This article was reviewed by Steve Snedeker, professional landscaper.
Maintaining a green and weed-free garden can sometimes be the hardest thing in the world. Is everything on your end looking great, but you're noticing weeds growing from your neighbor's yard? How can you stop this from happening? Well, we've done some research and have some advice below.
If your neighbor's weeds are growing into your garden, you first want to have a conversation with them. As long as you approach them kindly, this shouldn't be combative or awkward for anyone involved.
If that doesn't work, we recommend spraying a weed killer along the border of yours and their yard, which should stop any more from sprouting.
Of course, that means you will need to spend some money, or you could ask for reimbursement from your neighbor.
As we begin, we will cover all things weeds and discuss how to stop your neighbors from entering your property. Whether this is a regular thing or has recently become a problem, we're here to help. With that said, let's dive right into this post!
How Do I Keep My Neighbors Weeds Out Of My Yard?
We know how frustrating this can be for anyone struggling with a neighbor who doesn't deal with their weeds. One of the best first steps to take in this situation is to speak with your neighbor directly.
Start the conversation off in a friendly manner and address your issue. This will usually initiate some action, which might solve your weed problem.
However, not all neighbors are this friendly. For example, if you've never met or spoken with the person next door, this entire thing can be very awkward.
So, if you aren't having luck or want to skip the small talk, there are some alternative ways to handle this.
- Garden edging
- Planting hedges
- Building a fence/wall
- Using an herbicide (weed killer)
- Laying down rocks or mulch
The most important thing here is to create a barrier between your properties. Sometimes, the lines can become blurred between who's garden is who's, often leading to weeds in each other's spaces.
As we said, you can start spraying a weed killer along your property lines to prevent unwanted plants, so that's an effective and pretty straightforward solution.
That said, you want to use a pre-emergent weed killer, so it will prevent new ones from sprouting.
Do I Have To Ask My Neighbor For Permission Before Building A Fence?
As long as this fence won't be on your neighbor's property, you don't usually need to get permission from them. Of course, this can become tricky with zoning, so make sure you have all of your ducks in a row.
Depending on your community (HOA or non-HOA), you might even need to submit a request through them directly. There may be an associated fee with this request or application as well.
Luckily, if you don't have a homeowner's association to speak to, you can get started today! We recommend talking with your neighbor about this new fence, but it's not always required.
Even if their weeds annoy you, it's better to have a somewhat open line of communication. The last thing you want to do is start a cold war with the person next to you, so tread lightly.
According to Rocket Lawyer, your neighbor can reject your fence if any part of it touches their property. Suppose you already have your fence installed, and your neighbor realizes it touches their yard.
They have every legal right to remove it, which will cost you even more money.
What Should I Do If My Neighbor's Weeds Are Growing Over My Fence?
If you have a fence or wall built and still notice weeds growing into your yard, this is when you'll need to take further action. As we mentioned earlier, a pre-emergent weed killer is the best choice for pesky weeds.
Whether you decide to spray it yourself or pay a professional, applying weed killer along the border of your home can be beneficial. Most times, these weeds will grow in clusters.
That means if your neighbor has a cluster of weeds right at their fence, you're likely to notice some as well. An herbicide can be a good preventive measure against weeds and unwanted plants in your yard, so it's a great, effective choice.
With that said, if you decide to use a weed killer, find one that isn't harmful to children or pets. If your neighbor has a child or pet and gets sick because of your herbicide, you could face a lawsuit.
Remember, it's best to speak to your neighbor about any weed-killing solutions you come up with to avoid a nasty feud later on.
How Do You Keep Your Neighbor's Dandelions Out Of Your Yard?
If your yard has become a hot spot for dandelions, there are some things to do. Considering that these weeds like to spread as they mature, we recommend mowing your lawn/removing the dandelions as you see them.
If you can get ahead of the spread, you can stop the weeds from worsening. Another way to handle dandelions is to aerate your lawn.
Surprisingly, this weed thrives in compacted soil, so if you break it up with an aerator, you essentially ruin a dandelion's current home. The less compaction, the better.
Dandelions, specifically, tend to spread quickly after they flower, so try to get them handled before those yellow petals start to show.
Does Mowing Cause Dandelions To Spread?
No. Mowing your lawn won't cause dandelions to spread and should slow/stop their growth. With that said, you can't always rely on the lawn mower to take care of the weeds in your garden.
As we covered above, dandelions will germinate as they mature, meaning time is of the essence. If your dandelions are old enough to spread their seeds, this can become a major issue in your neighbors and your own yard.
However, if you use an herbicide that targets dandelions, you should be able to kill off any weeds that continue to flourish on your side of the fence.
Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer
This weed killer targets common weeds like dandelions, comes with a spraying wand, won't harm grass, promises results within a few hours, and comes in a one-gallon container.
View this weed killer on Amazon here.
How Do I Stop My Neighbor's Ivy From Growing On My Fence?
If your neighbor decides to grow ivy on their side of your fence/wall and it starts creeping into your property, you want to handle this quickly.
Considering that ivy spreads fast, this can become a difficult problem. According to Barnard Fencing, you'll want to pull any visible vines on your side of the fence.
They also recommend applying glyphosate weed killer to the ivy's ground roots, which will stop it from coming back. Again, this may kill the entire plant, so expect a side eye from your neighbor.
Furthermore, you can try to trim the ivy once it reaches your side of the fence, which shouldn't harm it on your neighbor's side.
Generally, growing anything on a shared fence or wall is not polite, so you might want to discuss that with your neighbor before anything happens.
Can My Neighbor Grow Plants On My Fence?
No. If your fence is paid for and 100% owned by you, your neighbor cannot grow anything on it. As we said, this comes down to property lines, so make sure your fence isn't technically in their yard.
If your fence does fall into your neighbor's land, this becomes a bit more confusing. Depending on your HOA or local laws, you and your neighbor may be able to do whatever you want to your side of the fence.
Of course, this can be frustrating if you coughed up the money to erect this structure, hence why we recommend consulting a professional first.
The last thing you want to do is spend the time and money to construct a fence or wall, only to have it be taken down or covered in unsightly weeds.
How Much Does It Cost To Have My Yard Sprayed For Weeds?
In general, you can expect to pay between $65 and $150 per weed treatment in your yard. Again, this will significantly depend on the severity of the weed invasion and how big your property is.
According to Fixr, most property owners will spend around $100 for site preparation (weed pulling, chemical herbicide application, equipment use, and clean-up).
However, if you decide to do this yourself, all you need to pay for is an herbicide. Luckily, most brands stay around $30-$45, so this won't break the bank.
You also want to consider how many weeds you're dealing with. For example, someone with only dandelions in their yard will spend less than someone with a fence full of ivy as well.
The more labor and time this weed killer application takes, the higher your total bill will be.
In addition, you might also be able to work out a deal with the company you hire if you sign some type of contract for the year, so that may be worth considering.
To Wrap Up
Whether you have endless weeds growing in your yard or have started to notice a few, it's essential to act fast. We found that if your weed problem is because of your neighbor, there are a few steps to take.
First, try to speak with your neighbor about the weed issue. They will usually try to handle it, and you can maintain the peace between you two.
However, if that doesn't work, we recommend calling a professional to treat any affected areas. You can also build a fence or wall to stop weeds, so there are many ways to handle this.
Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related gardening posts!
10 Ground Cover Plants That Choke Out Weeds