A Guerilla's Bouquet

Two words: Pot-holes. They are everywhere, and they are a menace. I know that I get truly irritated when I'm driving down the road and my car sinks a few inches into the ground because of a pot-hole. My car wheels endure the pain, as well as my shirt with a new coffee stain now on it. A councilwoman in Davis, California, however, had an idea that pot-holes give her back streets near her home a very wimsicle and reminiscent feeling. She protested when the city motioned to fill the pot-holes for driver convenience, so immediately she was treated like a crazy woman. Though these nasty pests are a hassle to deal with while driving, the cost of the repave as well as the harsh toxins that go into the environment are valid points to strengthen the councilwoman's argument. Luckily for her, there is another person that agrees with leaving the pot-holes as they are; well, to a certain extent.

Pete Dungey, an artist and graphic designer from University of Brighton, turned these pesky pot-holes into a mini wonderland in the middle of the street. He calls his work "guerilla gardens" because the whole notion of his art is to fill a pot-hole with a mini-garden to add to aesthetics of any street as well as provide a greener way to fill unnecessary holes in the street.

Not only do these little gardens provide a way to avoid pot-holes, they are creating a safer and more livable neighborhood environment because to look at these gardens, a driver must slow their vehicle; thus, the flow of traffic is slower in neighborhoods, allowing for children and families to play and live more safely around the traffic that moves in and out each day.

Though these guerilla gardens need maitenance and care such as watering, pruning, etc. It is a little difficult to provide plant care while watching for oncoming cars, but a glimpse of these gardens while driving brings the realization that we still live only because this planet provides for us. Not only is mother nature trying to cover issues we have created, but she is also reminding us that there is life outside of the four doors of an enclosed vehicle.