Just had to vent update on page 2

[Brumeiser]

My wife thinks I am overreacting but I feel that I have the right to be mad. Our neighbors last weekend was having one of their yearly summer bash. Loud parties with drinking galore. My wife decided that this year instead of getting no sleep lets go camping with our 4 year old for his first camping adventure. We had a great time until we got home this afternoon. After the soaking rains last week, I had our yard barricaded with railroad tiles to protect our grass. Well they removed the tiles and the yard is now torn up. Then I looked at our garden and my heart just broke. Someone got into the garden and tore out the tomatoes 15 plants, 6 brocoli plants, all the cabbage and uprooted half of my potatoes. they left the cucumbers but they stepped on all of them destroying those. What sick mind would ruin a family garden like that and take food out my family mouths? Should I spend the money and buy a fence for each of the garden and buy padlocks? What would you do? It is 12:30am and I just can't sleep because I am so furious. Thanks everyone.

 

[The_Horned_King]

Try to think of it this way....they are just plants man...You can grow new ones!

As for everythign else, how close are you with these neighbors? Was it a party their kids had? I would talk to them abotu what happened tomarrow and see if they offer to replace your plants.

As for a fence thats really up to you.

Just remember life is too short to get angry of things that don't really matter in life! You still have your family, and this was nothing devistating. Just slight vandalism that harmed no one. Kiss your wife and think about how lucky you are to have her, and the kid, and how much fun you had on HIS first camping trip!!!!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

Try to think of it this way....they are just plants man...You can grow new ones!

As for everythign else, how close are you with these neighbors? Was it a party their kids had? I would talk to them abotu what happened tomarrow and see if they offer to replace your plants.

As for a fence thats really up to you.

Just remember life is too short to get angry of things that don't really matter in life! You still have your family, and this was nothing devistating. Just slight vandalism that harmed no one. Kiss your wife and think about how lucky you are to have her, and the kid, and how much fun you had on HIS first camping trip!!!!

Very nice post The Horned King!

 

[The_Horned_King]

Why thank you... That's pretty much how I try to live my life. Only worry about what really matters. My late, great, mother taught me that.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

Although I agree with The HK in theory, in reality I would be mad too - that is so disrespectful!

 

[devilfire]

 

[MosMom]

Some people depend on their gardens in the summer as a source of fresh veggies/fruits. Fresh produce isn't cheap. I think that is awful and you have a right to be ticked. Don't let it consume your life but take a day and be pissed!

I don't think garden theft is something that happens that often so I don't think I would invest in a padlock & fence though.

 

[GIOny]

Is it possible that deer or other animals did it ?? I know alot of people who have gardens are always trying to protect them from the deer or even bears (i don't know if they have anything like that where you live.. Can you just get one large fence for the entire yard, it may be worth it.

 

[auntpolly]

Try to think of it this way....they are just plants man...You can grow new ones!

LOL obviously you've never had a garden!!!!! After all the work it takes, to have someone do this - it would be infuriating!!!!!

I don't know what you do about it -- they'd probably just deny it anyway, but I'd go to the police. Just report it -- no matter who did it, seriously, it's vandalism, and I'd at least want it to be on record if anything else happens.

Just wanted to add, you can't accuse them without proof, but I's still report the vandalism. We just reported some minor vandalism at our house and turns out the guy did about 10,000 worth of damage all over town and they caught him!!! SO I'm glad we reported it

 

[minniecarousel]

I can't believe that people don't have fences around their property. Is that commmon in your area? Every community I've ever been in here in California - you have fencing on your prperty line.

I would speak to the neighbors. Then I would put fencing around my property.

 

[RNMOM]

I'm afraid I agree with the above poster. That is vandalism and they tresspassed on your property. Even though you weren't there, the veggies can't be replaced and had value. I would take a LOT of photos in the am and then call the police and file a complaint. Take a good look around at the other areas of your house, someone might have done more mischief.

What would make people think this is okay? I am baffled by that behavior and very glad I live in a quiet neighborhood where we are on mostly nodding acquaintences.

 

[The_Horned_King]

Im not saying I wouldn't be mad(You have every right to be)...and Yes Gardening takes ALOT of work...But try to really put it in perspective(sp?)

Like I said DO you have a good relationship with this neighbor or hardly know them...that would decide for me if I went to them to discuss what happened or not.

 

[Alice's Mom]

Im not saying I wouldn't be mad(You have every right to be)...and Yes Gardening takes ALOT of work...But try to really put it in perspective(sp?)

Like I said DO you have a good relationship with this neighbor or hardly know them...that would decide for me if I went to them to discuss what happened or not.

I agree with you in theory and completely agree about perpectives but...

The OP stated that their garden is ruined and it took food from his family. Maybe this family is on a tight budget and the garden was truly needed. It's expensive to eat healthy and buy produce. Plus a garden is hard work, I know, I worked in my dads garden as a kid, such a nightmare, but worth it.

OP you have every right to be angry and I would definitely report this as vandalism...you may not be the only person affected.

I hope the season allows for additional plantings this year. In California you would probably be okay to re-plant, but I don't know anything about Ohio's climate.

 

[momof2inPA]

I would report it to the police and let the police know that it was probably your neighbors. They might at least talk to them and scare them a bit. A guy in Pittsburgh had his tomato plants pulled up by neighborhood vandals, and he made the news tonight. It's not ok to personally disrespect someone's property like that, and most people understand why it's such a big deal.

Question: Were the railroad ties far enough from the property line to be legal in your neighborhood?

 

[JPN4265]

My wife thinks I am overreacting but I feel that I have the right to be mad. Our neighbors last weekend was having one of their yearly summer bash. Loud parties with drinking galore. My wife decided that this year instead of getting no sleep lets go camping with our 4 year old for his first camping adventure. We had a great time until we got home this afternoon. After the soaking rains last week, I had our yard barricaded with railroad tiles to protect our grass. Well they removed the tiles and the yard is now torn up. Then I looked at our garden and my heart just broke. Someone got into the garden and tore out the tomatoes 15 plants, 6 brocoli plants, all the cabbage and uprooted half of my potatoes. they left the cucumbers but they stepped on all of them destroying those. What sick mind would ruin a family garden like that and take food out my family mouths? Should I spend the money and buy a fence for each of the garden and buy padlocks? What would you do? It is 12:30am and I just can't sleep because I am so furious. Thanks everyone.

I'm thinking police report!!! And a bill for all the repairs delivered to your neighbor.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would report it to the police and let the police know that it was probably your neighbors. They might at least talk to them and scare them a bit. A guy in Pittsburgh had his tomato plants pulled up by neighborhood vandals, and he made the news tonight. It's not ok to personally disrespect someone's property like that, and most people understand why it's such a big deal.

ITA. Today it is plants, tomorrow it is windows or expensive nursery stock.

We just put a lot of money and effort into out front yard. I would never mind an accident, if someone used my driveway and drove over the mulch, I would mind vandalism and destruction of my property.

I would simply report it, but my DH would advertise his displeasure.

 

[noodleknitter]

I would be furious. Gardens are a lot of work, and I put a ton of care into mine. I like my garden. It would be like someone damaging a car, or a home, IMO. Police report, and restitution would be appropriate.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would be FURIOUS!!!!

Get a FENCE!!!! The biggest one you can.

Also call the police and file a report. I don't think they can do anything, you were not there and have no proof, but...you can have it on file, I suppose.

 

[mickeyfan2]

First I would call the police. I would not replant. Next year fence in your yard/garden whatever to keep the bad people from entering your garden.

 

[lecach]

I would be furious too. Depending on your relationship with your neighbors I would handle this differently. If you're friendly, go over and talk to them and explain what happened - see if they'll help you fix the problems. If you're not very friendly I would call the cops - if nothing else it will stop them from doing it again hopefully. Although it COULD create bad feelings and it might not be worth it to make them mad.