Since September 2021 we have been among the lucky Berliners who have been able to cultivate an allotment garden.

Such systems also serve the purpose of growing your own fruit and vegetables. We took over the piece of leased land from our previous lessee with a charming arbor, but little designed outdoor facilities.

There were no flower beds, just a few trees and shrubs that have suffered from the dry summers of recent years, some grassland and a fox's den.

In the first autumn and winter, the stand was cleared in stages and intensive soil preparation was carried out. In addition to the organic waste that accumulated, autumn leaves, horse manure and clay were also incorporated. We built deadwood hedges from larger branches and twigs.

The fox left, it got too restless for him, but soon a couple of hedgehogs came.

In the spring of 2022 we then started sowing on a larger scale. We were very interested in using the entire garden for a whole year, but only on a limited budget. A box full of seeds worth around 100 euros was the basis for designing 350 square meters from March onwards. Gradually, the first trees and shrubs migrated into the garden, and I was given dahlia bulbs. So this first season, which we are still in, is a time of collecting, but also of getting to know our garden.

Due to the constant change (sowing, harvesting, undermining failures, re-seeding, placing the first permanent plants...) this year with the "temporary garden" is a particularly exciting one, as many varied planting images are created.

Even plants that I would never have put together before create great contrasts. A group of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), in the intermediate quarters, is currently standing between the kale and looks fabulous.

My advice to everyone is to take the time to experiment. I already miss this situation a bit, even if the ideas for permanent planting themes are already maturing in the back of my mind.