Armed with shovels, watering cans and compost, this guerilla task force is set to take back Calgary’s urban spaces.
With flowers.
The Guerrilla Gardeners are a small group of citizens who want to bring a little colour to drab areas of the downtown core.
Over 250 “seed bombs” — their weapon of choice — were planted in vacant spaces along 11th Avenue late Saturday evening. The empty planters around the Calgary Police Headquarters were also targeted.
Neshali Weera heads the team of renegade gardeners. “It’s about reclaiming spaces,” she said.
“I wanted to make use of free community space to bring people together.
“Downtown Calgary is either business or desolate. I like the idea of people and wildflowers moving in.”
The “seed bombs” consist of local drought-resistant wildflower seeds in a clay and dirt mixture rolled into small balls. As the bombs breakdown, the clay and compost provide nutrients to the seeds.
The rest is up to Mother Nature.
“We have no idea what the outcome will be,” said Weera. “But it’s exciting to think of.”
The gardeners believe the public will welcome their efforts. “We’re making something ugly and unused beautiful,” said first time Guerrilla Gardener Meaghan Brierley. “I can’t see people complaining about that.”
Weera has not yet looked into the legality of dropping seed bombs on public land. “Ignorance is bliss,” she said. “We’ll apologize later.
“Besides, I kind of like the idea of it being considered graffiti.”
