Gardener’s kind gesture is praised for old-school neighbourly values

Remember the days when everyone in the street knew each other, when neighbours regularly shared a mid-morning cuppa or borrowed a cup of sugar? Well, it seems one friendly gardener is on a mission to restore community in their suburb, with a generous gesture most people wouldn’t pass up.

A Brisbane resident has set up a community herb patch in their front yard, and fellow gardeners are loving it.

An image of the herb patch was posted to Reddit last week, with the caption: “Spotted a little community kindness in Greenslopes.”

In the snap, the selection of herbs is listed on a sign telling neighbours to help themselves, along with a handy pair of scissors. It’s a really nice gesture given a lot of neighbours get annoyed when people help themselves to their plants or flowers.

“Please pick some herbs for dinner (or a cup of tea!),” the message read.

The herbs on offer include basil, rosemary, dill, chives, lemon balm, peppermint and mint, with nasturtium, chamomile and dianthus “hopefully” coming soon.

The gardener has now been praised online, with many Reddit users hoping the concept would soon catch on in their own neighbourhoods.

“This is lovely. I wish there were more of this kind of thing,” one commentator wrote, while another added: “What a nice idea. Very wholesome.”

A third wrote: “I especially adore the thoughtfulness of leaving some scissors out too!”

“I love it. I wish I was there,” another added.

Others, however, hoped the herbs wouldn’t be disturbed by pets or unruly youths.

“Really hope it’s well respected as it’s such a nice idea,” one commentator wrote.

Read more: Neighbourly sin: Woman caught stealing roses from front yard

It’s a stark contrast to a woman who was caught on camera stealing roses from a neighbour’s front yard last week. CCTV footage captures the moment the woman casually strolls up the driveway of a home in the small suburb of Rototuna, northern Hamilton, New Zealand.

As wrong as some believe it is, it’s not uncommon for sticky fingered green thumbs to go sneaking around other people’s gardens in search of pretty blooms to decorate their homes. Some will wait until dusk when the light begins to fade before grabbing their scissors and heading out, while others, like the woman in this video, are bold enough to go in for the kill in broad daylight.

What are your thoughts? Do you think this is a sweet gesture?