Guerrilla gardener movement takes root in L.A. area: Planting on land they don't own

[Liberal_in_LA]

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-hm-guerrilla29-2008may29,0,4863671.story


Stealth growers seed or plant on land that doesn't belong to them. The result? Plants that beautify or yield crops in otherwise neglected or vacant spaces.

By Joe Robinson, Special to The Times
May 29, 2008


BRIMMING with lime-hued succulents and a lush collection of agaves, one shooting spiky leaves 10 feet into the air, it's a head-turning garden smack in the middle of Long Beach's asphalt jungle. But the gardener who designed it doesn't want you to know his last name, since his handiwork isn't exactly legit. It's on a traffic island he commandeered.

"The city wasn't doing anything with it, and I had a bunch of extra plants," says Scott, as we tour the garden, cars whooshing by on both sides of Loynes Drive.

Scott is a guerrilla gardener, a member of a burgeoning movement of green enthusiasts who plant without approval on land that's not theirs. In London, Berlin, Miami, San Francisco and Southern California, these free-range tillers are sowing a new kind of flower power. In nighttime planting parties or solo "seed bombing" runs, they aim to turn neglected public space and vacant lots into floral or food outposts

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. I'm all in favor of this.

Provided they know what they're doing, which given the fact that they're doing it, they probably do.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. We have legit folks gardening plots like this around here

It's been made into a big deal, with various clubs and garden groups vying to be able to plant and maintain mini gardens in otherwise wasted space downtown. (Harrison AR)

[Indenturedebtor]

3. What a fantastic idea! I only hope they're using native plants n/t

[MountainLaurel]

4. Interesting

A pagan discussion group here has been talking about doing the same thing in an abandoned space somewhere.

[MNBrewer]

5. my next door neighbor and I

are thinking of doing guerilla gardening on an eroded patch of the front yard on the corner. It's vacant, foreclosed by the bank.

[Uncle Joe]

6. Guerrilla gardeners rock!

:yourock:

[htuttle]

7. Growing on city property -- It's not just for marijuana anymore!

[RaVeN_MeaD]

8. Sounds like a great idea n/t

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. It's a wonderful idea. I love it.

[Gonzo Gardener]

10. I did this in the empty lot...

next door to my place in... of all places... Long Beach, Ca.

Prior to moving into the 2 story pink stucco duplex, in April of 1995, some of the neighborhood kids played soccer in the weedy lot. We made fast friends with a few of the folks living on either side of us and decided that we would take over the space. We planted a big garden in the back and threw down some grass seed in the front half.

We were a little nervous that it might be a problem at first, but, as it turned out, the LBC maintained then billed property owners who didn't keep up their lots so, we hoped that no one would object to our efforts. The owner, puzzled as to why she was no longer receiving a bill from the city, stopped by one afternoon. She was thrilled with what we had done. The kids who played soccer enjoyed the grass 'field' and loved taking handfuls of veggies home, the owner got to keep a few extra bucks in her pocket each month, and we had the satisfaction of digging and growing.

I went out early to water one morning and came across a homeless man who had spent the night between the rows of sunflowers. I practically stumbled over him and had clearly woken him. He began to move quickly and tried to scurry away, but I told him, "... Freeze buddy, you're not going anywhere without a bag full of anything you will eat or share." He smiled, took several eggplants, a few peppers, two handfuls of tomatoes, and came back with two friends the next day to help with the weeding.

Guerrilla gardening is great for city communities!

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. great story. n/t

[roguevalley]

12. love me some green gardeners.

[Book Lover]

13. Do it if you can

And a little factoid - it is legal to plant the California poppy (state plant) anywhere in CA.

[AwakeAtLast]

14. I love that!

Can we make this national? :D

[mdmc]

15. any pics

[AgadorSparticus]

16. food for homeless people too. awesome, just awesome!