my front garden..

[lozzzz]

yesterday evening for about the hundreth time this year my front garden(Im on a corner plot) was used as a short cut round the path,I couldn't help myself and shouted at the kids to get off my garden and found myself yelling "go on, clear off",am I being a miserable old ******? The other day some bloke trampled through my flower bed,stepped up over the wheelchair ramp and through the bed on the other side and then was abusive to me when I asked him to go round.I wouldnt mind but he saw me in the kitchen as he did it.I cant put up a fence,any suggestiions to put a stop to this?

[DJKC]

Get in touch with the local council they should do something, not sure what though.

[lozzzz]

I live on a managed estate,the council wont take responsibility,thats why I cant have a fence,the contract states my garden must remain open plan so the (useless) groundsmen can mow the front lawn.

[Fat Boy]

I'd install a sprinkler system & switch it on every time someone set foot on my garden. 

And no, I don't think you're being a miserable old anything - these people wouldn't put up with you walking through their gardens.

[woofgang]

My parents used to have the same problem with their front garden on a council estate. People thought that the council planted and kept the front gardens so they were entitled to pick the flowers! My Dad sorted it by explaining to the people that the flowers were his, not the councils...mind you this is a few years ago now

Can you put up a sign explaining briefly that you take care of the garden and plant it up and that it is PRIVATE PROPERTY?

What do the management organisation say? As a temnant, I believe that you are entitled to quiet enjoyment of your property and you might have some comeback if their rules are preventing this

[lozzzz]

The management are useless,they take their maintenance fees and that about it,I've been trying to get them to cut back the enormous beech tree thats encroaching over my back garden wall,they sent a tree surgeon to do the trees on the estate,removed one branch and went again.I think a letter is in order.

[sandbach99]

If you are allowed to plant any plants try planting some low growing and spreading prickley plants ie holly, berberis or firethorn [pyracantha]  all flower and have colourful berries in autumn.    Maybe then they would go round. 

[lou100]

I live in a corner bungalow, and I had exactly the same problem as you last year.   I got round it by putting a fence up (even though I am not supposed to, everybody else in the road has one) - I can only suggest planting some fast growing/spiky bushes!   It really is annoying and frustrating though.   Some people are just so rude and have no respect for other peoples properties.  Good Luck...

[ursula62]

I'd go with the spikey bushes option. I had this problem in my old house. Putting your rubbish bags/bins on the corner also helps - although it will kill the grass.  Whatever you do don't build a wall, people will use it as a seat!

[mullein2]

i would plant your flower beds with fast growing prickly things..its the only way you will stop them..i find it disgusting that people can do things like this..as you know lozzz i have had my plants destroyed once this year ..so you have all my sympathy..for next year you could get some cardoons..they are really sharp and grow fast..putting your rubbish out isnt the answer you will have some twit come along and kick it all over the place..then you will have to pick it up..more work..another thing you could do is change your flower beds and add cobbles around the plants in an uneven way..so they cant walk flat...that may deter them..you can even buy glass chippings to put round plants..its worth a thought for next year..

[jake-the-peg]

I believe one of the colleges in Cambridge had significant success by putting up a few small signs reading "Caution this lawn is fertillised organically"

This might be an urban myth though and it might be a bit subtle for your troublemakers 

[Trillipse]

Shotgun

[thugulike]

Plant yuccas.  In a few years nobody will be tramping through your garden.

[Otrere]

I had the same problem where I used to live and it had a walled garden! We lived in an end terrace with a approx. 3ft wall to enclose the small front garden.

I looked out of the front window one day to see three children jumping from my front path to the gravel inset in the centre of the garden. I opened the door at told them to clear off as well!

And if doing that at 26 yrs old makes me a miserable old ****** then so be it!

Can you not just put a small fence up - saying 18" to 2ft high around one side of the front garden? At least then it would put people off traipsing over your beds but the groundsmen would still be able to do their thing as it would still be accessible from one side?

[chiarli]

I understand your problem, and appreciate your anger, you wont stop these people they are just ignorant to the fact that it is private property, the police do not want to know as tresspass is a civil matter, write to your local parish council they will have to do something even if its only coming round for a cup of tea, why dont you place a small rope or chain border around the edge apart from looking nice it will deter most. good luck