There’s a bit of a trend going on worldwide that I just have to talk about. Someone always has a story about their garden plants mysteriously vanishing.
Sometimes it’s just a cutting, sometimes an entire pot, but the fact is, these stories keep cropping up – and more often than not, they leave a mess behind, making everything look worse.
These things happen, and if it hasn’t happened to you yet, chances are, it will at some point.
So, what can you do? A lot of people (myself included) think that, depending on what’s been taken and the damage done, it’s just not worth the hassle.
Here in the UK, there are actually laws about this………the Theft Act 1968 exists, after all … but in my 25 years in this business, I’ve never seen anyone report it or heard of anyone being reported. That said, if you live in a smaller town, you probably know exactly who’s doing it… don’t you?
Everyone knows. And honestly, that’s fine ! just keep an eye on them so they don’t wreck your whole garden (which, to be fair, is pretty rare!).
Anyway, here are a few things I’ve seen and tried over the years (some not necessarily for this reason, but they do help!):
- Use small gravel or loose stones – If someone has to walk on them to reach your plants, it’s not only a bit of a hassle, but it also makes a noise! Plus, gravel looks great and serves other purposes like drainage.
- Add motion sensor lights – Nothing like a sudden floodlight on our ‘star thief’ in the middle of the act to put them off!
- Cameras are always a good shout – Even if they’re just dummy ones, they can work as a deterrent.
- Keep pots together – Instead of leaving them scattered about, group them. You can even use hidden cable ties to subtly link them, place large stones around them, or bury part of the pot to make lifting them more difficult.
The idea is to make it just tricky enough that it takes away that “easy opportunity” that thieves often look for.
Some people cement their pots down, but I wouldn’t recommend it – it’ll just be a nightmare for you later if you ever want to move them.
As a last resort, you can make the pots heavier, though I’d say avoid concreting them into place altogether.
It’s also worth mentioning that some plants are just difficult to nick. Things like geraniums or thyme spread across the ground, making them a pain to remove. Holly and berberis form dense, natural barriers, while large perennials like ornamental grasses are tricky to dig up without making a mess.
Oh, and if your front garden is open, why not plant a natural hedge? It’s a softer, greener way to set boundaries while making it a little harder for someone to just wander in and help themselves.
I bet you’ve got a story about this too, haven’t you?
