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Original poster

Garden backing on to a playing field...HELP

40 replies

Psipsina · 23/04/2015 13:33

We moved in the winter when the field was deserted but now it seems to be a magnet for hooded youth.

They come and play football which intimidates the children, so they don't want to go out there - they also leave rubbish, broken bottles, etc.

We have a 6ft standard fence but I'm increasingly understanding why both sides of us have very high trees/hedges.

What can I put there in order to a) block the view of said youth, b) discourage them from trying to climb into our garden if they lose their ball?

I've put in some blackthorn but these are still small, I think I need a fast growing, prickly sort of plant, combined with rotating barbed wire or something.

Any ideas or tips welcome Grin

OP posts:
Hobby2014 · 23/04/2015 13:41

electric fence
big dog

Hobby2014 · 23/04/2015 13:42
Grin
Original poster
Psipsina · 23/04/2015 13:43

I was thinking about a rifle from the balcony.

OP posts:
fernella · 23/04/2015 14:19

I remember a neighbour having a really sticky type of plant - possibly some kind of creeper plant that spread all over their fence.
It ruined their clothes and didn't smell too great either.
Sorry I don't know the name of it but it's something to look into.
It'll be a good way to ensure you don't block out much wanted sunlight too! :)

dirtyprettything · 23/04/2015 14:24

Plant a pyracantha hedge now and you'll have good coverage within 18 months. No one will climb over with that there.

Original poster
Psipsina · 23/04/2015 14:25

Oh really? Thank you - I will look at getting some pyracantha and look up what the sticky plant might be! Great ideas.

OP posts:
OhNoNotMyBaby · 23/04/2015 14:31

Chilean potato vine - grows very very quickly.

nickEcave · 23/04/2015 16:03

Russian Vine. My parents house backed onto a railway line. My mum planted 3 of these plants and by the following year you couldn't see the railway line at all

notquitegrownup2 · 23/04/2015 16:05

Mile a minute grows very quickly but like Russian Vine is deciduous so looks tatty in winter. However, you could plant one, whilst you are waiting for the pyracantha to grow.

Kitsmummy · 23/04/2015 16:10

What about some of that vandal paint (can't remember the proper name) along the top of the fence?

Original poster
Psipsina · 23/04/2015 16:40

Thank you very much for the suggestions. I wondered about Russian vine but it wouldn't have anything to grow up, if you see what I mean - and isn't prickly, so I imagine it wouldn't be a huge deterrent unless I managed to train it over some existing structure whereby it could work very well.

The solanum looks pretty too.

Kitsmummy, that's a great idea and I also looked at the plastic spikes you can get for the top of fences.

I think I might try and put a trellis up above the fence and grow something spiky over it like a wild rose sort of thing. It's tricky though as we have a large shed in front of the fence, and I'll need to get the posts in between them, somehow. I think with a little ingenuity it might be done though Smile

Thank you again. Really appreciate the thoughts.

OP posts:
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 23/04/2015 22:34

Mile a Minute is Russian Vine (just so you don't spend time looking for both Grin) It's not prickly but it is thick. I've had solanum (potato plant thing) & its growth habit is similar to Russian Vine - it shoots up, but isn't prickly, doesn't cling, & just flops down when it gets to the top of its support

Pyracantha your best bet I reckon. Fiercely spiky

SavoyCabbage · 23/04/2015 22:45

I would befriend the youths. They are only playing football on a field. Perhaps they are lovely. Is there a bin?

Original poster
Psipsina · 24/04/2015 08:02

Thanks guys. Savoy, if it were the same bunch every time I might consider it (though they are a bit scary looking) but it's different ones all the time and many of them look about 17-18-20 or even older so I don't think they would appreciate being approached by a 40yo mumsy person. Even to offer them biscuits Grin

There's no bin as it isn't meant to be a playing field. I think a bin would be a good idea though they may not use it all the same and I doubt the owners of the site would want to fund it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Psipsina · 24/04/2015 08:03

I should have said, some of them turn up drunk and the other night they broke into someone's shed. They are leaving condom packets and broken glass. I don't think I want to befriend those ones.

OP posts:
LowryFan · 24/04/2015 08:04

Feed your children, they wil grow quicker than any plant and one day you'll blink and discover that they are now the youths playing football in a field Wink

LowryFan · 24/04/2015 08:05

Thought - If there is anti social behaviour report to local PCSO

bigTillyMint · 24/04/2015 08:05

Oh yes, Pyrocanthus is vicious and grows well - I have the pruning scars.
Once it's established, you won't even need a fence!

prepperpig · 24/04/2015 08:07

How shaded is the fence? I have been trying to cover a wire mesh fence with russian vine and whilst it shoots up its all spindly and because of the shade simply grows upwards. The branches after two years are no thicker than 2mm and certainly wouldn't be a deterrent. In the winter it looks a right mess.

Our blackthorn has similarly taken a long time. The pyracantha is spiky and if there is enough sunlight will do well. Ours again has gone up rather than out but for you that's what you want initially.

RustyBear · 24/04/2015 08:08

Using anti-vandal paint isn't as simple as it sounds - you must put a sign up, it mustn't be used on surfaces under two metres high (which excludes most domestic fences) and if anyone slips off the fence and injures themself, you may be held liable.

prepperpig · 24/04/2015 08:13

The birds love the pyracantha too which is an added bonus. And the dried flower heads are good for a late summer door wreath.

Original poster
Psipsina · 24/04/2015 13:51

Feed your children, they wil grow quicker than any plant and one day you'll blink and discover that they are now the youths playing football in a field

Hopefully not leaving broken glass and condom wrappers in it though! Shock

The owner of the land has reported to the police. Not sure there's much they can do though sadly. It's lovely for the people who use it with respect, including some of the young lads, but as always there are those who spoil it for everyone else.

I think the pyracantha sounds great and we will be off to the nursery to see what varieties they have. It's good if it grows upwards.

We had one at our old house and it was sort of a spreading, ground cover thing, didn't grow very fast, which is why I hesitated. I think there must be faster growing sorts with a more upright habit.

Thank you again and glad to be told about the paint, Rusty - thank you for that. I'm still considering the plastic spikes but would rather not if I don't have to.

OP posts:
specialsubject · 24/04/2015 16:04

hate to say it but pull up and burn the blackthorn. Horrific stuff, the thorns get through shoes and into hands and are a fairly common cause of blood poisioning. Far more of a risk to you than the hoodies!