Neighbours interfering with my hanging baskets

[BasketCaseBug]

We recently moved house and our new home is set out in a U shape with 6 houses all kind of facing each other. The house next to us is empty, our two houses make up the bottom of the U and there are two houses each side making the vertical sides of the U.

It seems that none of our neighbours work, the two at the ends are much older and retired, they have large front gardens and they look lovely. The other couple on one side have a small garden with some nice plants in pots but said they aren't very good gardeners and the last couple are similar age to us and don't have any plants.

When we moved I bought a hanging basket and a lovely planter full of plants, both of which died in the sun. Seeing a basket of dead flowers wasn't very appealing so I bought another one, however I couldn't reach to put it up so left it by the door to put up later. When I returned the dead basket had been replaced with the new basket.

New basket has since been watered, (hopefully it won't die this time)

Today when I got home both the planter and the old basket have been emptied and stacked neatly.

So one of my neighbours is interfering with my baskets, which they don't actually mind, however AIBU to wonder why they haven't mentioned it at all. I have no idea which neighbour is doing it and I have passed them all either on my way out to work or my way back in. (All of my neighbours seem to spend a bizarre amount of time in their front gardens)

I will ask next time I go out but it's a bit weird that they just keep coming into my garden unannounced. I was in the house when they hung up the new basket.

Are they northern? In my street we all put each other's bins back ..whoever gets there first. Love it ...I'd love a phantom waterer too lol 🌿

I wonder if it's a thank you for me watering his garden, which I do it it looks dry. But, he hasn't said a word. Just mystery plants. 🤷‍♀️

Oh gosh I love nice neighbours mine takes my bin out for me and brings it back in. He also keeps a look over it for us when I work my stupid shifts .

I agree. I'd never go onto a neighbors property uninvited. Next they'll be mowing your lawn or setting up garden gnomes.

I think they are being critical and out of line, my husband thinks they were being helpful.

Awww gone are the days where people helped each other and it was appreciated.
Never mind, if they are old, they might be replaced with neighbours who's kids chalk on the pavements or run across your gardens and cats that shit on your grass, then you will wish you still had your old neighbours who used to take time to look after your flowers for you.

Unclench - people being nice. Lord help us!

I'd put my old shoes out that need mending. See what happens 😀 or failing that, look around for a saggy, old cat!

I think I would do this if:

I had seen you trying to hang it and give up
i was then near your house for some reason

I think watering plants is a non issue tbh, if you have a can out or pipe on its a job of seconds.

Nice to have neighbours who look out for you if difficult times come along or are simply friendly.

This oversteps the normal way of things. And is not nice. Your property is not theirs.

Hanging baskets need a lot of watering/dead heading to keep them looking lovely. Maybe they were worried you would leave it on the floor and it would die like the last one did.

I’m a bit weird on this but I think of plants as people, almost, and hate to see them mistreated. Maybe your neighbours feel the same way.

Or maybe they dislike looking at messy bits of dead plant every time they go past your house?

You mentioned there was one empty house. Is it for sale? Sign me up for this any day, how lovely of them.

They sound like utter nightmares OP. Nip it in the bud before it becomes a thing.

Bemused at the cheery comments that they’re being helpful.

My neighbour years ago started similar friendly and helpful things, I gave them the benefit of the doubt initially and went against my instincts that said they’re intrusive twats. As time passed they were in our garden multiple times a day, having a chin wag with my NDN, taking in my washing cause it started raining, having a nosy in my garden, commenting on anything I did gardening related, collecting my parcels and bringing them round the patio when I had repeatedly asked them to stop collecting them.

I got a big ass gate that is now permanently locked, and I basically stopped saying anything more than hello to them as I realised that otherwise they got very confused and thought we’re just one big family?!

I do feel it is being helpful and I am grateful, I have just learnt from this thread they need watering daily... didn't know that!

I don't want them to thik we are rude to not say thank you, just not sure who to thank

Don’t complain. DH and I have been away for 3 weeks and I know when I get home that all the plants/flowers in my pots will have died. Having a kind neighbour to water them would have been wonderful. (No hose pipe ban in our area yet!)

I think your neighbours are being thoughtful and helpful, as it sounds as if your gardens at the front are all fairly open plan, so not so intrusive if that’s the case.
Perhaps mention to one of your neighbours that you’d like to thank who is watering your basket - it might be them or they might be able to tell you who it is.

My neighbours think I’m getting put out but I’m really not.

If I’m cutting my grass I will often cut theirs. They both work long days, have family and they can often miss the window where it is dry enough to cut.

I don’t mind. We help eachother in many ways and I hope it evens out as they do a lot for me.

I’d be heartbroken if they thought I was being intrusive.

Ach they were just being helpful. My old neighbours used to jump over the fence and cut my grass if i was out and they were doing their own
Good neighbours are worth their weight it gold

PS by the title I thought it was going to some garden based porn, I was all set up for some edging, trimming borders and getting your hose out😁

Because the plants didn't die.

Aw they're obviously just being kind and helpful. As long as they don't start mowing the lawn or taking your washing in I wouldnt worry. Just obviously ask your ndn or get a ring doorbell so you know who to thank.

I think they are either being kind or can't take the eye sore of the dead basket.

This is one of those things that could’ve been meant to be kindly or could be an implied criticism. That’s why it’s a bit awkward and uncomfortable.

We all know what mowing my lawn means... 😉