plant thieves

I got up this morning and did my usual walk aroung the garden and my front yard.I do this every morning as it starts my day very pleasantly and also gives me a game plan on what my daily projects are going to be. To my amazement amd disgust, my front yard was virtually bare. The big pots that I had planted bleeding heart and other smaller plants in were completely gone....some of these old crocks had been given to me by my now deceasd grandmothers and are irreplaceable.About $200.00 dollars in plants that were planted around my 2 porches, driveway. and 2 walkways were all gone. Most of them had simply been pulled up, but some had actually been removed by shovel. I am absolutely sick and heartbroken, as I had worked so hard at my new house to make it attractive. I guess it's time for me to regroup and srart fresh.Perhaps I should think about fencing in my front yard and leaving one of my large labradors outside during the night. Not only would the dog bark and warn me, but because he is large i am sure he would discourage any would be thieves...i guess it's back to the drawing board for me.By the way..has anything like this ever happened to anyone else out ther?....GUARD YOUR PLANTS..i guess some people are just too cheadp to buy any. The true irony is that..if anyone had asked me for help, I would have gladly given them plants and cuttings
Heartsick in Michigan
Sandy

Sandy, that is horrible!!! Two weeks ago I had one of my glazing balls stolen out of my front yard and I thought that was bad. I would be more than glad to send you some plants to try to replace some of yours. Just let me know, It is no problem! E-mail me I can also give you a few that I haven't had time to put on my trade list! sue

Sandy how awful! I guess there are no limits to what some people will do to get what they want - and stealing is the easiest. I've never had that happen here but sometimes I wonder about different garden ornaments tempting a thief so I keep most things in the back yard. Never even occurred too me that someone would actually bring a shovel and dig the plants up. Who would do such a thing anyway?

Maybe you should report it. It's unlikely they'd be caught but you never know. It could be they are hitting others in the area too and if the police are aware of it they'll be on the look out. Maybe the dog is a good idea too. If it was easy for them last night you don't want them coming back for more.

I had the same thing happen to me,
when I lived in New Orleans. These
creeps came on my porch took all my
hanging baskets and large potted
flowers. I don't know how they did
it without me hearing them. They took at least 40 plants, pots and
baskets!!! These too where from
family members and friends that can
not be replaced!! If they had just
asked, I would have been glad to root or give them cuttings.

So I to know the pain of the "Plant
Thief" Shame on these people.

Honeybee

This happened when I took 2 beautiful baskets to work..Please e-mail, I may have some of the plants, I know that I have shipping size bleeding hearts. As for the irreplaceable pots, I can only send my regrets--I do not know what I would do if someone took mine-except get angry. Notifying the police and the gardening community might help, it would be real noticeable if some pots suddenly spring up in certain places. I like the dog idea a lot.

Sandy this is just awful. It's so hard to believe what some people will stoop to. I move very shortly but will gladly send you whatever I can in the very near future. Please email me so that I don't forget :-) Try not to be too discouraged - what goes around comes around!!

Sandy, there was a rash of this in a nearby city just this year. Unfortunately, when they caught up with the theives, they had broken and trashed most of what they had stolen - nothing but pure meaness.
Send me a list of what you need, I may still have your address, but include it anyway. And DEFINITELY let the dog watch the yard for you!
Kathleen

Thank you all for your kind thoughts..I am just so bummed out. So many of these were from you wonderful people at DG.
Sandy
Until I can arrord a fence..all my plants are staying in the backyard...and yes..I did report it and our wonderful force told me that not only was it not a high priority item, but the odds on catching the thief or thieves was almost impossible

Sandy, What a Bummer! I don't have much to send to you... not an established garden yet, but how about posting a list of what you lost? Might help all of us willing to help you... -darius

Sandy, that is just horrible! A few years back someone stole my mother's planter that was given to her by my late father when they were first married. Mom went knocking on every door in the neighborhood and put a big sign out in the front yard. She had a photo which had the planter in it and showed it to everyone at work and church too. A few days later her planter mysteriously reappeared. It looks like you may have to do a little detective work on your own, within the limits of the law of course, to try to get your grandmothers' crocks back. Would you mind if I e-mailed you with some suggestions?
Carol

There was a story in the Reno, NV newspaper about a year ago. A group of students were stealing plants for a developer (If I recall correctly.). Anyway, this sort of thing is sometimes organized and the police may/not know something about it even before you report.

Regularly read it in the paper in our area-plants stolen off porches out of yards and especially off graves. Wonder how many of the baskets might also go to flea markets and yard sales? Sandy I recieved the lily plants today but we are having rain and rain and more rain-I will get to the firehouse to check tomorow. And I only have a few plants also but you are welcome to starts of anything I have. Someone suggested that you list some of your osses andf mabe we could help get plants like them for you So sorry about your planters though. Prayers for you,

Sandy, I'm so sorry for your losses. I can't even fathom what is going through these people's minds. It's not like having equipment stolen cause you can buy identical ones at the store. These plants are a part of your toil and love and each has a story behind them--irreplacable. I think if my plants and prized crocks were stolen, I would have a hole in my heart for a long, long time.

Sandy, how appaling, you have my sympathy. Please post a wish list so that we can have an idea of what you are looking for. I would love to send you some plants to replace the ones that were stolen.
Please e-mail me.

thanks/keep your chin up

pebble

aguh!!! as the years go by i seem to get more and more jaded. and gee just last week i was wondering why. then our neighbor was robbed of over $10,000 dollars worth of equipment will on vacation- he's a contractor. we caught them as they were pillaging through our garage, but they ran away before the police could get to them. and now to hear this. it never occurred to me that someone would do such a thing. that is beyond meaness. to bring a shovel too!!! let me see what i can round up here. if you need anymore of the plants i sent you earlier too i can send more. i have some datura babies and a lot of pretty bearded iris and a little bit of daylily too. please ask if you need anything.
q

oh this breaks my heart. i'm so sorry for your loss. the worst feeling about being robbed is that you feel so violated and unsafe. it is a horrible feeling and i'm so sorry that you are having to experience it.

i don't understand peoples attitudes and actions, in these cases. to me nothing is worth my serene conscience. i don't have to worry about anyone looking over my shoulder and more importantly i don't have to have my conscience saying, day in and day out. you were wrong to steal this or do that. etc..... i believe in most cases people know right from wrong and they will suffer in their minds until they make ammends for there mistakes and hurtful actions.

god bless and remember that we are all here to support you.
debi z

Just a thought too Sandy. Please dont put your dogs in danger-plants can be replaced=a beloved pet lost is heartbreak.

Sandy, I don't know what I might have, but please send your list to me too, and let me see what I can put together for you. I got your lovely package today, and I so wish you still had them:(
tiG

Sandy! I'm so sorry to hear about what's been done to you and your garden - I know how I'd feel! If the police don't seem to eager to do anything, why not write a letter to the editor of your local paper? There may be more gardens being vandalized and stripped.

Not too long ago around here, I heard there was a dishonest family which did the same thing and potted the plants up for sale at their small greenhouse business. If what happened to you is the work of a similar jerk, maybe your writing something to the paper would bring it to light and others who'd been robbed would respond. It's just appalling, I'm so sorry!!

[ Removed by member request. - Admin ]

Yhanks to all of you for you great kindness and thoughts of me in my rtime of troubles. I was so proud of my front yard. This hiouse that I bought is far from a showplace but i have been working day and night ti make it attractive, by adding beautiful gardens. I appreciate all of your offers for help...piece of good news..All the things
that I am getting ready to trade are in the back yard..thank god for small favors. I spent much of today going door to door to see if i was alone or if their were other misfortunates like me.From what I understand, i really did get off fairly easy, as people are missig valuable trees, flats of hardy geraniums and expensive tropicals. One man even lost about 30 bonsai trees(made me think of Bert)for all of you who have offered to help me replace what i lost, this is a partial list:(axtually..pretty complete)
My address is
Sandy Cowan
1512 Thomas St
port huron, Mi 48060
P.S. I will be more than 4happy to send postagg money and beleive ne...in the fall lI will make this up to al of you garenin meplg

HOW HORRIBLE!! The first spring after I moved into my new home, I planted a few azaleas in my front lawn, right next to the front door. A few days later I saw gaping holes where these plants were once. I was in shock and totally disgusted for a few days after. Fencing the front yard in might just be enough of a deterrent without leaving your lab out.

Sandy,

I am so very sorry for what has happened to you. I can't believe that a stolen plant would live for a theif. I hope not anyway.

You might contact your homeowners insurance company and file a claim along with a police report. Also, you might consider installing lighting that is motion tripped. I have large garden beds in front and in back with expensive bird baths and statuary and no problems, but I have a front porch light that trips bright when any motion is detected. I also have two flood lights on the front of my garage and on the side of the garage. Anything moving in the yard trips them. We just today installed security cameras on the peak of the garage and in several other areas so that anyone walking up the drive can be seen on our television believe it or not. DH even positioned one aimed at the bird feeders so I can lay in the recliner and watch the birds eating on TV.I also put a mourning dove on my potting bench that trips and either sings or coos when someone walks by it. It was only $20. The security camers were not that expensive and the lighting would be much cheaper than fencing I believe. Thieves hate light.

I don't put my most expensive statuary out front. I even put an el cheapo cement birdbath out by the street. I think I paid $30 for it and it's very very heavy. It's been out there for years and no one has bothered it. I figure if someone took it I'm only out $30.

You only live about 80 miles from me. If you want to take a drive down to Garden City (near Metro airport) I'd be happy to send you home a truckload of perennials. I have tons and would be happy to divide and share. Email me if you're interested.

(((HUGS)))

Oh Sandy! My heart goes out to you and your neighbors! If they brought a shovel my thought is they watched the neighborhood and knew when people were not at home! I am sending you, my rose-hip collecting friend ,a big box of perennial divisions! This house was in the same condition and the gardens and picket fence have done a lot to beautify it so I feel its right to share my bounty with you in your time of need! Always remember if the police don't care to go after whoever did it there is One Who knows and they will come face to face with Him someday!
Love ya GF!
Kat

Sandy! Did you forget the list? I couldn't find it on your page either.

Sandy
I still have little bits of all kinds of stuff. i will be happy to send you some plants. I know how you feel, someone stole our horse trailer and it was right on the main highway at the garden center. When my mom died in 1999 and we closed the garden center for the funeral, people came in and stole a bunch of baskets and potted plants. I figure God will repay them accordingly. There was a group of theives that were going around here and removing trees from subdivision entrances and when caught, they worked for a local landscaper. It's really sad how low some people will go.
Calalily

Loon,
Thanks so much for the offer, but with my bad back..more than 20 minutes in a car has me ready to jump out the window. I have a very strong faith and i know that i will get throught this...and oddly,,something good will come of it
Sandy

Calalily..thank you so much..please email me regarding postage
Sandy

This message was edited Saturday, May 26th 10:22 AM

Hi Again....Kat....thank you so much...you are a dear friend
....I called my homeowner's insurance co, and was given the typical brush off. You know..."we'll call you back"..so I'm not real optimistic about that
....tiG yes I did forget my list...I have been a wreck
2(very small)burning nushes
Datura
Lamb's ear
assorted unamed hosta
columbine(container)
about a half a dozen hardy geraniums
lenten rose(contaniner)
I thank tou all for looking al my list and being willing to help me out. Please notify me regerding postage
Sandy

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Scumsucking earthgrubbers like that never seem to get just rewards but who are we to have opinions on 'that' subject?

In our High$ tony coastal neighborhoods this became such a huge problem some genius started embedding those id chips they use on dogs. It help that the items were expensive palms that are older yet still small enough to dig up and pop in a truck. I guess it got so bad before the chip idea people were installing concrete structures and chaining their palms to them. Really, if they want them, they'll figure out a way to turn their type of profit.

DH keeps reminding me there are lots of those types of people walking through our neighborhoods, but I really can't imagine someone hasseling with a 3 foot cactus. He knows I would have a tough time believing someone would do something that dispicable. Everytime I put another plant out front he reminds me. It's just that I keep acquiring new ones and need somewhere to put them all! But, I would still be mightily upset.

Hope things take a turn upward for you.

Cena

This is really scary! So sorry about your plants. Makes me so glad to live in an area where this has not been a problem. I think it would break my heart!

Sandy, I have all the Lamb's ears you want and a Lenten Rose too. I know they say they don't transplant well, but I will say a little prayer over this one. I'll get them in the mail Tuesday. Thank you so much for being one of the first here to make me feel like I'm welcome. You're a doll!

To All of you who have responded so kindly and sympathetialy with my plight ..i want to thank you from the very center of my heart. Your kindness is overwhelming. Gardeners trully are the most wonderful people that i know.In the future my plants will remain in my backyard beds until i can afford some sort of security system. Thank you one and all.
Sandy