He sounds like a right weirdo!
Well that's probably not far from the truth.
Now my new neighbours and their gardens (both front and rear). The previous neighbours used to keep their gardens really nice. Lawn mowed, flower beds hoed and kept clear of weeds. The Apple tree trimed.
But the new neighbours, nice people though they are. Have yet to do anything in the garden (s), and they have been there now for 6 months. Weeds are getting long and seeding.

. I have spoken over the fence to the neighbours the other side of my immediate neighbours and they are not happy of the unkempt garden(s) either.
May have to have a word.