Guerrilla Gardening: Resist and Reclaim Our Common Spaces
What is this act of civil disobedience called guerrilla gardening? We review its history, motivations, and how you can help.
Guerrilla gardening is more than just planting seeds in neglected urban spaces. It’s a form of civil disobedience that challenges the status quo of urban development, land ownership, and environmental degradation. Join us as we take back the commons for common benefit.
This grassroots movement has its roots in the struggle for reclaiming public spaces, food sovereignty, and ecological justice. This practice turns vacant lots, abandoned plots, and neglected city corners into vibrant, green spaces that serve our communities and our environment.
We must take back our ability to feed ourselves. We must contribute to improving native biodiversity, not help degrade it. Let’s talk about the past, present, and future of guerrilla gardening.
Origins of Guerrilla Gardening
“Guerrilla gardening” was popularized in the 1970s by Liz Christy and her Green Guerrillas group in New York City. However, the concept has historical precedents dating back centuries. For example, during the English Civil War in the 17th century, Gerrard Winstanley and a group known as the Diggers occupied and cultivated common land as an act of resistance against the privatization of land. Originally called “The Levellers”, the Diggers practiced a form of agrarian Christian socialism.
Acts 2:44–45 “44And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.”
These early acts of public land cultivation were driven by the belief that land should be accessible to all, not just the wealthy. Particularly poignant, as the origins of capitalism trace back to the monarchs and noblemen violently seizing the commons by force — thus where their wealth be derived. Guerrilla gardening challenges this.
In the modern context, guerrilla gardening emerged as a response to the increasing urbanization and red-lining of cities, where cities paved paradise in favor of brutal concrete and steel. Activists saw the potential to transform these derelict spaces into lush areas of beauty and utility. They planted food crops, flowers, and trees in the dead of night, without asking permission.
Politics of Planting
At its core, guerrilla gardening is inherently political. It challenges notions of private property, the commodification of land, and the hierarchical structures that determine how public spaces are used. Before capitalism, regular folks enjoyed equal access to the commons.
When access was taken from them to make way for the concept of “private property,” the only choice that remained was to labor for someone else or face destitution. This violent threat underlies capitalism, particularly in America, where homelessness risks imprisonment and forced labor. The difference is that workers no longer appreciate the full fruits of their labor as they did in the commons.
Activists reclaim common spaces for the public good by planting in unauthorized areas. This act highlights issues like food apartheid, environmental destruction, and the lack of green spaces — particularly for residents of historically red-lined neighborhoods.
Guerrilla gardening represents a form of direct action that aligns with socialist or anarchist principles. It democratizes land access and food production, encourages collective ownership, and exemplifies mutual aid. These practices foster communitarian and voluntaryist principles which defy themes of rugged individualism broadcasted 24/7.
In many ways, it’s a microcosm of the broader struggle for a more equitable society. It’s the start of a process where resources are shared and managed by the people to promote the general welfare rather than controlled by a few for profit. Whether you’re sold on the concept, keep reading as we elaborate on how guerrilla gardening works.
How It Works
The act of guerrilla gardening is often spontaneous and creative. It usually begins with identifying a neglected or abandoned piece of land. This could be a forgotten corner of a city park, a derelict lot, or a patch of earth along a sidewalk. You may search for your city’s GIS Map to find unused parcels.
Keep in mind that you may need to pick up trash before gardening. Be watchful for toxic or hazardous materials. Once the target site is chosen, guerrilla gardeners will typically work under the cover of darkness to plant seeds, seedlings, or bulbs. Transform the space into a thriving garden.
Tools of the trade can be as simple as a spade, a few packets of seeds, and some compost. Seed bombs — balls of clay, compost, and seeds — are a popular method, as they can be easily tossed into hard-to-reach areas.
Guerrilla gardeners often opt for hardy, low-maintenance plants that require little care, such as wildflowers, herbs, and native species. They plant vegetables and fruits to provide fresh produce for the local community, too.
Guerrilla Gardening’s Impact
The impact of guerrilla gardening extends beyond the immediate physical transformation of urban spaces. It fosters a sense of community, bringing together people who might not otherwise meet, united by a common goal of making their environment more livable and sustainable.
These gardens can also serve as educational spaces, teaching urban residents — especially children — about agriculture, ecology, and the importance of green spaces. As Gangsta Gardener Ron Finley says, “If kids grow it, they eat it.” They provide a place where we radicalize one another to decolonize, reclaim our sovereignty, and become more engaged with our communities.
Moreover, guerrilla gardening can act as a catalyst for broader environmental and social change. It raises awareness about the lack of green spaces in cities, their inequitable distribution, the importance of biodiversity, and the need for just and sustainable development.
In some cases, guerrilla gardens spark larger community-driven projects. Many efforts lead local governments to recognize and preserve these green spaces. Akin to the concept of, “If you build it, they will come.”
This practice enables activists to contribute directly to restoring their region’s native biodiversity. Native plants provide both food and habitat to native animals. A dear friend of mine spends her free time rescuing native plants from suburban land development.
She surveys construction sites and takes home specimens that would otherwise be decimated. They go to a special native plant sanctuary in her backyard. These rescues get propagated and distributed to friends and fellow gardeners, alike.
My Friend’s Native Plant Sanctuary
Tips and Tricks
We find ourselves toiling longer hours for less effective pay under capitalism. We are also disconnected from our relationship with the land. It makes sense that many of us don’t know our local plants and animals. You can find several great resources on the web like Native Plant Finder or Audubon. Put in your zip code to tailor your search request.
Of course, you can always consult your friendly neighborhood master gardener, or call your local extension office. Several phone apps use your camera to identify flora and more. Try iNaturalist, PlantNet, or PictureThis if your phone lacks a proprietary ID feature. I use iNaturalist because academics confirm specimens and use aggregate data in their university research.
Many derelict urban spaces may have toxic residues or heavy metals in the soil. Guerrilla gardeners help by initiating bioremediation processes to rebuild soils. Add healthy soils to amend what is there, and practice composting to stimulate natural cycles.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite its positive impacts, guerrilla gardening has its challenges and criticisms. The practice’s legality is often in question, as it involves the unauthorized use of land. Guerrilla gardeners risk fines, legal action, and the destruction of their gardens by city authorities or landowners.
Additionally, there is the issue of long-term sustainability. Without ongoing care, some guerrilla gardens may wither or become overgrown, returning to their neglected state. Be sure you have some neighbors or comrades who help with maintenance.
Critics also argue that while guerrilla gardening can beautify urban spaces and provide temporary relief, it fails to address the root causes of environmental degradation and social inequality. For some, it’s seen as a band-aid solution that diverts attention from the need for systemic change. In other words, we must transition from a profit-driven to a purpose-driven society post-haste.
Guerrilla Gardening’s Future
As cities grow and green spaces become increasingly scarce, guerrilla gardening remains a vital form of mutual aid. It’s a movement that embodies the spirit of resistance, creativity, and community, offering a vision of urban life where people have a direct hand in shaping their environment.
In a world where land is often seen as a commodity to be bought, sold, and developed, guerrilla gardening is a powerful reminder that the land belongs to all of us. This calls us to rekindle our relationship with the land we’re from. It’s a call to decolonize and nurture the places where we live — not just for ourselves, but for future generations.
Guerrilla gardening represents a blend of environmental stewardship, social activism, and a challenge to the capitalist status quo. It’s a movement that reminds us that even in the most unlikely places, there is potential for growth, beauty, and change. The revolution will have fruits and flowers.
