So today I’m talking to our neighbor who just happens to mention in passing that they’re building a new house…right next to ours! Right now, about 5 acres separates our house from our neighbors. On one side, we’re bordered by woods which we own. On this particular neighbor’s side, there’s pasture and trees. I can look out our giant picture window in our living room and dining room, and see only peaceful countryside. It’s only in the winter when the trees lose their leaves that their house is in view. I really enjoy this view on a daily basis. It’s one of my favorite things about our property.
We never thought they would build a new house so close to ours. I mean they have a perfectly good house as it is. And why would they want to be so close to us? We’re loud, with lots of animals running around, and a boy who likes to pee outside in the open. I feel like we’re being squeezed in already since the other neighbor by the woods deeded the last acre of his land which abuts ours to his brother-in-law who built a small cabin there. But I can deal with that. We can’t see it from our house. Only if you’re in the woods. But now this. The whole thing is a bit distressing.
I’m trying not to freak too much. I mean we knew people would build. We’ve talked about building a guest cottage ourselves. I just didn’t think it would happen like this, and with these neighbors. And it’s not like, although I know some of you vehemently disagree, we’re really in the middle of nowhere. Our street has many houses on it. They’re just far apart from each other.
So now I’m searching for hedges. Large hedges. Large, fast-growing hedges. Large, fast-growing, inexpensive hedges — because we’re going to need a lot of them.
Might I suggest bamboo? Especially if you plant in the beginning of the summer, it will grow big and TALL pretty quickly. And it sounds so nice when the wind blows through it. Just make sure you get clumping and not running bamboo!
I agree, you don’t live in the middle of nowhere…you’re just past it. May it remain your sanctuary.
Caroline’s suggestion of bamboo sounds like a wonderful solution. There is a place in Loxahatchee that has gotten great reviews for their plants and customer service. Their website http://www.tropicalbamboo.com has over a hundred types of bamboo (no runners)with lots of info and they ship.
hmmm….perhaps something that has multiple purposes – like a hedge that grows berries for the birds or maybe familiarize yourself with your zoning laws. Becuase I really was hoping to visit you before the condos lined the street.
John really wants bamboo, but it’s so expensive. There’s a bunch growing in fields around us, but it is the running type. Maybe we could mix a few things together. I definitely would prefer something that flowers or has berries. I found this cool hedge aptly called fire hedge which turns bright red in the fall. We’re also considering hazelnut. As far as zoning, we really don’t have any zoning laws outside the city…at least not yet.