Is this stealing?

[Drive43]

AIBU to take spent seed heads from flowers from people's gardens as I walk past?

Yes, it comes within the legal definition of theft

I am genuine. But if you choose not to believe that, it's up to you.

You can’t pick and choose. Theft is theft

Don’t be so ridiculous. You’re embarrassing yourself now.

If you’re so set in your ways then why ask? Typical troll starting drama. Perhaps think of a more productive way to spend your Tuesdays in future.

Not really sad (life). More... thoughtful.

Ok thanks for the advice.

@Drive43

I didn't literally just say it. I literally just typed it.

I'm not full-on, although ultimately all property is theft, when you think about it.

What are you smoking? And can I have some?

But if you took just one head from a flower, there will be other people who do same. If all adds up. As a keen gardener myself, I would be very angry if I saw someone helping themselves to my flower heads or noticed it on my return from being out. It's not your garden- keep your hands to yourself!!!

Ofc you are ribbing people on here OP as no one would really do this... unless they are a tea leaf. Slippery slope!! Knock and ask- you might be surprised as they may offer some seeds if you admire their garden so much!

She's smoking stolen seeds.

😝

This is how is starts. It’ll be stolen cocaine before we know it.

Yes to all of this. I deliberately leave seed heads as I like how they look then I tend to harvest the seed myself. I'd be monumentally fucked off if someone helped themselves.

Given that you want them yourself, I find it hard to understand why you wouldn't wonder if the owner wanted them.

If they are not at home you don't do it. Maybe they are intending to use them themselves.
My neighbour has a large rosemary bush in her front garden. I knocked to ask if I could take a few sprigs. I wouldn't just help myself.

When it comes to taking cuttings with secateurs...The garden owner has no idea if the tools are clean, which is a legitimate concern when you consider how disease is introduced to plants.

I'm not saying that everyone taking sneaky cuttings is spreading plant disease, but the risk of it is genuine.

Opium poppy seeds I expect

Yes but it seems to be common with keen gardeners. They'll ask first, but if nobody is around, they'll take. I've seen RHS lecturers do this.

Yet rather than buying your own seeds you want others 🤦‍♀️

I guess I'd better await a knock on the door from the police after taking some cuttings of three overhanging/growing through a fence clematis plants😬
I really don't see why it is an issue if you take some seeds from plants which are hanging over, and quite often throwing over a public footpath. As long as you aren't going into the garden and picking the seed heads off the plants, then it shouldn't be a problem.

I think this must be one of the differences between gardeners and allotmenters.

At least on my field it is considered terribly bad form to even set foot on another person's allotment without express permission.

TWOCing anything (seedheads, tools, crop, compost) would likely see the culprit thrown off the field.