How did you discover the Community Garden?
In the summer of 2024, I felt the need to discover something new. I was looking for something where I could meet new people and enjoy being outdoors. Something where I could turn my brain off for a while and just get on with things. That’s when I came across the Community Garden initiative. I didn’t have a garden of my own to tend to, so I went to have a look.
Did you already have green fingers?
I had absolutely no experience with gardening, but that’s also not necessary. There are always people in the garden who can help you and who know what jobs need to be done. In the beginning, I really enjoyed pulling the weeds. You see the results of your work straight away and you can have a chat and enjoy the weather at the same time.
What is there to do?
It’s really a place of connection and meeting people. We all contribute what we can; you choose what suits you, but we really do it together. For instance, we made planters for sowing seeds from leftover pallets, laid a path through the garden, put up a little shelter so we can sit in the shade for a while, and we’ve even put together a whole greenhouse. Some of us are now pre-sowing plants at home, which we’ll later plant in the ground and look after. The highlight is, of course, the harvest festival, during which we enjoy dishes made from our own home-grown organic vegetables together. Unfortunately, I missed the strawberry harvest last year, but I hope to catch it this year. In winter, it’s a bit quieter, though we do try to grow hardy vegetables even then.
What is the highlight of the garden for you?
That has to be the monthly work days in the (run-up to) spring and summer. Sometimes, these are on weekdays, but they can also be on Saturdays. The door is then always open, and there are always people in the garden. You can stay as long or as short a time as you like. It’s a lovely spot, which will soon be filled once again with beautiful flowers, and if you look closely, you’ll spot all sorts of little creatures. You can do some DIY or gardening at such times, but you don’t have to. There is also plenty of space to just sit and relax.
What should everyone know about the Community Garden?
You can do as much or as little as you like in the garden. Whether you enjoy gardening or DIY; there is always plenty to do. It could just be half an hour during your break and doesn’t have to be every week. It’s simply lovely to clear your head for a bit, go outside with a purpose, and meet colleagues and students.
How can colleagues get involved?
Take a lunch walk to the garden together; it’s a great, informal way to get to know the place. On Tuesday afternoons from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm, the garden is open to the public and there will be people who can tell you more. At these times, you can also bring your own lunch and add something tasty from the garden to it. At the moment, there’s all sorts of things in bloom for you to enjoy during your lunch. We also have a Teams channel in which we share our activities. Feel free to come by if you want to and have the time. The garden is also a lovely spot for a team outing. Swap your office for a green environment and get your hands in the soil.
If you have any questions about the Community Garden, please feel free to ask me.
Location
The Community Garden is located to the left of the Hortus tea garden (d’Almarasweg 22d), behind Brakkenstein Park. View the exact location on Google Maps.