If you are planning your own Guerrilla Garden Adventure, you might want to start stocking your arsenal. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
Tough plants:
Choose varieties that can withstand cold, drought, neglect and abuse by pedestrians, road users and dogs. Daylilies, Calendulas, Poppies, Coneflowers, Columbines, Bachelor Buttons, Cosmos, Snapdragons, and Forget-me-Nots are all pretty tough. When choosing plants for guerrilla gardening you it is important to make sure that you are not planting invasive varieties as guerrilla gardening is all about improving your environment not wreaking it! My personal drought resistant favorites are Sedums, but plant what ever you have and plant extra because when it comes to guerrilla gardening roadside casualties are to be expected.
Bulbs:
Any type of bulbs will work but spring bulbs that “naturalize” (it will usually say that somewhere on the label) are best. They act like little hidden time-bombs that explode every spring. In late fall you can typically pick them up for 50-75% which will really help to extend your guerrilla gardening budget.
Fill your coat pockets with the bulbs and then secretly pop them into your neighbors’ neglected pots, around the base of trees on your way to work, or on the common strata property in view of your window.
Seeds:
If you decide to go all guerrilla gardener and make seed bombs, you’re going to need a lot of seeds. Or maybe you just want to do your part to make the world a greener place by scattering seeds on a neglected piece of land. Either way, every guerrilla gardener needs to learn how to collect and save seeds whether it’s from their own garden or collected while taking the dogs out for a walk. Not only is it easier on the budget but you will have so many seeds that you will have some left over trading and gift giving as well.
Note: There will be an article later linked here on how to do this, so keep watching!
Ziploc Baggies, paper bags and envelopes:
Don’t leave home without them! These are invaluable for collecting seeds, bulbs, plants and cuttings while on a walk about. If you happen to be working on a large project with a group of people, be sure to bring some garbage bags as well to cart off all the empty pots and debris.
A Pen or permanent marker:
Preferably, on a string so you don’t loose it. Trust me, I speak from experience. If you don’t put the name on the envelope or container when collecting seeds right away then there is a good chance that you won’t remember what they are by the time you’re ready to plant them. In that case, some Guerrilla Gardener ‘s have been known to mix all the unknown seeds together and “Surprise” the neighbors!
Unique containers and planter boxes:
Construct some planters from discarded pallets or use unusual containers and place them by telephone poles, buildings, or fences. Some Guerrilla Gardeners have also been known to commit random act of garden kindness by recycling an old pair of shoes, boots or a purse into a low maintenance planter by planting some Sedum in it. Then late at night they place it by someone’s front door just to bring a smile on the person’s face when they open it in the morning!
Note: You might want to find out how much bail money it takes to get released on a stalking charge….just saying…..some people take offense at the slightest thing!
Tools:
Although a wheel barrow, rake, hoe and a garden shovel would be nice, it isn’t always practical while on a Guerrilla Garden mission. Gloves and a hand shovel will do, although I have been known to use a spoon from my lunch box if needed. Also a kid’s wagon is great for transporting plants (kid typically not included), likewise a shopping cart will work as well. Just practice saying…..
“Why, Yes Officer- I did take this shopping cart for Guerrilla Gardening purposes! I thought the $1 slot was for the rental fee!”
Water:
For watering purposes it is best to plan your guerrilla gardening on a regular home-to-work route which can be easily/regularly tended with a splash of water. If you’re on foot, use a plastic 1-2 liter water bottle for packing small amounts of water, or if you are without a car and it is a larger area you might want to consider hauling large plastic water cans using the above mentioned $1 shopping cart rental.
You can also make a make a sign asking the community to help by watering as well.
Fertilizer:
Natural fertilizer or compost is best, but it can sometimes be hard to pack around, especially if you’re on a Guerrilla Garden Foot Adventure.
Let’s face it-nobody wants to explain why they smell like crap in public no matter what the cause!
Coffee grounds make excellent fertilizer, are an excellent way to recycle and they will leave your clothes smelling like people should be offering you Biscotti.
If you don’t drink coffee, Starbucks and some of the other local coffee shops will usually let you have coffee grounds for free just for the asking.
Weed Killer:
If you’re looking for a Guerrilla Garden “green” solution to weeds that actually works, use household vinegar to make an amazing weed killer. You can use any type of vinegar that contains 5% acetic acid (or if you need stronger stuff use “Pickling” vinegar which is usually at least 7%) and put it in a cheap plastic spray bottle. Spray it on any weed you want to kill on a hot sunny day. This works excellent on those stubborn weeds that grow in the cracks of pavement and sidewalks. One Guerrilla Gardener has even suggested modifying her Wetjet mop to do her driveway. Just remember to avoid any of the plants you are trying to grow as this solution will kill them as well.
Optional Equipment includes but is not limited to:
Seed Cannons
I don’t know if these exist, but I can imagine the possibilities.
Balaclava Ski Mask
Good to have on hand for those culvert missions where you might be noticed by security cameras or concerned anti-garden strata members.
Ninja Shoes
One of my accomplices swears by them! However, I cannot vouch for these as I have not ever worn or owned a pair myself.
Bucket Buddy/Boss
This is an apron like belt with lots of pockets, designed to fit on a 5 gallon bucket and it can easily hold all the tools and items in your Guerrilla Garden Arsenal.
Note: This kind of equipment can usually be bought at stores that end in the word “depot” and it comes in handy for those trips to the community garden when you can’t remember the combination to the shed!
Lights
For those of you who must guerrilla garden in secret (due to pencil pushing bureaucrats) a baseball hat with L.E.D lights will not only light up your gardening area but will leave your hands free for those midnight missions.