Gardening plan for Paris locals

PARISIANS are being invited to start gardening in public spaces in an effort to make the city look ‘greener’.

Unlike some other major cities, such as London with Hyde Park, Paris has no large space of greenery in the centre of town and is deemed one of the least ‘green’ of Europe’s capitals – both the Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes are outside the city itself.

To make up for this, mayor Anne Hidalgo has given the go-ahead to ‘gardening permits’ which will allow Parisians volunteer to do some work beautifying a public space in their area. Examples might include creating hanging baskets along a building facade, planting flowers under a tree, or even planting hedges. Growing vegetables is also a possibility.

The mairie says it will be making suggestions, but is also looking for people suggest their own ideas.

From next week it is planned that people will be able to do so via the websites for their local arrondissement mairies. They will either be accepted or refused within a month.

A charter will also have to be followed, including certain restrictions on kinds of plant that may be used, not using pesticides and pledging to keep your project looking good.

A free gardening kit including some potting compost and seeds can be supplied on request and gardening lessons are also on offer from the Maison du Jardinage at the Parc de Bercy.

A contest to recognise the best projects is planned for next year.

Voté cette semaine au #ConseildeParis : un permis de végétaliser pour accélérer ensemble le verdissement de la ville! pic.twitter.com/XCIfh3piMS— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) July 3, 2015

Photo: Sam Greenhalgh