Think of digging up those native wildflowers (or transplanted wildflowers that have been in place for

[SWBTATTReg]

decades and decades (almost 100 years plus)).

I was reading an article: Homeowner comes up with clever yard signs to tell neighbors to mind their own business: 'Some people are just bitter'
Story by Veronica Booth • 1d • 2 min read

And they were talking about native flora and plants that people put into their yards, and the apparently wild nature of the transplants (it's kind of what's to be expected from wild plants transplanted into a suburban environment). They were talking about people sometimes trespassing and more, on basically private property, and they act like they're entitled to grab a plant or two, some cuttings, etc.

IMHO, you're not, unless you do have specific permission by the landowner to get cuttings, or a spare plant or two. Be spare and separate your diggings to allow the survival of the rest of the plants when you remove a transplant or two.

My gripe here is that we were running off people from digging up our Peonies, Irises, daisies, cherry trees, peach trees (most over 100 years old at least now), and I recall one of the persons I ran off when I had stopped by there one time telling me that yes, these Irises were very very old, and thus, rare or heritage. I ran them off, but after that, I then allowed the surrounding yard to encroach, and kind of hide the desired plants so people wouldn't steal them.

Can you believe that?

Another tip is that a lot of these heritage plants are also in cemeteries too, so no digging up in these places, these are oftentimes protected by local codes, etc. so graves etc. won't be disturbed.

I wouldn't think I would have to say something about this topic, but it happens unfortunately enough to disturb me. If you do see something, say something or try and at least get some evidence, a license plate, etc. for the local authorities to be aware of these illegal actions. Thanks from me, and my descendants and the rest of my living family and friends. We all have to deal w/ this crap, unfortunately.

[jmbar2]

1. A few years ago, I had a drainage ditch in front of my house that I planted...

It was a pain in the butt to mow and keep clear, so I planted it profusely with bulbs, wildflowers and perennials so that it would stay in bloom successively through the year.

I had the same problem with people going out and digging up the plants in bloom. So I took a reel of fishing line and some tent stakes and crisscrossed the ditch to trip the thieves, and installed a "scraminal" motion detector alarm low to the ground for a little more shock value.

I caught my first thief only a couple of days later. He tripped, dropped the stolen plants and the alarm went off. I looked outside to see him driving away with a bag of garden soil over his windshield. Turned out to be the guy I had just hired to mow my lawn. He lost a customer, and his dignity that day.

[questionseverything]

2. In Illinois you don't own that frontage, I think it would be illegal to booby trap it

I wouldn’t ever dig w/o permission but late in fall I do gather some seeds

[Zackzzzz]

3. Like you, I have spent TIME and Energy to make my yard mine,

and plants would disappear; people, gophers, voles.
Once I saw a tall grass wiggle and then just disappear down a hole.
Or die; bark beetles, golden thrip, heat.
I have a fence now for the people.

Paula Poundstone's Mom said, "We can't have nice things."

[SWBTATTReg]

4. You're right. Enjoy the plants, the sights, etc., don't steal them.