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gottamakeart's avatar

"Guerilla Gardening" have you heard about it, done it, or noticed its positve effect on the landscape?

Asked by gottamakeart (1323points) July 25th, 2011

“Guerilla Gardening” is a somewhat radical practice of planting in abandoned lots, roadsides, and other places that are non-traditional gardening spaces- that benefit from individuals or groups deciding to add plantings and “bring life” back to an area. Have YOU heard about or done this? Also, what do you think of it as an “improvement”? (I’ve heard that it may help prevent Hive Collapse.), I’m totally there with it being an aesthetic and environmental act.

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16 Answers

Simone_De_Beauvoir's avatar

I have briefly heard of this, haven’t done it, support it.

YoBob's avatar

There was a show on one of those home and garden channels not to long ago about “guerrilla gardening”

What I was most impress with was the sense of community that some of these “guerrilla gardens” provide. In one instance there was an abandoned lot in a “ghetto” area. Very soon after somebody took it upon themselves to start transforming the space others who shared the building/block spontaneously started helping out and it became a positive and very real focal point for the community.

In a simi-related vein, while not really guerrilla gardens, there are publicly funded efforts that have grown out of the guerrilla garden movement to re-claim spaces that were previously urban blight and turn them into places that you really want to be. The program I saw featured a park in New York City that was once an elevated abandoned railroad track and has been transformed into an absolutely awesome public space.

ANef_is_Enuf's avatar

What @Simone_De_Beauvoir said. In fact, I can’t think of any way to elaborate on that statement other than to say that I wholeheartedly support it.

Coloma's avatar

I call any random act of beautification, ” affirmative vandalism” lol

The only catch would be in community effort/interest in tending to the spot to be planted, or, your efforts will die on the vine. ;-)

crisw's avatar

Yes. Here in San Diego, in the funky community of Ocean Beach, a Starbucks was proposed for a street corner that once held a gas station. Incensed, neighborhood activists took over the lot with an impromptu garden and park. This was a few years ago; the lot is no longer a garden- but there is no Starbucks there either.

snowberry's avatar

And I remember reading recently about someone being charged for doing it where some nose-up-in-the-air bureaucrats decided they didn’t like it. Apparently it’s not uncommon. Here’s one link. http://foodfreedom.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/granny-guerrilla-gardener-ticketed-in-buffalo-city-of-16000-vacant-lots/

marinelife's avatar

I think it is a great idea. Except if people get attached to the property. If they can take it as temporary, then that is OK.

DominicX's avatar

Yes, I have heard of it and I have done it. I have a friend who’s really into it and he and I have done it together, the most recent place being an empty area right near his house where there is now a full-blown vegetable garden.

El_Cadejo's avatar

How very odd. I opened youtube today and this video was recommended for me.

I fully support it. I dont get why any government officials could possibly be against this type of thing, everyone wins.

incendiary_dan's avatar

I guerrilla gardened some butternut squash and sunflowers this year.

deni's avatar

I’ve heard about it. I think it’s pretty cool….the way I heard of it being done is seeds and soil and whatever else put into a light bulb and then thrown over a fence or wherever you wanna throw it….but I don’t get that because what happens to the glass? Anyone know? Did I mis hear?

gottamakeart's avatar

“seed bombs” is a cute, but entirely incorrect concept.

incendiary_dan's avatar

@deni The glass is the reason that that method isn’t used much. Usually people mix clay and soil with the seeds to make balls that will fall apart into good dirt for the seeds. Some people even put them in gelatin capsules.

@gottamakeart Why do you think so? I’ve made seed bombs before and used them to spread sunflower seeds.

gottamakeart's avatar

Sorry,I was referring to the hollowed out light-bulb idea specifically, the other methods you listed sound much more reasonable.

deni's avatar

@incendiary_dan Oh that makes so much more sense. Thanks.

Schroedes13's avatar

I personally don’t garden or enjoy it. I had never heard of this concept until now, but I think it is a great idea!

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