Hyphen 73 News from the Federation Fédération Internationale des Jardins Familiaux association sans but lucratif | June 2021 Hyphen 73 | 2021 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of contents: Leading Article Pride as unifying element 3 The “Why” Finland: We are proud of our annual gardening course 4 Sweden: We are proud of our programme for sustainable gardening 6 France: We are proud of our design office 8 France: We are proud of our scientific commission 10 Luxembourg: We are proud of the allotment garden movement during the Corona pandemic and its numerous functions 12 Austria: We are proud of the contribution of women’s expert groups to the development of the allotment movement 14 Diplomas The allotment association “Älvtomta” in Örebro (SE) received the diploma for innovative projects 17 The allotment association “Orten odlar” in Stockholm (SE) received the diploma for innovative projects 18 The allotment association “Amis de la Fleur Belvaux”(L) received the diploma for innovative projects 21 Addresses 23 Impressum 24 Hyphen 73 | 2021 2 LEADING ARTICLE Pride as unifying element Mag.a Sylvia Wohatschek Central Federation of Allotment Gardeners of Austria allotment gardens. For one thing is isation? I wonder if the idea of goats certainly true: the international allot- for landscape maintenance could also ment gardens are as diverse as the be implemented in Vienna? nations in which they are located. The International Federation, as an um- But let me also take up another aspect brella organisation, unites allotment that cannot be ignored at the moment. gardens ranging from pure vegetable The Corona pandemic has decisively gardens to gardens with weekend cot- changed all our lives in the past year tages to main residences; from purely and beyond. We have faced unprec- recreational places to places of con- edented challenges, deprivation and scious, healthy eating; from sparse uncertainty. planting to the highest biodiversity. For many of us, the allotment garden However, no matter how the allotment was even more than usual a precious gardens are designed, we all carry our refuge, a place of balance and a space idea of the allotment garden move- for activity in the fresh air. Mag.a Sylvia Wohatschek ment into society and we do this with a great deal of dedication and pride. In these times it is not always easy to We do this not only on a national level, look at the positives. Dear allotment gardeners! but also in the international context of our International Federation. During That is precisely why it is so nice to You are now virtually holding the third our meetings we exchange experienc- have given the positives so much issue of the „Hyphen“ in your hands, es, collect ideas and take them home space to present themselves in these which is dedicated to the theme of with us and work out joint strategies three issues of the „Hyphen“. „pride“. You could and can learn a lot to make the allotment garden move- about the colourful, diverse world of ment even more visible and to let And one thing must not be forgotten - European and Japanese allotment many people participate in our pride. dear allotment gardeners - we are all gardens in these three issues. part of this community and, therefore, And we have every right to be proud! we can all be proud of what our com- The fact that the theme „We are proud As you have read in the last three is- munity is able to achieve. of...“ could fill three issues shows the sues, there is a seemingly inexhaust- dedication with which the allotment ible variety of ideas, concepts and In that sense, enjoy reading and stay gardens are worked on. activities to be discovered in the allot- healthy! ment garden organisations. Perhaps It is not a given that you have the op- you too would like to take up one or Mag.a Sylvia Wohatschek portunity to read about such different two interesting ideas for your organ- Hyphen 73 | 2021 3 THE WHY Finland: We are proud of our annual gardening course Text: Maylis Karjalainen, Anne Mattsson Photos: Anne Mattsson The schoolhouse at the campus. The attendants of the course 2019 in front of the schoolhouse. In 1949 the Finnish Federation of Al- course in taking care of an allotment The range of topics is wide, ranging lotment Gardens held its first garden- garden. The course is tailored to al- from growing fruit, berries and veg- ing course for members. The 72nd lotment gardeners with an emphasis etables to perennials and annuals. It course took place again early spring on basic gardening methods as well covers plant diseases, garden pests, 2020 in co-operation with Häme Uni- as ecological practices and recycling. garden design and maintenance. Stu- versity of Applied Sciences, previously dents spend a day out in the orchard Lepaa Gardening School, which has Over the years there have been two learning to cut apple trees and berry been the service provider since the courses; one for beginners, another bushes – they even learn grafting. beginning. for more advanced gardeners. Nowa- days the course takes five weekdays The feedback from the course has Over the years more than 1000 mem- and twenty-five students can take always been enthusiastic. Students bers from across Finland have en- part. Thanks to its excellent reputa- continue to praise the teachers for joyed the fresh country air of Lepaa tion, it fills up quickly and often has their professionalism, the Lepaa cam- campus grounds while getting a crash a long waiting line. The price, a mere pus for its surroundings as well as the 130 € including room and board, is a room and board. A highlight they al- strong inducement, too. The Federa- ways point out is getting to meet other tion subsidises the course by more allotment gardeners. than 50 %. Students receive three study points for the course, its title in What I gained from the the University curriculum being ‘Ad- course at Lepaa vice to Hobby Gardeners’. I was energised and felt more assured after the tightly scheduled five-day course. The teachers are very pro- fessional both regarding their field of “Lepaan Mamselli” – the Mam’sell of expertise as well as pedagogically. Lepaa, a landmark at the campus Conversations with other allotment Hyphen 73 | 2021 4 THE WHY gardeners were a bonus. As one of the teachers said: “true learning means that once you learn something new, you cannot revert to old ways of thinking”. For instance, when you un- derstand how a berry bush grows, you make sure to plant it deep enough. Anne Mattsson, Lepaa 2019 Representatives of the Finnish Federation of Allotment Gardens tra- A video filmed during the course 2019 ditionally visit the course on the first Eija Rekola - the head teacher of the (credit to Anne Mattsson) is availa- day and serve the students some course for the last 10 years. ble on the Finnish Federation’s You- delicious cakes. Tube-channel – ‘Suomen Siirtolapuu- tarhaliitto’. Unfortunately the video is in Finnish and without subtitles. The accommodation facilities are modest. In the beginning of April 2019 the weather was a bit harsh for training cutting apple trees in the orchard. Teamwork at the course. The students found a familiar magazine in the campus library. Hyphen 73 | 2021 5 THE WHY Sweden: We are proud of our programme for sustainable gardening The Swedish Allotment Society’s Certificate of sustainability Ingrid Rogblad Swedish Allotment Federation Twenty years ago, the Swedish Allot- sation, as well as in collaboration with points through a number of steps with ment Federation started a programme Studiefrämjandet, one of Sweden’s different criteria. for raising and spreading knowledge largest associations for adult educa- about sustainable and environmental- tion. We want to put an emphasis on For example: ly friendly gardening. The goal is to the learning process in the field of sus- Avoid artificial fertilizers and pesti- inspire to ecological knowledge and tainable gardening. Learning together, cides. Use natural manure and gar- change. Up to now some 40 associa- on a free basis, is a wonderful way to den waste to produce your own tions, among our 230 member asso- make positive changes and while hav- perfect soil. Cover open soil with ma- ciations, have obtained the certificate. ing a good time. The aim is to double terials such as cut grass, straw, wood But we aim for more. the amount of certified member asso- chips, keeping humidity and prevent- ciations until 2024. ing weeds. The programme has now been updat- ed to match today’s reality. We have We stress the links to the Agenda Weeds, diseases and pests can be made the material more accessible 2030 by raising knowledge about how prevented with planting resistant spe- and we are more actively communi- the global goals can be interpreted in cies, mixing greens and flowers in the cating it to all our members. The ma- garden life. The work towards obtain- land and creating a crop rotation. terial is distributed within our organi- ing the certificate is made byachieving Hyphen 73 | 2021 6 THE WHY Promote biodiversity, the base of all ering soil with organic mulch doing Sustainability has always been cru- life, with flowering plants throughout smart irrigation and water harvesting. cial during times of crisis and hun- the season, from early spring until Solar panels can cut energy costs in ger. These last months we have ex- late autumn, nests for pollinators and the long run. Sharing services can re- perienced that our society has proven birds, a pond, dead wood and stones. duce consumption. to be quite vulnerable. To take care of Let part of the lawn become a flower- a piece of land and be able to grow ing meadow.