Guerrilla gardening

Guerrilla gardening

Guerrilla gardening is the act of gardening on land that the gardeners do not have the legal rights to cultivate, such as abandoned sites, areas that are not being cared for, or private property. It encompasses a diverse range of actions from the simple planting of flowers, vegetables, or trees to the more complex development of green spaces in urban environments. Guerrilla gardening aims to reclaim land that is either not being used or is being misused, and to transform it into productive or aesthetically pleasing spaces.

The origins of guerrilla gardening are difficult to trace, but it is believed to have started in the 1970s in New York City by artist Liz Christy and her group, the Green Guerrillas. They threw "seed bombs" into vacant lots to beautify the city. Since then, the movement has spread worldwide, with participants engaging in guerrilla gardening as a form of protest, community building, environmental activism, or simply to beautify their neighborhoods.

Guerrilla gardening takes many forms, including the cultivation of food crops for free distribution, the planting of trees to improve air quality, and the creation of community gardens in neglected urban spaces. It often involves the use of "seed bombs," which are seeds encased in a mixture of clay and compost that can be thrown into inaccessible areas.

The legality of guerrilla gardening is a complex issue. In some cases, it is tolerated by landowners and authorities, especially when the gardening activities are seen as improving neglected or unsightly areas. However, it can also be considered a form of trespassing or vandalism, leading to potential legal action against the gardeners.

Despite the legal challenges, guerrilla gardening has been praised for its positive environmental impacts, including increasing biodiversity, improving air and soil quality, and reducing urban heat islands. It also has social benefits, such as fostering a sense of community and civic pride, and providing fresh produce in food deserts.