BOTANICULA - A place where plants and relationships are grown
Port 7 ~ Jankovcova 8b ~ +420 222 264 846 ~ pristav7@elpida.cz
The new Botanicula community garden grows vegetables and fruit, but above all it fosters relationships between (not only) Holešovice seniors and their neighbours who like to dig their hands into the dirt. At its opening on Thursday, 23 May, there was a carrot cutting ceremony, the release of earthworms, the christening of a composter and a seed exchange.
It's a proven fact that fresh spring onions taste best when they come from Grandma's garden (or at least from a favorite grower). But not everyone has the opportunity to grow their own vegetables or herbs. That's why Elpida, thanks to the support of the Agora 7 Foundation, opened the Botanicula community garden in the Přístav 7 branch in Holešovice.
photos from the opening ceremony
What is Botanicula
Botanicula is a small community garden opened jointly by the Elpida branch and the Agora 7 Foundation in Holešovice, Prague. The garden, which was created at Port 7, a cultural and educational centre for the elderly, consists of 11 raised beds that are used for smallgardening is available not only to active seniors, but to all those who find the same pleasure in digging their hands into the dirt as its founders. The Botanicula includes a relaxation zone with a pétanque area.
"Botanicula is another extension of Port 7's activities outside the classroom, and therefore an opportunity to meet and get to know our neighbours. I like the intergenerational dimension of these gatherings and I am glad that we can grow not only herbs, vegetables and flowers in the garden, but also interpersonal and neighborly relationships and shared responsibility. The absence of fences and unattached furniture are proof of this. Personally, I enjoy being able to walk out of the office and in a minute be able to dip my hands in the earthworm-infested dirttea," says Bára Tůmová, who runs the cultural and educational centre Přístav 7.
"Many of the seniors who come to Port 7 live alone and are happy that we are expanding our activities beyond the classroom. You plant something and the next time you see it grow. It's such a tangible joy," says Dagmar Haladová, who leads the lectures that are intrinsic to Botanicule. Dagmar herself says that she would like to see herself as a guide who leaves people free and just helps them figure out how to garden in the city in a meaningful way, with common sense and without chemicals. Those interested in gardening can look forward to regular expert lectures, meeting mentors, advice and new experiences. " The relaxation area with benches is not fenced off and is therefore a place for everyone to relax. And people from the neighbourhood have already got used to playing petanque here," adds Dagmar Haladová.
What the seniors themselves say about the garden
"I live in a nice area of Prague in a house from the beginning of the last century. Our yard is small, concrete, and I can't even have a miniature garden on the windowsill outside the window because of the overpopulated pigeons. I thought the idea of building a community garden in an original way on the lawn in containers between beautiful houses was great. I hope it will provide a meeting place for people who want to plant flowers, herbs, all sorts ofvegetables and fruits, to take care of them, to enjoy how they grow, and to get to know each other at the same time. If our backs hurt, we can sit there or go play petanque and maybe even sing," he adds. Monika Pošívalová, a senior who regularly attends Elpida courses and is also a singer in the Elpida choir.
To whom is Botanicula open
Seniors from Port 7, people from the neighbourhood and anyone who is interested. A prerequisite for involvement is the ability to care for the garden on a regular basis and to meet with others for an organizational meeting at least 1× a month. In short, Botanicula looks forward to welcoming all enthusiasts.
Anyone interested in gardening can contact the reception of Port 7 in person, by e-mail or by phone: Jankovcova 8b ~ +420 222 264 846 ~ pristav7@elpida.cz
What you may not have known about community gardens
The number of community gardens, where people grow vegetables and are united by a common effort, is growing (if we stay in botanical terminology) like mushrooms after the rain. In Prague alone, according to MAPKO, a map of community gardens and composting sites from the Kokoza association, there are currently 28 community gardens. And 628 in the whole Czech Republic.
Why community gardens are enriching
- They develop communities, forming relationships between people of different generations, religions and ethnic backgrounds. - They create new friendships, people learn to work together and make democratic decisions. - It offers opportunities for active recreation in gardening, for which there is no space in public green spaces.- People can obtain food for their own consumption at little cost.- They are often established in vacant lots, unused parking lots or brownfield sites, revitalizing these areas and creating new areas of urban green space.- Urban green spaces help to reduce air temperature, create a more pleasant microclimate, and improve environmental hygiene. A functional urban green system allows organisms to migrate.- Community gardens are an alternative to conventional agriculture, with growers turning to organic or permaculture farming.- Community gardens are also linked to lifestyle changes. Residents are more interested in protecting the environment.- In areas where urban community gardens are located, there is not only greater cooperation and neighbourhood support, but also a reduction in crime and drug use. (Armstrong 2000)*Source.
History of community gardens
During the Depression of 1893, Detroit Mayor Hazen Pingree offered people the use of vacant lots as gardens to grow crops. The food was used for direct consumption and for sale. The success of this program led to similar programs in other cities-New York, Chicago, and Boston.
The community garden movement from the 1970s to today
In the 1970s, interest in community gardening grew primarily as an expression of urban activism and a new environmental ethic. Programs such as those in New York City (Green Guerrillas) and Boston (Urban Gardeners) began to emerge. These programs encouraged local cultivation of vegetables and other crops, first in sixteen and later in twenty-three cities. In 1978, activists from across the country joined together to form a non-profit organization called the "Vegetable Garden Society. Today, we can find all kinds of community gardens abroad and here. They can be neighborhood community gardens, children's gardens, educational gardens, urban gardens and composting facilities, etc. (Lawson, 2009).
Contact for media
Lada Brůnová ~ lada.brunova@elpida.cz ~ +420 739 659 456
Elpida means hope in Greek. But it is also the name of an organization that helps seniors become a confident and respected part of society. In the spirit of the motto Old's Cool, Elpida is changing the way people look at old age - it runs the Elpida Educational and Cultural Centre for seniors fromPrague and the Senior Crisis Line, founded the brand Socks from Grandma, publishes the magazine VITAL, and organises the intergenerational Old's Cool festival. In short, she is trying to make Czech seniors lead a full & happy life.