I agree that the rhubarb is probably up for grabs, but just because the lady was so odious, I would have turned the garden hose on her.
If I was that husband I would have turned my hand mower on and started in on that alley garden...
I actually did that to a previous neighbor. Think they were Pakis but there was an old woman living there that stunk to high hell. Anyway, teenage daughter and her friend were washing my car and threw the hose down on the lawn. Water was draining into neighbors dead, unwatered lawn and the old woman came across to our driveway screaming in some language at the girls. They came running into the house telling me. When I headed out through the garage she was standing in the driveway waving her arms screaming. I told her to gtf away from my house and leave the girls alone. She just kept standing there screaming and waving her arms so I calmly picked the hose up and sprayed the stinky witch down. You should have seen her run! lol There were other neighbors in their yards laughing to beat all get out. I laugh everytime I think about it, even now.