Peaceful paradise found on Herkenfelder Way

Urban Oases: "The Day in GL"

Peaceful paradise found on Herkenfelder Way

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For four decades, the allotment garden nestled between Paffrath and Katterbach has provided its tenants a unique, thriving community in a picturesque setting. This public haven offers more than just green space - it boasts a playground, orchard, educational trail, and open garden, all accessible to everyone.

Let's explore the vibrant Herkenfelder Weg in our latest MoreGreen series.

Tucked away near the Paffrath combi-bath, in the heart of a water protection area's original landscape, lies the Kleingartenverein Herkenfelder Weg allotment garden. The 63 lovingly tended plots are a sight to behold, with resilient peonies blooming in rich green hues, undeterred by even heavy rainfall.

In our own words

"Imagine this green space without the tireless care of us allotment gardeners?", queries Uwe Rieckhoff, chairman of the association. "We don’t just bring more green into the city, but we preserve and shape a natural oasis on the outskirts of Bergisch Gladbach. Through preservation and care, we foster renewal, contributing to more green in a meaningful way", he explains. "We care for green, city green, every day, 365 days a year" adds Mrs. Rieckhoff.

The 21,854 sqm garden area offers ample public green space for all citizens. Everywhere in the rented gardens, visitors to the community-used and publicly accessible green areas discover inviting benches. Nature lovers find tranquility and relaxation here, while children play on the self-built, TÜV-tested playground. Adults marvel at this city park-like recreational area.

The walkable herb spiral, laden with herbs for tasting, and the fruit-laden trees of the orchard are just some of the treasures to be discovered. Along the way, visitors might stumble upon an old water boiler in the middle of an ornamental bed, a large insect house housing wild bees, or two beehives in a beekeeper's garden.

What sets this allotment garden apart is its community beds and orchard, both accessible to the public. This includes the walkways that wind past the allotments, revealing their charming atmosphere, as well as numerous cozy seating areas.

The combination of utility and ornamental gardens of the privately used gardens delights every visitor, even in rainy weather. One feels like they've stepped into a garden city, with delightfully designed front gardens. Nearly all of these garden cottages featuring inviting terraces, bring a homely charm to the outdoor space. As the weather warms, everyone heads out to enjoy the greenery. Whether for breakfast on the terrace or a casual dinner in a group, the garden serves as an extension of the living room at home.

The Herkenfelder Weg garden is among the roughly 1,600 allotment gardens in North Rhine-Westphalia, which encompass approximately 120,000 allotments spanning over 5,500 hectares. On June 28, the Kleingartenverein Herkenfelder Weg e.V. will celebrate its 40th anniversary. What would have become of this plot of land without the association's rental agreement from the city of Bergisch Gladbach? A parking lot or a residential complex?

Garden Oases for All

For four decades, green thumbs have been hard at work here. Among the club's 143 members, a few original small gardeners from the early days still till the soil, though most are over 80 years old, with the oldest being 93. Gardening seems to keep one youthful and active.

Small gardens are fashionable, and all 300 sqm plots on Herkenfelder Weg are currently occupied. To rent a plot, one must be a member of the club and undergo an initial conversation. An inquiry form can be found on the club's homepage. Everything that stands, adorns, or is planted on a plot belongs to and is the private matter of the respective plot owners, who cultivate their green piece of land independently.

A Living Community

Community spirit thrives in this garden complex. Several times a year, small gardeners gather for "community work". The focus is on maintaining the community areas. The festival committee also contributes to the community by organizing this year's summer and jubilee festival. Even in winter, gardening tasks remain, and after work, one often meets for a mulled wine evening and grilling in the snow.

Among the members is a garden expert who offers personal advice on gardening and plant care upon request. Climate-friendly gardening is often a topic of discussion. Group offers are challenging due to the lack of a meeting house. On nice days, one meets outside, for example, on the common flower meadow near the playground, or someone offers their garden house. Then everyone comes together.

In a WhatsApp group, small gardeners regularly exchange information. How fortunate that this platform exists. When there were multiple break-ins here in 2022, everyone could quickly discuss it. Since then, every plot has been video-monitored. "We stick together. You can rely on that," says Detlef Zielke, deputy chairman of the board.

One knows and helps each other. "Watering commissioners" grin Mr. Rieckhoff and Mr. Zielke. These leisure gardeners are always there when needed, tending to the community areas during drought. Others make a round and check the complex. This often leads to a chat among garden enthusiasts.

Garden Care and Garden Love

The garden is a sanctuary for leisure gardeners. It's the connection to nature, the immersion in the garden, the pride in a few square meters of green.

"Our garden is a small green paradise and like a permanent vacation all year round. Sitting on the terrace in a warm summer rain is magical," praises Mrs. Rieckhoff. Mr. Zielke's small pond brings vacation vibes. Some garden houses are more like vacation studios in terms of equipment.

"In the media, it's mostly about violence and negativity. Here in my garden, it's peaceful, a whole other world that does my soul good," says Mr. Rieckhoff. Mr. Zielke agrees, "My garden is a soothing balance to work and brings me a lot."

A gardener always finds new wonders in their garden, as it's a continuous spectacle throughout the year. Gardens always reward, with feelings of satisfaction. "It's so rewarding when I can harvest vegetables, the result of my gardening labor", says Mrs. Rieckhoff.

Here, people with ideals and an understanding of coexistence rules meet. They're people who respect the basic rules of the Federal Allotment Garden Act, which, among other things, outlines the following division: at least 1/3 of the allotment garden for fruit and vegetable cultivation, a maximum of 1/3 sealed surfaces with a garden house and terrace, and 1/3 for free, green design.

"Anyone who takes on a garden accepts responsibility for their garden in the sense of the community and the principle of allotment gardening. Allotment gardening is work that, while relaxing and joyful, also requires regular maintenance," describes Mr. Rieckhoff, "the essence of an allotment garden colony."

Open garden areas and community gardens

In the entrance area, there's an approximately 420 sqm "open garden" featuring a flower meadow, small flowering islands, and a walkable herb spiral built from Bergischer grauwacke without any mortar as a dry stone wall. Not only are there various herbs here, but also different rock garden plants have found their place in the joints.

Allotment gardeners are often viewed as traditionalists. A philistine is generally someone who, among other things, loves tradition, rules, and order and rejects innovation. In a constantly changing garden, gardeners must always adapt to new things, such as planting and growing in a climate-friendly manner.

On 200 sqm, there's an orchard boasting a seating area. Surrounded by rose bushes, various apple, pear, and plum varieties grow here. Information boards on each tree provide information about origin, care, and use.

On this fruit trail, many old apple varieties can be discovered, particularly interesting for allergy sufferers. "Enjoy the sweet fruits in moderation, as there should still be something left for others," caution the gentlemen from the board.

Near the currant bushes, a bee hotel welcomes hardworking little garden helpers. Directly at the currant corner, there's another seating area, ideal for playing skat, resting, and quietly enjoying the fauna and flora. A bench under a tree can be a welcome retreat. This is more than just a place to sit. It offers comfort.

Old-fashioned or modern?

Gardening in an allotment garden is a form of community gardening based on rules and community life structuring. As is every community garden or communally used city garden in the public space. Similar to allotment gardening, other community-based gardening movements, such as urban gardening, garden sharing (land sharing), or mobile community gardening, emphasize community, diversity, and human interaction, transform spaces through gardening, and foster urban biodiversity.

Urban Gardening, for instance, promotes more greenery in cities, a colorful green design of the urban space, and encourages self-sufficiency with vegetable and fruit cultivation.

Gardensharing, for example, involves a farmer leasing a plot of their land to individuals or groups for growing food. A contract is typically drawn up for this. Even those who cultivate a small plot on a communally used field follow certain rules. Many cities also feature mobile community gardens, characterized by plantings in raised beds or pallets.

All these concepts, including allotment gardens, stress community and diversity, transform spaces through gardening, and foster human interaction. Urban gardening, gardensharing, or mobile community gardens are not perceived as outdated; rather, they are seen as modern gardening ideas.

For more information about KGV Herkenfelderweg e.V., please contact Uwe Rieckhoff at [email protected]