I pass this place on my daily walk. So, one day, i just went in to check what it was. Himmelbeet is a community garden on the intersection of Leopaldplats and Ruheplatzstasse, in the heart of Berlin's Wedding area. That was a few months back. Although I had seen it from inside I still didnot know what and who it was for. The other day, i made it my business to go and find out. This is what I came to know. I am so glad I took out time; it is such a beautiful concept and the place is so well maintained.
Hummelbeet is a social enterprise. This community garden is seasonal, open from April to
October; from morning till late evening.
It is open to everyone. You can volunteer, you can hang out,
you can meet people, you can learn about plants and vegetables etc. there is no
entry fee, no charges.
There are about 30 people who are m aintaining this community garden centre. Part of the funding is by the state and rest is raised by the sale of greens and vegetables, seedlings, rent of the planter boxes etc. There are different groups incharge of Build, garden, events, finance etc.
Once you enter, on the left is a huge bulletin board giving information
on all the activities and events that take place there. Past this the very
attractive information and sales point.
There is nothing as refreshing as a bowl of fresh salad. Fresh
greens and salad is picked and stored in the refrigerator, everyday.
It is sold to from the Information and sales counter. You
can also pick any combination of the greens that you like. They will weigh it
and give you. Is not it simply super!!!
Along with greens, they also cultivate fresh mushrooms.
Himmelbeet
grows seedlings and they are also for sale. They use half the area for their
plants.
All the dry and wet garbage from the garden goes into
composting. They started warm composting recently.
Thursdays are open pizza days. They built a Pizza oven recently. One can take one's dough, toppings and
bake their own pizza and eat in the garden. How nice is it!!!
They have an interesting building made of wood and packing
crates and it is a restaurant and canteen; is open from 2 pm on weekdays and from
11 am on weekends. You can get beer, soft drinks, coffee, and salads..
A sand pit for the kids to play and assorted eco friendly seating for the adults. The furniture is either donated or made on site with packing boxes or wooden pellets.
There is space for music events and such. On weekends you will see sizeable crowd enjoying the music in the lush green surroundings.
There is a workshop for building the furniture, planter boxes, trellises or anything else they may need for the garden. Everything is made or up-cycled right there.
An interesting restroom complex in the corner, blending naturally in the surroundings. Who can resist mushrooms and fresh greens for a salad? not me.
Wednesdays are exclusively for volunteers. Anyone wants to volunteer, can go at 2 pm and work on the current project.
You can spend one whole day soaking in the smells and
ambience of the herbs, vegetables, plants, flowers and like-minded people. Himmelbeet
is environment friendly and ecologically sustainable, a getaway in the middle
of the bustling city.
