Annie G Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Dh and I went shopping for new mattresses...yay! Had a lovely day, and pulled in the driveway to see our neighbor in my hosta bed digging up a plant! These are VERY mature hostas and we planned to divide them to spread them out around our house. Yeah, dh mentioned that we were dividing them but *maybe* used the term 'splitting them up' and the guy thought he was entitled to come get them! So we catch him, tell him we mean divide them to spread them around our yard, and he comments that we have enough to do several yards. Whatever- it's clear we want the plants. We come back inside (he had stopped digging) and a few minutes later I see no hosta, but a large hole, and see our plant in HIS YARD. We share a driveway with this guy so we have to maintain some civility. But I'm pretty sure that I'm about to go postal on this guy. Last year he planted a daisy in OUR YARD and told my ds to mow around it. It was behind the garage so I didn;t even know it was there for over a month. Ds thought I had told the guy it was ok. We do not maintain our yard to his satisfaction- I get that. But it's our yard. Back off buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brehon Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Go get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Go dig it up and bring it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Dh and I went shopping for new mattresses...yay! Had a lovely day, and pulled in the driveway to see our neighbor in my hosta bed digging up a plant! These are VERY mature hostas and we planned to divide them to spread them out around our house. Yeah, dh mentioned that we were dividing them but *maybe* used the term 'splitting them up' and the guy thought he was entitled to come get them! So we catch him, tell him we mean divide them to spread them around our yard, and he comments that we have enough to do several yards. Whatever- it's clear we want the plants. We come back inside (he had stopped digging) and a few minutes later I see no hosta, but a large hole, and see our plant in HIS YARD. We share a driveway with this guy so we have to maintain some civility. But I'm pretty sure that I'm about to go postal on this guy. Last year he planted a daisy in OUR YARD and told my ds to mow around it. It was behind the garage so I didn;t even know it was there for over a month. Ds thought I had told the guy it was ok. We do not maintain our yard to his satisfaction- I get that. But it's our yard. Back off buddy. :ohmy: :thumbdown: Wow, that takes ba***! Oh my goodness. I have no idea how I would handle something like this since it could easily escalate but wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy: I can't believe someone would do that. Sounds like he's got some issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2bee Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Is...is he serious? You should tell him that the Hosta will cost $$. Make him pay for it, or give it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I used to beg folks to do that. lol Our hostas always go crazy. But people are odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Oh my! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 All great advice- but we share a driveway so we do have to maintain some level of civility with the man. These old houses used to have a back alley with access to the garages but the alley is long gone- thus the shared driveway. The man has done a number of things equally bad. This one just has me fuming. I have no green thumb at all. I really don't. But I have beautiful hostas. So I want them!!! Thanks for commiserating. I just needed to vent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 What? What a jerk. I'd dig it back up next time he leaves. Or send a bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Wait. He took them? Just took them? He doesn't sound all there. Dementia? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin'sMom Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Oh, my gosh. This is like my gas pump experience. This guy sounds totally nutso. He was trespassing, stealing, and in your face to boot. I have no idea what I would do, but I am not sure I would risk digging it up from his yard. I do know I would never speak to him again. And I would have mowed the daisy down, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Alyssa* Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I'd let that one go and consider it charity. Perhaps this is an excuse to go to the garden center to find something you could replace it with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I would be afraid that letting it go would mean allowing him to continue to escalate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I would NOT let it go! You need to let him know that your yard is off limits. Go get your hosta!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Do not let it go. He will continue to do more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I'm agreeing with those who say it doesn't sound like he's playing with a full deck. I'd be fuming right along with you, but whether I'd go take it back - putting it in my yard where I wanted more of them - or whether I'd drop it and internally fume would depend on what part of the deck I thought he was still playing with... You definitely have my sympathies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I'm trying to figure out how to include "hosta (hasta) la vista" into this conversation.... I don't even know what to say. I wouldn't want to get in a war with this guy, with the hosta going back and forth each time someone leaves their house for more than a few minutes. Plus I like the peace. I think I would tell him he can have this one, but if he takes another I will call the police without hesitation. And then do it. I don't know if it's the right thing to do, but it's probably what I would do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 If this were me, the Midnight Hosta Company would have a relocation assignment for tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 And my trail camera would go up in the garden for a while in case future police report needs a little documentation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I'd buy some wild flower seed packets and accidentally spread them on his lawn unannounced. ...and enjoy the show when they start blooming. I'm passive aggressive like that though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 He sounds mentally ill. That is not typical or reasonable behaviour for most people. If he comes back again to do anything. Tell him again and again, "You are not welcome here. Never come into our yard again. Do you understand. Never come here again." That is bizarre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 If this were me, the Midnight Hosta Company would have a relocation assignment for tonight. Yup yup. I was going to ask if you can repo a hosta, but he never actually po'd it in the first place. So this guy decides you have more of something than you need, so he gets it? Yeah, that's not scary at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I'd buy some wild flower seed packets and accidentally spread them on his lawn unannounced. ...and enjoy the show when they start blooming. I'm passive aggressive like that though Oh........that's evil and BRILLIANT! I do like the way you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 He has done this kind of thing before. We had a black edging between this bed and the grass and he tore it out, saying that nobody uses that kind of edging. He took bricks from our house and has them in his yard. We have walked a fine line with this man- to other people he appears to be the nicest, most friendly guy. But every time we tell him that it's our yard and we'll take care of it how we see fit. And about once every year he pulls some stunt like this. We've tried being friendly, tried being angry, tried brushing it off as no big deal. So far nothing has worked. He's all there- he just feels entitled to 'improve' our yard because it doesn't meet his standards. The daisy is long gone. As soon as I found out it was there I told ds to mow it down. He was happy to do so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brehon Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Civility is a two way street and it doesn't mean not responding to *theft*. Would you allow him to take a bike off your front porch or walk in and take some food because you have "extra"? He STOLE your property. Given what you've said about him I'm quite sure this type of behavior will continue and probably escalate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gil Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I don't know what a Hosta is, but I do know that it sounds like it was yours not his so I would go and get it back. I am not afraid of confrontation however, so if its a yard war her wants, its a yard war he'd get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Alyssa* Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Going onto his property is trespassing. He could then call the police on you. This is not sound advice.Edited: Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 If this were me, the Midnight Hosta Company would have a relocation assignment for tonight. And put some strange plastic flowering plant in its place... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 He's all there- he just feels entitled to 'improve' our yard because it doesn't meet his standards. Since you're sure this is the case, I'd be going over to his yard and getting my hosta and I wouldn't be waiting until dark. We'd have it out ASAP. He'd also know that if he desired, the police could be involved in this or future issues. One does not need to live civilly with those who are overstepping their bounds in such ways - shared driveway or not. One needs to set boundaries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 And put some strange plastic flowering plant in its place... Haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymilkies Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Civility is a two way street and it doesn't mean not responding to *theft*. Would you allow him to take a bike off your front porch or walk in and take some food because you have "extra"? He STOLE your property. Given what you've said about him I'm quite sure this type of behavior will continue and probably escalate. I agree. I would definitely call the non-emergency police line and tell them about his actions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFG Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I'd buy some wild flower seed packets and accidentally spread them on his lawn unannounced. ...and enjoy the show when they start blooming. I'm passive aggressive like that though Spray it with Round Up in the middle of the night. Then when it dies say, "So sorry, I guess hostas won't grow in your yard!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Since this is not the first time he has done something like this, it's time to get the police involved. I once had a police officer say they would rather deal with these situations directly and early rather than showing up after a prolonged neighbor war. Tell the police he was trespassing on your property and stole your plant and that this is not the first time he has taken or removed your landscaping. The guy needs to get the idea that you are serious and will take action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I'd start collecting garden gnomes and place them all towards his yard. Staring creepily at him.....I'd also paint glow in the dark paint on the eyes...I like gnomes though... wild flower seeds, garden gnomes. Next stop....neon flamingos. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 You know, the more I think about it, the more I think I'd go get it but NOT put it back in my own yard. When he comes to you, looking for it, I would say, "As you can see, there's still a hole in my garden. But maybe the person who saw you steal it from my yard figured it would be okay to steal it from yours." And then get him on that trail cam when he comes back for a replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I'd buy some wild flower seed packets and accidentally spread them on his lawn unannounced. ...and enjoy the show when they start blooming. I'm passive aggressive like that though This is exactly what I was thinking! Except I was thinking more along the lines of weed seeds... you can buy seed for dandelions, stinging nettle, orach, and other annoying things to find in the lawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Going onto his property is trespassing. He could then call the police on you. This is not sound advise. I agree with this. I would be inclined to contact the police non-emergency number and ask for advice. It may be that you are willing to let that single hosta go but allowing it may be seen as tacit permission to do more. Do you know a lawyer? Maybe you can get an inexpensive "cease and desist" letter sent to him. What a weird situation. I'm sorry you have to deal with this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Ok. I'll admit, I just would use this opportunity to buy garden gnomes. The harassment of others WITH gnomes would just be a perk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Since this is not the first time he has done something like this, it's time to get the police involved. I once had a police officer say they would rather deal with these situations directly and early rather than showing up after a prolonged neighbor war. Tell the police he was trespassing on your property and stole your plant and that this is not the first time he has taken or removed your landscaping. The guy needs to get the idea that you are serious and will take action. As fun as it is to joke about the situation, I think what I've quoted above is the most prudent advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brehon Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Going onto his property is trespassing. He could then call the police on you. This is not sound advise. True. AND turn about is fair play. OP, if nothing has worked in the past, it's time to up the ante. Place cameras around your yard to catch this *trespasser* and *thief*. Then send him a certified, return-receipt-requested letter (preferably on paper with a law firm's heading) telling him to NEVER come on or touch your property again. He's stolen and vandalized your property. You truly don't have to live this way if you don't want. Contact your HOA (if you have one) or call the police non-emergency line. Obviously, being nice hasn't helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acadie Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Take photos of the hole, and of the hosta in his yard. I agree that clear boundaries need to be set. Calmly explain to him that there was a misunderstanding and you want him to replant your hosta back in your yard, in the hole where he dug it out. And that you plan to keep all of your hostas to landscape other areas of your yard. He's taken bricks, edging, and planted things in your yard?! Prepare to repeat yourself in this conversation, and to say regardless they are your hostas, but be as calm and non confrontational as you can. Document what's happening and the date. If being very straightforward and non-confrontational about boundaries doesn't work, I'd be calling the police non-emergency number to see what other options you have. Your town may also have resources outlining what neighbors can and can't do with another neighbor's trees or plants (often it's only trim whatever branches cross the property line), and possibly someone who can help broker further conversations. Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I would go right over there and get my plant. The old saying---good fences make good neighbors comes to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Perhaps Marianne NOVA has some advice. She came home from shopping once to find her neighbors had 'trimmed' her forsythia bushes. You didn't happen to buy her old house, did you? That said, I don't know what I would do, but I am thinking the garden gnomes would be fun... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Civility be damned. I'd call the police. It's theft - plain and simple. If you let this go, how far will he push next time? I think he already crossed the line by breaking the law! :thumbdown: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I think I would report his repeated theft, trespassing, and harassment to the police. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 All great advice- but we share a driveway so we do have to maintain some level of civility with the man. These old houses used to have a back alley with access to the garages but the alley is long gone- thus the shared driveway. The man has done a number of things equally bad. This one just has me fuming. I have no green thumb at all. I really don't. But I have beautiful hostas. So I want them!!! Thanks for commiserating. I just needed to vent. Why does maintaining civility with this man fall on your shoulders? He stole your property. He is the one who fired across your bow. Fire back. Go get your hosta and warn him that the next time he trespasses on your property, you will call the police. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Unless you plan on letting him continue to do this sort of thing you'll need to act. Though I'm not sure the ideal course of action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Ok. I'll admit, I just would use this opportunity to buy garden gnomes. The harassment of others WITH gnomes would just be a perk. Nanny cam gnomes! I agree with not trespassing, especially anything destructive like Roundup. At this point, it's not "hot pursuit" of your hosta either, so I'd stay out entirely unless the non-emergency police tell you to reclaim it. What a nutbucket! I hope you get your plants back. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 What? That's theft! And it's just plain crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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