All 1,300 Plots of Gangdong-gu Community Garden Fully Subscribed Within a Day

Enjoying the Fun of Growing Healthy Food... Experiencing the Popularity of Eco-Friendly Urban Agriculture

Garden-type vegetable garden in Gangil equipped with a gazebo and tables

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) operates the ‘Eco-friendly Urban Garden,’ which is gaining increasing popularity among residents.

Not only can residents grow fresh and healthy food directly in the city, but they can also enjoy emotional healing by being close to nature.

Reflecting its popularity, applications for this year’s urban garden plots were fully booked within a day. Originally, applications were to be accepted for 10 days starting February 17, but all 1,300 plots in Gangil, Gildong, Amsa, Sangil, Iljasan, and other areas were filled on the first day. Due to a surge in applications from new apartment residents, over 500 people are currently on the waiting list.

In particular, Gangil Garden-style Urban Garden (Gangil-dong 33-3), the only garden-style urban garden among Seoul’s autonomous districts, saw a high competition rate of 13 to 1. This site is popular every year as it offers a spacious 80㎡ area with individual pavilions and tables.

A resident selected for the garden-style urban garden said, “I’m so happy to have my own garden villa in the city. This year, I want to fill my table with eco-friendly healthy food that I grow myself,” expressing their anticipation.

A district official stated, “Urban gardens have consistently been loved by residents, but especially this year, the response was very enthusiastic due to the rapid increase in new apartment move-ins nearby. We plan to expand the gardens so that more residents can experience urban agriculture.”

The urban gardens will open on March 28 and operate until December 6. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the district has canceled the usual pre-farming education and garden opening events, and instead plans to offer beginner farmer education in April and May.

Participants will receive organic fertilizer distributed at the garden for two weeks starting from the garden opening day on March 28, along with a gardening guidebook to substitute for pre-education. Seeds and seedlings will not be sold separately, so prior preparation is necessary.

Gildong Garden

For more details, visit the Gangdong-gu Urban Agriculture Portal (www.gangdong.go.kr/cityfarm) or contact the district office’s Urban Agriculture Division at ☎3425-6550.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.