Modified on: 20/09/2022
Subversive cultivation in italy and the world
Thanks to the growing success of social networks, this practice has become increasingly popular, involving young and old students and workers. But what is guerrilla gardening really about? Let’s see what it is and how it can make a difference. Guerrilla gardening is an international movement of subversive gardening. It originated in New York and has since spread throughout the world, including Italy. This movement aims to combat the degradation and neglect of many city areas through so-called “green attacks”, real gardening attacks with bombs in tow. But make no mistake, these are seed bombs! The characteristic action of this group is to throw small paper packages containing seeds, fertilisers and soil at areas which, for one reason or another, are not being developed or used in any way. These are often disused building sites, barren flowerbeds, sometimes roofs. All you have to do now is wait for the rainwater to dissolve the paper packages, and you will see the magic. To facilitate this mechanism, care must be taken in choosing seeds to throw.
At this stage, it is essential to prioritise seeds of indigenous species, which can take root and survive without too much difficulty, whether flowers or vegetables. Despite the subversive nature of the movement, contrary to what one might think, it comprises citizens of all kinds, from young students to mothers with their children to retired seniors. But flower bombing is not the only strategy of the green guerrillas. They are also involved in maintaining flowerbeds, hedges, bushes and plants that already exist but are neglected.
Read also: Propagating hemp with seeds and cuttings: differences
Guerrilla gardening in Italy
As in many other countries of the world, in Italy too, especially with the growing development of social networks, this movement has shaken the consciences of citizens and motivated them to act autonomously, intervening in those situations that ultimately concern everyone, but are not the responsibility of anyone, such as the degradation of some urban regions, in this case. 
In Italy, this exciting and peaceful revolution involves people of all kinds. We are talking about young people, the elderly, housewives, the unemployed and doctors. They organise themselves, some in groups, some autonomously, and go to improve the city they live in, to make it closer to that idea of a city they imagine, where it is not necessary to travel kilometres to be able to perceive that inner peace that only contact with nature can transmit. And this is not a romantic consideration, but rather the basis of various scientific studies, which confirm that exposure to nature, the possibility of accessing or even just seeing parks or green areas with ease, perhaps even from one’s own home, significantly reduces levels of anxiety, stress and depression, considerably regulating the tendency to make decisions impulsively, rather than consciously. This mission, therefore, carries forward very important values, more or less intentionally, such as safeguarding the psychological well-being of the community but not only. Guided by the principle that the surrounding environment has a significant influence on the individuals who live within it, green activists encourage people to take care of their territory, reinvigorating the desire to participate and encouraging people to take responsibility for it, in fact vigorously promoting a return to practising the fundamental social aggregation that seems to have been lost along the way in recent times. Returning to a more practical dimension of the issue, many groups in Italy subversive practice cultivation following these ideals. They are scattered all over the country and sport very imaginative names evocative of their activities: the ‘friarielli ribelli’ of Naples are an example, as is the ‘sickle and rake’ of Busto Arsizio or the ‘piantagrano’ of Reggio Calabria.
Read also: Potting soil for auto-flowering plants: a guide to choosing the appropriate one
Would you like to follow their example? Here’s how
The first piece of helpful advice to follow, especially if this is your first experience as a green guerrilla, is to choose an area close to home to facilitate maintenance and, above all, to directly enjoy the benefits that it will bring once it has flowered. Another way of starting up activities of this kind could be to involve the municipality or whoever for it, seeking help in identifying suitable areas and, not surprisingly, authorisation to proceed. Let us not forget that it started as a subversive movement, and this could sometimes mean acting illegally. Identifying areas that need care and being willing to provide it is a noble gesture, but ignoring the owners’ wishes may not be so noble! 
To conclude
Guerrilla gardening, born as a protest against the neglect of urban spaces in New York, has quickly spread throughout the world, involving people of different ages, social situations and professions, but who share the ideals that this movement represents.
Requalification of neglected spaces, social aggregation, beauty culture, love, and respect for nature. Although cultivation is banned in Italy, the purchase and possession of cannabis seeds for collecting purposes are perfectly legal. So, what are you waiting for?
Visit our Sensoryseeds online shop and discover the many varieties of seeds available. Choose from our wide range of quality weed seeds to complete your collection: feminized seeds, auto flower seeds, fast growing weed seeds, there is something for every taste!
We look forward to seeing you on Sensoryseeds.com!
