A gardener has been planting hundreds of sunflowers in neglected roadside patches and empty corners of land in a bid to “bring a little bit of joy to the streets”.
Kevin O’Brien, 51, who runs KO Gardening in Gillingham, has been scattering seeds in small patches of soil, roadside verges and other forgotten spaces across Medway.
Kevin O’Brien from Gillingham plants hundreds of sunflowers across Medway
Over time, he hopes the bright yellow flowers will transform spots that are often left untidy or used for fly-tipping into something people stop and notice.
He said the idea first came to him simply by looking around and wondering how small changes could make a difference.
“I saw a run-down area and thought, ‘How can I make this better?’” he said.
Kevin moved to Medway from Beckenham last year, where he had already been growing sunflowers in overlooked corners of the neighbourhood.
During the Covid lockdown, when many people were confined to their homes, he decided to plant sunflower seeds in small patches of soil along his street.
Kevin O’Brien is on a mission to brighten up neglected spaces in Medway
His two children, Karys and Dempsey, helped him with the project.
Now his 17-year-old daughter Karys works alongside him in the family gardening business.
“In lockdown everyone was feeling so miserable and no one was getting out, so I just thought I’d bring a little bit of joy to the streets,” he said.
“I know how much joy flowers and plants can bring to people.”
Before long, the tall plants began appearing along the street, growing higher and higher through the summer and catching the attention of neighbours and passers-by.
Kevin O’Brien with his son Dempsey who helps his dad out with his missionKevin O’Brien with his daughter Karys and their rescue cat Molly
“It was really beautiful to hear people commenting on them,” he added.
“Everyone stopped and had a little look.
“The kids would walk past and they’d be looking at these plants that were twice the size of them.”
As more sunflowers appeared, neighbours began joining in and planting their own.
Some even turned it into a friendly competition to see who could grow the tallest plant.
Kevin now hopes the same sense of community can grow in Medway.
Kevin O’Brien planted various sunflowers in Beckenham and now wants to do the same in MedwayWho is taller? Kevin or his sunflowers?
He also believes planting something colourful and cared for can discourage people from using the spaces as dumping grounds.
“If you see someone making a little bit of effort towards your community, I think it’s like a ripple effect,” he said.
“Everyone moans about how bad things are and how rubbish they are, but no one actually does anything to change it.
“Rather than letting someone dump a shopping trolley in there, people are less likely to fly tip when there are loads of plants growing there.”
Kevin says the project is simple and does not require expensive tools or complicated planning.
“You don’t need professional machinery or anything,” he said.
“You just need to put them in the ground and let nature do its business.”
He is now encouraging other residents to take part and hopes the idea will spread.
“I’m happy to come and do it if anyone’s got an idea of somewhere they want it done,” Kevin added. “I’ll go and do it for them.”
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