I’m going to set up a crew to take on my city’s non existing green policy and I was wondering if someone over here might have some tips to share

  • @sudojonz
    11•1 year ago

    I have some experience with guerilla gardening in different areas, indoor/outdoor, permitted/prohibited, city/forest, etc.

    Would be happy to answer any questions you have!

    I’m not sure what tips to start with though…I’ll just say a few things and let me know?

    -When you think you have a new spot, it’s highly recommended to see if anyone else uses the space and if possible to find out who is the official owner and the official caretaker (many times it can be the same person/entity). This is important so you know what you are up against if you decide to start planting without permission. For example, if the land has been obviously abandoned for years then you are probably safe to grow for a whole season (and hopefully more). But if the land has seasonal/intermittent usage then you would want to grow plants which would mature faster or perhaps you discover that location is not suitable for your uses after deeper investigation.

    -Once you have found your intended garden spot, make sure to get an idea of what direction it faces and how much sun it will get. Also what the soil is like (is it muddy/sandy/rocky/compact/fluffy/etc)

    -If you are growing food/edible plants, then it’s especially important to know what the environmental conditions are like so you can choose what is best to plant. For example, you wouldn’t want to grow cabbage where it gets too hot and sunny or it won’t grow well and the opposite is true for peppers and tomatoes. On average, food/edible plants will be more hungry for nutrients than most common ornamentals.

    -If you are growing ornamental/non-edible plants then there are far more options of plant varieties and environmental conditions. It also becomes less vital that you make it to the end of a plant’s harvest cycle.

    -Always make sure to research whether a plant is considered ‘invasive’, as it is not ethical guerilla gardening practice to plant species which would dominate the ecosystem so quickly. For example: mint, oregano, raspberries, and blackberries are considered invasive because they send shoots underground and can cover a lot of area in a single season. Even if you cut back these plants all the way to the dirt, they are still alive underground and will always come back unless you dig up every root.

    -By its nature a guerilla garden is never safe from tampering, either by people who want to steal or just those who want to destroy. The more remote your garden is from people the safer it can be, but then it can be too difficult to visit it enough to care for the plants. A balance has to be found.

    • DankZedong OPA
      11•1 year ago

      Thanks for your feedback. We’re not sure yet what the plan is right now, but I think stuff like flowers or other pollinators are the first start.

      Correct me if I’m wrong, but you live(d) in The Netherlands, right? If so, what seeds would you recommend? Because Belgium and The Netherlands have somewhat similar climates/grounds.

    • relay
      2•1 year ago

      why would you plant kudzu unless you really hate the city you planted it in.

        • @redtea
          2•1 year ago

          Wikipedia:

          One or two viable seeds are produced per cluster of pods. The hard-coated seeds can remain viable for several years, and can successfully germinate only when soil is persistently soggy for 5–7 days, with temperatures above 20 °C (68 °F).

          Sounds like it’s hard to get started but the seeds you planted might still have a chance.