Guerilla gardening!

[newgardengirl]

Whilst searching around the internet for various gardening tips, I have come across a few websites for "guerilla gardening", the idea being to "reclaim" bits of unused public land for growing plants on. It looks like it's mainly for political reasons, and although I'm not really a very political person I actually think it might be quite amusing to see what I can do.

I'm not planning on getting involved in any groups or anything, but I was just thinking, it could be amusing to do something really random, for example planting peas in the middle of a disused flower bed, or planting carrots in a park or something. The more surreal, the better. I'm not interested in being political about it, and I'm not planning on any vandalism or trespassing, but I thought it could be done for the amusement factor. After all, there are plenty of small bits of unused land around the place.

Any ideas?

[Two_Sheds]

I'm not planning on any vandalism...

Technically, if the land isn't yours, it is vandalism.

Doesn't mean I don't approve
In fact, I am accidentally dropping wild flower seeds along the mud-strips that the developers have left us after building our new relief road. (relief for whom? discuss)

[newgardengirl]

Technically, if the land isn't yours, it is vandalism.

Doesn't mean I don't approve

Heh. Well, I just meant I'm not planning on breaking anything or destroying property. If the council really have that much of a problem with runner beans growing at the side of a road, they can always pull the plants up

[mandyballantyne]

I done this last year!!

We don't have a garden just a grassed drying green. There is a fence at the back of this which leads down to the canal.

There is about 20-25' flatish land before it drops down to the canal, so I borrowed the flat bit

I ask the neighbours who did not mind, have fenced it in and have a shed on it. Cut the fence to make a gate and hey presto a garden/veg plot.

It took a lot of work clearing 70 year brambles weeds etc but I did grow my first veg last year.

My only regret is I did not use more space. I have it over a year now with no problems from the council.

Now there is a unused field not far from here....................

Good luck, m

[SueA]

I think the 'official' guerrilla gardeners tend to plant flowers etc. on dull roundabouts & waste land & technically you could be arrested for it but a lot of the time the police ' look the other way'. I think it's a nice idea but wonder if anyone goes back to water them or do the plants just die from neglet?

[Two_Sheds]

The trick is to put in natives (flowers that is) or at least plants that are tolerant of the conditions...unlike most municipal planting

[Flummery]

My husband reckons the local country lanes would be a good place to plant beans for drying. I wouldn't put them on a roadside because of the fumes but a farmer friend says he has no objection to us using his field hedges. I think so many people would pass them by without realising what they are and a great autumn harvest is possible without using up all your plot. If you have saved your own seeds too, and then someone spots them and collects some then it's just a 'paying it forward' gift to the community. It's not as if you've forked out £2.75 for a packet. Just a thought.

PS 'Allo - Who's a pretty boy then, 2sheds?

[Two_Sheds]

Who's a pretty boy then, 2sheds?

That's Jasper, very cross with me for poking a lens in his beak. He puffs himself up to look big and scary (not). He's only defensive like this for a couple of weeks in spring (hormones!) then goes back to being lovely and sweet, hitching a ride on my shoulder usually

[Flummery]

I love birds 2sheds. We had a couple of cockatiels and a mad budgie - all alas now gone to the great aviary in the sky. They are all great characters, real individuals. They are all buried under my damson tree which last year produced 32 lb of fruit. Thanks birds, keep it up!

[nick the grief]

The only two example of guerilla gardening I know of

An old boy who lived not far from here loved roses and udded all the Briars in the lanes where he lived with Varieties from his garden - what a treat for both eyes and nose!!

In Coleshill the police station in by the side of a busy ish road and has some lovely window boxes. Some Wag planted the one outside the Chief Inspectors Office with Canabis

Before you ask, no it wasn't me

[Alice]

Good for you Mandy. Better that ground is growing food for you than just lying as wasteland.

[johnty greentoes]

I've done guerrilla tree planting by planting native species homegrown trees (sweet chestnut, oak, hazel) into monoculture hedging usually hawthorn only on private ground. Done without permission after farmers refused our volunteer help!

[Nicos]

Herbs on the side of country lanes would be easy to do.
You could go back later in the year and take some of the leaves for drying.

[bubblewrap]

In Coleshill the police station in by the side of a busy ish road and has some lovely window boxes. Some Wag planted the one outside the Chief Inspectors Office with Canabis

Sounds like a good idea you can not get done for cultivation
Only be careful when harvesting.

[nick the grief]

The best bit was it was discovered by the local Drugs squad le Face Rouge as they say ( well they do round ere)