Feierabendgarten
Urban Gardening at UFZ Leipzig
Gardening close to nature
is an important contribution to the preservation of biodiversity: the cultivation of fruit, vegetables and herbs supports various insect species: pollinating insects collect pollen and nectar from the flowers, butterfly caterpillars such as the cabbage white butterfly find food on the leaves and the substrate provides a habitat for beetle larvae for several years. The insects as well as faded seed heads provide food for birds and small mammals. But gardening is also good for people ...
- Effect on biodiversity: The cultivation of vegetables and herbs is particularly beneficial for pollinating insects. But ground-dwelling molluscs and insects - such as butterfly larvae and bugs - also find food and a habitat here.
- Effect on the workforce: In addition to the proven recreational effect of spending time in green nature, gardening is considered a relaxing activity that also literally bears fruit. You can also get to know other colleagues, regardless of their area of expertise or group of people, by tending the beds together and swapping crops or seeds.
How does it work?
The employees of the UFZ Leipzig have 5 raised beds at their disposal. At the beginning of each year, interested parties can apply by e-mail for the season. The beds are allocated by lottery from all the applications received. Depending on demand, the beds can be allocated to two parties, who each cultivate only one half of the bed. Gardeners are required to refrain from using pesticides, chemical fertilizers and invasive plants, otherwise they are completely free to design and maintain their own beds. A small selection of gardening tools, a composter and 10 additional planting bags for expansion are available at all times; a separate Zoom channel can be used to exchange information and organize a vacation replacement, for example.
Appreciation for Feierabendgarten
The "Feierabendgarten" project was awarded a recognition prize in the company gardens category of the nationwide planting competition organized by the Stiftung für Mensch und Umwelt (Foundation for People and the Environment).
The project comprises five raised beds at the Leipzig site, which have been available to employees since summer 2024 and are intended to support biodiversity. The project was funded by EMAS and completed with the help of UFZ employee volunteers.