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Tips & Techniques

Plant Theft!

oneplant_twoplant

14 years ago

Within the past year, we have had several plants stolen from our yard. Right after we moved in, 2 recently planted azaela bushes disappeared, leaving us only holes in the ground. An aloe plant we planted was also dug up, but the hole covered back over with dirt and mulch. We also had a hibiscus plant removed from the front of our house, but it was nearly dead, so we thought it was the pesky HOA who thought it was ugly, or the new neighbors across the street who were tired of waiting for our nurturing of the plant to take affect.

Finally, both in the past week, we have had two plants carefully dug up and dirt covered back over. We had a marjoram plant dug up out of our herb garden, and amongst the herbs we have, we considered it an odd choice. We also noticed our oregano and thyme (on either side of the marjoram) were trimmed back significantly.

Just today, we had a pepper plant go missing - along with its identify tag in the ground!

Our neighbors are very nice, and I'd hate to think its them stealing our plants...but...where do these plants disappear to? The person(s) stealing our plants is very selective, and carefully digging them up and recovering the hole.

I'm upset and feel a little violated. Has anyone else had this happen? Any ideas to prevent this from continuing? Is there anyone I can report this to?

Thanks.

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Comments (4)

mikie_gw
14 years ago
Call the cops! Tell your neighbors!

You're lucky they're only stealing plants.
They might graduate into stealing your other stuff too !

Get a motion detector sprinkler.
You're mailman might not like it though.
Barbara Kelly
14 years ago
Rig a motion sensor camera and plenty of sign's. One confrontation will probably stop the thieves. Rig a motion sensor alarm.. that would do it. Good luck with whatever you do.
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I have been watching this post and am just disgusted! Ron, I hope you not only frighten them, but find out who they are so they don't go down to your neighbor and steel from them. This person-or people are taking far to much from your yard to be just one 'gardener' it has to be someone who needs many plants, and they can not be just doing it to you. In otherwords, someone is selling your plants and whoever it is needs to be outed to your area. This is wrong and they need to be punished, not just frightened off. I feel so bad for you-I had this happen to me twice-but I caught them and it was teenagers getting the 'newbie' in the neighborhood. The police were called and took care of it after that :o) They don't do it to anyone anymore I am guessing. LOL ~Robbi
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years ago
Contact your HOA, as well. This might be a trend in your little community, and others should know about it.
countrycarolyn
14 years ago
I have had this happen I am kinda relieved to find that it has happend to someone else. They keep taking the same plants, almost like they couldnt get the first to take so come back at a later time to take more. They keep taking it from a spot where I have been trying to get it to take off also. They dont even replace the dirt just leave me big holes. What nerve of people how rude. Heck you knock on my door and ask I would be more than happy to give from a spot I pick. I dont know what to do we are in a small town so I doubt the police would do anything. I dont think it is anyone that lives around me currently. If I had to guess I would say that it was someone that use to live in the area, who knows. For all I know it may be my mother in law, if it was I would really love to catch her. Some people are just very brassy it just amazes me.

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