What is a polite or humorous response to people who ask if they can take something from your garden? Something that will get the point across of "Don't you know it is rude to ask" without being offensive?

tell them "sure, take the weeds"

Unless I am growing something particular that I plan to enter into a fair or show...I am honored if someone wants something from my garden!

I don't believe ASKING is Rude at all!

I can see where if you do not wish to share plants, flowers, seeds, or produce...it could make you feel uncomfortable to want to SAY NO...but that's kinda YOUR problem, not the asker per se.

If you do not wish to share you have the right to say, NO.

But, I'm always happy to trade seeds, or plants...we all can benefit from that, and so I often exchange things from the garden...including extra of something I grew, for extra of something someone else grew...tomatoes, cukes, squash...it's all tasty!

I didn't know it was rude to ask. Assuming it is, however, I would say, "No, but I appreciate you asking, though. There are some that wouldn't even bother, they'd just assume that it was perfectly ok steal it."

Something like, "Sure you can, if I can route around in your fridge!"

You can be fairly direct as long as you're smiling while you're saying it.

"Heck no! It took me months to grow that!" with a smile and a laugh wouldn't be considered rude, but I feel it would get the point across.

Why is it rude to ask? I would think it rude to take something without asking.

I would say, take what you want now, but that is all I can afford to give up.

Stand up with hoe in hand, make wide open crazy eyes, rub your belly, and with a wincing grin say, "No you can not, but YOU sure look delicious."

Eh, well. I thought it was kind of funny.

Do you prefer organic?

And is cat urine considered to be organic?

Well. . . .if it were ME, I'd simply say, "No!". I'm TERRIBLY "direct". But if YOU want a "polite" response, I'd simply say, "I'm sorry. But if you don't mind, I'm enjoying it myself!" and keep right on doing what you're doing!

Sorry, hit the answer instead of comment.

Sure, go ahead! When you've finished your selection I'll follow you to your place and take something from your pantry or fridge...you know what ever looks appealing to me!

You could say, "Sorry, It's all spoken for. If you need advice on how to plant your own garden, though, I would be happy to help."
Or you could ask them which pesticide they like best....

"No, but your welcome to root around in the compost heap."

Sure you can...we can even (together) plant a small section for you so that you can get the hang of it and become a kitchen gardener yourself. It will be fun, we will have more in common and have tasty produce to swap. Sounds like a plan!

If I get to take something from your cookie jar, yes. If not, not.

food is a universal need, so the rude bit falls to those who deny others their wealth. nothing personal, Im sure their not starving

Tell them that it is a "sharing" garden - take what you like, but put something nice in it's place!

There are some people who would consider you selfish for not wanting to give up the produce. They seem to think nothing of clipping a vine here or there. Farmers in some areas know that a portion of their crops will be stolen (like watermellon) and they plant extra. Where I live, we never pick over the crop because that takes away from the farmers income. Ask an old person in the area how the community seems to think. They will tell you.

The first thing that pops in my mind is:
are they hungry and have no food at home?
I may even ask them that. "You poor thing! Are your cubbards bare?" If they are just poachers, maybe they will be too embarrassed to come back. If they NEED the food, you'll get plenty of "thank yous".

You have to ask yourself if giving up a few peppers or tomatoes is worth the peace between you and who is asking. Because I'll tell you right now, if you refuse those types of people they will cuss about you all the way to the gravesite. But do you care?

i think you need more scarecrows (or scarehumans rather) to ward off these garden invaders. maybe a few strategically placed garden gnomes.

i personally like to share whats in my garden with others, but i dont appreciate being pressured for a "gift". if you want to go for shock value, you might tell them that your lawn was fertilized by your neighbors dogs. or maybe you want to go for the sympathy vote - your veggies are earmarked for hungry, needy people (those people being you and your family!) or indulge them and give them one thing from your garden, but tell them politely youd give them more, but then you wouldnt have enough to go around for all the people who ask for something out of your garden.

"We're going to bottle those and we need as many as we can get out of the garden. But help yourself to the Zucchini's."

"Sure! Help yourself to that compost over there!"

I am sorry but I worked real hard to get this so beautiful. You can get everything you want at the nearest florist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No usually suffices, but if its plants then just say it’s not the right season to prune/uproot them and it’ll just kill it and you’ll get them cuttings next time you make some. This way they won’t steal it as they’ll think it’ll cause problems and they’ll get perfect cuttings next time any way (you’ll forget of course) and they’ll stop pestering you for a few weeks at least as well. 3 in one solution!

Say maybe when I grow some more honey>> they'll get the hint.
Or my children have dibs on it sorry.
Or grow your own garden b*tch.

Pat (the dull side of) a sharp garden tool into the palm of your hand, or firmly rub the handle of a hoe, shovel or sickle, look them dead in the eye, and say "Just once."

sure you can! listen, if its important to you, i just want you to know that i use the neighbors dog poop for fertilizer. i read this organic gardening magazine religiously , and they say its very good for your garden. some people get put off by that.. just wasn't sure if you minded or not. Hey, it's ok if that bothers you- i won't be upset with you.

lololololololol

Say "Sure! I have just one rule, you have to put in 5 hours of labor in the garden first." I bet they won't ask again.

... "Depends on what you want to trade from YOUR garden." ...

"no, you mind if I take something out of your refrigerator?"

If it's a flower garden, tell them sure but can you wait til Decenber I'm using them til then

A veggy garden tell them that they taste better when thier ripe And you will call them when they are ready......ooopppss damn rabbitts got to them