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Original poster

To just want some privacy in my garden

38 replies

Pianoanddrum · 27/04/2021 01:03

We live in a terraced house with a small garden. Since lockdown I have been wanting to spend more time in our garden especially now it’s nice and warm. The problem is that our garden fence on the the left side : the bottom half is solid panel and the top half is trellis with big wide holes. We share this garden with the a couple older than us, they are in their 60’s. When we moved in 5 years ago, hubby and I both tried saying warm hellos to them but only got cold shoulders and sometimes they completely avoid eye contact , so we stopped trying. Over the years we only exchanged a few short conversations, but we help each other to take parcels in, exchange Christmas cards etc.
Anyway the garden fence is really not providing much privacy. The trellis holes are so big and we can see through each other’s gardens easily. The ndn has tried planting various “climbers “ over the years but not a single one is climbing much ! I took that as an indication that she also loves to have some privacy.
Since April I have been using garden a lot more but every time I am there the neighbour is there too. She is mostly sitting there smoking or gardening. It gets really awkward as we are almost face o face but she never says hello unless I say it first.
I decide to put up some plastic green leafy screen to block the trellis. We own the fence, but out of courtesy, I told her in advance. She didn’t take it very well and the next day she told me they were “not very happy”about it but we can still do it.
Excuse me, I just want some privacy and not having to face the awkward face to face. Anyway, I put the screen up and it was GREAT! Life is good when the sun is shining and I can enjoy my garden with some privacy!
Only wondering why is she not happy? She got privacy too without having to do anything or spent one penny. Maybe some people just don’t like any change? Hmm

OP posts:
JackieLavertysWeirdVoice · 27/04/2021 01:06

Loss of light?

Blaaaaaaaaah · 27/04/2021 01:08

If it’s your fence anyway just change it for six ft ones. She might not like it but there’s not much she can do about and at least she’ll have to speak to you face to face to complain, which sounds unlikely.

Anordinarymum · 27/04/2021 01:08

Does your plastic screen stop the neighbours plants from growing perhaps?

Original poster
Pianoanddrum · 27/04/2021 01:14

@JackieLavertysWeirdVoice

Loss of light?
Not really. Our gardens are all straight east facing, , when the sun moves to the south the light go through her garden first. So I actually blocked my light. But it’s only a short period during the day.
OP posts:
Original poster
Pianoanddrum · 27/04/2021 01:18

@Blaaaaaaaaah

If it’s your fence anyway just change it for six ft ones. She might not like it but there’s not much she can do about and at least she’ll have to speak to you face to face to complain, which sounds unlikely.
Current dance is about 5.3 and I am happy now with the screens on. To be honest, she has put wires through the trellis and nailed some heavy hanging baskets for flowers on my fence without asking my permission. If anyone should complain, it’s probably me. But no, I am not bothered.
OP posts:
Original poster
Pianoanddrum · 27/04/2021 01:20

@Anordinarymum

Does your plastic screen stop the neighbours plants from growing perhaps?
The only thing it might stop is the climbers. But there aren’t any successful ones. She tried many different kinds in past 5 years - I wish she had succeeded, saving me doing this screen. She has plenty space in her garden and she has some nice flowers.
OP posts:
Original poster
Pianoanddrum · 27/04/2021 01:23

I know in the good old days people enjoy chatting over the fence. But all the houses built after 80’s would have proper solid tall fences. I would prefer these really. Especially in our case the see through fence didn’t result in friendship anyway.

OP posts:
Shouldittcnow · 27/04/2021 08:21

Maybe she doesn’t like it because it’s plastic? As she’s a keen gardener so prefers green and natural?

What about just putting up a taller wooden fence? Or you could plant bamboo, that grows fast and very tall.

But if the plastic screen is not unattractive, then I don’t know what she’s complaining about!

Chumleymouse · 27/04/2021 13:39

Because she’s nosey, just because she doesn’t talk to you much she still likes to see what your doing. The neighbours on our street are ok ( we are quite far apart) but they are right fucking nosey curtain twitchers. It get right on my goat 🤨

Caspianberg · 27/04/2021 13:49

Just buy several thin, long and tall planters. Put against fence and plant tall plants in them. Sorted

Ariannah · 27/04/2021 13:54

It’s your fence so do what you want. I wouldn’t want them staring at me either. My own fence had a similar problem so I boarded over the gaps.

Moonface123 · 27/04/2021 13:56

Lots of shrubs and hedging grow quite tall. When l first moved into my garden it felt like l was in a fish bowl, but l have since grown a lot of climbers,.shrubs and small trees, if you plant them a good way from the fence it won't interfere with next door, l give all my climbers a good prune to keep them manageable.

PresentingPercy · 27/04/2021 14:24

Not all modern houses had tall fence labels by any means!

Green plastic sounds yuk in my view. Just get a 2m fence. It’s your fence so do what you want but make it nice to look at. Hide it with a few shrubs and perennials.

PresentingPercy · 27/04/2021 14:25

Labels - panels!

AlmostSummer21 · 27/04/2021 14:28

A photo would be helpful.

Changingwiththetimes · 27/04/2021 16:32

I wouldn't like a plastic thing up either. I'd have put in a new 2m fence.

user1471538283 · 27/04/2021 18:00

It's your fence so you do as you see fit. I've spent decades being a good neighbour and I ended up between two of the most selfish people I have ever met. So not no more.

Original poster
Pianoanddrum · 27/04/2021 21:53

@PresentingPercy

Not all modern houses had tall fence labels by any means!

Green plastic sounds yuk in my view. Just get a 2m fence. It’s your fence so do what you want but make it nice to look at. Hide it with a few shrubs and perennials.

The plastic screen is a quick and easy fix. If I am to replace the whole fence, ndn will be much unhappier as some of her trees and shrubs would have to be damaged during the process.

I know people don't like the idea of plastic plant, but it is not that bad believe me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pianoanddrum · 27/04/2021 21:58

@user1471538283

It's your fence so you do as you see fit. I've spent decades being a good neighbour and I ended up between two of the most selfish people I have ever met. So not no more.
I know how you feel.

I did try to be friendly. And on this fence matter I gave her a heads up but instead of ' thanks for letting me know', it's the 'we are not too happy'. Well I wasn't too happy about your died climbers all over my side of the fence got so thick that I had to buy an electric hedge trimmer to cut them down.
Anyway, it's my fence and I am happy that I have finally done this.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pianoanddrum · 27/04/2021 22:16

Here are the photos to give you an idea. (It's not my actual garden but very similar)
Pic 1: what my fence looks like (can you image trying to relax in a garden like with no privacy when every time you are out there the ndn is also there?)
Pic 2: what the plastic screens look like (it's pretty decent actually).

To just want some privacy in my garden
To just want some privacy in my garden
OP posts:
l2b2 · 27/04/2021 22:28

In retrospect you shouldn't have told her. As you say, she didn't ask permission to nail things into a fence she doesn't own.

l2b2 · 27/04/2021 22:29

I also think it looks quite nice in your 2nd photo OP.

Billandben444 · 27/04/2021 22:37

If they are narrow gardens perhaps it makes their garden appear claustrophobic. I wouldn't worry about it.

Shouldittcnow · 28/04/2021 08:27

If she doesn’t like it, then she can just plant up on the other side. I don’t see the big deal now I’ve seen the photo, the look of it only affects your side.