Young adults drive ownership shift in Finnish allotment gardens

Young adults, couples and families with children are reshaping Finland’s allotment gardens, Yle reports. In Mikkeli’s Kurkilampi allotment garden, almost half of the 24 cottages have changed hands in the past two years.

The new generation is attracted by the gardens’ strong sense of community, safety, ecological values and the possibility of working remotely from a cottage.

“Young adults, couples and families with children have found allotment gardens,” said Pertti Laitila, chair of the Finnish Allotment Garden Association.

The shift is taking place across Finland. The country has about 60 allotment gardens, with the northernmost one in Rovaniemi at the Arctic Circle. A typical garden has between 80 and 120 cottage plots, while the annual turnover of residents is just under 10 percent, Laitila said.

At Kurkilampi, the change is clearly visible. Tarja Vatanen, chair of the local allotment garden association, said the garden was quiet last summer but is now filled with laughter and the sound of machinery.

Kurkilampi was established in 1988 by a private founder and has 24 cottages in two sections. Each section has its own beach and pier. Most residents are from Mikkeli, but the garden also has residents from Pieksämäki, Heinola, Lohja and Vantaa. The association’s rules do not restrict cottage purchases to local residents.

Vatanen bought her cottage a year and a half ago from an older woman who had carefully maintained the garden. She had previously lived in a detached house with a garden, but found summers difficult after retiring and moving to an apartment building.

“When I came to Kurkilampi, I immediately fell in love with it. I live alone and feel that the area is safe, as many others probably do too,” Vatanen said.

Neighbours lend one another tools, help with work and organise communal work sessions. Most of the cottages can also be used during winter, and residents are allowed to stay in the garden year-round.

Laitila said the new generation wants to live more sustainably by growing food organically and choosing plants that attract bees and butterflies. Modern technology also makes remote work from a cottage possible.

However, allotment gardens are not suited to people seeking wilderness and complete solitude. Neighbours live close by, daily life is active and communal work is part of the responsibilities. Pets are generally welcome if they remain on their owners’ plots. In addition to cats and dogs, some gardens have rabbits and chickens.