Otherwise rational, friendly neighbor who puts me down for "doing whatever it takes" to grow what I want.

I have wonderful neighbors who are truly "green." Today, I was told that we have differing gardening philosophies. I was accused of doing whatever I need to do to grow what I want. Like I'm not green?

Apparently my neighbors--who accept my gifts of SFG greens and herbs--believe in growing only what will grow without any intervention. So, I shouldn't use Mel's Mix, water, use home-made compost, or lobby with the HOA to have their olive tree and my ivy trimmed? I'm really hurting, since I thought these neighbors were friends.

I wouldn't share my garden's bounty with people who don't appreciate it. If they want to live off the land without doing anything to assist the process, let 'em. I bet they get hungry real quick.

... wow ... I'm speachless

My wife asked, "so why aren't they living somewhere in a cave then? I think that we're green, but I've never heard of anything like that. I hear ya.

Gotta love other people putting their ethical views on you. Idealism is a cruel mistress (spoken from experience in my youth!)

I too am shocked at the way people are sometimes, just shocked. Well you go kiddo and keep on keepin on. Think twice about sharing with someone that bites the hand. (as I sit here mumbling to myself "do what ever takes, what crazy people" ) Do they wait for a rain shower to bathe? lolololol I couldnt resist. lololololol

Keep on
Ha-v-v

Donna,

It's near impossible to argue successfully against such an illogical mindset. Chances are that the more you try to prove yourself, the more you will dig yourself into a mire of twisted logic and trouble with your neighbor. If you are lucky, they are just having a really bad day or are really attached to their olive tree, but it sounds to me like they have an agenda all their own, and you should probably prepare yourself to just let go of it. I am really sorry to hear about this. Try not to let it tear you up inside because it is just not worth it. You have plenty of us here on SFG who understand what you are trying to do and admire you for it.

Best wishes,
Megan

It is amazing how some people are so closed-minded and narrow and shame on them!
I say give your extra veg's to someone else who would appreciate it - a food pantry, etc..

Happy Gardening....

timwardell wrote:I wouldn't share my garden's bounty with people who don't appreciate it. If they want to live off the land without doing anything to assist the process, let 'em. I bet they get hungry real quick.

+1
Never mind them, what they are saying is just downright silly. So ... what are you planting next in your fabulous soilless mix?

More beans, slow-bolting lettuce, and basil. Possibly another artichoke.

Donna, have you grown artichokes before ? Im just curious I have a couple seedlings I need to plant. I love artichokes, growing up California it was something we had all the time. Now its not so often. Of course basil is one of my favorites, I have a few varieties growing now.

Keep sharing with us
Ha-v-v

It is actually laughable looking at their naivete. Truly. Do they ever shop for food at the store? Do they think that stuff falls from the sky? Do they own cars? Even electric ones? I like what Tim said - go ahead and try to just let it be and see how long it is before they starve. It is really a good intention on their part gone very bad - and stupid to boot! Not to mention bizarre...I could go on.

You neighbors are typical example of people who are completely confused. They believe that they know something while in reality it is their luck of education and knowledge which shows in their statements. I wouldn't worry, just ignore them and do whatever you have been doing.

under that theory, we should all be foraging for dandelions and fallen acorns. There's this thing called agriculture...it's been around for 20,000 years or so.

Do they have grass? Do they have flowers, or wild beds of weeds? Do they eat food from a farm?

SEe...that's just the thing...it's so easy to throw stones when you live in a glass house.

Chopper wrote:It is actually laughable looking at their naivete. Truly. Do they ever shop for food at the store? Do they think that stuff falls from the sky?

You'd be surprised...
A while ago there was a PETA (or similar group) campaign against hunting here where they claimed that "if people insist to eat meat they should get it at the supermarket so no animals get killed for it".

You'd be surprised...
A while ago there was a PETA (or similar group) campaign against hunting here where they claimed that "if people insist to eat meat they should get it at the supermarket so no animals get killed for it".[/quote]

Was looking for words....are none.

If I recall, olives aren't indigenous to California...better rip that up, too, because it's only there due to mankind's intervention!

jtwenting wrote:You'd be surprised...
A while ago there was a PETA (or similar group) campaign against hunting here where they claimed that "if people insist to eat meat they should get it at the supermarket so no animals get killed for it".

That really is sad.

I have twin 3 yr old Grand-daughters. One of whom has discovered she can torment her sister with mere words.

A simple drive to the store can be interrupted with a tearful wail from the backseat, "She called me a goon!"

To which I reply, "Well, ARE you a goon?" and a sniffly, "NO!" answer.

So I tell her, "Then don't listen to what she says. You know the truth so ignore her. She's only doing that stuff because you let her see that it upsets you."

Pretty much what I'd suggest to you regarding these neighbors.

---Pam
(Nurse Grams)

Amazing......and I agree that you should share with someone who will appreciate it!

jtwenting wrote:

Chopper wrote:It is actually laughable looking at their naivete. Truly. Do they ever shop for food at the store? Do they think that stuff falls from the sky?

You'd be surprised...
A while ago there was a PETA (or similar group) campaign against hunting here where they claimed that "if people insist to eat meat they should get it at the supermarket so no animals get killed for it".

How ironic it is that PETA (or similar group) is for animal rights and tell people to stop killing animals and go to the store and buy their meat. Definitely Ironic.

Such ignorance is shameful. You just keep doing what you are doing, and know that you are wiser than they.

... and they are members of the same HOA as you? Does the HOA allow them to let their yard go to weeds (as that is about the only thing their theory would allow)?

My neighbors plant native, drought tolerant plants in their yard and ornamentals and edibles in large pots. Including garlic and onions from sets I gave them. And I water and tend their yard when they're out of the country.

Interesting comment about olive trees. There are more than 100 of them in this complex, and all were trimmed properly this year, rather than merely feathered and shaped slightly. The thinking was that the HOA could spray each spring to decrease the number of olives produced, thus reducing the ensuing mess/slip-and-fall hazard.

The first year this method was attempted, they sprayed in late March. This produced a record crop of olives.

Again the second year, they sprayed a bit late. Both times, I had to cover EVERYTHING in my yard with plastic, including 8 rose bushes. What a chore!

Last year, there were about three times as many olives as the prior year.

I spoke with the property manager and his assistant a few times, and I guess they finally got it right. Hack, don't spray.

And yes, my neighbors love their olive tree; it's part of the reason they purchased here. On the bright side, they don't seem to object to the heavy trimming.

Still, I feel insulted and hurt. Another neighbor once told me that when I first moved in, my yard looked like it belonged in a third-world country. It's been a slow, gradual process, but it now looks fairly attractive, thanks to my planning, efforts, and SFG.

Thanks, everyone, for your concern and understanding.

I, for one, wouldn't give them a dead, diseased leaf, let alone any of the bounty from my garden.

If they water, weed, and tend their garden, then they are manipulating their environment. Period.

I'd be civil and neighborly, but I think this is a case where good fences make good neighbors.

I wonder what they would say if you hung out your laundry au naturel

Donna:

They're just jealous because you can produce beautiful plants and copious veggies in a skillful, environmentallly friendly, water conserving, low work way. That's why they use containers, basically the same things. "Sticks and stones.....". Keep up the good work.