HELP!! POLICE!! WE'VE BEEN ROBBED!!
73They went.. that-a-way ----->
It's the usual cast of characters.
Someone has 'something.' Someone sees that 'something.' Someone doesn't want to buy that 'something.' Someone takes someone else's 'something.'
"Officer, I only caught a glimpse of the vehicle they were driving" "Yes, ma'am, can you describe it?" "Well, it was a pickup truck, I believe it was older, or maybe a bit newer, but not very new." "Did it have any markings, did you see the license?" "No I didn't see the license, it happened too quickly!, but there was a sign on the door!" "Ok, think hard, what did that sign say?"
"Bug's Landscaping"
So now we're wondering..
"Ok, ma'am, it was a landscaping truck, you say?" "Yes sir, aren't you going to find them?"
"Yes, ma'am, did you see them?" "YESSSS! And it looked like they were ARMED!!!"
"Armed ma'am? Are you sure?" "YES, I know a weapon when I see it! There were two men"
"Can you describe these weapons? We're both men armed?" "NO just one and they were wearing gloves so, no you're not going to get fingerprints! It looked like a shovel!"
"We've had a rash of burglaries in this area over the last 3 months, ma'am. Can you tell me what they took?"
And so we are thinking.. Hmmm. probably the usual stuff.. Cars, TV, Stereos, Jewelry, Electronics, Pets, Bikes...
Just take a look at my yard!
"THEY STOLE MY HEDGE!!!"
Here's to protecting our landscaping!
Keep Yer Mitts Off My Posies!
Show Thoes Perps A Thing or Two!
This is a Daphne
Landscapes are disappearing!
At first I heard it on the radio, I thought it was a joke, but the Seattle Times backed it up. Landscaping is disappearing in some neighborhoods and parks faster than the plants can be, well, planted.
Seems people were a bit shy about reporting the loss of their favorite petunias, for fear of not being taken seriously, but now that it's coming out, more have come forward to report the losses and the dollars being lost.
The Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill (one of Seattle's oldest and grandest neighborhoods) has lost over $2000.00 in plantings in the last 16 months. PeaPatches (neighborhood gardens) have been ransacked. People work hard in these gardens, lots of sweat and pride in growing their own produce has a lot of people furious, to say the least. And rightly so. Seattle area parks get a lot of their plantings by donation, and people are reluctant to keep donating if something isn't done.
But, what can we do? One lady reported her home has been hit 3 times. They finally got a security camera, and have one robbery of her Daphne caught on tape. These thieves know what they're doing. They are going for the bigger money plants, the ones that cost the community and tax payers more to replace.
So master gardeners are trying to decide how to thwart the thieves. Taking off tags, painting main branches a different color. The homeowner in the article has wrapped her new sapplings with barbed wire, with a chain, around a large clay pot. Effective, but do we want our yards to have pad-locked plants? I would think you're shaking your head in disbelief, and saying "no" just under your breath. I know I am!
It's like an addiction. All this goes into the making of big time criminals. Today it's posies.. they claim they can quit any time, but they don't, they
move into the cities and become FoliageGanstas and no window box is
safe anywhere!!
So put out your garden gnomes, and pink flamingos and what I call "white trash landscaping". Using your old bathtub, sinks and toilets for planters. Nobody's gonna want your old toilet!
We're in this fight together!!
A Gnome complaint - Use of Randy's bare bottom
Randy's permission to show his bottom. Thank you Maggs224 for these! You're amazing!
Thank you Maggs for getting these Gnomes to me!! Hugs!!
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Hi Canndie, I am not much of a gardener, my garden back in the UK was mostly lawn and fruit trees. I bought a Bramley Apple Tree and in the early evenings I used to go down to the bottom of the garden and talk to my different fruit trees. Yeah I know sad isn't it I use to love picking the fruit fresh from the tree.
A Bramley Apple is a cooking apple and it make the most delicious apple pies and crumbles you have ever tasted. Well this one early evening I went down the garden and whenI got to where the bramley should be it wasn't there someone had come over my back wall and nicked it. I thought I was the only one that had something like that done to me. I never did get that Bramley replaced I didn't have the heart. :-{ Smashing hub as always
Now I know where my darn tomato went!
This is novel...looks like people are wanting to be green at any cost! I'm sure it's very distressing, but are you sure mooning the thieves is going to save your petunias?
I'll be over later to help tear up your pea patch.
They've got garden gangs now? Maybe we need an invisible spell for our plants!
Candie - laughed all thre way through - your gnomes are adorable!
Staci - it is hard work to pilfer a tree, it's a crime they can't just buy their own danged foliage! Thank you!
Maggs - sorry to hear about your apple tree.. I bet you made great apple pies!
Teresa - yep, that's where your darned tomato went - into someone elses BLTs!
BadCo - They only steal from people who love their yards, I think they sense your feelings and don't want to make your life better! Mwah!
FP - I don't know if my mooning gnome will deter them, but it made me feel better!
RBlue - you touch my pea-patch and I'll make a bad comment on your next hub!
Shalini - Maybe they are trying to find a way to make their own flower remedies? My gnomes thank you.. I love them! This was my midnight - I knew you would be up!
Thank you all for visiting!
I'll loan them a shovel to take some of mine! Got into fire ants trying to dig one yesterday. That'll teach em.
Stuart- Treasured Pasts
Seriously, Candie?? We've had punks steal garden DECORATIONS in our neighborhood, but I've never heard of the actual garden!! That's wild!
Stuart - I think fire ants would be just the thing for them to encounter!! Thank you!
LM - I know, right!? I didn't believe it at first either, but I've put in a picture, ok I don't have a scanner and used my camera phone, but it was in the Times, so I have proof!! LOL!! Idiots!
We've had our house broken into. It's not a pleasant feeling, but at least I understand that they have the walls of the house to hide the commision of their crime while they're doing it. How does someone get brave enough to stand out there and dig things up in the open? And for shrubbery! It's not like it's even a high dollar item like a big screen or anything!
I'm with you. Idiots!!
They do it at night. Some trees they take are well over $300 each. You wouldn't think it'd be easy, but they look for newly planted items..haven't taken root and doink..out they come. But to do it in a landscaping rig!! It should be on America's most stupid criminals!
Well I appreciate the heads up. If I decide to put in any trees or bushes, I'll plan a campout, or better yet, put my Bull Mastiff on a very long chain in the front yard. Hmm...Laughing Mom seems to have new tree...and doink...I don't have to feed the dog breakfast.
In a marked landscaping truck. Again--IDIOTS!!!
Sounds like a win/win!! If the chain is too long it'll wind around the tree and "doink"
Again, I know!! amazing!
Good Lord. This is the wackiest thing I have ever heard of!! Are the local police taking this crime spree seriously? Are they working hard to get at the "root" of the problem? I hope they are turning over every "leaf" to find these petal pilferers, these bark burglers, these outdoor outlaws!
I wonder if it's possible to make your irrigation system motion sensitive, so that anyone stepping on a sprinkler head in the dark will set off the sprinklers? And maybe even attach a sound system (like a home alarm) that will be set off at the same time?
Personally, I think it's brilliant to pose as landscapers to pull of such capers. Who would question someone in a landscaping truck? They could be just doing a little "moonlighting" (sorry, couldn't resist).
Meantime, the lawn gnomes are a great idea. Good luck with all that!
Oh my gosh, MM! You are hilarious!!!!
LOL Thank you MM! Outdoor outlaws indeed! I think they did catch one crew and they were 'laborers' for a landscaping company. I don't remember if they were working 'on their own time' or for the boss, petal pilfering. I'll bet tho, people pay attention to midnight landscaping now! Volunteer Park probably has a watering system, but most folks here don't.
Thank you for your great landscaping humor!!
LM - she is isn't she!
We know of some folks in McAllen who had their palm trees stolen in the middle of the night. Probably sold on the side of the road to someone else thinking they got quite a deal. Really sad!!! After replanting and having them stolen again, they finally gave up.
The trees gave up, the homeowners gave up, or the thieves gave up? I can't imagine that the plants wouldn't go thru some transplant trauam.. especially palms, I hear they are kinda fragile for this. Thanks Peggy!
I have heard of this too-- especially people stealing sego palms which are very ornamental and cost about $300-$500. If yor local landscape gardner doesn't have to pay for his stock he nets more profit -- and then he can recycle them for the next job.
Depends upon where you live-- but a lot of palms are pretty tough.
Meanwhile, read about using those garden gnomes for self defense-- I wrote a hub on that once.
Hi Rochelle! Yep the Gnomes are pretty tough little creatures and will do their very best to ward off criminals and stray animals!
Maybe it's just the palms in Hawaii that are fragile.. tempermental.
I'm not from the land of the palms, so I'm going to have to interject a question that may be reasonably stupid considering all of you seem to be aware of this. But just how big is a palm tree that is worth 300-500 dollars?!?! I would guess bigger than could fit on the back of even a flatbed truck. I would think an oversized palm scraping down the pavement in the middle of the night would snag someone's attention! But then, maybe the markup on those things is outrageous. A tree costing that much around here would be dozens of feet tall.
According to the web site, Paradise Palms: Pindo Palms -
8-9 Year (5-6' Tall x 6' Wide)(Sale)
$259.95
10 Year+ (6-7' Tall x 8' Wide)(Sale)
$339.95
SPECIAL - (Three) 10 Year 6-7' Tall Trees
$895.00
15 Year (8-10' Tall x Wide)(Sale)
$779.95
4 Ft. Clear Trunk (12' Tall)(Special Sale)
$999.95
Call For Larger Trees
In case you want to reach them for a few for your yard!
The Sago Palms I'm talking about are not very big as they are extremely slow growing-- only about 3 to 5 ft tall.
Just saw a site that had 24 inch ones for $250- $500. There's a 15foot on in a famous garden that is 80 years old.
Rochelle, I've heard they grow slowly. I wish so many didn't get to looking kind of ratty..maybe it's a fertilzier/soil issue.
OMG!!! I believe I will be sticking with my oak, ash and wild cherry varieties. 15 bucks buys a heck of a nice planting.
Candie, it is sad, so sad that people will take anything worth a penny.
Teresa: if they took your tomato I guess that means you havent seen my spongebob sock. They must have gotten that too.
Be on the lookout for a landscaping truck belong the Joes landscaping, they not only stole from Teresa, Candie, they probably have my sock!!!
Great Hub, seriously f unny.
dori
LM, yes, the humble varieties are the best!!
dori, You just can never let your guard down, carry your camera at all times and be sure to lurk around the neighbors hedges, be ready to snap anytime night or day!
Candie alas and alack the problem has even spread to Australia . Just last week in a local paper there was a report that newly planted hedges bushes I think there was about 20 or so had disappeared overnight.
Personally I think it was an inside job because the garden gnome had also disappeared. ;-)
LOL....Bushy bandits! They busted two women here a while back for stealing yard ornaments and selling them at their garage sales. People will steal anything. Love the way you wrote this hub! :)
Ag - I'm sorry, but I just spit on the screen *wipe wipe wipe* There, all better but I need to clean my glasses.. sheesh, what kinda garden gnomes you guys got downunda? Love ya oodles!
Tom - Tammy should be bringing you something home in a doggy bag from the forum..I left it for her on the table. RBlue told me to name this something different, and I bet you can guess what way that went! I stuck to my original title, at least for the grand unveiling.
Its time to call in the National Guard. Establish a curfew and put the little kids to bed early. This may be violent as this is serious and abominable.
GT, this is only the first step to a larger life of crime, indeed! Today posies.. they claim they can quit any time, but they don't, they move into the cities and become FoliageGansta's and no window box is safe anywhere!!
Candie, this is just sad. People are stealing landscaping! Is nothing sacred?
Tom, apparently not to some people! You just can't guess what will be next! Thank you for visiting, always you are most welcome here!
They stole what?! I guess everything that is worth something is thief-magnet! Btw, thanks for sounding the alarm! :D
Hi Candie, I just read an article in our local newspaper that their have been thefts of flowers and ornaments taken from gardens here in Wisconsin. You better hide those cute gnomes of yours because it seems they must be valuable too, at least here in Wisconsin they seem to be. Sorry to hear that you have been robbed where ever you are. I felt so sad for the elderly women who had their favorite flowers and ornaments stolen.
Cris, I do what I can! Thank you!
Whitkat, My gnomes are safe and sound, thank you! It really hurts, because many people put their hearts into their yards.
Oh, I agree with you. I hope I did not sound sarcastic. One woman who had her gnomes stolen was really distraught, her yard was pretty much everything to her and where she spent most of her time. I can't believe someone could be so hurtful. I would rather they stole something that was meaningless and easy to replace than to steal something I put my blood and sweat into like this elderly lady did. This is a good story.
Oh, my dear you did not in the least sound that way! It really is a nasty story, anytime anyone looses anything to thieves, it doesn't matter the financial value, it's the heart of it all, and that's what people are so riled up over here.. it's not just plants, sure there are those who just pay to have some company keep things neat and tidy, but many of us consider flower and vegy gardens something special.. almost magical. You are most welcome always!
Oh great, now here instead of relaxing on a Saturday I have to go to the hardware store and buy some chains for my trees, shrubs, flower, garden gnomes, and window boxes (do they take window boxes?). Another plus for renting, I'd say. Where's JamaGenee. Here's another thing to back up her rent don't own hub. How crazy is this. You know, it's almost more violating than stealing someone's car stereo or bike or lawn mower.... Wait, do they take lawn mowers too?
Frieda, They take everything including huge heavy BBQs, Compressors, Generators. I find the stealing of plants/trees appauling. I rent too, but have a wonderful potted lily..if anyone tries to steal that I'm going to hunt them down. And just where is Jama?
love the garden gnomes...
Thank you Brenda, you can never have too many gnomes or too many gnomes showing their behind. It's all in the placement in your yard!
very good hub !
Amazing! People will steal anything. Wasn't there a famous movie about plant thieves? The Sodfather?
Sanoion, thank you to a new face!! Come visit my hubgarden again!
Chris - the Sodfather! LOL!! That's why I adore you! Thank you!
It's unbelievable that people have to go those lengths just to protect their plants and trees--wow! Totally ridiculous!
You mentioned that someone stole a "Daphne"--what IS a Daphne? You know, enquiring minds want to know, and all that...haha...
Great job on the hub, Candie!
A Daphne is a shruby bush that is really kinda pretty. You can shape them to be hedge-ish. I'll put a picture in above.
Ahhhh, I see now--thanks Candie--I hadn't heard of those before...they're really pretty...
They really are, Tammy. I believe I seen them with yellow/green varigated leaves, but I may be thinking of another plant..
ZOMG!
Haha...this is the cutest thing EVER! And funny. And...wow, people are stealing plants? Well, at least it's not at a medical marijuana clinic. ;)
No, this really started out as a serious piece, I didn't intend it to go so horribly humorous!!
Candie - those vids are great LOL! I'm glad I came back - your hilarious hub has inspired some pretty hilarious comments :D
Maggs just did them for me.. I wanted a few of my faves to get a chance to enjoy them!! At first I thought she was serious.. but she fessed up and voila!! I love her to pieces.. have you met her yet?
It took me a minute to get up off the floor! I'm laughing my butt off, Candie!!! OMG! I have to pee now!
It's so comforting to know that you haven't abused anybody! LMAO!!!!!!!!
LM, I know!!! I now have sworn testimony I treat my Gnomes well!!
Ok-- I have used that very same gnome in my garden gnome hub-- he never told me he had a video I may have to borrow that one too.
No Candie - I haven't - now comes the hard part to try and figure out who it is :D I'm so dense sometimes!
Rochelle, I think Randy and all have been hiring themselves out for publicity. I feel we are the ones that have been used?? Perhaps?? Yep, It's on video that I do not abuse him!
Shalini - Maggs is up on this comment string.. with the apple tree that got stolen.. she is a gem!! Love her to death! (well not death, but lots!)
Candie, you never cease to make me laugh! Are we in Vegas yet???
How'd you get them that gnomes to talk bout you? Hmmm?
LM- this was supposed to have been a serious piece that has gone horribly horribly strange! I'm working on it this minute!!!! Yeah..had to go with diff pictures, but it's gonna be fine!
Chris - I swear, this is getting beyond what my original hub-intent was going to be.. Maggs did it for me and emailed me the links.. Either that or Gnomes talk about me behind my back all the time.. which could be!
Candie, if it involves anything like the movie "Hangover", we probably better keep that between us.
I'll get to the bottom of this! At least I'll get to somebody's bottom!
LM - I got a cool nick name: Loopie.
Chris - What can I say... I'd better not say it here but I'm thinking it.. !!!!
...and I thought it was the damed raccoons all this time...or those sweet deer that won't leave my fruit trees alone...now you tell me it's the landscapers around here...oh I see all the new houses being built and no one buying them...
So now they go around ripping off the one's we planted...ok....maybe it's time for the timer on the hose to turn on at night....or leave the porch light on as well as the motion light hummm.....well whatever LOL giggles and laughter from the slow G-Ma...:O) Hugs for the Gnome with the bare butt
Thank you G-Ma! I think maybe we need motion sensors on the plants!! The thieves are tricky and quick!! "Randy" says thank you for the compliment!
Hee Hee he is Welcome....Kiss a$$...:O)
Randy says same back to you and more!!
If they lay one hand on my camelia bush, watch out, they are in for it.
Jewels, I totally undestand your concern. I love Camelias. I wish their blooms lasted longer. I see you have your whip at the ready! Good girl!
Omg Candie, people actually take plants god I must be naive as I never knew that happens, I guess if I planted some trees in my yard, or a few flowers I may have known, I suck at gardening, everything I plant dies. I have followed others advice and talked to my plants, but they still die.
BP, I just say to that.. decorate with rocks! Big ones, little ones..start collecting! You can't kill rocks.. well most of us can't kill rocks!
LMAO Carsen was watching the videos with me and keeps saying 'baby' lol
This is funny, ok, but not funny for the poor people whose plants are getting snatched. I guess I better go and tie down my yard. LOL. Great write!
Janetta, i told you no Gnome abuse happened here!! Carsen!! LOL What a cutie! Now that is real life!
UK, thank you for visiting! Yes, lots of ropes and stakes. It could start looking a little comando, but we have to be ready!
Well now I can add another reason why I don't garden to my list! LOL
Loved the hub!
Enelle!! LOL! What a hoot! Just attempt 1 pot. Forget the whole yard! You'll be fine (I hope)!! Thanks for visiting! :)
Great fun! We have had that problem too, though, in a few of the citizen amintained memorial parks. One lady was digging up several plants and when a passing bus driver asked what she thought she was doing, she replied thatthe plants were put there with tax money and so theywere hers to take because she paid taxes!
Some peoples' kids! (Except she was no kid and should have known better).
Wow, thank you for sharing! I think some of my readers are "skeptical".. her tax money LOL! I suppose she was like a few cents right, but I would have gone up and said my tax money says it stays!! HA! Battle of the Posies 2009!
Cutest. Thing. Ever.
LOL!! Darwins!! that is the Cutest. Thing. Ever!!
Phreaking lawn gnomes, got a better union than me!
Indeed Hack! You're Phreaking brilliant!
Awe shucks, I dare not say such a thing. I'm just a person, anyone could be me if they lived my life.
Now that is nuts!!! Disappearing petunias have they ever caught the thieves? :)
Hey Miss Evans!! You know.. I've never heard one way or the other.. my guess is not. It would be hard to prove that the petunias in your yard came from mine, I suppose. Sure wish they could tho! Thank you for visiting!
Staci-Barbo7 2 years ago
Candie, that garden gnome showed those villains - and the rest of the village!
Honestly, it would seem the work-averse societal element finally invented a way to profit from others that actually involves some work. It's a shame that all that motivation is going toward less-than-legal enterprise when it could be nurtured legally.