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Beautifying London One Pothole at a Time

Jun 22, 2010 07:15 PM

Guerilla gardener Steve Wheen has a simple solution for urban beautification: grow mini-gardens in potholes all over the city, simultaneously transforming ugly roads AND warning motorists and cyclists of potentially dangerous potholes.

Man kneeling beside a flower arrangement on the ground near a van. Metro reports:

"'I'm a mad keen gardener but I live in a small flat without a garden,' said Mr Wheen, from Shoreditch, east London.

'I also wanted to make a point. As a cyclist I find potholes a constant menace. I have almost come off my bike several times.

And the roads are in the worst state I have ever known in London because of the snow this winter. I choose smaller roads or pavements with potholes and work early morning or evening so that I don't get run over while gardening.

I prefer to use low plants with bright, colourful flowers in the hope that motorists will see my gardens and avoid them.'"

Check out Steve's site for his latest work.

P.S. HowTo: become a guerilla gardener OR try making your own seed bombs.

Person planting colorful flowers in soil.

Person planting flowers in a garden.

Flowers growing through pavement cracks.

Person kneeling on pavement, tending to flowers.

Wildflowers growing through a pavement near a residential area.

Flower growing from a manhole cover on a city street.

Flowers growing out of a manhole cover on a street.

Flowers growing through a crack in the pavement.

A small bouquet of flowers on a city street with red brick buildings in the background.

Flower growing through a crack in the pavement.

Flower beside a manhole cover on a street.

Empty city street with yellow lines and litter on the pavement.

Previously, Repair the World One (LEGO) Brick at a Time.

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