This colorful garden, located in the middle of Berlin, is the former location of the Tempelhof airport. Rather than welcoming plane after plane on concrete runways, some 800 gardeners now come here to plant and harvest.
In community gardens such as this one at the former Tempelhof Airport, it's not important who grows the biggest tomato. It's the group that counts: The gardeners look after each other's plants, but each one gets to enjoy the yield from their own garden. Here, city dwellers experience first-hand that produce doesn't come from the supermarket.
The vegetables grown here in Andernach are available to the public. Gardens likes these are found around the city and locals can come and pick what they need for free. Not only does it look good, it tastes good too.
Small home gardens are not a new trend. Nearly 200 years ago, poor city dwellers in Germany started growing egetables on small plots of land when food was scarce. Even after the shortage was over, the gardens remained. Today there are almost one million small gardens in Germany where locals can rent fenced plots.
In many German cities there is limited space for gardening. One solution: rooftop gardens. According to experts, large, green roofs can positively influence the local urban climate and also offer a vibrant skyline. The roof of the Art and Exhibition Hall in Bonn is not only green, it's creative. Exhibitions are held there regularly. Right now, the International Bird Airport is on display.
Bees are an essential part of nature, but finding a home for a beehive in the city can prove difficult. The initiative Berlin Buzzing has provided help by placing a beehive in the Berlin Cathedral. From here, bees can buzz around the capital and pollinate the local green spaces.
This public plant bed has a sponsor. The Cologne tree and flower bed sponsor group helps remove trash, loosen soil, and water thirsty plants around the city. Government funding is scarce for constant maintenance, so the sponsors ensure neglected beds get the attention they need.
Rebellious nature advocates are now greening their cities with seed bombs.The one pictured here is a mixture of seeds, compost and clay powder used to sow plants in inaccessible areas. Simply choose a target, throw the bomb and the seeds are scattered. With a bit of luck, rain will fall and a plant may sprout up.
The city of Munich is so colorful that guerrilla gardeners are not needed here. It is common practice to plant flowers in unused spaces. If all of Germany followed this example the country would be very colorful.
It's not a coincidence that garden gnomes have become a symbol for Germany. Germans love their gardens.
It's not a coincidence that garden gnomes have become a symbol for Germany. Germans love their gardens.
