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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this stealing?

82 replies

happypet · 30/08/2022 22:21

We are renovating and have heras fencing across the front of the garden (farther back than what we legally own). I was in the front garden, when I heard someone chatting close behind me- 2m away. I turned to see a women picking blackberries from our plant- which grows in our property. She was chatting to her toddler whilst filling a bucket! I live on a quiet lane, and 6 houses along, its open fields with alot more blackberry bushes to choose from.

Excuse the pic, but I thought it odd that she squeezed herself between our car and the plant- to pick fruit from our bush. I realise its only blackberries, but AIBU that fruit on our property is ours?

Is this stealing?
OP posts:
KrisAkabusi · 30/08/2022 22:26

I would think that the property line is normally at a fence, and that therefore the blackberry bush is available to those using the lane. I wouldn't think of a couple of metres of grass as part of your garden if there's a fence further in. I don't think she was stealing, just under the impression that she was picking from a 'public' bush.

MarianneVos · 30/08/2022 22:27

That's odd- it would be different if it was plants that were overhanging the pavement or something. Perhaps she didn't realise it was private property though if there's no fence?

RealBecca · 30/08/2022 22:29

Maybe she thought the bush was for everyone?

Chohlin654 · 30/08/2022 22:29

Would you have found time to pick and eat them yourself? If so, yanbu

Aprilx · 30/08/2022 22:30

I don’t really understand the diagram as I don’t see a house. But it probably looks like public land.

RealBecca · 30/08/2022 22:30

Do you think she meant to steal from you? What did she say when you said stop picking my bush?

Christmasiscominghohoho · 30/08/2022 22:33

If the blackberries were on the outside of the fence and not totally in your garden then no they are not yours as they are on the path.

If you want to keep all the blackberries to yourself cut the bush right back so it’s totally in your garden.

newbiename · 30/08/2022 22:34

Wouldn't say stealing , perhaps a misunderstanding. Did you say anything?

Hawkins001 · 30/08/2022 22:35

Is it obvious that it's your land rather than an extended part of the lane ?

Cherryana · 30/08/2022 22:36

She is probably selling them on the black(berry) market right now.

Boom Boom!

Original poster
happypet · 30/08/2022 22:36

@Chohlin654 I have been picking and using the blackberries myself- yes.

They are on our plant, growing from our land, within our boundary.

OP posts:
AmbushedByCake · 30/08/2022 22:40

Is it a wild bush that happens to be growing on your land or a cultivated one? If the former, she is not stealing, unless she intends to sell the berries or otherwise use them for financial benefit (this is why poncy chef foragers drive me mad. Its theft to pick wild growing produce to use for profit. Fine to eat yourself.) Somewhat different, I think, if you have cultivated the bushes, making them your personal property.

DustinsHat · 30/08/2022 22:40

Blackberries are in abundance at the minute and given you have access both within your property and an easy walk away I don't think I could get too worked up about a woman picking a few with her toddler if I were you.

I have big hydrangeas on my property and people come in to cut the heads off in summer. It's a bit annoying because it's best to keep the heads on over winter to protect from frost. But I can't get any more worked up than thinking 'that's a bit cheeky.'

CaptainThe95thRifles · 30/08/2022 22:45

I find it baffling that people think it's acceptable to strip fruit from private property (even if it's on the edge of that property). It happens all the time around here. I don't mind folk passing grabbing a few berries as they go, but when people come with tubs and strip the whole bush because they don't want to buy them, I'm not impressed. I'd rather there were some left for the wildlife.

Original poster
happypet · 30/08/2022 22:49

@DustinsHat - I agree, blackberries are in abundance right now, with ample at the end of our lane. Mine is grown on our property and a thornless variety, hence why maybe this lady thought it easier to pick than the others. I have mobility issues- and can't easily walk to the end of our lane to pick wild fruit- hence I planted my own. Maybe it looks like a wild plant, as mixed in with a laurel now?

I don't begrudge someone picking a few with a toddler, but to bring a bucket along, and pick from a plant growing from my inside property, I thought rather rude

OP posts:
jelly79 · 30/08/2022 22:55

So what did you say to her...?

NoseyNellie · 30/08/2022 22:55

I would guess that she thought they were public property - It honestly hadn’t crossed my mind that there were cultivated strains as it’s so abundant - Altho of course now you mention it, it does make total sense.

I wonder why you didn’t call over to them with a polite “oh hi, actually those are my plants, there are plenty more down there lane”?

BitOutOfPractice · 30/08/2022 22:57

And what did she say when you approached her about it? I’m

Whowhatwherewhenwhynow · 30/08/2022 22:58

Where is your house. Without the context of where your house is it’s hard to tell if it’s obviously private land or could appear like it’s not.

Either way it a blackberry bush and even if it was on my land I’d only find it mildly odd rather than something to get too worked up about .

abblie · 30/08/2022 23:02

Are you seriously moaning on mumsnet about blackberries 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Jesus wept

Have you children or work or hobbies you could put yourself into more than a woman picking blackberries with her child.

I would understand if she walked through your gate, up your garden and through your house

Mumsnet is getting weirder by the day

abblie · 30/08/2022 23:04

Hello police I would like to report a theft ... yes what did they steal... MY BLACKBERRIES 🤣 I actually can't cope with this

MaChienEstUnDick · 30/08/2022 23:06

Our garden is up fenced but it's definitely our garden. DH said a delivery van screeched to a halt the other day, the lad jumped out, ran over our grass and started filling his pockets with apples from our trees! Shock Cheeky fecker jumped a mile when DH waved at him from the window.

Joke's on him though, they're sour. I hope they make his shite runny.

Kite22 · 30/08/2022 23:08

Firstly full marks for going to the trouble to draw a diagram and upload it Smile

However, it isn't really clear if it would have been obvious that she was coming on to your drive / your property - not sure where your house is, nor what a heras fence is.

I mean, even if it is fairly apparent that it was your drive, I think "stealing" is a bit harsh. I picked my blackberry bushes clean some weeks ago, then they grew more, and again, and again. Just got another big tub full yesterday in fact. I think the amount of blackberries a parent with a toddler could pick by now is probably limited in the scheme of things.

What did she say when you pointed out she was in your garden ?

NuffSaidSam · 30/08/2022 23:14

It sounds like a misunderstanding. What did she say when you approached her?

Gagaandgag · 30/08/2022 23:16

I honestly think when blackberry season is here people just think it’s a free for all - they look at the bush and the prize on them and don’t even realise where the bush is. Doesn’t cross their minds it might be in a private garden and even if it was maybe they think it’s a wild bush so belongs to everyone? 🤣

I would get a bit irritated if someone came in my garden and I think many on here would too.