Hands in the Dirt: Chaos Gardening

Photo and article by Donna Iverson

A friend and I took up guerrilla gardening this fall.  We collected dried seeds from plants we liked and scattered them in waste places around town. And as guerrilla gardeners, we are always on the lookout for flowers and veggies that pop up in unexpected places.  It makes our day to find a flower growing out of a crack in the sidewalk. 

Recently,  this squash plant appeared growing out of the overflow of a compost bin in my community garden.  And closer to home, a bright pink petunia appeared in my pot of geraniums on the front porch …much to my delight.

On Facebook, I have joined a group called Chaos Gardeners.  At a basic level, you take the seeds you have not used and throw them on the ground around your yard.  And wait to see what comes up. “You let nature call the shots,” says online gardener Karen Rudd. “And lend a helping hand here and there.” It leads to “complete disorder.”

Chaos gardening is the newest gardening trend and gained honorable mention in 2023 at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show. It takes a lot of stress out of gardening and can be even used to seed vegetables, herbs and fruits. You don’t need a plan.  

The result is a more natural garden with no sharp lines or regimented beds. You can even do it in a large planter if you are an apartment dweller like me. 
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So this fall, give it a try if you would like to see some gardening surprises come your way. 

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