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Guerrilla Gardening

What Is Guerrilla Gardening? A Concise Guide.

By Kiran Dhall

In a world where our populations are booming and cities are expanding, many of us find ourselves surrounded by concrete jungles with little access to nature. Amidst this urban sprawl, a powerful movement is emerging to reclaim and revitalise our green spaces. This grassroots effort transforms neglected areas into vibrant pockets of greenery, bringing together communities and promoting environmental stewardship. Not only does it have the potential to transform neglected space into beautiful spaces, but more often than not they directly impact air quality, build biodiversity, bring joy and community connection.

In this blog, we cover the basics of what guerrilla gardening is, but we also point you in the direction of some essential tools so you can become a guerrilla gardener yourself. Spoiler alert: in our newest (free) challenge with Ellen Miles, you can become a Guerrilla Gardener in 28-days!

What is Guerrilla Gardening?

Guerrilla gardening is a grassroots movement where individuals or groups cultivate plants in neglected, public, or private spaces. It’s an act of environmental activism, aiming to beautify urban areas, grow food, and reclaim unused land for the community, and is often undertaken without seeking permission from councils and governing bodies. Guerrilla gardeners might plant flowers, vegetables, or native species to improve the look and feel of neighbourhoods, build biodiversity, improve air quality and reconnect with nature. You could consider it to be a blend of gardening, art, and protest, transforming cities from grey to green.

The Modern History…

Guerrilla gardening isn’t a new phenomenon. Throughout history, people have taken it upon themselves to retain and restore nature in their surroundings. From ancient agricultural practices to medieval gleaning rights, communities have always sought ways to cultivate and protect their green spaces.

The contemporary guerrilla gardening movement began to take shape in the 1970s, particularly in New York City. The Green Guerrillas, founded by Liz Christy in 1973, transformed vacant lots into community gardens, sparking a global movement. This spirit of reclaiming urban spaces spread worldwide, inspiring similar efforts in cities across the globe.

1973, New York City: The Green Guerrillas start transforming derelict land into gardens, igniting a movement.
1996, London: Richard Reynolds begins guerrilla gardening in his local neighbourhood, eventually founding GuerrillaGardening.org, a global platform for activists.
2004, Los Angeles: Guerrilla gardening gains traction with activists targeting freeway medians and neglected public spaces.
2012, Cape Town: The Cape Town Green Guerrillas start turning abandoned spaces into urban farms and gardens.

*Photo: Taken by Ling Gigi, at Yuan Ching Road, Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore* *City*

Essential Resources…

Guerrilla gardening has inspired numerous projects and publications. Here are a few notable examples and resources:

“The Guerrilla Gardening Handbook” by Ellen Miles

Offers practical advice and inspiring stories from around the world. Ellen Miles, a prominent advocate for urban greening, has written several influential books on the subject. Her works provide invaluable insights and practical guidance.

GuerrillaGardening.org: Richard Reynolds’ website offers a wealth of information, from practical tips to global initiatives.

“Guerrilla Gardening: A Manualfesto” by David Tracey: A comprehensive guide on how to start your own guerrilla gardening project.

National Park City: Learn about a grassroots movement for everyone making our city greener, healthier and wilder.

Learn to Become a Guerrilla Gardener in 28-Days, with Earthed’s Guerrilla Gardening Challenge

We at Earthed are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our Guerrilla Gardening Challenge, in collaboration with the wonderful Ellen Miles. This practical course is hosted online, with 5 live check ins with Ellen and the Earthed team. By the end of the challenge, you will have transformed a neglected corner of your neighbourhood. This live course inspires people and communities to reclaim and transform the neglected corners of their communities, which can have a positive impact on mental and physical health, as well as build positive relationships. Stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved in Earthed’s guerrilla gardening challenge for free!

Guerrilla gardening is more than just planting seeds; it’s about sowing the seeds of change. Join us in this green revolution and help cultivate a more sustainable, beautiful world.