Guerrilla Gardening: A Manualfesto (Paperback)

by David Tracey (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The term "guerrilla" may bring to mind a small band of armed soldiers, moving in the dead of night on a stealth mission. In the case of guerrilla gardening, the soldiers are planters, the weapons are shovels, and the mission is to transform an abandoned lot into a thing of beauty. Once an environmentalist's nonviolent direct action for inner-city renewal, this movement is spreading to all types of people in cities around the world.

These modern-day Johnny Appleseeds perform random acts of gardening, often without permission. Typical targets are vacant lots, railway land, underused public squares, and back alleys. The concept is simple, whimsical, and has the cheeky appeal of being a not-quite-legal call to action. Dig in some soil, plant a few seeds, or mend a sagging fence-one good deed inspiring another, with win-win benefits all around.

Guerrilla Gardening outlines the power-to-the-people campaign for greening our cities. Tips for effective involvement include:

Finding plants and seeds cheap (or free)
Handling city officials
Getting the dirt on soil
Planting to bring back the birds
Knowing when to ask first

Social activists, city dwellers, and longtime gardeners will delight in this fast-paced and funny call to arms.

David Tracey is a journalist and environmental designer who operates EcoUrbanist in Vancouver. He is executive director of Tree City Canada, a nonprofit ecological engagement group.

About the Author
David Tracey owns and operates EcoUrbanist, an environmental media+design company in Vancouver, and serves as Executive Director of Tree City Canada, a non-profit ecological engagement group. Also an international journalist, he is a consulting arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, and holds a Master's degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of British Columbia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: New Society Publishers (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865715831
• ISBN-13: 978-0865715837
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #503,768 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but more pictures/illustrations would help, July 28, 2008

By	C. Barnard (portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I liked this book as it was a good read on a topic which has the ability to be over written. The book covers the philosophy of guerrilla gardening, has a few pictures, and numerous accounts from other people involved in guerrilla gardening. I feel the accounts are the strong point of this book as it has community garden leaders, public officials, and other peoples views on guerrilla gardening. It really gives you a good basis on the issue of greening our cities. There's also a lot of info on potential grow sites, asking permission, recommended plants, and many other gardening basics.

The weak point of this book is the lack of color photographs and illustrations. I know that guerrilla gardening is pretty straight forward, but inclusion of pictures can really help get the juices flowing.

5.0 out of 5 stars Book already has dirt stains on it..., April 9, 2009

By	J. Friedrich "www.theedibleyard.com" (Plymouth, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

and I've just begun. This book is a great start to beautify and improve the landscape around you. Gardeners and activist alike will enjoy the tips and clear format of Guerrilla Gardening. Lots of pictures too!

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A guide any urban public lending library will find appealing and different., August 6, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Guerrilla gardeners have a habit of taking vacant lots and public spaces and turning them into gardens, with or without permission - and this provides a basic guide to greening cities with such a strategy. From locating cheap or free plants and seeds and getting soil conditions up to par to planning to bring back birds and knowing when to ask permission versus when to seek forgiveness after the fact, GUERRILLA GARDENING is a guide any urban public lending library will find appealing and different.