Case study: Vegetable garden in Vilnius commercial centre
Photo acknowledgement: https://zalias.vilnius.lt/
- General public
- Outdoor
- Gardening / school garden / allotment, Hands-on activity
- Lithuania
Vegetable garden in Vilnius commercial centre
In the spring of 2023, a 700-square-metre vegetable garden featuring edible vegetables, flowers, and herbs was established at the site of a former flower garden in the commercial centre of Vilnius in Lithuania. This initiative involved landscapers, local kindergarten and primary school children, employees of nearby commercial companies, and the local community.
Objective
The objective is to offer an alternative method of city decoration while educating citizens, particularly children, about edible plants and herbs.
Approach
This project marks the first instance of such a large vegetable garden being planted in Vilnius. While smaller community gardens exist, none have been as extensive or centrally located. The garden features a variety of plants, including tomatoes, pumpkins, cabbage, beans, corn, chard, courgettes, beetroot, lettuce, mint, nasturtiums, and marigolds, all of which are available for picking. Educational aspects cover soil health and quality, as well as the optimal conditions for growing different plants. The garden has fostered community involvement, with local shop employees helping to maintain the space by picking up rubbish and preventing vandalism. In the autumn, a harvest festival was organised with children participating.
This initiative provides an opportunity for city residents to learn about the cultivation of edible plants and herbs, as well as the necessary conditions for their growth, such as soil health, fertilisation, and watering.