Photograph: Marco Kathuria

Help de-uglify the city—and grow dinner in the process. Green Guerillas founder Liz Christy started gardening in 1973; back then, her techniques involved chucking “seed bombs” over the fences of abandoned lots. Nowadays her nonprofit helps support more than 600 community gardens. Ready to launch your own “green-aids”? Here’s how…

Level 1: I care a little.
“Reach out to your local representatives with a letter asking them to support community gardens,” says Green Guerillas community organizer Hannah Riseley-White. For a sample letter, go to earthcelebrations.com.

Level 2: I care a lot.
Sign up online for monthly action alerts to find out about workdays, or attend the Green Guerillas Benefit Party on September 22 at the Bryant Park Grill. Tickets are $100–$250 and may be purchased at greenguerillas.org.

Level 3: I deserve sainthood.
“Become a member of your community garden,” says Edie Stone, director of city agency GreenThumb NYC. Since each garden has its own guidelines, contact GreenThumb (212-788-8070, greenthumbnyc.org) for info about the ones in your area. Says Riseley-White, “A lot of the motivation for joining is being able to grow your own produce while living in the city.”