Question
I just wanted to know do you know of anyone who has this problem.  A family friend, not mine, comes at least once or twice a week and on the way picks the flowers from my garden to give to his family and friends.  

He picks, not just one or two, but whole bunches, sometimes he does not leave anything that is in bloom.


I am the one that buys the tulip bulbs and plants and cares for them, then comes spring and he takes them all.  

When I complain about this to my husband, he says that I am the unreasonable one, after all they are just flowers.

Thank you

Katie

Answer
Clearly the "friend of the family" has a lot of nerve. At the risk of sounding like Ann Landers, let me add that you ought to find that "friend" and offer up your husband's shoes and socks once a week -- "it's only shoes and socks" -- and see if he finds that objectionable.

Only flowers?

First, there are plenty of people who would totally disagree with your husband, and I don't know anyone who would agree.  Second, I suspect that most gardeners have had that problem in one way or another.

When I bought my current house 15 years ago, I couldn't wait to start using the coldframe I had to force Hyacinths and Narcissus for the front porch. I usually had a dozen or so pots of fragrant, beautiful bulbs that I'd tended all winter before lifting them and placing the pots on the steps and porch. And every year without fail, 2 or 3 pots would vanish. Without fail.

I was troubled by this thief. All my hard work. And they would just walk off with a few heavy pots. It had to be someone in the neighborhood, at least someone who passed the house frequently enough to know when the coast was clear.

Finally, via wireless security camera, I caught the thief in the dark of night -- rather, I recorded the thief, a stranger, non-English speaking, probably illegal working as a busboy or landscaping hand.  The next time I saw him, it was broad daylight, and I followed him home. A few days later, early one morning, I went back.

There, inside the first floor, I caught a glimpse of blue-violet and terracotta. Hyacinth, perhaps. Mine.

I thought for a week about what to do.  One evening, it came to me, plain as day.

New, potted spring bulbs were opening in the sun -- a few yellow tulips with short stems and a faint fragrance.  I had 3 pots.  One, I lifted and put in the trunk.  And that night, well past 2 a.m., I drove over, quietly parked around the corner, took the pot and placed it on their front steps.  Then I drove away.

It was the last year anyone took my Hyacinths.

There are other ways to handle this. One is to video it and put it on YouTube, then wait for it to go viral. Another is to post a sign: Please do not take my flowers. I have tried this with a dog-walking neighbor who thought I did not know the identity of the dog manure that was left from time to time, with success, although every 2 years I do need to put a reminder up. Or you might start charging for your flowers. This is my favorite option. Everyone's happy.

Thank you for writing.  Ann Landers would have loved this letter.  Please keep us all posted.

Peace,

L.I.G.

PS: And if you do the YouTube video, please include a voiceover as the soundtrack in the background explaining that "it's only flowers" as the flower-loving kleptomaniac provides the visual entertainment.  You can add a tagline: Sometimes, it's good to stop and steal the roses...  Good luck.