Šilainiai gardens, Kaunas

Photo: from archives of Šilainiai Gardens, ŠILAINIAI GARDENS (KAUNAS)

It is a place of sustainable gardening in the valley of the 8th Fort of Kaunas Fortress Park. People feel good here coming together to grow food, share knowledge and foster health. Šilainiai gardening community cooperates with the Public Institution “Kaunas Fortress Park” by adapting the territory of the 8th Fort for public needs by promoting healthy lifestyle, physical activity and community employment, fostering harmony between people, nature and heritage. The history of these gardens dates back to the interwar period, when the locals raised food for their families in this place. There also was an experimental farm and a collective apiary here. An 89-year-old lady, who still comes to plant in these gardens, recalls how a neighbor would plow soil in this place. She reminisces how there was no free room whatsoever, because potatoes, cabbage, carrots, beets and other vegetables were planted everywhere.

Nuotrauka: iš Šilainių sodų archyvo Kaunas After the establishment of Šilainiai neighborhood, gardening activities became even more intensive, because many residents moved to Šilainiai from smaller towns where gardening was an integral part of life, which was missing having move to multi-apartment buildings. The settlers noticed the area of the 8th Fort, which was located next to multi-apartment buildings in Baltijos Street. The Fort was abandoned at the time, overgrown with bushes and Sosnowsky’s hogweed. The settlers started cleaning up this area, planting it with oaks and fruit trees. In 1999, the back of the fort was full of gardeners growing vegetables, fruit and berries for their families. A close community was formed, celebrating traditional holidays together.

Currently, Šilainiai gardens are entering a new stage, when help of the community, volunteers and partners will be used to preserve the unique community of Šilainiai gardens and to adapt the area of the 8th Fort for the needs of the local residents, creating conditions for growing food, participating in joint activities and educational events, spending quality time and enjoying the nature.

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Photo: Ričardas Rickevičius, Šilainiai Gardens, Kaunas

“I like gardening, because it is healthy and a good exercise. It is a great pleasure to grow own vegetables and to enjoy them” Teresa, 67 years old. “I love soil. When the weather is good, I spend about four hours a day here, in fresh air. I rest here, I recover. I prolong my life in the gardens”, the senior resident Ona – Zita says. “I can be in the nature, listening to the birds chirping, seeing apples and plums bloom, sitting down and resting on the grass, talking to fellow gardeners.” Ona, 71