Interest in gardening in the Czech Republic is growing, but the number of new plots is not increasing much

Prague – The interest in gardening in the Czech Republic is growing, especially among young gardeners with families. However, those interested in the release of land in gardening colonies often wait several years. While the number of gardening colonies has stabilized after a previous decline, many new ones are not being established. The creation of a new fully-fledged gardening colony is currently quite administratively and financially demanding. This comes from statements by the Czech Gardening Union and experts approached by ČTK.

According to Barbora Duží from the Geonics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, about half of the population in the Czech Republic currently engages in gardening, while in 2020 the share was around 40 percent. "Most gardening takes place at houses, apartment buildings, and cottages. Approximately eight to ten percent of growers utilize gardening colonies," Duží stated.

The Czech Gardening Union also confirms interest in gardening. "There are very few places in the Czech Republic where gardens are not utilized. There can be years, perhaps even several decades, of waiting for land to be released for rent," said Stanislav Kozlík, the union's chairman.

In the past, a significant problem was the decline of gardening colonies. According to union data, around 2,000 gardening colonies disappeared between 2009 and 2019, representing roughly 3,500 hectares of agricultural land. According to Kozlík, the situation has stabilized, and the decline is occurring mainly due to changes in zoning plans. Duží also believes that the greatest decline in colonies is coming to an end. "The most significant developmental and other transformations of cities that resulted in the cancellation of gardening colonies have already occurred," she pointed out.

According to Anna Vinklárková, an expert from the ecological organization Arnika, many gardening colonies in Prague currently face threats. Cities should map how existing gardens function and identify potential locations for their new establishment. At the same time, they should actively purchase land instead of selling it and regulate the territory.

Duží claims that the administrative and financial demands are the main obstacles to the establishment of new colonies. "This may involve the purchase of land, issuing zoning decisions, and obtaining various permits. There is also not as much free space that is accessible for public transport users," she noted. However, the Metropolitan Plan of Prague, according to the spokesperson of the Institute of Planning and Development, Marek Vácha, suggests preserving functional gardening colonies and views them as one of Prague's phenomena. The plan also proposes, based on discussions, the creation of new colonies.

According to Kozlík and Duží, some colonies are being replaced by so-called community gardens, which are smaller and require only the establishment of an association and leasing land near an apartment building or in an inner courtyard. A summary research report on community gardens indicates that 84 to 95 percent of urban residents support the establishment of a garden. "According to most city representatives, the establishment of gardens should remain a grassroots initiative. However, some representatives would like to decide where gardens should be established and, in some cases, even about the rules governing their operation," researchers wrote.

Kozlík explains the growing interest in gardening by stating that people value knowing what they harvest and eat. However, Duží points out that many gardens are being transformed for recreational use. "We recommend that municipalities maintain control over public lands and support long-term leases to preserve the original purpose of the gardens," she added.

The price for renting colonies or gardens depends on the location and facilities. Generally, according to Kozlík, land costs about the same as a building plot.