Allotment gardens Nieuwenhove

In the context of the Legendal project, the Flemish Land Agency and the municipality of Oostkamp have also worked on the construction of an allotment park in addition to a play zone and an off-leash meadow for dogs. In this new zone there is room for about 40 small gardens that can be rented by residents of Oostkamp. The allotment gardens are managed by Tuinhier Groot-Oostkamp.

In the autumn of 2018, the municipality of Oostkamp submitted an application to the Flemish Government for subsidies for an allotment garden project. The Municipality of Oostkamp will receive the maximum amount of 15,000 euros for the design of this zone.

The non-profit organization Tuinhier is presented to the City Council as a party to take on the practical organization of the allotment gardens. They organize the rental and monitor compliance with the agreements. They also help ensure good coordination with the local residents and a positive image to the residents of Oostkamp. The paths and surroundings around the allotments are maintained by the municipal green service.

The gardens will have a surface area between 50 and 110 m² and depending on that size between 40 and 50 euros per year in rent. To rent an allotment garden, you must be a resident of the municipality of Oostkamp. A demo garden will be set up on a number of plots, where local associations can give demonstrations or propose example plantings.

A common storage area for materials will be available to users. In addition, there are also 4 wells with hand pumps where users can get water for their plot. Tuinhier vzw also plans to set up a communal composting area on the site.

Anyone who rents such an allotment garden can grow vegetables, herbs or small fruit on it. The cultivation process strives for sustainable management and no chemical weed killers or pesticides are used. A number of potential tenants are already known who will be contacted by Tuinhier regarding the lease. An agreement is drawn up every year, but is tacitly renewed. Residents of Oostkamp who are interested can submit their application via the e-counter on the website oostkamp.be.

Jan de Keyser, mayor: “ Allotment gardens are a solution for residents who do not have a garden at home. In this way, you can still enjoy home-grown vegetables or fruit. But the aspect of social contact should also not be overlooked in such a project. The owners meet and become neighbors as it were. In this way, the project also strengthens social cohesion within the municipality. In addition, there is also an educational and sustainable aspect to this project, as associations can use the demo gardens to teach techniques to other garden enthusiasts or to schools. The project therefore represents added value for Oostkamp on several levels. We are pleased that Tuinhier vzw wants to contribute to this great project. They not only have knowledge and expertise, but above all a passion for the garden. ”

Willem Vandenameele