Hey everyone! I'm currently working on rewilding my front garden, but I've run into a bit of a problem. There's no clear boundary between my garden and my neighbor's, and every week, the rubbish collection crew walks straight through my garden to reach hers instead of using our separate paths. They drag a big communal wheelie bin, which has been compacting my soil and flattening my grass along their usual route. I've tried complaining, but nothing has changed. I'm considering a couple of options:
**A)** Installing some edging along my access path to stop the wheelie bin from being dragged over my plants.
**B)** Planting a hedge along the boundary, but I'm concerned about my neighbor's severe mental health issues—any changes could upset her significantly.
I'm also trying to avoid anything that might block hedgehogs from wandering freely, as I want to keep my garden wildlife-friendly. Is there an option **C** I haven't thought of? I'd love to hear what you would do in my situation. Thanks for any advice!
5 Answers
If you're concerned about the hedge idea, consider planting something thorny! It can act as a natural barrier without the hassle of thick hedges, and it might discourage the crew from trampling your plants.
You could put up a friendly sign on a chain across the area they’re cutting through. Something like "Access Path →" with a cute picture of a hedgehog could catch their eye. It’ll also remind them to watch their step and be a part of your garden décor!
Log edging could be a good solution if you leave enough space for hedgehogs to go through but make it tight enough to keep the bin out! Just a heads up, if you decide to plant a hedge, remember that they start small and can get trampled easily, so you'd need a protective barrier for the hedge until it grows strong enough to stand on its own.
Have you thought about using decorative edging that has enough gaps for hedgehogs to pass through? A mini picket fence with some pickets removed could work as a boundary and still keep your garden accessible for wildlife! Just make sure it's not too high so the little critters can still wander in and out. Also, you might want to consider making the slope around any rocks or wood gentle enough for them to climb over.
I like the idea of creating a small deliberate gap over the dividing line to facilitate the bin crew's access without damaging your plants. Just make it clear that it’s a border. Keeping the communication with them nice and easy might help!
That's a solid idea! It might even make the bin men more aware and less likely to crush your plants if they see a clear boundary.