Guerilla gardening?

[genevra-mcneil.livejournal.com]

Inspired by Michael Pollan's article in the Times Magazine a few weeks ago, I've decided to plant a garden. But, since I live in a condo with literally no outdoor space, I'm going to have to improvise. I thought I might spruce up my stretch of the Square while I'm at it. So what I want to do is buy a few largish planters and plant some herbs and place them curbside in front of my condo.

Here's the thing -- I live on Highland Ave. I'm prepared for vandalism, abuse, cigarette butts, etc., but I don't want to violate any city ordinances. Does anyone know if I need a permit or something to put out a few half barrels of parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme?

Comments

[ron_newman]

I don't see why you would need any kind of permit. Just do it.

You may want to join the Somerville Garden Club. Click on the gardening tag for other posts of possible interest.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking of joining that, now that I've become a (clueless noob of a) wildflower gardener.

[mperrotti76.livejournal.com]

I dunno. but Paul SImon may sue you for copyright infringement for this post.

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

I don't know if it would combat vandalism any but I wonder if a friendly sign about what you're doing might help?

[tisana.livejournal.com]

He could try, but it's a traditional folk song, not his.
Stranger things have happened, though.

[tisana.livejournal.com]

Or electrifying it so that it zaps people being obnoxious. I'm all for that.

[haptotrope.livejournal.com]

You may wish to edge your pots/planters with copper tape... to keep the slugs out. They did have a field day with my basil.

[violet-helix.livejournal.com]

Last year my landlady put planters out in front of our building on Highland Ave. After a few weeks, someone flipped them over and dumped everything on the sidewalk! Not only was there a huge mess, but all of the plants were a total loss. So make sure that your planteres are as untipable as possible.

Good Luck!

[tisana.livejournal.com]

Nothing useful, but I applaud your guerrilla gardening effort. Davis is lovely, but we could always use more greenery on the walkways.

You might try going to Ricky's Flower Mart in Union and asking for any tips when you get your herbs.

[tisana.livejournal.com]

Crushed eggshell sprinkled on the soil around the tasty plants apparently deters them, as it is sharp and unpleasant to crawl over. So does a cat food can full of beer, but changing those gets nasty, and will test how strong your stomach is.

[grapefruiteater.livejournal.com]

We don't have any planters in the yard, but my landlord maintains a very nice garden out in front, and we haven't had any vandalism problems. The worst thing that's happened was that once I looked out the window and saw some guy pulling petals off the poppies. I think I know what he was after, and dude, wrong part of the flower.

We are also on a major street in an area with high foot traffic--probably more than Highland, even.

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

Oxides of copper are toxic to slugs and snails, so a ring of just plain old copper metal (wire, tape, whatever) works the biz.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Nah, just leave them out an open cheap beer. Make it big enough and you can also lure and drown obnoxious drunks!

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Warn me where this is so I'm not lured.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

I'm talking something like Natty Ice. I doubt you'd be lured.

[frederic.livejournal.com]

Window boxes are another option.

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

I don't know, but if this scheme doesn't work out for ya, you're welcome to come and claim a patch of my back yard (just a short bus ride up Highland Ave. and a short walk down the street) and plant whatever you want there. Um, whatever you want that's legal to plant, that is.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Wrong species of poppy, for that matter.

how about a tree?

[lcmayer.livejournal.com]

you could call 311 just to be sure,that's what i did when i wanted to put a little fence around the tree in front of our place. I want to plant flowers around it and dont want them getting abused by our four footed friends. By the way, did you know you can request a sidewalk tree from the city by calling 311? They plant them twice a year and the waiting list is pretty short. I called a few months ago and it was planted just this week. You don't have to be an owner to request one either, they just ask you if you rent or own when you request it.