it makes me really happy, and wow, does it change things.
i wrote about this in the other thread (questions), but i'll talk about it here too.
most of the places where i've done GGing, it has been places that are "low down." There is blight, not just neglect.
so, here we go--or sometimes just i go--and i start by removing trash. i am consistent and i remove trash each day or every other day, and within a week or two, i only need to remove trash about once a week.
then, things start to change in the space. i always start small, with one plant that will take beautiful root in the place. my first plant in the garden i'm working on now is a thornless heritage rambling rose. i have a large section of chain-link fence. it is rose planting season here (nz), and so i went ahead and established that bush. in three years, it should cover the chain link fence entirely.
so, i start with this small thing, and then build out as things become available. as it begins to build out, people begin to treat the space differently. there is change, a new blood flowing through the space. creativity takes root, and so does community pride.
it's lovely really. it isn't just the garden that grows.