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By Claire Curtis
Photograph by the author
Gardening - it seems like such a simple concept. One digs a hole in the dirt, drops a seed, covers it up, and then waits for it to grow. From an outside point of view, it is a single process that is done after a few minutes. Yet from an inside view, gardening offers much more. Especially when it comes to the Guerrilla Gardening Program started by Giacomo Salizzoni.
The Guerrilla Gardening program offers a way for individuals to find themselves through the process of both figuratively and literally growing. The goal of Guerrilla Gardening is to create a network of small city vegetable gardens. Popping up, hidden inside the city centers, this project reaches out to the public through a volunteer basis. Giacomo has created a program that involves the entire community and benefits the city’s environment as well as people's lives.
The current garden is located at Borgo Pinti 76 and is always open to perspective volunteers. The garden consists of multiple beds that foster a home for small herbs and plants. Whether it is planting, cleaning up or creating intricate structures from bamboo, there is always something to do. The garden was started to raise awareness of the importance of living “green.” Through this program, a diverse variety of volunteers have helped make this garden possible. From disabled citizens, to intrigued passerbys gardening has touched the hearts of many people of all ages. Creating lasting relationships, many students also volunteer at the garden. One student graciously spoke of how she saw the garden in progress from an apartment window and just had to see what it was about. She instantly fell in love with the program as Giacomo welcomed her into the garden, thankful for her help. Whether the interest is being green, planting, or just getting involved with the community, everyone working there has a smile on their face. The amenity of the progression and work ethic is enlivening when realizing that all was made possible through the driven volunteers.
When talking to Giacomo, you can feel his passion beaming from inside. His drive to make this possible could not have been done without the help of the members of the community. People come every day on their own time, even just for an hour to lend a helping hand. Guerrilla Gardening offers a safe haven for those who need time for themselves or simply want to do something for the community. The creation of community gardens is growing throughout the city, just as the seeds planted within the ground, ready to be discovered and bloom.
This article appeared in the Fall 2013 issue of Blending Magazine. Read the entire issue here.