Guerilla Gardening with Rob Avis
In short, Rob describes how he believes scarcity is an artificial construct perpetuated by landscaping concepts such as the lawn, and then backs this notion up with studies and facts, articulating how we could solve our scarcity problems just by growing less grass, and more food, inside cities. He describes a vision of these lawn areas being planted to perennial poly-cultures of food; in stark contrast to the currently under-utilized and heavily maintained city parks, which are a burden on both tax payers, and the city ecology.
Rob follows up his words with action, and gets a Honey-Crisp Apple in the ground shortly after his speech, then talks about all the technicalities and strategies he used to make sure the planting will go off without a hitch.
Hey Rob. As ever, motivating stuff, thank you. Wonder how far your food forest will get before you get an issue arising (?). What chance of the local municipality taking an interest in permaculture land management, or giving you some land for trial demo? I’ve noticed our local authorities (UK) including some edible stuff with municipal plantings (albeit annual displays) lately… Keep up the great work.
Totally cool!
Since you go to so much trouble with gel and fungal amendments, I’d also suggest loosening that root ball and breaking up the sides of the hole a bit more to encourage root growth into the surrounding soil.
You go, Rob! It is a sad statement on society that it is considered illegal to add beauty and value to shared space. The information on the amount of crops that could be grown on the land currently used for lawns in the U.S. is truly eye opening, and puts the whole thing in perspective.
Pat,
Good call, I did not want to get caught so I was trying to get it in the hole as fast as I could. Normally we do a lot more prep on fruit trees.
Hey Rob, good to see your criminal self up on the screen. How about next time you grab a council worker jacket, drive your ute onto the park and just do it all official-like. Nice work.
Cam, great tips, I actually wanted to do that but I was running out of time. The day after I planted it the temperature went down to -10. Next year mate when I start filling out the food forest!
Do you think they will also arrest the apple tree too and throw them both in the BIG HOUSE for this? Don’t worry Rob we’ll all still write to you! Maybe you could do PDC”s on the inside! ha! Nice work Mate.