/or mow my lawn, please feel free to do so. I'll even provide the rake or mower.
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Mar 9, 2016 5:35 AM CST
Name: Pat (Backward Glance)
Lucketts, VA
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You might find that the rolls of deer fencing would do the trick. The mesh is just about invisible and the holes are small enough to stop most leaves from blowing through to your side. It is inexpensive and easy to work with.
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Mar 9, 2016 7:54 AM CST
Name: Sally
Nichols, iowa (Zone 5a)
Charter ATP Member Birds Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Vegetable Grower Peonies Lilies
Irises Region: Iowa Dog Lover Daylilies Cat Lover Butterflies
Linda,
The weaving is a good idea, but I'm with Pat. Much easier to put a second fence on your side. It's amazing what those foot tall rolls of green fencing will keep out too. I had them along the property line to keep the neighbor from shooting his weeds out of his mower into my flower bed. It also stymied another neighbor's small dog because he couldn't jump it, lol!

BTW, I've been known to do what you did as long as it doesn't cause any problems to the neighbor.
A small town has no secrets except itself
Avatar for Frillylily
Mar 9, 2016 9:34 AM CST
Missouri (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Identifier
the fact that your neighbor is elderly most likely means she cannot do it herself, she will not mind if you do and even still you ARE neighbors and you should knock on the door sometime and meet her and talk. I know you are busy, but neighbors are important and further she may not have anyone around regular and sad but true 'checking' on her may end up being a neighbors responsibility. Many times it is a neighbor that realizes something is wrong next door. She really probably does not care at all about what happens to the leaves and you are most likely fretting away about nothing. Just ask her if you can rake them back from the fence line, tell her you are worried about the leaves piling up and keeping moisture on the fence and making it rust. That way you have a real reason, and it sounds like you are doing it for the fence... the key is to not make it sound like you are doing it for *her* because sometimes people don't like to be helped or feel like they can't do it themselves.
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Mar 9, 2016 12:56 PM CST
Name: aud/odd
Pennsylvania (Zone 6b)
Garden Ideas: Level 1
She may not mind. I agree with what has been recommended talk to her and if that does not work out get something to block them But remember leaves are garden gold.

I have a lot of leaves but I would have probably have been over there asking her if she mind if I gathered them up for my garden. I gather probably 30 bags a week of leaves and pine needles in the fall and still have so many leaves when it rains and snow comes that I cannot get out of the yard.
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Mar 9, 2016 2:24 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
"Honestly, if someone messed around with anything in MY yard without asking, I would take great offense and assume that they knew they had just fired the opening shot in a war. Maybe that's just me."

Nope, not just you, Rick... Glare

All I can think about as far as the leaves go is compost!! If I couldn't rake them up myself (after talking to the neighbor, or course), and could get someone else to do it for free, I'd have them brought to me. Those leaves will turn into garden gold -- making compost is the best thing that ever happened to my plants. Smiling
โ€œThink occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
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Mar 9, 2016 4:14 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database.
Lots of good ideas here.
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Mar 9, 2016 4:55 PM CST
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- ๐ŸŒน (Zone 8b)
Region: United States of America Houseplants Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Sages Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
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I would LOVE if the neighbors' leaves blew onto my property. I never have enough leaves for mulch/composting!! Nobody bags leaves here so I can't drive around and get more to bring home. I miss being able to do that!

If you leave them along the fence, and they get matted down well, nothing will grow there, so you can probably mow without needing a string trimmer around the fence.
The golden rule: Do to others only that which you would have done to you.
๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜‚ - SMILE! -โ˜บ๐Ÿ˜Žโ˜ปโ˜ฎ๐Ÿ‘ŒโœŒโˆžโ˜ฏ
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Mar 9, 2016 5:00 PM CST
Name: Sally
Nichols, iowa (Zone 5a)
Charter ATP Member Birds Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Vegetable Grower Peonies Lilies
Irises Region: Iowa Dog Lover Daylilies Cat Lover Butterflies
Sandy,
It helps to know your neighbor. We have one we help and have asked first. She's OK with it because she has no tools and is never home. Our other neighbor, we go into their back yard, across the alley to pick up walnuts that fell off our tree. To fix the worst of that, we cut the branches off that over hang, but they still fall and bounce. She's OK with that, She's a widow and we've grown up with her kids.

I am possessive of my yard too, but will allow some things. Third neighbor has good kids. Their ball rolls into my yard, they stay on the paths and carefully retrieve it. If it goes in the flower bed they leave it. I'll toss it back later.

I guess I live in a pretty good spot :o)
A small town has no secrets except itself
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Mar 9, 2016 6:41 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Sally, that sounds like a very neighborly neighborhood! Thumbs up
โ€œThink occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
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Mar 9, 2016 7:18 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database.
Another advantage of getting to know neighbors:

I have two people on one side of my house, both are even older than I am and handicapped. It's so painful for them to stand that they actively AVOID anyone talking to them outside (they would have to stand up during the conversation). But I got to know them a little anyway and offered flowers.

Always assumed I might have to help them out if they had some physical accident.

Well, one day I was shaky on MY feet but tried to pull a weed whose roots were stronger than my legs were steady.

I did a comical back-flip and smacked my spine hard against the driveway, while my head missed a concrete raised bed wall by about one skinny inch. My brains would have splattered.

I was still lying there, gathering my composure and strength to stand back up when the old gent limped over to make sure I was conscious and breathing.

Good neighbor!

(Even if he DID hire an idiot to spray persistent herbicide everywhere on his property and drifted into mine. he can't weed, hence the persistent herbicide.)
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Mar 9, 2016 7:47 PM CST
Name: Bob
Vernon N.J. (Zone 6b)
Aquarium Plants Bookworm Snakes Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Heucheras
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Try having my mothers neighbor who calls the police when leaves fall in her yard. She says trees are dirty filthy things and has cut down everyone on her property and wants all her neighbors to do the same so no leaves get on hers.
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Mar 9, 2016 7:51 PM CST
Name: Deb
Planet Earth (Zone 8b)
Region: Pacific Northwest Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
I was pleasantly surprised, and more than a little bit ashamed of myself, when our (then) new neighbors brought ME a freshly baked warm loaf of bread shortly after they moved in. Should have been the other way around. Nevertheless, it worked wonders - we had years of a very pleasant relationship. It really doesn't take much effort.
I want to live in a world where the chicken can cross the road without its motives being questioned.
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Mar 9, 2016 7:59 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database.
NJBob said:Try having my mothers neighbor who calls the police when leaves fall in her yard. She says trees are dirty filthy things and has cut down everyone on her property and wants all her neighbors to do the same so no leaves get on hers.


Thumbs down Confused Thumbs down

My neighbor on the OTHER side has also killed everything she could, and paid people to come in and take down healthy trees. I got more sun, but would have preferred the trees!

At least the police won't be very motivated to solve the case if SOMEONE grinds her up into your compost heap. I mean, really, it could have been ANYONE, right?

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