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So how would you go about doing this then? Guerilla gardeners tend to use plants that grow fast, and survive easily. You don’t know what the soil is like, or what might be contaminating it, so best to choose something that will thrive in adverse conditions. If you choose flowers as a way to comment on the space, sunflowers and nasturtiums work well, as they are bright and easy to grow. Anything annual is good, as it will grow again next year.

If you choose to grow fruit or vegetables, always plant much more than you need. You are likely to have some go missing, either from light-fingered people or hungry birds and animals. And why not? If you grow enough, it’s not going to bother you. Don’t forget, you are using public space, after all. It’s also a good idea to grow some for seed, so it’ll be virtually free the next year. It can be a good idea to start off seeds at home, and then plant them out in the wild when established. You’re more likely to get a good crop that way.

Another idea (that appeals to my design sensibilities) is to scatter a load of grass seed over an area, water it, and hope for the best. Wild grasses and flowers work well too. The beauty of taking some manky it of land and turning it into lush grassland is a beautiful thing.

  



As for the technicalities of gardening, use a bike headlight, so you can tend it at night. It has been advised that you take photos of the space before and after you plant, just in case there is any trouble. It means you can prove that the land was in a state before you started, and you’ve basically done good. Don’t forget that it is often technically trespassing, but be reassured that most have no problem at all with it. Obviously, fork takes no responsibility if you were to actually try this out. And we’re too skint for bail money, sorry.

What if the risk of all this seems a bit much for you? Although hardcore guerillas might frown upon it, why not adopt the principles of guerilla gardening, without any sort of risk to it? And it’s better to be doing at least something. There are plenty of ways to spread the word. Lobby your council for more green spaces, hell, more imaginative green spaces. Help children or the elderly to have the garden they might like, but not have the means to do. Volunteer at your local community garden. Even growing something selfishly, for yourself, for you to eat isn’t as selfish as you might think. You talk about it to people, spread the word, people eat what you’ve grown, and it all helps get the message out.

By doing this, even if it’s just growing some vegetables or herbs on your windowsill, is to turn you from a docile consumer into someone who is in control. By doing any of this, you understand more, and put up with less.