January 24, 2026 at 10:55 pm

Gardener Keeps Losing Beloved Strawberries To Thieving Kids, So He Sprayed Them With The Hose And Their Parents Complained

by Ashley Ashbee

A single strawberry in soil

Pexels/Reddit

It’s pretty rad to get your own fruits and vegetables from your own garden. Super satisfying, too!

However, gardens tend to be a target for theft from people and animals. See the unusual way this woman handled strawberry thieves.

AITA for spraying the neighborhood kids with my garden hose?

I love strawberries. I love them so much that I planted 300 strawberry plants in my garden.

After I harvest, I make lots of strawberry jelly to give to my family, friends, and neighbors. I donate the leftovers to my local food bank.

But theft and vandalism threaten this strawberry heaven.

Lately I’ve had a big problem with all the neighborhood kids coming in my yard and stealing my strawberries. The last time I caught them I threatened them with the police because they was so reckless they smashed over 50 of my plants.

I caught them in my yard again this afternoon. Instead of calling the police, I grabbed my garden hose and sprayed them while chasing them out of my yard.

I just had a group of angry parents come to my house complaining about my actions. Absolutely none of them was willing to apologize for their children’s actions.

It gets worse.

One parent in particular is threatening to sue me because her son’s iPhone 10 was ruined with water. I told her that was her problem for letting her eight-year-old son have a $1,000 phone.

Then I threatened to spray them with my hose if they didn’t get off of my property.

Here is what folks are saying.

Always be prepared!

Screenshot 2025 12 27 at 7.38.16 PM Gardener Keeps Losing Beloved Strawberries To Thieving Kids, So He Sprayed Them With The Hose And Their Parents Complained

Pretty much. I wonder if billing would change things.

Screenshot 2025 12 27 at 7.40.14 PM Gardener Keeps Losing Beloved Strawberries To Thieving Kids, So He Sprayed Them With The Hose And Their Parents Complained

Maybe the kid had the lower version after all.

Screenshot 2025 12 27 at 7.40.44 PM Gardener Keeps Losing Beloved Strawberries To Thieving Kids, So He Sprayed Them With The Hose And Their Parents Complained

That’s a lesson one would remember.

Screenshot 2025 12 27 at 7.44.11 PM Gardener Keeps Losing Beloved Strawberries To Thieving Kids, So He Sprayed Them With The Hose And Their Parents Complained

I have an Otterbox on my iPhone for this very reason.

Screenshot 2025 12 27 at 7.45.15 PM Gardener Keeps Losing Beloved Strawberries To Thieving Kids, So He Sprayed Them With The Hose And Their Parents Complained

From dogsitting I know bad dogs also have bad owners.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a daughter who invited herself to her parents’ 40th anniversary vacation for all the wrong reasons.

Ashley Ashbee | Contributing Writer, Workplace & Culture

Ashley Ashbee is a contributing writer for TwistedSifter specializing in workplace dynamics, employee advocacy, and professional culture. Drawing on her real-world experience as a software consultant, she brings a unique, insider perspective to navigating office conflicts, toxic management, and trending professional dilemmas.

Holding a degree in Professional Writing from York University, Ashley combines her formal editorial training with her corporate background to deliver highly engaging, empathetic narratives. She excels at breaking down complex workplace dramas and translating them into stories that truly empower and validate modern workers.

Based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Ashley balances her time between the tech and publishing worlds with her love for the outdoors. When she isn’t consulting or writing, she can usually be found exploring local walking trails or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.