Kleingarten

We spent the evening at my friend's kleingarten - German for small garden.  The kleingarten tradition began in the 1800s.  A pastor divided Church lands into plots and allowed poverty stricken people to lease them for a set price.  These gardens gave people the opportunity to grow their own food in times of shortages.

During the Industrial Era and as a result of the spreading urbanisation, city dwellers sought a parcel of green, a refuge against the dusty, crowded city streets. In addition, the famine that followed WW I helped establish the German Small Gardener´s culture.

Currently, these gardens exist through out the city and each club boasts several dozen members.  Each member has their own plot.  Plots cost several thousand dollars and a family has to be approved by a board before they can purchase one.

Our friends sought this garden as an escape from the apartment complex.  I couldn't wait to check out this German tradition.  The peacefulness surprised me - you don't even realize you are still in the city.

Of course, the kids loved it!