Thieves in the Garden
You might try erecting a prickly border around your yard, and then installing a lockable gate. Thefts in my own garden went down considerably when I planted thorny old garden roses across the back property line. Or you can try chains and padlocks, such as those the Buffalo and Erie Botanic Gardens use. You may also want to consider sensor lighting - and maybe a burglar alarm for your outbuildings and sheds. Keep an inventory of your outdoor investments to assist with insurance.
Fencing and enclosing valuable plants and ornaments is the best solution. Oddly enough, a flimsy fence, such as a trellis (preferably with thorny vines growing up it) is preferable to a sturdy fence, as it is almost impossible to climb. For the same reason, gates of wrought iron or lattice - both tough to scale - should be used - and locked.
Use gravel for paths that approach the garden. Its crunch may alert you to visitors - be they friend or foe. And, of course, a noisy dog is always helpful.
If you must use valuable containers for plants, secure them. Arrange them in groups and use bolts through the drainage holes to secure them all to a large board or sheet of plywood. Spread mulch to disguise it. The board, plus dirt-filled pots, will be too heavy for your average burglar.
Or you could do what one frustrated homeowner did - add a little poison ivy to the container planting. (You will want to use this idea VERY carefully.)
And be a wise consumer. When you see plants or garden ornaments for sale at prices too good to be true - they probably are.
Perhaps you are fortunate enough to live in a neighborhood where gardens are still safe havens. If so, consider yourself lucky but don't get too complacent. Perhaps you don't want to build a fortress around your yard - but you may still want to keep an eye out.
I can't stop people from stealing. I can't protect your yards, or even my own. But I can at least warn you that theft in the garden seems to grow as gardening grows in popularity. Decide for yourself exactly how much you want to do to protect yourself.
It's a crying shame that crime has invaded this area of our lives that promised us so
Latest Articles