The Xarxa d’Horts Urbans project started 10 years ago, and has blossomed into 11 small-scale gardens dotted all over the city. “We had to decide who would benefit the most from the project,” said Pep Ordóñez, a Parcs i Jardins employee in charge of the initiative. “And we decided it would be the over-65s.”
Space for allotments is decreed by the municipal district, after being made available by a demolished building or reclaiming of public land. Seniors find out about the proposed spaces through their local civic centre or casal, and if interested, enter a lottery in order to win a 40-metre parcela (lot) for a period of five years. They are given a key to the plot’s gate and during that time it’s up to them to plant what they like (though flowers—because of their high maintenance—are discouraged).
Each space has its own distinct personality, dictated by its location and “the culture of the neighbourhood” according to Ordóñez. In Sarrià (Torrent de Remei 2), one of the most rural of the network, Collserola-dwelling jabalis (wild boar) wander down to forage amongst the vegetables. The Sants-Montjuïc gardens (Foc 132) have a chicken coop and in Sant Martí (Menorca 25), where the land forms part of an old masia estate, there is a small farm with sheep, rabbits and ducks. It is hoped more allotments will become available as land does; the next one will be located behind the Monasteri de Pedralbes. “That will be our high-class hort,” chuckled Ordóñez.
On a steamy July morning about six seniors are toiling at the Sagrada Familia allotment, which is nestled between L’Eixample’s typical high-rises at the intersection of Consell de Cent and Padilla. This particular allotment is only six months old, so the users are just seeing the fruits of their first harvest, which, because it take years for the already poor soil quality to improve, is a little disappointing to many of them. “A lot of them tell me, ‘La tierra es mala’ [the soil is bad],” said Ordóñez. “I try to make them understand it takes time.”
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