Guerrilla Gardening
Last post 04-02-2009 12:17 AM by mini stroni. 14 replies.
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19/12/2008 10:38 AM
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- JamesA
- Peterborough
- 24 Aug 2006
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160
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How do people and the RHS feel about Guerrilla Gardening? (Secretly planting neglected areas yourself)
If I was to do this in my local area what should I avoid appart from making sure I'm not spreading plant diseases?Ideally they should be native species, but would it really matter in urban areas?
The organic way would be to propagate from seed/cuttings in my garden.
Would the RHS give spare plants to local guerrilla gardeners who asked for them?
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19/12/2008 11:27 AM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,200
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I think it's an excellent idea James, ideally it would be better to plant shrubs or perennials so that the space you are thinking of doing will have all year interest. You could, of course, use annuals which self-seed themselves freely. I think Miranda has done a bit of guerilla gardening in the past and will probably be able to put you in the right direction of websites that might be of help.
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19/12/2008 02:26 PM
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- JamesA
- Peterborough
- 24 Aug 2006
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160
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There's a load of videos on youtube, plus the official forum that I've found so far.
That bloke in London has been on a whole load of TV programs promoting it.
My favourite is when the police threaten to arrest him:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=L8WTlqiwYdQ
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19/12/2008 05:36 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,200
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That is a good one James, I liked the bit when they went back a couple of hours later to finish the job.
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19/12/2008 09:34 PM
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Well, this Guerilla gardener had a garden at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show this summer and very impressive it was too. We had a chap on our allotment site who made seed balls, as recommended for guerilla gardening, containing clover and beans and tossed these onto his derelict plot. To my amazement some clover plants did come up and the odd bean or two as well. Boggy
Beware the bat-eared bogweevil
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19/12/2008 10:50 PM
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- Alix
- Bristol
- 19 Dec 2008
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47
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I'd go for something that seeds itself freely aswell, as I live in a place where things (yes even plants) get stolen and vandalised, perennials that grow deep roots quickly like aquilegias. Look around at the the local wildflowers and see what thrives. Go for it!
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20/12/2008 12:28 AM
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This idea is both exciting and controversial. I say exciting because it obviously is an opportunity (and excuse) for runaway gardeners to do their thing (saying they are helping the environment) while controversial because they are not holding the right owners responsible for the neglect. In a civilized society, we want each person to take responsibility. The term "guerilla" infers actions outside of established norms and laws.
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20/12/2008 09:33 AM
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- Phot's-Moll
- The sunny South coast.
- 06 Jan 2007
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3,347
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I used to live in a village that had a very weedy bank in a prominentplace. It was a real eyesore and eventually became so overgrown it was dangerous (you had to step off the pavement into the road on a bend to avoid being scratched by brambles and stung by nettles) The horticultural society approached the council for permission to sort it out. It then emerged that ownership was unclear - explaining why nobody was keeping it tidy. It was agreed the HS could take care of it until ownership was determined. That was several years ago - it's now planted with wild flowers, spring bulbs and heather and periwinkle. Maybe it would be possible to get permission to garden/tidy the area you're thinking of, James? If so, you could make a better job of it than if you just threw in seeds and hoped for the best. btw, coloured willows seem to root very easily. If anyone was to be carrying a few cuttings and then stumbled they'd probably accidentally plant them and if they didn't dry out they'd be almost bound to grow. Accidentally (or deliberately, of course) sprinkling calendula, foxglove, forget me knot and many other seeds would probably produce flowers.
Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
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20/12/2008 03:34 PM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,976
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I'm a card-carrying Guerrilla Gardener and used to do bits and pieces when we lived in Lincolnshire, mainly sowing wildflower seeds and putting in bulbs by the roadside. I'd like to have done more but never found anyone to work with and, being a small female, didn't feel confident about doing larger projects alone. Haven't found a spot here yet, but am intending to look out for one. The website gives lots of ideas, with the journal of latest digs that have happened, and you can also find out what's going in your area. I've seen photos of some of the digs in London and they've done wonderful stuff - there is a massive planting of lavender near the Houses of Parliament that is especially fine.
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21/12/2008 06:44 AM
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- julie_poo
- cheshire
- 20 Dec 2008
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my fave GG pastime is dropping sunflower seeds on roundabouts and verges !
when a rogue sunflower pops up it is sure to make every passing motorist smile.
oh and i just use cheap seeds from pet shop!
j
'' Those who ask a lot of questions may seem stupid, but those who don't ask questions stay stupid ''
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23/12/2008 09:51 AM
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- JamesA
- Peterborough
- 24 Aug 2006
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160
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I think I'll definitely start with a few seed bombs/bulbs.
I bet Woolworths have some cheap bulbs as they're cheap normally.
The obvious seeds I have a load of are tomato seeds, which are too high maintenance.
A big patch of blighted tomato plants wouldn't be that nice to look at 
Which type of pet shop seeds are you talking about?
I was thinking of buying a few packets of wild flower seeds (that say they are supposed to provide nectar for bees) which would cost about £1.50 each.
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23/12/2008 10:42 AM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,200
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I would think the wild bird seed should be ok, I have plenty of plants that come up in the garden that has come from bird seed and the sunflower seeds in the mix certainly grow ok. If your Woolies is the same as ours - when I went in last week there was no gardening stuff left in there, all that was left was the stuff that no-one else wants.
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14/01/2009 04:54 PM
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- Alix
- Bristol
- 19 Dec 2008
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47
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I see know moral problem as long as it's in the right place. The council has some lovely and well planted roundabouts and verges in Bristol, but there are many ugly and neglected areas also. Its easy to talk about ownership if you live somewhere nice, but why live in an ugly depressing environment when a few carefully dropped seeds or bulbs will brighten the place up nicely?
These spots often include neglected railway sidings and land bought under compulsory purchase orders for road building.
If worried, you may be able to get advice from a local community project or club. Round here Easton Permaculture Association and the Eastside Roots community garden centre have done some excellent work improving the local environment all perfectly legally. The community centre also does work the railway path/cycle track. You could even start your own project. If it was me I'd go the guerrilla route, after all, who's really going to be upset by converting a local eyesore into a lovely spot for everyone including your local butterfly population. Even an old Buddliea is nicer looking than a pile of rubbish.
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03/02/2009 06:01 PM
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- Brian 1967
- London
- 03 Feb 2009
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2
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I think it is an excellent idea. I first came across the concept when a couple of panellists from Gardeners Question Time recommended the book 'On Guerilla Gardening' by Richard Reynalds as their Christmas book list. So I treated myself. A cracking book. These Guerilla's also have their own website. Check them out at: http://www.guerrillagardening.org/
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04/02/2009 12:17 AM
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love the youtube video of the police trying to arrest them, james A. how can improving an area be 'criminal DAMAGE'? surely damaging something is making it worse, not better? the final planting was lovely. i hope the cops who returned next morning were frustrated at not being able to arrest them after the fact - after all, they didn't actually see them do the final planting (unless big brother had a cctv camera on them). i can't imagine the 'jobsworth' being anything other than cheesed off, unfortunately. his loss. shame on him.
go guerillas!
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