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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to vacuum my front garden?

82 replies

lolapenguin · 25/08/2024 16:42

I need to know if I've finally lost it or if I just have judgemental neighbours ?

I regularly vacuum my front garden. I have a mix of artificial grass and paving stones, and it just feels like the easiest way to keep things tidy—especially when leaves, dirt, or small debris build up. It's kind of become a Sunday cleaning habit at this point.

The thing is, some of my neighbors have started giving me weird looks when they see me doing it. A couple of them have even made comments like, "Are you sure you don't want to take that inside?" I usually just laugh it off, but their reaction feels like i'm hoovering up the neighbourhood cat! (which I would never btw)

Now I'm wondering if I should I scale it back or just keep going and keep it a part of my weekly routine?

OP posts:
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Jc2001 · 26/08/2024 18:45

YANBU but of course you're going to get some finny looks of you're hoovering the front garden.

GladLemonFish · 26/08/2024 18:24

GlobalCitz · 25/08/2024 18:09

We absolutely do not deserve this planet.

To dress it up as "animal welfare" for your cat's wellbeing when you're quite literally killing flora and fauna is beyond the pale

This. It’s beyond stupidness.

Sux2buthen · 26/08/2024 09:12

I see plastic grass is the new Mumsnet gripe fad.
In real life nobody is worried about your grass OP, hoover it to your hearts content

Dandelionsarefree · 26/08/2024 09:06

saltinesandcoffeecups · 26/08/2024 00:38

I once heard someone describe that as scrubbing the bread box.

In that while everyone is balls out cleaning and getting ready for guests there is always someone who scrubs out the breadbox to be helpful. Yeah no one gives a shit if you have crumbs in a bread box but that person sure does look busy… see also “helpful like a puppy”

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😂 my husband is like that too. When getting ready for family or friends to come over and we are hosting he always choose to do something extremely low priority ie. Change a light bulb.

LucasNorth1 · 26/08/2024 01:50

if its fake grass then hoover away

Guavafish1 · 26/08/2024 00:51

My neighbour did this, but the lawn was beautiful

Wabberjockey · 26/08/2024 00:49

You have plastic grass for your indoor cat? Hmm.

It should be banned.

BettyBardMacDonald · 26/08/2024 00:46

Perpetuallydaisy · 25/08/2024 23:16

A more environmentally but still cat-non-allergenic alternative might be gravel. That way you still have some drainage and you could have planters or pots of plants for insects, if the cat's allergy is just to grass pollen (has the vet tested?).

Thank you

KenAdams · 26/08/2024 00:44

lolapenguin · 25/08/2024 16:59

Hello! I get that plastic grass might seem a bit odd, but it’s actually a lifesaver for our elderly indoor cat who has hay fever. We’re just trying to make her sneezing fits a bit less dramatic! It might look quirky, but seeing her breathe easier is worth it.

I can't. This is my new favourite MN post.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 26/08/2024 00:38

Dandelionsarefree · 25/08/2024 23:02

😂😂 this made my day too

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I once heard someone describe that as scrubbing the bread box.

In that while everyone is balls out cleaning and getting ready for guests there is always someone who scrubs out the breadbox to be helpful. Yeah no one gives a shit if you have crumbs in a bread box but that person sure does look busy… see also “helpful like a puppy”

Perpetuallydaisy · 25/08/2024 23:16

A more environmentally but still cat-non-allergenic alternative might be gravel. That way you still have some drainage and you could have planters or pots of plants for insects, if the cat's allergy is just to grass pollen (has the vet tested?).

Perpetuallydaisy · 25/08/2024 23:10

Surely the noise is annoying?
That and the urgency of having proper wildlife gardens, with soil, for drainage and to counter heat island effects, plus if any (desperately needed for pollination) insects are accidentally straying into your plastic garden they'll be hoovered up and we're in the throes of a dangerous decline in insect populations!
I'd be judging, too!

CovertPiggery · 25/08/2024 23:09

It is unusual for someone to be vacuuming their garden so you're bound to get weird looks OP 🤷🏼‍♀️

Dandelionsarefree · 25/08/2024 23:02

ohthejoys21 · 25/08/2024 19:39

You've lost it.. like my dh who runs out picking leaves up when they fall before guests come, instead of helping in the kitchen!

😂😂 this made my day too

saltinesandcoffeecups · 25/08/2024 22:32

Purrer · 25/08/2024 22:10

I assume all the people wringing their hands over ops plastic lawn don’t eat meat as it’s one of the biggest contributors to climate change

Nope, I happily eat my burgers out in the grass lawn!

ItsVeryHyacinthBucket · 25/08/2024 22:14

saltinesandcoffeecups · 25/08/2024 16:45

This!

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Yes it’s this. There’s no hope when you have a “garden” that you can vacuum!

Grendell · 25/08/2024 22:12

We have an outdoor vacuum for these kinds of things.

Purrer · 25/08/2024 22:10

I assume all the people wringing their hands over ops plastic lawn don’t eat meat as it’s one of the biggest contributors to climate change

holju · 25/08/2024 20:10

It's quirky but I wouldn't judge you for it. Everyone has their idiosyncrasies.

ConstantlyFuriosa · 25/08/2024 20:06

Agree with posters saying the neighbours are judging your horrible environmentally-unfriendly plastic ‘garden’ but out of interest, what time are you performing this Sunday ritual?

Davros · 25/08/2024 20:01

Henry over the patio - standard

DrinkElephants · 25/08/2024 20:00

LoneHydrangea · 25/08/2024 16:44

They’re judging your plastic grass, not the vacuuming.

Agree!

wutheringkites · 25/08/2024 19:42

@soupfiend does paving and artificial grass that is vacuumed weekly constitute a garden?

moppety · 25/08/2024 19:39

My neighbour does this and it does look really bizarre!

ohthejoys21 · 25/08/2024 19:39

You've lost it.. like my dh who runs out picking leaves up when they fall before guests come, instead of helping in the kitchen!

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