What would you do?

[judy]

How much longer is the season for this garden? It is the right thing to do, but they're druggies, vindictive, possibly dangerous, and then they turn around and use you as their babysitter.

I'm not sure! Is there a way that you can tend to their garden, just until whatever they've planted isn't wasted, deposit the produce on their porch and then be done with them?

[Tink]

Judy, the strawberries here are still being picked. Tomatoes are marble sized and the corn is maybe knee high... so we're talking another 1 - 2 months. My health doesn't allow me to do a high maintenance garden, which is why I've kept mine very minimal as for hoeing, weeding, etc. I have coronary artery disease, have had a heart attack, have 2 stents, and just don't have the stamina needed to tend a big garden. I'm also allergic to the sun so break out in blisters that stick around for over a week if I'm out in it for more than a few minutes a day. I have 3 on my nose right now from when my granddd was here yet.

Dh is only home a day or 2 on weekends, so he doesn't have time to work a garden or we'd have a bigger one ourselves. I'd like to be able to offer them their produce, but that would mean either letting them do it or hiring someone else to come in for it, and I really don't like either idea a whole lot. I guess I'm just not feeling a lot of neighborly love for them given our history with them. I know that's not real nice, yet I don't expect that they'd appreciate the gesture anyway... because they have this sense of entitlement that would prevent that.

[judy]

That's the thing - I don't think your very good intentions would be appreciated either.
Obviously you can't tend to their garden. I'm so sorry you've had all of these things happen to your health. I just wonder if it's really a good thing to let them tend to it.
They won't appreciate it, they'll more than likely do damage in some way to your property, and it's not going to work out well for you.

That being said, do you still do the "right thing?" I'm just not sure what I would do.
Sometimes, there's a fine line between turning the other cheek and accepting abuse
which is not good for you or for them.

In other words, if you let them into the garden, are you being an enabler or a good person?

[DianaB]

I would probably let them harvest and work the garden until they caused trouble. Let them know up front what they can and can't do and put it in writing. Then I would let them know that there would be NO second chances. Take it or leave it. They may decide that it might not be worth the effort and you'll be done with them.

[Janet]

You know, I've been thinking about this for awhile. Except for the corn, most everything could be replanted, if done in the evening and watered good before going to bed. Why not tell them they have a certain amount of time to get it out and then put the fence up as soon as possible. Would that be feasible?

This is really a hard dilemma. I know as soon as the lines were drawn, I'd want the fence up so they couldn't mess with it. If you wait, you could end up having to do it all over again.

[Emmsmom]

As much grief as they have given you I think you should claim the land and tell them they have to move thier stuff I would let them get the vegatable this year but I would let them use the land to plant any crops again. Just make sure when you tell them about the property lines you aren't alone. Good luck

[Marilyn]

If you allow them on your property after you have had the survey done, I'd have them sign something relieving you of any liability in the event that they are hurt while on your property. Your kindness could back fire if they claim an injury and decide to sue. I'd also talk to my insurance agent to make sure your insurance would protect you, just in case.