The audacity of neighbors

[catspjamas]

Last summer I let my neighbor across the street use my side yard for his garden, with the conditions that he would bring me a load of firewood and keep the side yard mowed. He brought me a load of scrap lumber, which he got from his worksites for free, but that's not firewood. Yes, it burns, but it's yellow pine, it's best to bust up in small pieces for kindling. He never brought anything else. He also never mowed the side yard, except once to mow a path around the outside of the garden when the weeds and grass got over knee high. Since the garden took up most of the side yard, there wasn't that much to mow. So I've been debating whether or not to let him have a garden again. I think I was leaning more towards him not having his garden in my yard, and not just because of him not fulfilling his agreement, but other things, like tilling first thing on a Saturday morning, when I'm trying to sleep late (yes, I know it was cooler then), dusting the plants with sevin dust, which is toxic to cats, and him giving permission to people I don't know to come pick vegetables., without letting me know they were coming, or him being out there. I don't want strange people in my yard. Even if he had told me they were coming, I don't want them in my yard. He could pick the veggies and take them to the people.

Tonight when I got home, I discovered that he had burnt the pile of weeds and debris I had in the middle of the garden and he's already tilled and made rows in one section. He did not come to me and ask if he'd be allowed to use my yard for his garden this year. I know before I speak with him, I have to cool off, because yes, I'm very upset. It is my yard, MY property. You don't come on my property and do anything unless you have my permission. Just because I said yes last year, doesn't mean I said yes in perpetuity. My thought right now is to go over there and tell him in no uncertain terms that he can not have his garden in my yard.

[wayne jackson]

just tell him no garden this year

[unionblue]

catspjamas,

Your yard, your rules, simple as that.

If he hasn't lived up to them or you don't like what he's doing, just tell him the deal is off.

Your feelings on the matter are what counts.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[PINCKNEYUSMCRET]

I would tell him that you wished he had spoken to you first before he started anythin this year, but that you really don't want his garden there this year.

Pinckney

[prroh]

You don't need to get too detailed. Simply say that you have decided not to allow him to use the side garden. If he presses, go vague and say things didn't work out as you expected and that is that. If he still presses, say that you are sorry but your decision is final and you wished he had said something before he started work on the garden.

[K Hale]

Yes, with emphasis on NO GARDEN.

Don't let him talk you into it, either.

[ole]

I liked Pinckney's response. What's really torquing is that he didn't ask again. So that's where it starts.

[bama46]

Good responses so far, do not let yourself be talked into anything you don't want to do.

[Bonny Blue Flag]

Depending on how far you want to take this...a handwritten note given to him stating your position. Wouldn't be surprised if the local law enforcement would suggest you give him a written notice to vacate that part of the property..and he will have one month's time to do so. Got that from COPS.

--BBF

[RobertP]

Last summer I let my neighbor across the street use my side yard for his garden, with the conditions that he would bring me a load of firewood and keep the side yard mowed. He brought me a load of scrap lumber, which he got from his worksites for free, but that's not firewood. Yes, it burns, but it's yellow pine, it's best to bust up in small pieces for kindling.

Cats, if I remember correctly you had chimney problems at the beginning of last winter. Don't burn yellow pine! It's so full of resin that it will quickly gum up a chimney. Seriously.

[RobertP]

It is my yard, MY property. You don't come on my property and do anything unless you have my permission. Just because I said yes last year, doesn't mean I said yes in perpetuity. My thought right now is to go over there and tell him in no uncertain terms that he can not have his garden in my yard.

Cats, this sounds like it should be moved to the 'Who owned Ft. Sumpter' thread.

[Battalion]

Put up a fence. Fences make good neighbors.

[Battalion]

Depending on how far you want to take this...a handwritten note given to him stating your position. Wouldn't be surprised if the local law enforcement would suggest you give him a written notice to vacate that part of the property..and he will have one month's time to do so. Got that from COPS.

--BBF

Yes, good idea to put it in writing...if you don't take up the fence idea.

[K Hale]

Depending on how far you want to take this...a handwritten note given to him stating your position. Wouldn't be surprised if the local law enforcement would suggest you give him a written notice to vacate that part of the property..and he will have one month's time to do so. Got that from COPS.

Hey, that's a good idea. Legally, the arrangement may be considered a form of lease. Getting rid of people who are "living" on/in your property can be tough.

[K Hale]

Cats, this sounds like it should be moved to the 'Who owned Ft. Sumpter' thread.

You, sir, just won the Internet!

[PINCKNEYUSMCRET]

No good deed goes unpunished

Pinckney

[bama46]

Cats, if I remember correctly you had chimney problems at the beginning of last winter. Don't burn yellow pine! It's so full of resin that it will quickly gum up a chimney. Seriously.

It will also line the chimney with creosote which can catch fire causing a chimney fire... and you really, really don't one of those... your home could be in danger... For the same reason don't burn Osage either


Ed

[TxSouthpaw]

Just tell him no. Sixty seconds of confrontation is better than a year of resentment.

[catspjamas]

Cats, if I remember correctly you had chimney problems at the beginning of last winter. Don't burn yellow pine! It's so full of resin that it will quickly gum up a chimney. Seriously.

I split some of the yellow pine into small pieces to use only as kindling, until my Dad supplied me with lighter wood. I also used some of the longer wider pieces to enclose the porch foundation. When he delivered the scrap lumber, I commented to him that it wasn't firewood.

[Will Posey]

Why can't he use HIS OWN side yard for HIS garden?

Will

[larry_cockerham]

Why can't he use HIS OWN side yard for HIS garden?

Will

Haven't seen it, but I'm betting hers is the area with the better soil and away from his house. Reads as if she's an easy touch, so far. Let's hope that ends soon. Looks like he broke an agreement. Not good. Hell hath no fury like that of a woman scorned.

[dvrmte]

I've used to have several gardens on other peoples property. Knowing that building good quality soil is something that takes several years of hard work building up the organic matter content, I always let the landowner know in advance that I want it for several years at least. It takes at least three years to build decent soil. I've never had a complaint and most landowners have expressed their disappointment when I told them I couldn't work their land any longer.

I usually planted a small garden off to the side for the landowner and had an agreement that it was their payment for use of the land.

Cats, this guy is not appreciative of your generosity. If you let him use your land again it will only get worse.

Sincerely,
dvrmte

[larry_cockerham]

Sounds like he may be a yankee.

[unionblue]

Sounds like he may be a yankee.

Nope.

A Yankee would have brought his lawyer.

Unionblue

[K Hale]

Sounds like he may be a yankee.

A carpetbagger, vulturing her land...