Guerrilla gardening: Residents spread the seeds

Los Angeles – LS:N Global recently reported on the Seed Bombs that are invading grey spaces in San Francisco, transforming them into green havens.

Now the Greenaid scheme, set up by environmentally friendly design agency CommonStudio, aims to get residents involved in throwing seeds into forgotten Los Angeles spaces, such as pavement cracks and car parks.

Popping a coin into an old sweet-dispensing machine allows users to choose from a selection of seed bombs. A map is provided, so local residents can see which areas in their neighbourhood would benefit from flowers and grass. The machines are sold by Greenaid, which encourages bars, businesses, schools and parks all over the city to have one fitted.

From vertical gardens to rooftop farms and even take-it-with-you planters, we are witnessing ever more inventive grassroots efforts to green the world’s cities.