Garden plots in Erkelenz
:
A field for hobby gardeners
–
Even the youngest members of the family helped over the past year to do the preparatory work for growing vegetables in Geneiken.
Photo: Laaser, Jürgen (jl)
–
–
Erkelenz Farmer Frank Wilms leased small garden plots to private individuals in Geneiken last year. Because the demand was huge, there is now even more acreage this year.
Not everyone who would like to can cultivate their own vegetable garden. Frank Wilms fulfills the wish of many people to have their own garden, even if their own living conditions do not make it possible. The farmer is again offering temporary garden plots on an area in Geneiken. After last year’s great success, when all 84 plots were quickly allocated, Wilms has increased the cultivation area and now has 100 pieces between 25 and 100 square meters available.
–
“Many garden friends from last year have stayed with us,” says Wilms, “but there are still a few plots available.” Some of the temporary gardeners came and still come from Mönchengladbach, Krefeld and Düsseldorf to the north of Erkelenz. But there were those who came from Schwanenberg with kith and kin to their plot on foot. All gardens are stocked in the same way. 30 different plants will thrive and provide healthy food. It starts with radishes, goes through potatoes and courgettes to kohlrabi and Brussels sprouts.
–
“Every garden enthusiast is responsible for his own plot,” emphasizes the farmer. He does give tips and assistance where necessary, but in principle everyone should be the blacksmith of their own fortune. Anyone who lets the weeds grow or neglects to water should not be surprised if the yield in the vegetable garden is lower than that of the neighbours. Wilms creates the basis, lays out the beds, sows the plants, provides a water pipe and also has some gardening tools ready.
–
Cars and bicycles can be parked on a parking space next to the fenced area. This year’s large garden differs from last year’s not only in size. He also moved to a field across the street in Geneiken. “In this way I avoid soil fatigue, which would affect the yield,” explains Frank Wilms. There will be no support from artificial fertilizers and chemicals.
–
“The yield was enormous last year,” Wilms recalls. The allotment gardeners lugged the garden fruits home in abundance, because the weather, sun, rain and wind played their part. “We only had a few problems with late blight on the potatoes, but we were able to harvest here too.” Many a successful hobby gardener discovered his green thumb there, which he didn’t even know he had.
–
Healthy, natural nutrition and spending time in the great outdoors were reasons for the plot tenants to take part, as well as not having their own garden. The corona pandemic and rising vegetable prices are other aspects that make individuals, couples or families take advantage of the Wilms range. There is also conviviality, many contacts and the opportunity to exchange information and swap vegetables. Some people prefer cauliflower to leek. The garden’s own vegetable exchange is exactly the right place for the exchange.
–
“It starts on May 1st, then I will hand over the responsibility for the prepared plots to the tenants,” says Frank Wilms. Until October 31st, hobby gardeners can experience and enjoy growing and thriving, harvesting and eating. And some will still be able to live off the fruit they have grown late in winter.
–
Frank Wilms provides further information at www.gesund-undgartenfrisch.de and by e-mail and [email protected].
–
–
