17 Apr 2009
In some neighborhoods, physical evidence of the recession is apparent: quiet construction sites, empty lots, locked store-fronts.
Leave it to New York City to foster a kind of "guerilla-greening" in urban areas hit by the economic slowdown. NPR reports that Brookylinites have been flinging "seed balls" surreptitiously into "dirt piles and abandoned lots."
What are seed balls? Mini-missiles made of clay, compost and seeds.
The result? Wildflowers where there used to be urban blight.
Here's the gist:
"The mud and clay protect the seeds from being eaten by birds and rodents. After three to five rains, the balls break down and the seeds germinate. The seeds used in Brooklyn are mostly wild cornflowers, lovely blue daisy-like flowers often seen by the roadside."
What a great idea for an urban Green Hour!
Anne Keisman is the online media coordinator for Green Hour. Follow her as @GreenHour on Twitter.
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