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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:
PresentingPercy · 28/04/2021 09:00

Replacing a fence doesn’t really damage anything. It’s along the same line a before. You are allowed to do this and you don’t have to have other people’s plants coming over your border. I do think you need to take control of this. If you like the plastic then leave it! But there’s no further discussion On improvements if you like it, is there?

Osrie · 28/04/2021 12:19

Just wondering why you didn’t try growing climbers along your trellis in the last five years. However your plastic is fine and you shouldn’t have given her chance to object. Maybe try growing climbers now bps by the time the plastic starts fading it can replace it.

Newchances · 28/04/2021 22:27

I have the same plastic and i like it. I told my neighbour I was putting it up (on my fence) her boyfriend then moved In over lockdown and put a patio at the other side of the fence...it's as if we are all together having dinner etc except the fence and my plastic ivy lol

Tigertigertigertiger · 28/04/2021 22:51

She probably doesn’t like change.
Don’t worry. She’ll get used to it

Sitdowncupoftea · 29/04/2021 15:42

There are lots of things you can do for privacy. Personally if you are staying there I would opt for a solid 2 meter fence. If not depending on the size of your garden some small trees or fast growing shrubs maybe even conifers. You can also buy bamboo type screens to nail on.

Beebumble2 · 29/04/2021 15:53

Russian vine ( Mike a minute) would soon cover the trellis. But of course what you put on your fence is nothing to do with the neighbours.

Tangledtresses · 29/04/2021 15:54

You could grow some decent climbers up there! Buy some well established ones.... evergreen ones!

GreyhoundG1rl · 29/04/2021 15:58

Is that photo of your actual garden, op?

Wegobshite · 29/04/2021 16:05

If that’s your garden OP where did you get the planters from 😂

McPancreas · 29/04/2021 16:05

Going through some neighbour based fencing pain currently, despite the fact we are massively improving the fencing on both sides just discussing it seems to get their backs up.

My new approach will be to simply do what I want within the law. Inform and get OK where it is a genuinely shared issue.

PrincessTuna · 29/04/2021 16:09

Maybe she didnt like the sound of them. Plastic makes you think it might look naff. But the actual finish isnt too bad.

I hate neighbour frostiness. The people at the back of mine are twats. Never happy with their view of the back of my garden. I tried to appease them but soon realised they are the "give an inch take a mile" variety of neighbour so just ignore them now.

Eyevorbig0ne · 29/04/2021 16:19

Glad you're pleased and happier in your garden 😊
Don't bother trying to pleasethem. It's your fence.

Muststopeating · 29/04/2021 21:44

There was a whole 'debate' on this on Jeremy Vine today... seems plastic hedges are considered the anti christ! For many reasons... plastic pollution, screwing up the birds and bees (quite literally), etc.

I have to say I did have a 'goodness why would anyone want a plastic hedge' moment myself. Perhaps you could plant something real that will climb in time and eventually replace the plastic? Not to appease your neighbour but because surely real beats plastic?

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