What do I do about my neighbor? I can't stand the smell!

@fallie (74)
United States
March 28, 2007 9:15pm CST
I need advice. I just moved in to a new apartment in February. I love my new neighborhood and don't want to move. The problem is that my neighbors have beautiful gardens in their yard that they spread manure on once a week! I love that they have great flowers and plants but the animal manure they put on the garden is very stinky! I can't even open my windows for at least a day. Two days if the wind is blowing. I support natural gardening, but I don't know what to do. I don't want to smell animal poo all the time. Should I go talk to them or call my landlord? Help!
2 people like this
7 responses
@Zo0mZo0m (1357)
• United States
29 Mar 07
Gardening Is Good For The Soul - But respect your neighbors when it comes the things you use to make a beautiful garden. Extend the beauty to your neighbors as well.
There is absolutely no reason that they have to use manure that often. If they want to use manure that often they should use a manure that's odorless. Yes I would complain to my manager because you pay rent to live in peace. Your neighbors need to respect the other tenants.
@fallie (74)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I thought the same thing! The first time they did it, I thought, "ok, this is a one time thing." But it isn't! They keep doing it. I have never heard of this. I also think they have a container in their yard full of manure. I can't see all of their yard, but I think that might be part of the problem. I think I will talk to my landlord, even though my neighbors aren't in my building, she might have a better relationship with them and can let them know their behaviors are bothering her paying renters. I will wait until after this weekend to see if they put any manure out on Saturday or Sunday before I complain. Maybe they are done fertilizing!
1 person likes this
@Zo0mZo0m (1357)
• United States
29 Mar 07
That's good wait and see.
• Singapore
29 Mar 07
Do what you suggested. You are paying your rent so your landlord is obliged to sort out such problems with you. So approach your landlord and ask him to suggest diplomatically to your number for some smell-free fertilizers to be used instead. I assume there is such an alternative...
1 person likes this
@klystron635 (1519)
• Philippines
29 Mar 07
It is hard to have a dispute on your neighbor. But I guess you should talk to your landlord. Let him/her talk to your neighbor. You said that you are new and I don't think your neighbor will listen to you because after all you are a newbie in their place. But try to explain to your landlord that you don't disagree with natural gardening that you have a bit problem with the smell and that's all. Try to explain that it is not personal really just the smell. If I were in your shoes, I would really have a hard time solving this issue.
• United States
14 Apr 07
Some people just use such a small part of their brains. Now, they smell the same thing that you do and simply have no regard for fact that everyone does not want to smell this -- not repeatedly. So what happened? Did you tell them?
• United States
29 Mar 07
Nothing needs fertilized that often, especially with manure. They are lowering the pH of the soil by applying manure that often. When it decomposes, it takes nitrogen (that the plants need) from the soil in order to decay. I've seen lots of people kill plants because they pile grass clippings on them weekly (grass will also suck nitrogen from the soil.) I'm surprised their plants are healthy. But, when you live that close to other people, they are going to be a nuisance, and so are you. There are lots of ways to pollute the air--noise included. What they are doing may not seem as bad to them as the things some of the other neighbors are doing--having loud parties, letting their dogs poop wherever they want, taking their trash out 3 days early and not cleaning up the mess after the raccoons get into it...You could complain, but it might make your situation more uncomfortable. I didn't know such a thing as odorless manure existed, but if it does, do some research. Find out if they sell it in your area and find out how much it costs. Give your neighbors this info. It's worth a shot.
1 person likes this
• Canada
29 Mar 07
go at it slowly, introduce yourself, explain that you also have an interest in gardening and enquire as to what he uses to fertilize his garden. maybe suggest something a little less pungant like sheep dung or possibly bat guana of course you wouldnt mention the pungant odor that permeates your sensory organs each time he fertilises his allissas, no thats being too blunt
@xkaraix (595)
• Australia
29 Mar 07
Hmm. Maybe try talking to them to see if there is any alternative?