11 March 2010

There are groups of people in towns and cities up and down the country who like to spend their time resisting the concrete and asphalt occupation of the urban environment by going outside under the cover of, well, day and night and planting flowers, vegetables, shrubs, bulbs and trees where they are needed and maybe throwing a few seed bombs in areas that could do with a bit of love, a bit of life and a bit of greenery. The benefits of urban greenspace are well known, increasing air quality, enhancing the aesthetics of the area, generating a space for communities to thrive, providing a truly local source of food, benefitting urban wildlife, and even reducing stress, grafitti and crime.

There are Guerilla gardening groups up and down the country with the largest Scottish prescence concentrated in Glasgow. The idea is simple and is something that anyone can do, with some friends, with an organisation, with the community, or even by themselves. All it requires is some seeds, bulbs, or flowers, (preferably not bought from the supermarket) a suitable space outside (there are many in any urban environment) and a human being - you! - to complete the interaction between plant and ground.

It's easy, its fun, it feels great to do, and the results look fantastic. If going down the edible route then the results taste great and you can't get more local than growing your own.

Keffiya and mask optional, angry anarchist face not essential.

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