Kolonilotter

I was on a museum outing in the city of Landskrona earlier this summer when I came upon the amazing little garden plots shown below! And being the person that I am, I was fascinated by the "shire" like quality of it (as in The Shire of Middle Earth, as described by JRR Tolkien). Granted there's no round doors or homes recessed into the earth -- but the tidy, bucolic, miniature-ness of the gardens smacked of hobbits to me.

Kolonilotter, or "allotment gardens", can be found in many of Sweden's cities with denser populations. Researching online, seems like this European tradition was imported into Sweden in the late 1800's. (For more info here's a Wiki link and a blog posting with a great description of allotment gardens, their history, and the blogger's enthusiasm/obsession about it.) I'm guessing an area of the city was set aside and then divided into small tracts which was then leased out to individuals. With both city populations and industrialization increasing, it was thought these allotment gardens would be a healthy diversion for residents to connect with nature and also supplement their food supply with home-grown fruits and vegetables. 

The kolonilotter seems to serve the same purpose today. The little gardens are basically a rented backyard. Most of the little sheds/cabins are without electricity and running water and not intended for habitation. But in some cities apparently some of the little cabins can serve as a summer residence. 

In Staffanstorp I (Roger really) chatted up some of the gardeners. After 50 or so years of existence, the Staffanstorp kolonilotter will be translocated within the year further away from the city center to make way for "development." The two older ladies we spoke with seemed a bit sad, but resigned, about leaving behind their little gardens that they have nurtured so lovingly for years. Another lady told us after unloading a bag of fresh-picked plums on us, that there has been some push back and the "developments" will be appealed and perhaps delayed. I've got my fingers crossed.

Thinking about the kolonilotter, and San Francisco's beautiful community gardens, and the rooftop garden at Alamo School where I used to work tended by parents, students and dear Mrs. Ames, and Amy Franchesini's Victory Gardens project -- makes me think about how many of us have this need to feel connected to growing things and the cycles of nature. 

In Sweden, supporting that connection seems more embedded in the culture; perhaps linked to the long winters and the corresponding fanatical appreciation of summer. But I like to think that more people in U.S. cities are recognizing that need for connection to nature and food, and perhaps new, intriguing trends and traditions will "grow" in this direction. One can hope.

So neat and tidy! Am I right, can't you see a hobbit wandering
through this scene?! This garden is in Landskrona.

Some of the gardens are the summer home
away from home, but just across town! (Landskrona)

Complete with orderly walkways, fences and gates. (Landskrona)

Some of the gardens in Staffanstorp have been abandoned
as people anticipate the imminent demolition of this location.

And with gardens being abandoned, some Staffanstorp gardeners
 have seized the opportunity to expand their area into 2 plots!

Yep, that's corn stalks! I chatted with this gardener, a sweet
lady, who said she is able to grow her entire summer produce
needs and shares the excess with her grandchildren.
Ruby got to pick a few tomatoes with her too!