Confessions of an urban gardener

The many community gardens scattered around Helsinki are oases of wellbeing. Neither my family nor I myself have ever owned our own house, yard, cottage or car, yet my mother and I are still gardeners and farmers. From April until September, we spend every Sunday at our allotment in Helsinki's Haaga district which my mother has been renting from the Hyötykasviyhdistys NGO ('Association for Useful Plants') for over twenty years already.

Urban gardener

Helsinki's green oases - allotment gardens

Woman watering plants in a city allotment

The floral bloom of the gardens is a sight to behold from the sandy pathways crisscrossing the garden plots. The outdoor spaces with their swings, meadows and benches can be enjoyed by all. 

Helsinki's green oases: 9 allotment gardens 

In Helsinki, you are never far away from nature. Lovely Helsinki parks cover one third of the city and are located in the most beautiful spots in Helsinki.

Lovely parks in Helsinki

Top reasons to visit Helsinki in summer

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The many community gardens scattered around Helsinki are oases of wellbeing. Design historian Kaisu Savola shares stories of her life as an urban gardener.  ...