If you’re wondering why your neighbors are suddenly standoffish or seem to be eyeing your yard with a raised brow more often than not, you might be committing one of these grave gardening mistakes. From taking your lighting to Clark Griswold-status to planting a towering oak smack dab on the property line, there are plenty of ways your garden can cause discord among the neighbors in record time.

Mary Phillips, Head of Native Plant Habitat Strategy/Certifications at the National Wildlife Federation is here to lend her expertise on front yard controversies so you don’t find yourself on the neighborhood’s most wanted list. Lucky for us all, one of the easiest ways to ensure you and your neighbors start off on the right foot and stay that way—at least where the landscaping is concerned—is through the art of conversation.

“Creating an open line of communication with your neighbors may help prevent misunderstandings and assumptions and allow concerns to be addressed before they escalate into conflict,” advises Phillips. “Conversations about your gardening practices with neighbors may also foster a sense of community, create positive influence, educate, and inspire.”

But, now that the lines of communication are wide open, just don’t be surprised to hear from your neighbors the next time you decide to start mowing the lawn at 7 AM on a Sunday. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Going Overboard with Outdoor Lighting

Light pollution can be just as irritating as that dog down the street who barks like clockwork for 30 minutes every night. Avoid being “that neighbor” by installing lights with either motion sensors or timers and replacing bulbs with softer yellow light or low-light varieties. While it can not only save your neighbors from annoying glares emanating from your yard, it can also ensure local wildlife and nocturnal insects aren’t disrupted too.

Not Choosing Your Trees Wisely

The shade of a giant oak certainly has its appeal, but planting one on a five-foot stretch of earth separating your driveway from your neighbor’s is ill-advised and a surefire way to feel the wrath of the family who lives next door. “Large tree species that are too close to the property line can cause safety, structural, power line, and plumbing issues for your neighbor, as well as sunlight deprivation and obstructed views,” says Phillips. That laundry list of problems can be avoided by simply consulting an arborist or your local extension services office for information on suitable tree species for your space.

Using Gas Leaf Blowers

If you’ve ever woken up to the sound of a leaf blower, you know just how obnoxious this behavior can be. But beyond the noise pollution, Phillips says their fumes, debris, dust, and particulate matter can also contribute to air pollution, which is especially problematic for allergy sufferers. Not to mention, leaf blowers can inadvertently blow debris into your neighbor’s yard—a big no, no. To avoid this scenario and the irritated glare of your neighbor as you blow off your driveway at 7 AM, she suggests giving your yard a bit of grace instead. “Embrace some imperfection in the landscape and resist the urge to blow every leaf into oblivion,” says Phillips. “Leaves create a natural mulch for plants and roots and essential habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife.”

If you must tidy up your walkways and other areas in your yard, she recommends simply tackling the mess the old-fashioned way. Grab your heavy-duty broom or rake and sweep debris manually wherever tidying up is needed.

Growing Plants That Aren’t Good with Boundaries

“Invasive plants like bamboo or Lacebark Elm don’t respect property lines and can quickly take root and colonize in neighboring landscapes,” warns Phillips. To avoid letting a tree or shrub wreak havoc on your yard and your neighbor’s, she recommends using a plant identification app like iNaturalist or Plantnet. This can allow you to identify invasive species and remove them from your landscape before they become truly problematic.

Spraying the Lawn with Pesticides

While it might be a noble cause trying to roll out a green carpet so lush that even the most discerning of garden society members deem it blue-ribbon worthy, just how you go about it can prove pivotal when it comes to the approval of your neighbors. Some of the chemicals used to control weeds, crabgrass, and other unwelcome visitors can drift into your neighbor’s yard, leading to the loss of beneficial insects and plants, as well as unpleasant smells, warns Phillips. “Try to embrace imperfections in the landscape and redefine how you view ‘weeds’ in your lawn,” she suggests. “Placing signage that identifies your landscape as a habitat can change the perception of a ‘wild’ yard to that of an intentional and valuable ecological asset.”