For the past nine years London's self-confessed guerrilla gardener Richard Reynolds has written about the world of planting seeds in neglected public spaces. <br /><br />To honor the movement, CNN's Going Green takes a closer look at urban gardening, a passion Reynolds says first came from "not having a garden, nor the opportunity to garden anywhere".
The world of "Guerrilla Gardening" with Richard Reynolds —
For the past nine years London's self-confessed guerrilla gardener Richard Reynolds has written about the world of planting seeds in neglected public spaces.

To honor the movement, CNN's Going Green takes a closer look at urban gardening, a passion Reynolds says first came from "not having a garden, nor the opportunity to garden anywhere".
courtesy richard reynolds
As for the response eceived, there's no one reaction, according to Reynolds.<br /><br />"At first it was a combination of bemusement and a bit of misunderstanding, because sadly for most people gardening is a chore," he says.<br /><br />"I remember conversations where people thought I was being paid for it or -- as is still often the case -- or people assume there is a very grand political statement. Once people understood it was for the joy of gardening, people went 'Wow, that's great."
The world of "Guerrilla Gardening" with Richard Reynolds —
As for the response eceived, there's no one reaction, according to Reynolds.

"At first it was a combination of bemusement and a bit of misunderstanding, because sadly for most people gardening is a chore," he says.

"I remember conversations where people thought I was being paid for it or -- as is still often the case -- or people assume there is a very grand political statement. Once people understood it was for the joy of gardening, people went 'Wow, that's great."
Courtesy Richard Reynolds
When it comes to building such a movement, Reynolds says there's no one person attracted to guerrilla gardening.<br /><br />"Because I started blogging about it early on, it tended to be people like me: The urban dwellers who didn't have their own garden, that wanted to do something fun and social and had an interest in the environment." "I've realized there are a lot of guerrilla gardeners who are that age who don't blog about it or use that phrase, but who have been doing it just beyond their boundaries, or across their villages for a while. That's part of the pleasure, this cross-generational appeal."
The world of "Guerrilla Gardening" with Richard Reynolds —
When it comes to building such a movement, Reynolds says there's no one person attracted to guerrilla gardening.

"Because I started blogging about it early on, it tended to be people like me: The urban dwellers who didn't have their own garden, that wanted to do something fun and social and had an interest in the environment." "I've realized there are a lot of guerrilla gardeners who are that age who don't blog about it or use that phrase, but who have been doing it just beyond their boundaries, or across their villages for a while. That's part of the pleasure, this cross-generational appeal."
courtesy richard reynolds
Harnessing the power of social media has been critical to spurring guerrilla gardening, says Reynolds.<br /><br />"The web and social media is so important because it stops you feeling alone. It's really, really supportive to know that other people around the world are doing similar things," he says. "It's so exciting to share in other peoples successes, or commiserations. Without the web, guerrilla gardening would not be anything like what it is today."
The world of "Guerrilla Gardening" with Richard Reynolds —
Harnessing the power of social media has been critical to spurring guerrilla gardening, says Reynolds.

"The web and social media is so important because it stops you feeling alone. It's really, really supportive to know that other people around the world are doing similar things," he says. "It's so exciting to share in other peoples successes, or commiserations. Without the web, guerrilla gardening would not be anything like what it is today."
courtesy richard reynolds
To spread the word and keep the movement alive, the British Council gave Reynolds a ticket to travel to Russia, Mauritius and Botswana.
The world of "Guerrilla Gardening" with Richard Reynolds —
To spread the word and keep the movement alive, the British Council gave Reynolds a ticket to travel to Russia, Mauritius and Botswana.
Courtesy Richard Reynolds
As for the huge response Reynolds received, he didn't expect such an interest.<br /><br />"Am I surprised?...I suppose it's in tune with a lot of societies anxieties at the moment: we are concerned about the environment, we are questioning authority and the institutions that are meant to be looking after us... people are more conscious of where food comes from."
The world of "Guerrilla Gardening" with Richard Reynolds —
As for the huge response Reynolds received, he didn't expect such an interest.

"Am I surprised?...I suppose it's in tune with a lot of societies anxieties at the moment: we are concerned about the environment, we are questioning authority and the institutions that are meant to be looking after us... people are more conscious of where food comes from."
courtesy richard reynolds
As for the response from fellow gardeners, Reynolds says it all depends on whom you talk to.<br /><br />"Celebrity gardeners and the gardening media -- they're the ones that are least supportive. It's a cosy little world." "It's a naturally conservative world that has had resistance to guerrilla gardening and the more exciting side of gardening. People have been quite snooty about what guerrilla gardeners do in the past."
The world of "Guerrilla Gardening" with Richard Reynolds —
As for the response from fellow gardeners, Reynolds says it all depends on whom you talk to.

"Celebrity gardeners and the gardening media -- they're the ones that are least supportive. It's a cosy little world." "It's a naturally conservative world that has had resistance to guerrilla gardening and the more exciting side of gardening. People have been quite snooty about what guerrilla gardeners do in the past."
courtesy richard reynolds
But there have been learning lessons along the way says Reynolds.<br /><br />"I've learned that the world is not such a bad place. I've learned you can get away with amazing stuff, that people won't steal it -- they will sometimes, but you can put something precious and valuable in a vulnerable place and it can thrive, and that's a good feeling." He's also discovered that "neglect attracts neglect". Like a child or a garden, "the more you love it, the more it will give you pleasure."
The world of "Guerrilla Gardening" with Richard Reynolds —
But there have been learning lessons along the way says Reynolds.

"I've learned that the world is not such a bad place. I've learned you can get away with amazing stuff, that people won't steal it -- they will sometimes, but you can put something precious and valuable in a vulnerable place and it can thrive, and that's a good feeling." He's also discovered that "neglect attracts neglect". Like a child or a garden, "the more you love it, the more it will give you pleasure."
Courtesy Richard Reynolds
But Reynolds most rewarding outcome came when he met his wife.<br /><br />"She came guerrilla gardening and six years later we got married and we're expecting our first child in September."
The world of "Guerrilla Gardening" with Richard Reynolds —
But Reynolds most rewarding outcome came when he met his wife.

"She came guerrilla gardening and six years later we got married and we're expecting our first child in September."
Courtesy Richard Reynolds