A Green Hero: 60 years of dedication in the Neubrandenburg garden paradise

A Green Hero: 60 years of dedication in the Neubrandenburg garden paradise

A piece of history is blooming in Neubrandenburg's Vogelviertel, which not only delights garden enthusiasts. Heinz Ocik is now a proud 92 years old and can look back on 60 years of membership in the “Neues Leben” allotment garden association. With membership number 31, he was there from the beginning, when the boggy meadow that is now his little garden paradise still carried land onto the surrounding blocks of flats. The structural changes in the area also led to the lowering of the groundwater, which today shapes his irrigation methods. Thanks to 600 liter rain barrels, he cleverly uses the collected rainwater to breathe the necessary life into his personal green and productive oasis.

Gardeners like him used to sell their filled baskets to consumers on Straussstrasse, but today Ocik takes care of his harvest himself. Strawberries, currants, gooseberries and even tomatoes grow in his garden - a colorful selection that not only brings joy, but also provides the whole family with fresh aromas. This once again reinforces the history of the allotment garden movement, which began in the 19th century. Originally as a response to the poor living conditions of the working class, small plots of land gave urban workers self-sufficiency and a place to relax - a tradition that continues to this day. According to greenthumbpathde.com, allotment gardens have not lost their importance; they are a symbol of community and sustainability.

Traditions and changes in the garden

Heinz Ocik and his wife have tended their garden for many years, often while they were away from work. The gazebo has been expanded over the years, including a new DL12 and an awning, which provide space for socializing. However, a perceived change in the garden has not gone unnoticed by the experienced gardener. “Today’s gardeners have their own methods,” he muses. It is precisely the connection to nature that remains of great importance for many allotment gardeners like him today.

A veteran apple tree that Ocik once planted himself is a living monument to her garden journey and offers a shady retreat for the entire family. The garden is now also a meeting place for his three daughters, eight grandchildren and even eight great-grandchildren, who grow up there and celebrate the shared experience of the harvest. Here, intergenerational generations are not only very important, but also lived. Together they enjoy the fruits of their labor and pass on their love for nature.

A look back and forward

During the time in the GDR, allotment gardens were of central importance for self-sufficiency and social life. The “Association of Allotment Gardeners, Settlers and Small Animal Breeders” ran with its own candidates in the local elections in May 1989 and was able to win 3,000 seats, which underlines how relevant this community was. Erich Honecker also expressed his appreciation for the quality of the food produced by the small animal breeders, including fruit and vegetables, which far exceeded his own needs. This makes it clear that gardening was essential for the community beyond the purely personal harvest mdr.de.

Today it is clear that allotment gardens are not only green oases, but also a reflection of social developments. As the times show, they are experiencing a renaissance, especially among young families and singles who are increasingly looking for communal lifestyles and sustainable principles. Heinz Ocik's story is part of this tradition and a living reminder of how deeply rooted allotment culture is in German society.