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Privacy from Neighbors
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Privacy from Neighbors


I have a section of my back fence/yard where the neighbors behind me have porches that sit higher than my fence line. They stand on their porch and can see everything I do. Looking for ways to create some privacy and peace of mind.

by coolcat_76

24 Comments

  1. Eggplant-666

    Do anything but plant Green Giants 🤷

  2. SCaliber

    Looks like a good spot for a shed of your dreams 

  3. CrackHaddock

    I am in the same boat, even worse than your situation. Neighbors with raised decks and clear views on three sides.

    People on this sub are generally anti-arborvitae but they are everywhere for a reason. I planted 56 around the full perimeter of my lawn with drip irrigation and they not only look good but the initial ones I planted are already providing some privacy after just a year and change. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel – trust the arbs.

  4. calindyellerman

    Build yourself a higher deck/porch so you can easily look at them while they are in their backyards. Intimidate them into not looking into your yard.

  5. G_Nava1970

    Damn bruh that framing for that fence is crooked as hell but that’s another discussion lol. How much higher is your neighbors deck?

  6. clownyeahh

    Invite the senior center over for a nudist day.

  8. lobsterbuckets

    Plant 56 cypress trees.

    No but really, I have the same issue and am following for ideas.

  9. istorres

    I had the same problem with my back neighbor, older guy who drank in his back driveway with buddies. Every time I went in the back yard to play with my dogs they would look at me like I was a problem. I keep 6 feet on the sides of my fence and the back that faced him I had a guy go to 8 feet. Now I don’t see them and I enjoy the back yard

  10. raxwell

    I slender silhouette sweet gum at each post!? 🤷‍♂️

  11. Far_Psychology3188

    Ex landscaper here -The fastest easiest way to create privacy is definitely Arborvitae as they grow fastish depending on variety but just a couple pointers

    1 plant about 3-4’ apart at closest as they need room to grow as they can get 4-8’ across and 8-15’ tall which are the Varieties you see at Home Depot /Menards etc. as well as local landscaping nurseries.

    2. Plant 2-3 “ above ground as they can “drown” if set too low

    3 Easiest way to prepare planting bed is rent a sod cutter which will cut under the roots so you can roll it up like sod then rototill some compost etc. into bed then 3-4 “ mulch after planting and watering in .

  12. Illustrious_Remote23

    Rose of Sharon makes nice rows for privacy as an alternative to arborvitae.

  13. Upset-Routine1783

    I would have the finish wood face inside

  14. tcwillis79

    I live in a house with a plain view of my neighbors yard from the deck. Yesterday she was doing old lady yoga out there with an instructor. I haven’t been out sense lol

  15. tettoffensive

    Coming from someone living in the city this seems silly. We can see and hear all our neighbors and no one cares.

  17. hppy11

    Cedar hedge.

    I have cedar hedges on both sides, but none at end of the yard, so I can see my neighbours clear as day and vice versa.
    I did plant some emerald greens (grow slower than cedar, but less prompt to get ill).
    Then I added trees , syringa and a serviceberry. Both won’t get too big but big enough to create privacy.

    One easy solution is to use some types of vines on treilis, they grow fast, relatively easy to maintain, can control height etc

  18. Downvote_me_dumbass

    I would say that’s better than the Karen across the street, who is 30 something, doesn’t work, has her relatives babysit for her in the middle of the week, and then sits in her car watching you do anything to the front lawn.

  20. Sp07va000

    You didnt say where you were and what zone , so its kinda tough to suggest any particular species.

  21. Individual-Rub-6969

    I used needle point hollies for this very situation. Narrow & upright. Evergreen & easy to reset / trim at anytime.

    I like the berries, nice winter interest. Good for the birds and also the berries are typical sterile.

    Theyre tough and easy to grow.

    Or a nice shed.

  22. BigSquiby

    the fast fix is buying tall boxwoods or something similar from a large commercial nursery, its gonna cost you a ton, but it will fix your issue. when you get them that size, you need to have a landscaping company buy them and install them.

    or you can buy small ones from online or at a local nursery, plant them, water them and in a few years you will have privacy.

  24. RockPaperSawzall

    if you are in zones 5-9, there’s a miscanthus grass variety miscanthus x giganteus that you could consider. In its first year it will reach 6-8ft height, but by years 2-3 it’ll grow to 12ft+ tall. It’ll stay upright even once it goes dormant, so it offers year-round screening. For a cleaner look, mow it down in late winter/early spring, or you can leave the dormant canes in place and the new growth will just weave in between the old stuff.

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