GoVanGogh Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Oh hell no. I would be burning them in the local media. I have a 20+ year old organic garden and would be absolutely devastated and livid if someone sprayed it with chemicals. I am so sorry for you. You need more than a hug! Do you know any other gardeners in your area that you can reach out to for help in replacing some of the plants? 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popmom Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 (edited) 6 minutes ago, GoVanGogh said: Oh hell no. I would be burning them in the local media. I have a 20+ year old organic garden and would be absolutely devastated and livid if someone sprayed it with chemicals. I am so sorry for you. You need more than a hug! Do you know any other gardeners in your area that you can reach out to for help in replacing some of the plants? Agree! A strong drink and restitution. Actually, this has me thinking. Those of us who live in neighborhoods/suburbs... I may have some little signs made up for this purpose. I mean I am mostly concerned about my backyard, but still... We are the only yard I can think of that doesn't have a chemlawn type service. Edited March 2, 2023 by popmom 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 10 minutes ago, GoVanGogh said: Oh hell no. I would be burning them in the local media. I have a 20+ year old organic garden and would be absolutely devastated and livid if someone sprayed it with chemicals. I am so sorry for you. You need more than a hug! Do you know any other gardeners in your area that you can reach out to for help in replacing some of the plants? I know a lot of gardens but I am the one who grows the “cool” besides your normal plants. A lot of my plants are ordered and have to be shipped in. I called someone who works for a landscaper who can help remove the dirt. His boss is doing a little more digging on the chemical for me. And giving me a cost for soil removal. I may be blowing this up on media with different ways right now. It may go beyond local if they don’t make this somewhat right as they really never can. I also might not be mentioning my studies in horticulture nor master gardening right now….. 21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 I am extremely grateful my orchid hut was not up and this happened not in the summer. My orchids are put in a mesh hut outside during the summer for optimal health. This would have been so much worse if they had been gotten too. Those alone are a pretty penny. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 11 minutes ago, popmom said: Agree! A strong drink and restitution. Actually, this has me thinking. Those of us who live in neighborhoods/suburbs... I may have some little signs made up for this purpose. I mean I am mostly concerned about my backyard, but still... We are the only yard I can think of that doesn't have a chemlawn type service. I was just thinking about how I need to put up signs now. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 I would be beyond furious. The loss of the plants is terrible enough, but to have nasty chemicals in close proximity to your house…ugh. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 This is one of my plants I hope make it. The flowers are the size of dinner plate. It was a test flower from a farm that was trying something. 27 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Bean Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Lawyer up immediately and have them send a threatening letter on their letter head. The company is not going to compensate you adequetely otherwise, I fear. Seems they know how to kill plants, not grow them. That is beyond negiligence! And yes, document that lady's name. What an idiot! Yes, we destroyed your lawn and now you should suck it up and be grateful?! What was she thinking?? 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easypeasy Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Please consult a specialist - gardening architect - someone knowledgeable with the cost of your plants (in the condition/size they were in) and - more importantly - how much it would cost to have a professional dig all the dead up and replace it with new plants. The company simply giving you cost of plants or whatever is not acceptable. Nor is you spending hours and days and weeks digging up old stuff and planting new. Hire someone to do that. The yard company has insurance for just this kind of screwup. Don’t let them lowball you and put all the work on you!! (Honestly - whoever did the spraying should have double and triple checked their assignment when they saw your yard…) 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 I am so sorry! I also wish for you a cut throat, evil s.o.b. of an attorney, the kind that makes companies run in fear. They need to make restitution which is a total chemical clean up of the property, new soil and soil conditioners to get it to the level you had it, plants, entire replacement of plants, and then some punitive damages for what they have done to you and your years of labor to produce the results they destroyed. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 I am so very sorry. In addition to the damage they did, they were also trespassing on your property at the time. Regards, Kareni 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinball Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 What did they spray? what chemical kill trees and shrubs so quickly? Within a few hours? it sounds like Agent Orange or the stuff from the train disaster in East Palestine… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 1 minute ago, easypeasy said: Please consult a specialist - gardening architect - someone knowledgeable with the cost of your plants (in the condition/size they were in) and - more importantly - how much it would cost to have a professional dig all the dead up and replace it with new plants. The company simply giving you cost of plants or whatever is not acceptable. Nor is you spending hours and days and weeks digging up old stuff and planting new. Hire someone to do that. The yard company has insurance for just this kind of screwup. Don’t let them lowball you and put all the work on you!! (Honestly - whoever did the spraying should have double and triple checked their assignment when they saw your yard…) They won’t low ball me with my plants. With what I grow, I am the best for the job as most lawn architects don’t know a lot of it. This company does have insurance ( checked that one while on hold). And they will pay for my time to redo this. I am extremely particular with gardening and have never met a company that could do it to my standards. I have receipts for most things as I admit to keeping a journal on my plants. If the person had just looked up and read the street sign, all this could have been prevented. Reading is fundamental…… 16 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjzimmer1 Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 8 minutes ago, itsheresomewhere said: They won’t low ball me with my plants. With what I grow, I am the best for the job as most lawn architects don’t know a lot of it. This company does have insurance ( checked that one while on hold). And they will pay for my time to redo this. I am extremely particular with gardening and have never met a company that could do it to my standards. I have receipts for most things as I admit to keeping a journal on my plants. If the person had just looked up and read the street sign, all this could have been prevented. Reading is fundamental…… I have no idea what the pay rate of lawn architect is but since you are above that pay grade, make sure they are paying you well above that rate and for a truly accurate number of hours of your time that it will take to restore things. Based on your descriptions, I would definitely be looking at finding a lawyer yourself or through your home owner's insurance. I truly think that will be the only way you get anything even remotely close to fair compensation. THey may admit fault but i sincerely doubt that will easily agree to the true value of your loss. 13 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 11 minutes ago, pinball said: What did they spray? what chemical kill trees and shrubs so quickly? Within a few hours? it sounds like Agent Orange or the stuff from the train disaster in East Palestine… Without giving out the name right now- base on the gallons they used on the slip they left, I would guess it wasn’t diluted correctly either. The smell alone says it wasn’t diluted well. 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarita Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 I just can't imagine how anyone would spray a plant like that without even asking the home owner are you sure? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 Just now, cjzimmer1 said: I have no idea what the pay rate of lawn architect is but since you are above that pay grade, make sure they are paying you well above that rate and for a truly accurate number of hours of your time that it will take to restore things. Based on your descriptions, I would definitely be looking at finding a lawyer yourself or through your home owner's insurance. I truly think that will be the only way you get anything even remotely close to fair compensation. THey may admit fault but i sincerely doubt that will easily agree to the true value of your loss. Once I told them I had them on the security cameras spraying my lawn, they did start being more helpful. 13 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easypeasy Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 14 minutes ago, itsheresomewhere said: Once I told them I had them on the security cameras spraying my lawn, they did start being more helpful. Haha! I bet they did! 😂 If you want to do the work yourself (I understand) - they still need to compensate for the labor it will take so charge the going rate of hiring a true professional (not the min wage lawn guy price they will try to insist upon). 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 47 minutes ago, cjzimmer1 said: I have no idea what the pay rate of lawn architect is but since you are above that pay grade, make sure they are paying you well above that rate and for a truly accurate number of hours of your time that it will take to restore things. I vote for $1000 an hour for 1000 hours. But I get that this would take quite the jury award! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 I am so, so very sorry. Huge hugs to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grace Hopper Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 1 hour ago, cjzimmer1 said: I have no idea what the pay rate of lawn architect is but since you are above that pay grade, make sure they are paying you well above that rate and for a truly accurate number of hours of your time that it will take to restore things. Based on your descriptions, I would definitely be looking at finding a lawyer yourself or through your home owner's insurance. I truly think that will be the only way you get anything even remotely close to fair compensation. THey may admit fault but i sincerely doubt that will easily agree to the true value of your loss. Don’t charge them the simple labor rate. Charge them an expert consultant rate PLUS the actual labor rate. 1 hour ago, itsheresomewhere said: Without giving out the name right now- base on the gallons they used on the slip they left, I would guess it wasn’t diluted correctly either. The smell alone says it wasn’t diluted well. This makes me think you definitely should consult a lawyer. This is more than destructive to you, it’s dangerous for your family, neighbors, and the workers (who in addition to getting the address wrong, may be reconstituting chemicals improperly for every property they’ve serviced). <If Erin Brockovich weren’t so busy in Ohio…. sorry, too soon> 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 3 hours ago, KungFuPanda said: I think you need to demand that they not just reimburse you for plants, but pay for a landscaping company to install a comparable garden. If they refuse, then sue them. You shouldn’t be doing the physical labor to make this right. Seriously, get estimates for the work and send them an itemized bill. 100% 2 hours ago, itsheresomewhere said: Thanks. I am trying to gather all the plant costs and figure out my labor rate as I know I could never hire someone to do it. Even if you do the work yourself, the basis for compensation should be that of the cost of a highly professional landscaping company planting mature size plantings and them doing all the physical work of removal and replanting, as a starting point. Get estimates now. Bill 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Oh how absolutly awful. I am a gardener. I know the years it takes to grow things. I wonder if it is even safe to be sleeping in your house for a few days. Dh worked in a place that had termite poison sprayed incorrectly. Not diluted properly and a product that was going to be banned in a month. He wasn't there at the time of spraying but worked in the room. He developed multiple chemical sensitivities and has been ill for the last 23 years. He has improved some but only because we have lived in just about complete isolation since 1 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 9 hours ago, KungFuPanda said: I think you need to demand that they not just reimburse you for plants, but pay for a landscaping company to install a comparable garden. If they refuse, then sue them. You shouldn’t be doing the physical labor to make this right. Seriously, get estimates for the work and send them an itemized bill. Completely agree. This is also soil contamination besides killing hundreds of valuable vegetation. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 @itsheresomewhere, I don’t know if knowing someone in cyberspace is heartsick on your behalf helps but, for me, this is definitely lawsuit territory. The company has liability insurance and now they get to exercise it. You should be compensated a mind-boggling amount, like policy limits. 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 OH MY GOSH! I am so sorry! That is horrible! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 You need way more than a cyber hug. I am so sorry this happened. I wish we could ban those companies. A similar thing happened to my parents. The foundation of their house was sprayed with insecticides instead of a neighbor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
math teacher Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 That is so horrible, and I am so sorry!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Sending hugs. That is absolutely awful. 😞 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 It rained last night. In a way that is good, in a way not. But I hope it really did help. A landscaper that I don’t know was put in contact with me told it was good but truthfully, it won’t save much. I am trying to find bright spots as I am just so hurt, devastated, livid all at once. Maybe redoing the yard is what I need. There was a bush I hate that I couldn’t bring myself to rip out as it was very healthy and I hadn’t found what I wanted to replace with with yet. Perhaps, I will find something this year. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage81 Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Hugs @itsheresomewhere 😔 I'm so sorry this happened to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 It's unbelievable to me, given current tech, that there isn't some sort of system in place to double-check the location and service/chemicals. It would be so easy for the poison sprayers to have a photo of the house to check they're in the right place, at the very least. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinball Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 13 hours ago, itsheresomewhere said: Without giving out the name right now- base on the gallons they used on the slip they left, I would guess it wasn’t diluted correctly either. The smell alone says it wasn’t diluted well. What is the big secret about what they used? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 21 minutes ago, happi duck said: It's unbelievable to me, given current tech, that there isn't some sort of system in place to double-check the location and service/chemicals. It would be so easy for the poison sprayers to have a photo of the house to check they're in the right place, at the very least. Even using the low tech way of looking at the street sign he parked next too. Or calling the number in the account would have been good too. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 15 hours ago, KungFuPanda said: I think you need to demand that they not just reimburse you for plants, but pay for a landscaping company to install a comparable garden. If they refuse, then sue them. You shouldn’t be doing the physical labor to make this right. Seriously, get estimates for the work and send them an itemized bill. This. I think this really might be time to hire a lawyer and make sure you get fair recompense. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 14 hours ago, itsheresomewhere said: They won’t low ball me with my plants. With what I grow, I am the best for the job as most lawn architects don’t know a lot of it. This company does have insurance ( checked that one while on hold). And they will pay for my time to redo this. I am extremely particular with gardening and have never met a company that could do it to my standards. I have receipts for most things as I admit to keeping a journal on my plants. If the person had just looked up and read the street sign, all this could have been prevented. Reading is fundamental…… It sounds like your yard is gorgeous. You’d think that alone would have had them double checking the address. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 11 hours ago, Melissa in Australia said: I wonder if it is even safe to be sleeping in your house for a few days. I felt sick whenever I forget and walk pass the garden pesticide aisle at Home Depot or Lowes which is why my first reaction was air purifiers. Don’t want OP to risk getting sick from the fumes. 6 hours ago, Quill said: Completely agree. This is also soil contamination besides killing hundreds of valuable vegetation. The developers for my neighborhood had to excavate the soil to a certain depth because of lead contamination. They had to do soil replacement as part of the contract for building. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 Thank you everyone. I am truly grateful for your thoughts. I have several landscapers coming out to give estimates today for soil removal and stuff. So far, each one have been amazed that this happened. Thank you all for not making me feel like I am being petty for this. Gardening helps me in so many ways and to have it ripped out from me just sucks. 17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Heartsore for you and wishing you strength to fight for just compensation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 I am so lived, horrified and heart broken for you. All those years of work and care. All those thoughts of your future garden just gone. It makes my stomach sick. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grace Hopper Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 1 hour ago, itsheresomewhere said: Thank you everyone. I am truly grateful for your thoughts. I have several landscapers coming out to give estimates today for soil removal and stuff. So far, each one have been amazed that this happened. Thank you all for not making me feel like I am being petty for this. Gardening helps me in so many ways and to have it ripped out from me just sucks. Whatever the adjective that is the farthest, most removed word from petty…. that’s what you are. 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 You are not petty!! This was an illegal violation and destruction of your property. You have every right to feel so sickened and furious, and this company should be held liable to the fullest extent possible. I am just appalled that these chemicals were applied in such a wanton and thoughtless manner… Anne 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 I filed a police report for the just in case. It might not be needed but good to have. The estimates so far just for the soil removal, getting clean soil, grass seed and dead plant removal is well into the thousands. This doesn’t include plants. One landscaper said they used twice as much as they should for a yard my size. Once again, I appreciate you all for your kind words. My beloved neighbor brought me over a huge amount of plant catalogs to cheer me up. She is such a jewel. 21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 I am just sick for you. It doesn’t even make sense—why would a lawn service spray weed killer over an entire yard, landscaping, bushes, flowers, trees? That is mind boggling. I hope they pay for everything, and then some. Just horrible. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 (edited) Every time I come back to this thread, I get more upset on your behalf, and now I just want to form a WTM posse, and go kick some company behind! Edited March 2, 2023 by Faith-manor Typo 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 10 minutes ago, Spryte said: I am just sick for you. It doesn’t even make sense—why would a lawn service spray weed killer over an entire yard, landscaping, bushes, flowers, trees? That is mind boggling. I hope they pay for everything, and then some. Just horrible. Have two thoughts on that- 1- still winter so not all are starting to bud or show signs of life. But that doesn’t explain the strawberries, lettuce beds, herb planters, early spring flowers, spring bulbs etc. 2- Guy did not care and just did what he was paid to do and spray the yard. He didn’t bother to check if it was the right house I kind of lean towards that one. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 1 minute ago, itsheresomewhere said: Have two thoughts on that- 1- still winter so not all are starting to bud or show signs of life. But that doesn’t explain the strawberries, lettuce beds, herb planters, early spring flowers, spring bulbs etc. 2- Guy did not care and just did what he was paid to do and spray the yard. He didn’t bother to check if it was the right house I kind of lean towards that one. Horrible, either way. I am heartbroken for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 19 hours ago, cjzimmer1 said: I would agree. Also consider the future profits that you are foregoing since you can no longer sell those fruits and veggies. I would also consider if there needs to be any remediation done to the soil to make it safe to plant edibles again. Some of the landscapers that have come apparently have bought veggies from me. One was really upset for me and told me all about my tomatoes and how he enjoys them. I did have a few neighbors offer to write a note about it. 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 @itsheresomewhere I've been working hard in my own garden today and thought a lot about what happened to you. I'd be devastated, myself. Bill 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 52 minutes ago, itsheresomewhere said: I filed a police report for the just in case. It might not be needed but good to have. The estimates so far just for the soil removal, getting clean soil, grass seed and dead plant removal is well into the thousands. This doesn’t include plants. One landscaper said they used twice as much as they should for a yard my size. Once again, I appreciate you all for your kind words. My beloved neighbor brought me over a huge amount of plant catalogs to cheer me up. She is such a jewel. Was it the right amount for the property where they were supposed to go? It seems like they could have done big damage even if they had gone to the correct property. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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