Guerilla Gardening

(Photo above from psfk.)

"Brimming with lime-hued succulents and a lush collection of agaves, one shooting spiky leaves 10 feet into the air, it's a head-turning garden smack in the middle of Long Beach's asphalt jungle. But the gardener who designed it doesn't want you to know his last name, since his handiwork isn't exactly legit. It's on a traffic island he commandeered."

Guerilla gardening. I've never been more delighted to see two words brought together! According to the LA Times, there's a growing movement of people who've started planting gardens on public land. They're taking over traffic islands and empty lots--or any urban space that could use a little green.

Much of their work is done under cover of night, when the authorities aren't watching. (You'd be surprised by the problems a few pretty plants can cause.) As traffic streams by, they take out their shovels or pelt neglected land with seed bombs. They leave behind little gardens that make the city a more enjoyable place to live.

You can read the original article (which includes handy tips for making seed bombs) here or check out the guerilla gardening movement right here in New York!