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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:
Original poster
incognitodorrito · 07/09/2021 13:27

Ivy is horrible, some types really smell awful too.

OP posts:
beautifullymad · 07/09/2021 14:33

@steppemum

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

This works. I do this with the big brambles going under our fence. I was concerned that my neighbour might put down weed killer along the fence which would then kill off all my established plants along my fence. So I treated the brambles coming in from their side with this method.
FangsForTheMemory · 07/09/2021 14:36

Maybe your neighbour likes her garden like that? Mine is a bit overgrown. As a result, I have hedgehogs and slow worms and loads of moths. Why ever would you consider throwing weed killer on someone else's garden? I'd due anyone who did that to mine.

FangsForTheMemory · 07/09/2021 14:39

*sue

JeanBodel · 07/09/2021 14:51

I get it, OP. We paid that sort of money for our fences too; that's how much fences cost where we live.

We have aggressive brambles encroaching from two separate properties. They are taking over our garden. We haven't put down weed killer (and I never would due to the harm it causes) but I can understand that you are feeling desperate. I am interested in non-toxic solutions and am following the helpful part of this thread.

Until you've lived in the middle of a bramble patch I think it must be hard to understand how difficult it is. It's not possible to just cut back; that would be a full time job and I for one don't have that sort of spare time (or wish to spend it on pruning).

ralphi · 07/09/2021 15:04

I really sympathise with you, however, there are a few reasons why you should not just chuck weedkiller over the fence. I took over a garden in a similar state to your neighbours, and learnt that for one, unless you have a special formula, basic glyphosate is actually unlikely to work against brambles. Even if you use a glyphosate based weedkiller specially formulated for brambles they keep coming back for years, you will be at it for ever, not to mention the cancerous and toxic nature of glyphosate based weedkillers. The idea of a boundary at ground levels, something like the root cages used for bamboo, and chucking the cuttings back over to make a layer on the top is a good idea, and it really works. A bit of salt and vinegar works really well too, but beware that it does affect land around, in other words, could affect your plants too. A horrible situation to be in. Would she be liable for damage to your fence? Have you thought of contacting a solicitor?

safariboot · 07/09/2021 15:18

Just have some kids round to play in your garden and be careless with their balls and frisbees. That's how my neighbours wrecked my wildflower border and knocked down all the sunflowers.

Original poster
incognitodorrito · 07/09/2021 16:05

@safariboot

Just have some kids round to play in your garden and be careless with their balls and frisbees. That's how my neighbours wrecked my wildflower border and knocked down all the sunflowers.
I believe the kids and balls would disappear in the weeds & bramble !
OP posts:
Butterflymjl66 · 26/05/2025 07:18

You certainly can cut it back up to your property line.
You do not need to inform them that you are cutting it. It's your right to do so.
You must ensure you throw back over any trimmings, leaves, branches, etc. and do not keep or throw them away , as this can be classed as theft, unless you have been given permission to do so by your neighbour. However even then I would throw the cuts offs back over, especially if it's a neighbour that likes to cause trouble.

Throwing weed killer over the property boundary line. I wouldn't do that. Not here in the UK anyway. Once you go past in to or on to the neighbours property's boundary, without consent that's when you're breaking the law.
If something is growning thru / in to / on to your property line, you have a right to remove it.

Bonjovispyjamas · 26/05/2025 07:22

Butterflymjl66 · 26/05/2025 07:18

You certainly can cut it back up to your property line.
You do not need to inform them that you are cutting it. It's your right to do so.
You must ensure you throw back over any trimmings, leaves, branches, etc. and do not keep or throw them away , as this can be classed as theft, unless you have been given permission to do so by your neighbour. However even then I would throw the cuts offs back over, especially if it's a neighbour that likes to cause trouble.

Throwing weed killer over the property boundary line. I wouldn't do that. Not here in the UK anyway. Once you go past in to or on to the neighbours property's boundary, without consent that's when you're breaking the law.
If something is growning thru / in to / on to your property line, you have a right to remove it.

Edited

It's probably sorted after 4 years.

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