It's tough when a neighbor, or a neighborhood association, doesn't understand what a gardener is trying to do. I have received several letters from my HOA about "too many plant varieties" and "weeds in the flower beds". I sent them articles and pictures of cottage gardens and explained that with perennials not everything will be blooming at once. A perfectly healthy plant without flowers is not necessarily a weed! LOL I also explained that I will always have many plant varieties because I want one (or 2 or 3) of everything! Cottage gardens and veggie gardens are never going to look like a perfectly landscaped HOA dream home, but they certainly have their own beauty.

It's too bad your neighbor can't be OK with your style. Maybe if you invite him over for a manatee burger... (laughing) just kidding!!! (No offense intended, fishead, I just couldn't resist! It's the same lack-of-control that leads me to buy every new variety of cane begonia that I see.)

We have a couple other frequent posters who have had terrible problems with 'neighbors from hell'. I've been lucky with mine since the loony across the street from me moved. Thanks for reminding me how good I've got it! Perfect for Thanksgiving week and one more thing on my list to give thanks for.

Kate

One thing you learn early on in life as a homeowner is that you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your neighbors.

And you can't pick your neighbor's nose....

This will sound like I made it up but it is an absolutely true weird neighbor event:

We thought for a while that our neighbor had offed his girlfriend and buried her under a new palm tree (Paurotis)in his front yard! It was supposed to be an elaborate fountain with a huge hole dug, then they had a loud fight and the girlfriend stormed off in his Escalade. The very next day the hole was filled in and this nice palm was planted instead of the water feature. Pretty suspicious, huh? We didn't like her but were worried about her, so I contacted her sister. Turns out she took his car to Mexico, sold it and did something to end up in prison down there! Yikes! That may have been worse than being buried under the palm!

Yes theres alot to say about bad neighbors in fact it should be an entire forum,Lately mine havent been too bad but in the past have had troubles courtdates you name it. bushes lote and lots of bushes help. The one thing I wish they would make illegal is NEXTEL. The piercing beep beep and stupid neighbors who dont know how to use the privacy button! My neighbors are at least 350ft from me and the one s in front and the ones in back both have Nextels and stand outside and Talk. I am sure its beacuse they cant get the service indoors. But it lets me hear BOTH sides of the conversations. LUCKY ME (BLECH!) Fortunately its not all the time I just wonder if they know how far that sound travels.
Oh and then there are the people who walk their dogs on a leash and stand there while it craps beneath my mailbox. Hello there is a HUGE empty lot next door! I was going to post a small sign that reads
NO Poo zone!
Barefoot Grandkids and Mailmen only!

We have one neighbor who walks her three little yappy dogs, and never picks up after them.

Well, I have really big dogs, and I pick up everything and always walk them with my bag ostentatiously in my hand, so no one might think her silly dogs' poop came from my beasts. But her pups don't poop in my yard anymore. For awhile, everytime I saw her walking them, I'd grab a leash and head out with one of mine and just hang in the front yard, and wave to her as her silly pups scampered by. She avoids my block now.

As for bad neighbors, I'm feeling pretty lucky these days. One of my neighbors just took out his brazilian pepper tree!

"... I contacted her sister ..."

As long as we're getting all paranoid, how do you know he wasn't having an affair with the sister? Maybe she lied to you. :)

OK, now I'm worried about that palm tree again...

Whoo hoo, Susannah, I'm happy that your neighbor removed the Brazillian Pepper. (You didn't warn that the big dogs could poop on his yard, too, did ya?)

I've had REALLY bad neighbors, too. Sometimes you just have to take control of the 'hood, sometimes you just have to try to ignore it. That's what I've learned the hard way.

Actually, little yappy dogs have started pooping in my yard again. I wish I knew where she lived. I'd start depositing my beasts' giant piles on her front lawn. I mean, I understand dog ownership can be a hassle, god do I! But there is a vacant lot where a lot of folks in the 'hood walk their dogs and don't pick up. She's welcome to do it there if she's too much of a princess to pick up after them.

But not in MY yard! Because let's be honest _ I'M too much of a princess to pick up after her little cockroach dogs!

Yo Susannah,

You have made me giggle on many previous occasions. This time, I'm rolling in laughter and wishing you the best.

Sounds like you've picked your BIG battle. Good luck! (I reckon you'll win, with a little help from that dear Dane who has caused you so much consternation.)

Heeheee. I aim to please. Now if I could just figure out where she lives.

fishead99 wrote that his neighbor hates him "because he grows vegetables and has football and Thanksgiving parties".
I must be getting senile, a chance for fresh vegetables and invites to parties sounds like a friend.