Deborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦1d ago

Hmm. Urban guerilla gardening …

If I were to walk around with a shaker full of seeds to sow in city cracks and barren spots, what should be in that shaker?

Replies suitable for Toronto are invited!
(I.e. hardiness zone 6 or lower, drought tolerant.)

These are some I've seen growing in cracks here:

Marigold
Cosmos
Thyme
Something else, add a comment!
Poll ends at .
Show threadWanderingHuman 🇨🇦
@deborahh Marigold and cosmos and both beautiful and very hardy. They are drought tolerant and need no maintenance, and aren't invasive. Consider also violas, aka Johnny jump ups. They have cute little faces, self-seed (but also aren't very invasive), and do just fine without maintenance.
Apr 1 at 3:16pmWeb
Show threadDeborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦1d ago
@WanderingHuman oh! I love those! Thanks!
Show threadDeborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦1d ago
@WanderingHuman got it. That was the question i knew I'd need to research: what distinguishes native johnny jump ups from hybrids. Now I know the species (?) name as a starting point. 🙂 Thanks.
Show threadDeborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦1d ago
@WanderingHuman @ChrisCorrigan what about climbing sweet pea?
Show threadChris Corrigan1d ago
@deborahh @WanderingHuman needs support, but yeah what a beautiful smell.
Show threadDeborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦1d ago

@ChrisCorrigan @WanderingHuman I'm thinking: sweet peas along train track fences.
I'ge notice numerous garden-escapees along the GO train tracks east of here. It always delights the eye.

I may be too late for this year, but I can scout for next year!

Show threadAlsoPaisleyCat 🇨🇦1d ago

@WanderingHuman @deborahh

I would think about which ones are helpful to pollinators, especially wild bees.

Native species are better if you can source seed.

Depending where, milkweed could be a good option too.

Here are some ideas.

https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/what-native-plants-attract-pollinators-in-ontario/

What native plants attract pollinators in Ontario?

Ontario has a variety of unique and important pollinators that maintain the province’s natural systems and economy. Help them support you by planting native wildflowers and plants from your ecoregion.

David Suzuki Foundation
Show threadDeborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦1d ago
@AlsoPaisleyCat @WanderingHuman oh! Good idea! 👍
Show thread❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️1d ago

@deborahh @AlsoPaisleyCat @WanderingHuman

Have you tried making seed bombs?

https://askgardening.com/how-to-make-seed-bombs-with-paper-flour-without-clay/

DIY Seed Bombs With Clay, Flour or Paper (Easy)

It is easy and fun to make seed bombs to start a wildflower patch to attract bees and other pollinators to your vegetable and fruit garden.  In this article, we will show you some recipes

AskGardening
Show threadDeborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦1d ago
@AlsoPaisleyCat @WanderingHuman miljweed is ugly, though, and my goal is to delight the eye, for starters.
Pretty sure the city would rip that out right fast. And we have lots of wild ravines and home gardens with milkweed, that I've seen.
Show threadGeorge B1d ago

@deborahh @AlsoPaisleyCat @WanderingHuman

I remember reading that some milkweeds are toxic to spotted lantern flies which is a point in its favor