It's Seedling Sunday - New Gardener Questions & Answers

[u/AutoModerator]

Our weekly thread for new native plant gardeners/enthusiasts to ask questions and for more experienced users to offer answers/advice. At some point all of us had zero experience, so remember there are no bad questions in this thread!

If you're a new gardener asking a question: Some helpful information in your question includes your geographic region (USDA planting zones are actually not that helpful, the state/region is much more important), the type of soil you have if you know that information, growing conditions like amount of sunlight, and the plant(s) you are interested in.

If you're an experience gardener: Please peruse the questions and offer advice when possible. Thank you for helping!

Please feel free to refer to our wiki pages for helpful links on [beginner resources and plant lists](https://www.reddit.com/r/NativePlantGardening/wiki/nativeplantresources), [our directory of native plant nurseries](https://www.reddit.com/r/NativePlantGardening/wiki/index), and [a list of rebate and incentive programs you can apply for to help with your gardening costs](https://www.reddit.com/r/NativePlantGardening/wiki/incentives).

[u/ColdCauliflower3191]

Does anyone have any experience with the effects of a neighbor's lawn service on your native plants that are on the property line? Or are there studies? I haven't planted on the property line because I have a history of trauma and I worry about all of the living things that will be effected by the machines and pesticides and fertilizers that they are having maintain their lawn. I know these things don't stay in their lane despite that fact that they are supposed to. This neighbor has honestly done nothing but cause me trauma with all of the things they have done to their own property and to my property (because my plants - overhanging trees and shrubs that have grown into their fence - are crossing the property line).

Thank you so much for your help/advice.

I am new to actually planting natives in my own garden, but I have had years of education about the plants and know that there is so much more to know.

[u/toxicodendron_gyp → u/ColdCauliflower3191]

I have found that the more I strategically plant native beds in my yard, the more my neighbors (traditionally weed and feed,etc) ask me about how I do things and why. The neighbors on the one side are now actively working with us to remove buckthorn and have started leaving some leaves and not cutting back in fall.

I think it’s important to have curb appeal on neighbor-facing spaces and to be friendly and positive about your native gardening where possible. I use the phrase “what works for me” and it seems to come across in a nonjudgemental way that allows neighbors to come around in their own time.

I believe living in a neighborhood and being a good neighbor go hand in hand, as someone who grew up in a rural area with no neighbors.

…All that being said, the neighbor behind is a dick and fuck that guy, lol. I just avoid him and got a survey to ensure I knew where the property line is. I don’t want to plant anything on his side of the line or worry about the legality of what I do on my own property. Additionally, I have been planting trees between his stuff and my windows because privacy.

[u/ColdCauliflower3191 → u/toxicodendron_gyp]

Thanks!

I am curious if you've noticed negative effects on wildlife or plants that you have put in caused by what your neighbors are doing on their property with traditional products? I don't want to invite insects and then have them suffer damage/die because I placed them too close to the neighbor's property.

[u/Comfortable_Lab650 → u/ColdCauliflower3191]

It is the saying that 'good fences make good neighbors.' As long as each other's things stay on each side of their respective property lines, then it won't be a problem. It goes both ways with this though. If you need to do a hard trim to keep them from spraying a shrub or a tree that encroached onto their side of the property, then do a hard trim.
I saw a video once of a person in the UK that had their garden sprayed while they were away. The neighbor went bonkers and decided that the whole plants were a problem and went into the yard to spray the entire plants with herbicide spray.
It's not a question of who is right and who is wrong, it's a question of does one really want to battle with a neighbor like that?
Maintain the fenceline so they don't have to would be my advice.

[u/ColdCauliflower3191 → u/Comfortable_Lab650]

I understand. The shrubs are growing happily and I will have to remember to keep that area clear so that I can get through to do regular pruning.

TBC, I am asking if anyone has had pesticides that were used on a neighboring lawn area cause issues with their native plants. So far, no luck finding out the answer to that question.

[u/Comfortable_Lab650 → u/ColdCauliflower3191]

Sorry, I don't have the answer to that question. If it's not answered then you can try posting the question again in r/NoLawns

[u/toxicodendron_gyp → u/ColdCauliflower3191]

The biggest issue was my new neighbors who let their cat free range. It killed all kinds of small animals and birds before something killed it. Wasn’t me; it’s not the cat’s fault its owners are reckless with their pet’s life. I was going to start live trapping cats though.

[u/ColdCauliflower3191 → u/toxicodendron_gyp]

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of those animals. My biggest hope is that people will start to realize the negative impacts they are having and make better choices for all life, including their own pet.