Guerilla Gardening?

[GatorDude]

I live in an apartment and don't really have a place to grow a garden. Is it possible to simply plant a few things on public land (side of the road, power line right of way, in a vacant lot, etc.)?

I wouldn't want to cause an ecological disaster like pythons in the Everglades or Kudzu. But, it seems like it would be pretty easy to plant a patch of carrots or something. Do garden plants die off every 3-4 months?

Any ideas? What would be good to plant?

[Canadian]

I think it would be far harder to do than you think. I'd go with window boxes or balcony boxes if possible. I'd also ask the super if they mind devoting a section of the lawn (if there is one) to veggies and such. I've seen a few apartment building in my area that do allow this.

[Jason]

Another idea is try seeing if they would let you access the roof if your building has a flat roof. Not sure how you'd keep the neighbors out of it but maybe it'll become a building wide thing.

[Canadian]

+1 roof garden. Great idea.

[SurvivalNut]

I agree with your thinking. I plant fruit and nut trees on family property in the area, it may become my back up location. I also subtly prune wild apple & nut trees on public land (avoid/see "persistent disorderly conduct-I said subtle!)

I also gift trees to non-prepper friends and family to guilt them into caring for trees for me-it becomes a phone talking point, "How's my favorite trees doing?" Forget the kids.

I vaguely remember a humorous story I read about someone angered about finding some trash bags tossed in an empy lot only to find out there were potatoes growing inside.

Therefore, here is an interesting article on trash bag potatoes:

Growing Potatoes in a Garbage Bag « Home Grown Food Network Blog

Also just keeping some seed on hand is valuable because when the SHTF, restrictions will ease and seed may become scarce.

[GatorDude]

SurvivalNut - The gift tree idea is pretty slick. Every little bit helps.

My folks hacked a banana tree out of the kudzu by their house. It yeilds a decent number of bananas on a regular basis. They have also had various vegetables grow in their backyard without formal care. Watermelon seeds and pumpkin seeds in their compost have sprouted and grown to harvest without any assistance

[sailaway]

I like the gift tree idea, I think I will give them out to peoplec who help with the local government if I am elected. Fruit or nut trees seem most intreagueing.

[SurvivalNut]

I am envious of the variety some areas have (bananas?). Here in Washington I have to really try hard and lose half the trees that make it. Harsh winters, dry summers. Not all of Washington is a rainforest!

[GatorDude]

My folks are fortunate to live in Northern Florida beach community so they can grow vegetables year round. They've got five orange trees, a grapefruit tree, and the banana tree. They are almost self-sufficient in fruits and vegetables.

On the downside, if a hurricane ever does hit their area a Cat 1 might put water in the house and a 2+ almost certainly would.

We're moving down next week to live in the panhandle so we might be their bug out location and vice versa. Of course, as an apartment dweller, it's hard to be self-sufficient in anything.

[zorro]

You can plant stuff almost anywhere on your property if you start thinking about it. I've successfully raised veggies and herbs in bags, all kind of containers (you can use plastic containers that would otherwise go to the recycling bin), baskets (you can make some using natural fibers, or using plastic bags or containers in the recycling bin and cutting them in stripes). Strong enough containers can be hang on the wall (with nails, screws, except a north oriented wall), a balcony rail, a cord tied between two posts, etc. If container is not strong enough, you simply put it on any flat surface (think shelves). You can install glass shelves in front of a window and grow herbs indoors (even during very cold winters).
In my area, there are lots of electrical distribution lines (the big ones). The electricity company cuts everything that grows below it to prevent trees to grow and damage the lines. That cost them a lot of money. So many people cultivate gardens under the electrical lines, with permission from the company (so they know you will watch for tree growth). The company is happy because they don't need to watch for trees growth. But you need to be aware that even if they allow you to do this, if a wire needs to be repaired or replaced, they will simply drive their huge truck on your tomatoes According to the people who do it for years that I spoke to, this doesn't happen too often.