Gardening Etiquette

Following a few "Golden Rules of Gardening" can't help but make you a great neighbor, says Gardening by the Yard host Paul James.

Have you been suddenly awakened by the roar of your neighbor's lawn mower just a few feet from your bedroom window? That's only one of several violations of gardening etiquette--acts that, though perhaps not deliberate or committed with intended malice are nevertheless invasions of our lives or assaults on our little corner of the environment. In most cases, the solution is simple enough--practice the Golden Rules of Gardening:

• When using a blower to clear off dirt and grass clippings, direct the nozzle back into your own yard. After all, dirt and grass clippings are organic, which means they're good for the lawn.
• Don't dump grass clippings into a storm drain, because they can cause serious property damage. The problem is that storm drains were designed to catch excessive runoff from heavy rains. Using them as trash receptacles risks clogging the drain and creating a flood. Remember, these drains aren't for dumping leftover lawn-and-garden chemicals either. After all, what goes in must come out somewhere, and that somewhere is a nearby stream or river, many of which are already polluted enough.
• When getting rid of chemicals of any kind, do so responsibly. The very act of spraying or dusting various chemicals can pose a threat not only to yourself but to others.
• Before using chemicals of any kind, check with neighbors first about possible allergies and inform those with children and animals of your intent to spray on a particular day.
• Don't plant a tree too close to a fence line. Before planting another tree, think about the effect it will have on your neighbor's landscape. And planting vines along a fence line can cause problems too.
• When watering a lawn or garden, try to direct the water so that it doesn't seep into a neighbor's lawn or gardens.

Also in this Episode

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-209
•	Shade Gardening
•	Gardening Etiquette
•	Mollusk Madness
•	Cut and Come Again