Guerilla gardening

Not as a type of protest or political statement, I just have lots of spare seedlings this year and although I did scatter some wildflower seeds along a green stretch of a byass near me I haven't actively gardened any spaces.. but I'd like to. Does anyone know the legalities of randomly planting things in public spaces that are otherwise unused?

10-10-20

"Aspirational germination with intent" is the official classification of the offense. 6 to 12 months is the duration of the sentence before you'll see results. 😆

ok :)

Ted222

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058357779/guerilla-gardening

Why not stick to your own garden

tohaltuwi

my own private estate has rewinding areas, ie “don’t have to maintain”. Anyway I did my bit in helping it along by throwing a few packets of Lidl seeds in a confined area, and it’s speeded up the variety of wildflowers.

looksee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122319792#Comment_122319792

I suppose on a housing estate its not much different to a garden so it doesn't particularly matter, but don't kid yourself you are spreading or adding variety to wildflowers.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122319790#Comment_122319790

I usually end up with lots of extra seedlings each year and give away what I can, some I left outside for anyone to help themselves to but I didn't have the heart to throw the rest away. I couldn't squish another thing in my garden. it's pretty small.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122319792#Comment_122319792

There is a house at the end of my street that has a tiny 'public' space along the side, I know the individual who lives there has often left some plants in pots there so I know they appreciate having flowers in the space. I got a few free packs of native wildflowers too earlier this year and I envy people with lots of space otherwise I'd have sown them myself.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122319805#Comment_122319805

I don't want to mess with the local biodiversity and I'm genuinely wanting opinions on the matter. The area I scattered the wildflower seeds is teeming with native species and has been planted with the typical bypass screening type plants, lots of native trees and hedgerows, rugosa roses and wildflowers are in abundance.

anyway..I just planted something, will let you know if I get arrested.

magicbastarder

there's that old IRA joke…

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122325502#Comment_122325502

Two irishmen walk into a bar?

I'm now the proud curator of two tree circles apx 1.2m diameter. There used to be three trees (a small forest) but one was hit by a car and the other must have been taken out in a storm. The area is a concreted verge on the boundary of road meet street.

I cleared away a 10kg bag of weeds from both circles and the tree stumps were still buried but had rotted away to the point where they became a lovely bark mulch after a bit of digging. In one I planted a 3 year old lace cap hydrangea I had been growing in a garden bag so it was lovely and healthy going in and is starting to bloom. The one standing tree (Crimson King Maple?) is in the middle of both circles so it gives it a nice bit of dappled shade. Otherwise it's a south facing spot.

I filled the other circle with annuals I had left over, black knight scabiosa in the center, some pepperbox poppies around it (they were germinated in grow bags so no root disturbance) flanked by some tall white snapdragons. Not exactly chelsea flower show stuff but just what was there. I like the idea that it can be adapted each year though.

It's a quiet terrace in an area on the edge of parkland with a lot of very mature (100+ years) oaks, pines and horse chestnut trees for cover. One of my elderly neighbours passed by and stopped to chat about how lovely it looked so I know at least one of them approves. It's mostly school footfall around here and as they're all on holidays there's little in the way of threat to any planting so hopefully it will make it through the season.

magicbastarder

Two irishmen walk into a bar?

Some variation of 'an RUC van crashed into a tree. The IRA claim they planted it'

Funny, someone did (drunkenly) crash into the tree.

Turbulent Bill

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122325742#Comment_122325742

Fair play. I've 'adopted' a piece of ground by a roadside, mainly as biodiversity measure. Planted some native trees and wildflowers, seems to be taking off.

I think it's a reasonable response as green areas nearby are reducing, and those that are left are neat grass.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122337011#Comment_122337011

The more I read about it, the effect of climate on wildlife and the dwindling biodiversity the more I'm looking at spaces and considering doing the same. I have some things in mind and I've started taking cuttings for next year, I have lots of seed that would be fine to use but the ground needs to be tilled or weeded and there's a lot of it so don't know how to go about doing that. Project for winter I think.

10-10-20

I'm collecting poppy seeds and I'll have a go on a road-edge near me. Think the poppy might take as they used subsoil to infill between the road and wall.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122360674#Comment_122360674

I did throw down some poppy seed and a small pack of wildflower mix in that space in march or april, I don't think anything took but it is covered in a lot of weedy material with little or no grass. I used some biodegradable grow bags to germinate some other poppies and planted these in the tree rings and they are doing fine. The other area might be a little more inhospitable due to the site location, it's full sun and elevated even the weeds there now are burnt crispy. I will try again in the Autumn though, if I could give the soil even a little loosen it would help.

Spanish Eyes

Older terrace here with a vehicle access laneway at the back which backs on to the playing fields. The lane itself is reasonably well maintained by the Council (when it passes down once a year ha ha) and locals + me who keep it tidy as best we can. There is a hedge all along probably about 400 metres and we do this every year -

Buy a load of mixed seeds or whatever is going (annuals and wildflowers/poppies etc.). In large shallow boxes we put a layer of potting compost, sprinkle seeds in, water thoroughly then make "bombs" with the wet compost + seeds. We throw them down along the hedge where there's a bit of soil (mostly weeds but hey) and leave them be. Some take, some don't but it's nice to see the ones that do over the Summer.

Gloomtastic!

Drive past a piece of land at the side of the road, DCC-maintained most days. One of the locals has taken it upon himself to regularly cultivate flowers and veg like lettuce on there. However, he lets everything go to seed. Which I find very odd.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122360879#Comment_122360879

I'm sure the bees and butterflies like it :)

baxterooneydoody

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122360879#Comment_122360879

I planted a lot of apple trees, Berry plants and assorted fruit trees and never once taken anything off them, they're entirely for wildlife much to my mother's disgust

So I went and ordered a big bag of cornfield annual irish native wildflower mix for the area (Corn Marigold, Corn Poppy, Corncockle, Cornflower, Scented Mayweed, Scentless Mayweed) as I think they'll have the best chance of germinating there. I don't think seed bombs will do it as the soil wouldn't get much light due to the groundcover so I'm going to rake it over. It'll be a bit of work but I plan on doing it this autumn as I'll still have daylight,the weather might be more clement to germination and the ground softer to work.

Along with the annuals, I plan on starting some perennials at home that I can transplant there come spring and picked up some Yarrow seed in a few varieties, some linaria and some ox eye daisy.

(I've taken cuttings of lavender and nepeta, thyme and oregano and will grow them on til they're substantial enough to plant out too)

Decided to make the most of the weather and headed out with a rake and a few packets of seed earlier, hopefully they won't get washed away over the weekend.