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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To Chuck weedkiller over fence ?

135 replies

incognitodorrito · 06/09/2021 11:17

I recently paid £7 K to fence in my garden. Both neighbours very tight and I wanted a safe garden so I've paid the lot. I won't ever be able to afford to finance this again. The neighbour on one side is allowing her garden to go to pot and I've got thorns and weeds and branches growing over and pushing against my new lovely fence. She did not allow my fencer to cut anything back on her side which ok fine, but now it's pushing against my fence. Her garden is so absolute mess but she doesn't seem to want to do anything about it any I don't want the fence damaged. AIBU to cut back what comes on my side and Chuck weed killer over the side ...?

OP posts:
Tal45 · 06/09/2021 11:20

You can cut back on your side but you can't chuck weed killer over! It would be very obvious. When you're cutting back what comes over I'd cut back further than necessary though, if she complains tell her you don't have time to be cutting back her weeds every two minutes!

Notjustanymum · 06/09/2021 11:22

You can cut anything that grows over your side, but should let the ndn know you have done this (and I believe you are supposed to also offer her the clippings).
Weed killer over the fence is not ok though...

steppemum · 06/09/2021 11:24

well, when the plant grows on to your side, encase the bit that comes through in a plastic bag, and spray it with a weed killer that takes the chemical down to the roots. (Round up?)

That way you are not spraying on her land, but are getting rid of the weeds

Lsquiggles · 06/09/2021 11:25

We have the same problem here, we're having to pay for new fences on the one side because the lady next door has let her garden grow like a forest and it's grown through our fences. We have subtly mentioned it to her son before and he said he'll sort it but never does, they don't spend time out there so I guess they don't care. I've been tempted with weed killer too but I feel that might open a can of worms! I hope you find a solution OP it's very unfair.

santaslittlehohoho · 06/09/2021 11:25

Pushing against your fence? I'd assume for 7k it should be made of steel Grin

Definitely not weed killer over the fence, it'll be really obvious and it wouldn't be worth it if it damaged something / hurt a pet etc!

endofthelinefinally · 06/09/2021 11:25

Once enough foliage grows over your fence you can spray it liberally with weed killer and it will be absorbed through the leaves and kill the whole plant.
Could you cut back anything growing through the fence, but let a few bits grow over the top? Obviously, spray the leaves when neighbours are out.

daisyjgrey · 06/09/2021 11:27

I have this problem too. I'm debating some kind of petrol bomb at this point 😂

LaundryForever · 06/09/2021 11:27

Weed killer has a massive environmental impact on plants and wildlife (birds, insects, hedgehogs, etc) so no you should definitely not chuck weed killer over. Think of the wider impact.

Original poster
incognitodorrito · 06/09/2021 11:27

@santaslittlehohoho

Pushing against your fence? I'd assume for 7k it should be made of steel Grin

Definitely not weed killer over the fence, it'll be really obvious and it wouldn't be worth it if it damaged something / hurt a pet etc!

Its a Secure wooden fence, a long and narrow garden and wood prices are astronomical. It was also professionally done.
OP posts:
thereisonlyoneofme · 06/09/2021 11:27

I have been tempted with weedkiller too! NDN front garden is totally overgrown and as its open plan all the weeds seeded in my garden. I eventually gave up with my lawn and had slate put down. Theirs is about 3 ft high with weeds, and thats not to mention the back garden which is covered in dog poo. Filthy people.

MistyFrequencies · 06/09/2021 11:29

If it was me I'd definitely go on a midnight spraying mission over her fence . But it's probably illegal so best thing is likely to not throw it over, get one that will absorb to the root and liberally lather it on any bit of plant that encroaches on your side.

BeenHereForAges · 06/09/2021 11:31

I'd do it.

But I'd do it covertly.

steppemum · 06/09/2021 11:34

Our neighbours put up a really good solid wood fence.

Before it was done I cleared the whole line of bindweed and brambles, a good 1 m into their garden too.

the bindweed and brambles are already trying to squeeze through the fence. This time I am weed killing them.

I am 99% chemical free in my garden, but round up only kills the plant it touches, and doesn't leave a residue. So I am happy it is safe enough.

Original poster
incognitodorrito · 06/09/2021 11:35

@steppemum

Our neighbours put up a really good solid wood fence.

Before it was done I cleared the whole line of bindweed and brambles, a good 1 m into their garden too.

the bindweed and brambles are already trying to squeeze through the fence. This time I am weed killing them.

I am 99% chemical free in my garden, but round up only kills the plant it touches, and doesn't leave a residue. So I am happy it is safe enough.

May I ask for a link to the weed killer you used please ?!
OP posts:
Boobieboobieboobie · 06/09/2021 11:36

Of course YABU. It must be annoying but its her garden.

SirVixofVixHall · 06/09/2021 11:38

Surely a decent fence is strong enough for this ? After all many people grow plants up against fencing. It doesn’t sound very sturdy for seven thousand pounds !!
Weedkiller is highly toxic, you could poison your neighbour, a pet, local wildlife etc, why on earth would you do that ?
You are allowed to trim anything growing through on your side, and so you could ask your neighbour if you can prune branches that are pushing against the fence, but as it was only recently put in then branches can’t have grown enough to damage it.

Original poster
incognitodorrito · 06/09/2021 11:40

@SirVixofVixHall

Surely a decent fence is strong enough for this ? After all many people grow plants up against fencing. It doesn’t sound very sturdy for seven thousand pounds !! Weedkiller is highly toxic, you could poison your neighbour, a pet, local wildlife etc, why on earth would you do that ? You are allowed to trim anything growing through on your side, and so you could ask your neighbour if you can prune branches that are pushing against the fence, but as it was only recently put in then branches can’t have grown enough to damage it.
It is sturdy, but if I let nature take it's natural course her overgrown garden and weeds will destroy it. She won't allow me to access her garden and prune), my sturdy fence will be damaged.
OP posts:
1moreglassplease · 06/09/2021 11:41

Are you living on the other side of my NDN? I also paid for a fence because she said she wanted her kids to be able to play safely in the garden. The garden is now so full of brambles and weeds that she cant even get to her washing line and they haven't set foot outside for over 10 years.

The other side actually built a wall and the weeds are already over that and regularly pop through the fence on mine. I now have no problem in dousing them with weedkiller and also cutting off any bits that come over the top and throwing them in her garden. I despair but she won't do anything and her landlord is useless.

Don't get me started on the bindweed that's infesting everything and is also all over my front garden.

MadameMonk · 06/09/2021 11:44

A few pots worth of boiling water late one night would likely solve the weed issue without dooming your neighbourhood to months/years of environmental degradation and carcinogens.

If you’re determined to act.

godmum56 · 06/09/2021 11:44

@steppemum

Our neighbours put up a really good solid wood fence.

Before it was done I cleared the whole line of bindweed and brambles, a good 1 m into their garden too.

the bindweed and brambles are already trying to squeeze through the fence. This time I am weed killing them.

I am 99% chemical free in my garden, but round up only kills the plant it touches, and doesn't leave a residue. So I am happy it is safe enough.

the jury is out on Round Up (glyphosate) I use it but sparingly. If I don't, I would either have a garden full of ivy, brambles and nettles...and I mean full, not just odd corners, or I would have to go scorched earth and clear and pave most of it which wouldn't be any good for the environment either...yes I use it on my boundaries on MY side of the fence as a courtesy to my neighbours. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55215291
HarrietsChariot · 06/09/2021 11:45

You need to be very careful with the weedkiller. As others have suggested you can kill the stuff that grows onto your property but it's legally dubious spraying it over the fence. Definitely do it after dark, preferably when the occupants are away.

Could you did your garden out so you can get under the fence? That way you'd be able to tunnel under and put weedkiller under the roots. Then fill the hole in and nobody will be any the wiser.

godmum56 · 06/09/2021 11:47

oh PS, the alternative mentioned in that article seems to be a blanket of boiling hot foam which cooks the weeds...I doubt it would work on established shrubby plants and seems not to be suitable for private gardens www.weedingtech.com

Hoppinggreen · 06/09/2021 11:49

No, don’t do that!
You need to sneak in under the fence not over so it gets to the roots

Berkeys · 06/09/2021 11:51

@LaundryForever

Weed killer has a massive environmental impact on plants and wildlife (birds, insects, hedgehogs, etc) so no you should definitely not chuck weed killer over. Think of the wider impact.
YABVU. Cut it back and get over it.
Berkeys · 06/09/2021 11:52

OP is BU that is! Weedkiller needs to be banned

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