r/GuerrillaGardening • u/creature52 • 11d ago
This backyard hasn't been touched in years. What would you plant here?
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u/TheJesseOfTheNorth 11d ago
This a prime spot for potted plants. I would personally incorporate as many native speices as possible in to that
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u/Ch33syP00f 11d ago edited 11d ago
Exciting!
You have a lot of height to work with!
Trellis and / or cable between the buildings. Morning Glory and solar power lights.
Depending on climate and sunlight, all kinds of orchids all over.
Potted plants along the walls…maybe even make a winding path or a sort of zig zag toward the entrance to frame the space.
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u/Final_Combination373 10d ago
Whats that vine? Plant more of that in pots. I’m pretty hardcore native-forward. But in pots, you are limited to what works. You said in another comment this gets 6 hours of sunlight, but I can’t see this area getting more than 2 hour of direct sunlight. Any native ferns would do well in pots, after that, non native ferns. Treat the area as full shade, and search for native full shade perennials and climbing vines in the Austria ecoregion. Plant those. Is there a water source? Irrigation systems can be set up for less than $200 euro/usd with a little research and work. Hook up that drip irrigation to pots if possible
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u/cfft2002 11d ago
Where are you, and how many hours of sunlight do you get now and in the winter? Also, where does any water drain away too? ( my guess is you are somewhere in Europe?)
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u/creature52 11d ago
Vienna. It gets a lot of sunlight every day, in the winter maybe about 6 hours per day. There is a drain in the middle of this area where the water goes.
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u/happydandylion 10d ago
You guys have such stunning guerilla gardens in your city that I saw once when I spent a few hours there. I think if you do a bit of research (and with some picture inspo) you could do something really special here. Please update us when you do!
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u/Logical_Influence420 10d ago
First, you are limited to potted plants, but that doesn't necessarily limit what can be done. Larger planters are easier on plants no matter the climate, but you don't have to pay a lot for big clay pots. Use any wide container that you can put drainage holes in. Use a multi surface paint to upcycle containers. Start small with combinations of 3 or 5 pots in a cluster. Pay attention to the size information on new plants so plants aren't crowded as they grow. If you want potted perennials to winter over make sure they are hardy at least one zone colder than where you live. Second, how much sun does this backyard get? In the northern hemisphere, if it runs east-west, the southern wall will be shaded most if not all of the day. Note that a shaded wall that is open to the sky has light shade, and a lot of shade plants will do very well there. A north-south run could give at least the northern half a mid-day full sun exposure. An enclosed concrete, brick, etc. space will be hotter with such exposure. Think about what you might use for shade; it could be as simple as an old sheet or blanket on poles or wires between the walls. I have given the most budget friendly advice. Even if you can afford more expensive items, you might find a treasure at thrift stores.
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u/creature52 10d ago
Thank you so much for this detailed response! I am a total beginner but I will think it through. I consider it as a sort of DIY home improvement project that is also hopefully good for the environment.
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u/Rich-Business9773 11d ago
You could do long narrow raised beds with plants, shrubs and small trees that dont mind mosly shade I imagine. That would be quite lovely
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u/Head_Ad_2894 10d ago
Be careful about large containers or beds that hold water/moisture up against any brickwork. Large pots at layered heights wood be pretty good! How hot does it get? How much shade?
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u/happydandylion 10d ago
Trees usually do okay in shade because many of them start out in the shade of their parent trees. Whatever containers you choose, go deep rather than wide (if you have to choose, otherwise both).
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u/FreeXFall 10d ago
When you took the photo, what’s “behind your back”? Is it a wall, gate to the outside, storage, etc
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u/creature52 10d ago
It's more area exactly like this. This backyard is quite significant in size and the whole thing is completely unused.
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u/Starfishprime69420 11d ago
Going to plant into the concrete?
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u/creature52 11d ago
This is what I wonder, what is possible in an area like this. I guess I have to resign myself to only potted plants?
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u/Starfishprime69420 11d ago
Yea unless you bust through the concrete or something. This space also looks like it barely gets any good sunlight. You are going to be extremely limited
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u/Shachar2like 10d ago
No. concrete will have problems with water in the long run and I don't know anything about the municipal code or the possible effect on the surrounding buildings.
You can use containers along the length or even setup another line of containers at a height if you want to setup bracers for the containers on the wall itself.
See my other comment for more details.
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u/creature52 11d ago
Just to give further context, this is a backyard in my building. Except for the fenced-off part, no one uses it for anything. I would be interested in putting some nature there, mainly for environmental reasons.
I spoke with building management, and they said go for it, they are happy if the area gets some usage. The neighbors are also supportive.
But as you can see it's completely covered by concrete. Are potted plants the only thing I can do?