Druey in Bloom!

We are a group of residents of Avenue Druey 22–30, motivated to co-create a green, welcoming, and resilient space.

We want to turn our avenue into a haven for biodiversity and edible plants, in order to: 1. Support native wildlife (pollinators, birds, bats), 2. Refresh the public space and improve thermal comfort (reducing heat islands), 3. Build connections among neighbors through gardening activities and shared harvests, 4. Raise awareness of local flora and a diet closer to nature. The project is structured around two complementary components: 1. A planted strip in open ground. Our building is located on a section of Avenue Druey closed to cars, adjacent to the wall of the Migros de la Pontaise. On the Migros side, the property management has left an unpaved strip about 70 cm wide, in which grasses have been planted under a plastic mulch sheet. We plan to remove the plastic mulch, amend the soil, and plant directly into the ground, prioritizing native wild species adapted to the urban environment, as a complement to a vegetable garden. We propose a balanced mix of different plants: • 60%: native perennial and shrub species that attract bees (e.g., Achillea millefolium, Salvia pratensis, Knautia arvensis, Campanula rotundifolia, Geranium sanguineum, Centaurea jacea, Thymus serpyllum, Fragaria vesca). • 20% : native groundcovers and grasses to provide structure and minimize maintenance (keep the plants already present). • 20% : o native wild edibles : Taraxacum officinale (dandelion), Plantago lanceolata/major (plantain), Allium ursinum (wild garlic), Rumex acetosa (sorrel), Silene vulgaris, Bellis perennis (edible flowers), Rubus idaeus (raspberry). o vegetable garden (rotated seasonally): lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, peas, bush beans/pole beans, hardy herbs. Crop rotation, organic mulch, and local vermicompost (installation of a shared vermicomposter) will ensure soil fertility without the need for synthetic products. An insect and butterfly hotel will be placed in the planted strip to attract pollinators to the site and provide them with shelter. We hope that these features might also attract larger animals, such as swifts or bats. 2. Green wall. We would therefore like to plant local climbing species, such as Humulus lupulus (hops), Clematis alpina (Alpine clematis), Lonicera (wood honeysuckle), or Rosa canina (dog rose), to cover the Migros wall with vegetation. This will create ecological continuity between the Migros rooftop garden and our plantings. In addition to promoting biodiversity, the project will help improve the thermal comfort of the avenue—currently covered in black concrete—by reducing the urban heat island effect. The plantings will also allow for better rainwater retention, thereby limiting runoff. Finally, the hops can be used for participatory brewing workshops.

The project consists of several steps. 1. Identify the optimal locations for planting the shrubs. 2. Install the necessary supports (stainless steel cables or galvanized trellises). Installation will be carried out by professionals. 3. Find the best location for the insect and butterfly hotels, then build and install them. 4. Develop a multi-year crop rotation plan to ensure a rotation that promotes soil quality and health, and thus the health of the plants. 5. Plant the young seedlings in the open ground. 6. Set up a vermicompost bin in a sheltered and nearby location (already identified).

I organized an informational session to present the opportunity offered by the City as well as my initial idea for the project. I downloaded the poster available on the call for projects website and posted it on the front doors of the five buildings involved. I also left a chalk message visible from all the apartments. The meeting allowed us to get to know one another and form a core group of active participants with whom we refined and expanded upon the initial project. We then created a flyer, which we printed and distributed to all the mailboxes.

Most of the planned installations will require only occasional maintenance, thanks in particular to low-maintenance native perennials, perennial herbs, and certain flowers. In addition, seasonal workshops will be organized to prune the plants, share knowledge, and strengthen community ties centered around gardening and nature in the city.

The “edible native strip + native climbing wall” model is simple, inexpensive, easily replicable, and enhances often-neglected urban spaces.

Avenue Druey 22–30 is a public space and fully accessible. An informational sign will be installed on-site to present the project, its objectives, the selected plant species, and the benefits for biodiversity. It will also encourage other residents to join the initiative and raise awareness among passersby about the importance of nature in the city. The planted species will also be identified with small signs.