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Guerilla gardening is a term used to describe the unauthorized cultivation of plants or crops on vacant public or private land. For some practitioners, Guerilla Gardening is a political statement about land rights or reform[1]; for others, it is primarily an opportunity to beautify and improve neglected, barren or overgrown spaces. Guerilla gardening can be conducted either via secretive night missions or openly in an attempt to engage others in the idea of community improvement; regardless of which approach one takes, there are some basic steps that are important to successfully raise plants under the demanding conditions experienced by these gardens. Follow the steps below to learn how to start your own guerilla garden.
Steps
Find an appropriate plot of land. In most urban and suburban areas, unused and uncared-for spaces abound. You can find them along sidewalks, on the sides of overpasses or freeway on-ramps, between buildings, on road medians and more. Plant near a water sourse if lack of water is a problem. You don't need a lot of land.
Can't find a planting site? Make one. Attaching containers to posts and railings can add a lush or colorful touch to an otherwise lifeless spot.
Take note of the condition of the land. It will almost certainly need some preparation before getting started. Will you need to remove weeds, trash or other forms of waste? Is the soil rocky, clay-like or more earthy?
Determine what plants to use in your garden. This is a critical step; your choice of plants has a huge effect on the likelihood of success or failure of your garden. Here are few suggestions:
Select hardy plants that can thrive with intermittent care. You probably won't be able to easily water, weed and fertilize your garden in the same way that you could if you were gardening around your home. Choose plants that can withstand variations in watering and other care schedules. Xeriscaping goes hand-in-hand with guerilla gardening.
Choose plants that naturally grow in your area. Native plants are an ecologically sound choice, in that they won't tend to overcrowd other parts of the habitat. They will also be well-suited to the amount of sun and rain, temperature swings and other climatological factors.
Be aware of conditions the plot of land that you will be growing on. For example, is it heavily shaded or does it get a lot of morning or afternoon sun? Be sure to choose plants that are a good for your light, moisture and soil conditions.
Choose inexpensive plants. Save the pricey plants for gardens in protected areas. A guerilla garden is subject to vandals, animals and more. Choose plants that you can easily afford to replace.
Plan your initial gardening mission. Determine when you will work, who will assist you, and what you need (plants, tools, water, fertilizer, etc.). Arrange a concrete day and time to do the work.
Gather your materials. Some of the things you will need:
Plants - Acquire a sufficient number of the plants you have chosen to cover your plot. You can buy plants from stores, or for a less expensive but more time-consuming alternative, start seeds at home. Transfer them to the garden site when they are well-established so that they have a better chance of survival.
Tools - Make sure you have the tools you need for the job: rakes, hoes, shovels, gloves, wheelbarrows, etc.
Water - Bring in some water to help your plants get started. Unused gasoline/petrol containers seal tightly, pack well and are easily transported.[2]
Fertilizer - You may want to add some fertilizer when planting your garden; be sure not to use any chemicals you would not want to get in the local water system.
Trash bags - You will probably need to remove trash and weeds and other waste from the site.
Transportation - Unless your garden is very close to your home, you need to be sure you have a vehicle or other means of getting everything to and from the site.
Signs - Letting people know what is planted there may make them more conscious of the site and less likely to trample on it (or allow their dogs to use it as a bathroom).
Start your garden.
Clear the land of weeds, trash and other undesirable things.
Clean the area thoroughly before leaving. Don't leave trash, weeds or anything that reflects poorly upon you or other guerilla gardeners.
Return to care for your garden. Planting the garden is only one small part of the job. It is your responsibility to water, weed and otherwise maintain your garden (though there is nothing wrong with encouraging others to help).
Spread the word about this unique, eco-friendly way to improve your community. Feel free to leave small signs or plaques in your garden encouraging others in the community to water and help care for it.
Video
A Guardian.co.uk report on guerilla gardening in London.
Tips
For hard-to-reach places, you can make seed bombs by combining seeds with clay and fertilizer. These can then be thrown to that location when conditions are favorable to help new plants to grow there.
Consider installing bird houses for native bird species. They'll not only add life to the site, but the birds will also help keep insects under control.
There are many communities online and around the world (particularly in the U.K., Europe and the U.S.) involved in guerilla gardening. These communities can be an invaluable resource for information and a great way to interact with others who share the vision of a greener world.
Warnings
Check local ordinances to see whether your garden is legal. In some municipalities it is against the law, while in others it is not.[3]
Trespassing on private property is against the law. However, some land owners may not object to your gardening on their land. Try to get permission before taking an abandoned plot under your wing.
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Club Meetings
** MCC Garden Club - Meetings are held on 3rd Friday of the month at 5:00PM at MOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Curtiss Mott Bldg, Room 1025, 1401 East Court St., Flint, MI. 48503
** Wild Ones - Flint River Chapter - held in the MCC, Genesee Room, Prahl College Center from 6:00PM - 8:00PM the second Monday of the month (except July & December) during the fall and winter.
** Genesee Master Gardener Association Executive Board meetings are held 2nd Thursday of each month at MSUE Genesee County, 4215 W. Pasadena Ave., Flint, MI.
** Genesee Master Gardener Association Monthly Meetings. Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month (except July & December). The business meeting starts at 6:45 pm with social & snack time from 6:00PM to 6:45PM, The speaker begins at 7:30PM. Meetings are held at the MSUE-Genesee office. For more information, contact Terry McLean at (810) 244-8530.***
- Edible Flowers in the Garden, February 18, 2010 Syd Grinnell of Grinnell Nursery.
- Pulling Together for Nature - How Invasive Species Work, March 18, 2010 Lisa Brush of Stewardship Network
- Mimicking Mother Nature, April 15, 2010 Michael Saint of Good Earth Landscape Institute.
- What Would It Take to Have a Garden Hive, May 20, 2010 Terry Toland of the MI Beekeepers Assn.
- Winter Hardy Cactus & Succlents, June 17, 2010 - Louis Kilbert, Ph.D of Michigan Cactus & Succulent Society
- MGA Summer Picnic, July 2010
- Roses 101, August 19, 2010 - Barry Crassweller - District Consulting Rosarian-American Rose Society
- Japanese Maples - A Companion to Hosta, September 16, 2010 - Mark Hanner - Eastern Michigan Hosta Society
- EAB & Other Tree Pests Update, October 21, 2010 - Brian VanPatten, ForMar Arboretum horticulturist.
- Holiday Banquet & Elections, November 18, 2010
The College Cultural Neighborhood is the area bounded by I-69, Gilkey Creek, Robert T. Longway Blvd., and S. Dort Hwy. It features beautiful homes, tree-lined streets, businesses, and schools. The CCNA's next meetings: - Meetings are held from 7:00PM to 9:00PM in the auditorium of the Regional Technology Center (RTC) at Mott Community College (Room 1005). **************************************** Thursday, March 18, 2010, 7:00PM - 9:00PM Thursday, May 20, 2010, 7:00PM - 9:00PM Thursday, September 16, 2010, 7:00PM - 9:00PM Thursday, November 18, 2010, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
