Garden happiness in Osnabrück: diversity and community in the allotment garden!

Garden happiness in Osnabrück: diversity and community in the allotment garden!

In Osnabrück, the allotment garden association “Deutsche Scholle” on Limberger Straße is particularly popular. Here, between hedges, lush lawns and the cheerful chirping of birds, a colorful variety of gardens unfolds that will make the heart of every nature lover beat faster. The second chairman Frank Riemer states that the interest in allotment gardens is unbroken. Each of the individual plots tells its own story - from natural retreats to practically designed gardens. Each member brings their own personal idea of ​​gardening happiness and makes the community all the more diverse. OS Radio reports that ...

Allotment gardens have a long tradition in Osnabrück: They have existed here since 1916 and are a valuable part of the city's culture. These gardens are not only places of retreat, but also community spaces where neighbors can exchange ideas and spend time together. The allotment gardeners organize themselves in the Federal Association of Allotment Garden Associations in Germany and are subject to the Federal Allotment Garden Act, which lays down rules for the protection and care of gardens. If you would like to use your own garden, you can find information about free gardens on the clubs' websites, for example on Kleingarten-Os.

Garden culture in transition

The allotment garden movement has developed greatly since its beginnings in the 19th century and is closely linked to urbanization and industrialization. The living conditions of the workers were often catastrophic, leading to malnutrition and unhealthy housing conditions. As a result, initiatives emerged to create gardens for poor citizens, as in the case of Landgrave Carl of Hesse in Kappeln. These poor gardens could be found in cities such as Berlin and Frankfurt, but were unable to establish themselves due to rising land prices. These developments are part of a long history documented in the German Allotment Museum in Leipzig, which preserves the roots of this important movement. MDR gives an overview of...

The first allotment associations, named after the doctor and educator Daniel Gottlob Moritz Schreber, were founded in 1864 and were particularly committed to educating children in urban areas. The idea of ​​offering children an alternative education through gardening soon became apparent in the creation of “kindergartens” and “family beds”. These early initiatives not only helped people regain access to nature, but also played a significant role in food supplies in the post-war period.

A network for garden lovers

Today there are over 900,000 allotment gardens in Germany, spread over around 40,000 hectares. Almost five million people use these green oases, and around 14,000 allotment garden associations are subject to uniform rules as set out in the Federal Allotment Garden Act. The importance of allotment garden associations has changed repeatedly since they were founded, but they remain an important part of social life in many cities.

For many, having their own garden is not just a hobby, but a lifestyle. Whether you grow your own vegetables without chemical additives or just want to enjoy the fresh air and nature - the allotment garden remains a valuable institution. Anyone who is interested in becoming a member of one of the large and small clubs should visit the office hours or be invited to the next meetings. This not only promotes your own happiness in the garden, but also strengthens the sense of community.