I've been reading again.

This time it's "Guerrilla Gardening: A Manualfesto" by David Tracey.

The theme of this book would be it's easier to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission.

Basically, the book is about taking over unused land in cities, public or private, and planting on them. With or without permission. It may be planting trees on the sides of city streets, taking over a vacant lot and creating a community garden, throwing "seed bombs" into fenced lots, or working with the city to plant places such as traffic circles.

This is a really neat book. I especially like the "seed bombs." It's a package of dirt, fertilizer and seeds that you toss over a fence into a vacant lot (against the owner's wishes), and hopefully beautify that ugly lot with flowers. And the stories about people sneaking into lots and school yards after dark to weed and plant are great!

After reading this book, I realize that I've done some guerrilla gardening. I planted flowers and placed decorative rocks at the entrance to my property, just outside the property line. I got the idea from seeing the flowers around the culverts at the high school down the road. It really looks pretty when the flowers are in bloom. I've put in white & purple iris and chives. I also put in some daylillies just inside the property line.

The road I live on isn't very pretty looking. I'm thinking I'm going to do some clandestine planting... I'm thinking mainly sunflowers. Imagine a row of happy sunflowers all the way down the road. It might be obvious though that I did the planting if the sunflowers extend from my property! LOL! I don't think anyone would complain though! I might have enough iris roots to spread some of those around too. I'm also tempted to dig up some wild crocus from MIL's cabin. OH! I just realized that I have wild rose suckers that I could relocate too! Oh, the fun I'm going to have!

Comments:

I think it sounds great, the sunflowers. And I'm also thinking that it's a shame my lovely neighbors don't have anything but concrete in their backyard.

comment by walkwithgrace on Apr 27, 2008 12:36 PM ()

I wish I was there to help! How's the ear?

reply by walkwithgrace on Apr 28, 2008 3:43 PM ()

I can't imagine how hot a concrete backyard would be in the summer!
I've got the sunflower seeds ready, now I just have to figure out a good time to go plant them up and down the road.

reply by imaginaryfriend on Apr 27, 2008 8:05 PM ()

Far out! What the world needs now is more Jennifers!

comment by solitaire on Apr 27, 2008 7:15 AM ()

reply by imaginaryfriend on Apr 27, 2008 8:06 PM ()

Very good ideas--beautify!

I love the implications of a 'seed bomb'!
There was a small (two city lots) playground across the street from our house, for years. The playground equipment has been removed because it wasn't up to idiot government code. I desperately wanted to plant some seedling trees over there but I know they would be cut down by the idiot government employees on their ride-em mowers and red flags tied to the little trees would scream, "Over here! Pull me up!" to every child passing by. Maybe I'll just lob a seed bomb into my back yard.

why not...great ideas!