RICHARD REYNOLDS
When Richard Reynolds began planting flowers secretly at night outside his tower block in South London he had no idea he was part of a growing global movement committed to combating the forces of neglect, land shortage and apathy towards public spaces. But his blog GuerrillaGardening.org attracted other guerrillas from around the world including the Subversive Gardener. Richard quickly became our mentor, teaching us the ways of the guerrilla gardener and working with us to test the ‘covert’ tools we designed for his secret guerrilla gardening missions.
Vanessa Harden is like the 'Q' of the guerrilla gardening world. Her designs range from modified shoes that plant seeds to specialized flowerpot-dropping handbags. Surprisingly, those who run our cities don't look kindly on those seeking to alter the landscape without permission, so Vanessa has integrated clever gardening kit into everyday attire of the urban professional to disguise clandestine gardening activities.
In 2011, Motherboard met Vanessa in her South London studio to find out how she got involved in this "underground" scene, and why she feels her own unique brand of eco-technology may help make the metropolises of the world greener places. She showed us firsthand the different techniques and technologies she employs in her designs and what other innovations she has pioneered.
Then we headed out into the city to meet guerilla gardener guru Richard Reynolds to discover the fruits of his labor blossoming in grass verges and central conservations throughout London. The two put Vanessa's designs to use, and discussed how they have been received in the guerilla gardening community.
Originally released on Motherboard in 2011.
© Vanessa Harden 2024