• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

DIPLOMAS The Herttoniemi Allotment Garden Association ”Herttoniemen siirtolapuutarhayhdistys” in Helsinki (FI) received the diploma for innovative projects “Give the Flowers and Plants 2019, but the Finnish Federation want- 1946. Today the allotment garden is a New Life” -project ed to apply for a diploma already now located next to the Metro track and The project “Give the flowers and – on one hand, in order to thank the the bustling Eastern highway, adjacent plants a new life” ‘is carried out in co- association for the work already done to both the old and new Herttoniemi operation with the municipally owned and, on the other hand, to give encour- living areas, and the conservation ar- Itäkeskus service home for elderly. agement for the future tasks. eas of Kivinokka and Viikki. This unique project is a good example The association: Herttoniemen The nine allotment gardens in Helsin- of how an allotment garden associa- siirtolapuutarhayhdistys ki are unique and historically valuable tion can also enrich the environment The Herttoniemi Allotment Garden green areas in the urban structure. All outside the area it manages. By hard Association, founded in 1934, man- the gardens are classified as public work and with plant donations, the al- ages a 7.5 ha area with 182 plots, all parks. On their own site the allotment lotment gardeners of the Herttoniemi equipped with a small cottage. The gardeners in Herttoniemi delight the association have improved the habitat allotment site was originally estab- bypassers with beautiful flowering of the more than 100 elderly living in lished outside Helsinki, in the city’s gardens. The plots also include sev- a service home. rural municipality that nowadays is a eral apple trees and other fruit trees, city called Vantaa. Herttoniemi was raspberry benches, berry shrubs and a The project will further continue in annexed to the city of Helsinki on diversity of herb and kitchen gardens. Hyphen 68 | 2019 20 DIPLOMAS A request for assistance was sent In addition to the Herttoniemi allot- to the Finnish Federation that fur- ment gardeners, plants and seeds ther directed it to the allotment gar- were also donated by Marjaniemi den associations in Herttoniemi and allotment gardeners, Hyötykasviyh- Marjaniemi, located near the service distys (The Useful Plants Association) house. Both associations welcomed and private persons. the request and met the challenge. Besides the renovation of the plant- Carrying out the project ing area, a low-lying area by the wall The Marjaniemi association provided was rebuilt, with herbs and perennials the service house with some plants, planted. A small tree was poured out but unfortunately the association did of the garden and the berry bushes not have resources to participate in that were already there were moved the project more broadly. to give the garden a clearer space for the residents of the service house – After discussions and a visit to the for playing and staying. Itäkeskus facility, the allotment gar- deners of Herttoniemi stated that the The project continued in the spring of desolated garden needs soil, watering, 2019, with the intention of renovating new plants and a big amount of work. smaller planting areas and adding It was agreed to first renovate the larg- compact cultivation of herbs to the est planting area in the yard. It is a garden. visible ensemble and the inhabitants are often seated beside it. The Hert- toniemi Allotment Garden Association promised to help with planning, peren- nials, work and counselling. The experts at the Allotment Garden The service home: Association made a garden plan for Itäkeskuksen palvelutalo the service house and gathered, with- The Itäkeskus service house, owned in their allotment site, plenty of plants by the city of Helsinki, consists of 3 that were delivered to the facility. The group homes and 51 service apart- plantation area was renovated with ments, as well as a daytime unit. ’talkoot’ (voluntary work), to which in The group homes – called Calendu- addition to the Herttoniemi allotment la, Cornflower and Dandelion – each gardeners also the service house resi- have 13-14 inhabitants with memo- dents and staff were invited. The hard ry disorders. The service house has work was done by the allotment gar- common lounges, a dining room and deners, the service house instructor sauna facilities, as well as outdoor ac- and her family. The residents of the tivities in the yard and garden. service house participated in planting flower bulbs and overseeing the pro- Project background gress of the work. The social instructor of the Itäkeskus service house actively searched for At the widest point of the planting partners, who could help in the vast area, large plants of flowering peren- and wild garden area of the facility. nials of different colours were placed. The city of Helsinki did not allocate Otherwise, the planting area was filled funds for this purpose. The facility with plants giving variety and attrac- wanted donations of seeds and per- tiveness. Altogether more than forty ennial seedlings to create a comfort- different varieties of perennials were able garden to enhance the wellbeing planted. of the memory disordered and other elderly inhabitants. Hyphen 68 | 2019 21.

Load more

  2

Copy Link