Just read the entire thing thanks a bunch, it was very helpful and pretty much proves what I was thinking. I have the same type of situation here but my back yard opens up to a cul de sac. My neighbor has the same situation where their backyard is in another cul de sac basically we face opposite ways. In between our two properties is a public walkway...he went ahead and put a 4 foot iron fence completely open for the simple reason he did not get a permit and knew if he did they would say 4 foot anyways and have him go through the whole variance processes. I need a 6 foot fence as our patio in the backyard is complete open everyone waking can see exactly what we’re eating for dinner. My neighbors are “cool” with whatever we want to do, but again it’s a risk because if someone complains we run the possibility of having to take it down completely, moving it or having to change the fence out completely. Neighbor did the open fence and will place trees around the outside of the fence to keep a little privacy which sounds like a good idea and lots of maintenance.

Sounds like good fun and nice it is back after an unfortunate hiatis. Fall festivals are abundant in NewEngland this time of year. Our garlic festival used to be a good time years ago but so popular now we avoid. (traffic is insane) I use the gorgeous wooden spatula you sent me all the time and keep it well oiled. 😍

https://www.carscoops.com/2023/01/multiple-cars-damaged-after-boston-gas-stations-premium-tank-accidentally-filled-with-diesel/ https://globalnews.ca/news/9490719/drivers-gas-diesel-mix-up-rock-creek-bc/ https://www.wbrz.com/news/don-t-start-your-engines-gasoline-diesel-in-wrong-tanks-at-wbr-circle-k/ https://www.5newsonline.com/article/money/drivers-left-without-vehicles-sams-club-gas-station-issue/527-f9fc57f8-ed46-4e26-a645-9dea8b7f8122 https://www.wtkr.com/news/news-3-looking-into-online-tips-of-wrong-fuel-being-dispensed-out-of-pumps-at-virginia-beach-gas-stations https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/2023/05/25/erie-pa-country-fair-store-diesel-error-consumer-solution/70256163007/ https://abc7.com/gas-station-mistakenly-pumps-diesel-fuel-pumped-at-76-mixup-in-city-of-industry-damaged-car-due-to/1253434/ It does happen! I don’t think it is common, though. Or maybe it is!🤔 https://www.npr.org/2023/08/28/1196297077/idalia-gas-contamination-diesel-florida-citgo A "potentially widespread" fuel contamination at gas stations along Florida's Gulf Coast could cause car engines and power generators to stop working just as Tropical Storm Idalia approaches the area. The contamination was caused by "human error" at the Port of Tampa, according to a news alert from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The affected gasoline and diesel, supplied by Citgo, may have been sold at nearly 30 stations after 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, mostly along the Florida coast from the Tampa Bay region to Fort Myers. Using the fuel could cause engine damage or stop a vehicle or generator from operating entirely, FDACS warned.“

I've been growing common milkweed for decades. The root system does travel far, but I just remove the new stalks that pop up where I don't want them. My garden has a network of Asclepias syriaca roots below ground, but the rhyzomes don't have a massive amount of roots attached to them like other aggressive species like Canada Goldenrod. The underground rhizomes don't seem to damage or steal energy and nutrients from all the unrelated species that are growing above them. Common Milkweed sends up new stalks, but it's speed of regeneration is slow compared to other agressive species like Cynanchum laeve, Ipomoea pandurata and Aristolochia/Isotrema tomentosum. The underground roots don't zap energy and interfere with the plants growing above them. You can get rid of it permenantly if you regularly pull up all the above ground new growth for a couple/few seasons. It certainly would be ridiculous to upheave an entire garden with a backhoe just to remove the roots. I've pulled out quite a few stalks this year because they would have been shading out other nice, lower growing plants that I'm trying to establish. There are still many stalks remaining. If I pull up enough stalks in a certain area, the mother plant will take the hint and will start sending up stalks in a different area. I rather enjoy the fact that it pops up in many places. I can choose where it will stay or if it must go. I grew the related Hemp Dogbane, Apocynum cannibinum a few years ago, and it also spread underground, but at a much faster pace than common milkweed. The rhtzomatous nature of many Asclepias species has been an advantage for me growing some southwestern Asclepias species like Horsetail Milkweed, Asclepias subverticillata and Narrow-leaved Milkweed, Asclepias fascicularis. They shouldn't be hardy for me, but their agressive nature is the reason they return after being kicked back during the cold winter. I always inspect the milkweed stalks for Monarch and Gypsy Moth eggs and caterpillars before pulling them out. I've never had an issue with common milkweed seedlings, in fact I never see any. The agressive reputation has to do with it's rhyzomatous root system. Marmiegard, you can grow the non rhzomatous Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa in full sun with minimal water needs until established and for part shade Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata, which also doesn't have rhyzomatous roots. I love Asclepias syriaca and I've learned to live with it peacefully. My Honeyvine, Cynanchum laeve and the Manroot, Ipomoea pandurata have actually sent rhyzomes underneath my brick patio and then traveled 50 ft. more, but my common milkweed is nowhere near that agressive. I feel keeping it is worth a small bit of control/management when I get a whif of their intoxicating clove scented flower clusters.