Community gardening
Have you always dreamed about bringing your own patch of soil to life with luscious plants? There are options, even if your place doesn't have a garden!
Neighbourhood allotments
Is there a suitable plot of public land (a field, part of a garden or a park) in your neighbourhood? Get together with your neighbours, draw up a plan, and discuss the feasibility with your city. They will be happy to assist you by making the plot of public space available and providing you with all the necessary expertise and support. You can find the application form and the approval criteria for a neighbourhood allotment at www.leuven.be/buurtmoestuin.
Of course, you can also register with one of the 20 existing neighbourhood allotments. You can find the locations on this map. These community gardens are supported by the parks and gardens department (groendienst), the sustainability department (dienst duurzaamheid) and the area-oriented service department (dienst gebiedsgerichte working).
Interested in other neighbourhood projects? Have a look at the English inspiration booklet of the 'Stand up for your Neighbourhood' or Kom op voor je Wijk project and see what the possibilities are for getting help and/or city funding.
More info:
www.leuven.be/buurtmoestuin
Department 'gebiedsgerichte werking' of the city of Leuven: 016 27 26 16
Individual allotments
The city of Leuven has an allotment complex Salvenbos on the Naamsesteenweg in Heverlee. At the moment all available allotments are in use but you can sign up for the waitlist. When a plot becomes available or a new plot of land gets added, those on the waitlist get priority.
At Salvenbos, the city provides collective facilities, such as a tool shed, a communal composting unit, and a meeting place. Gardeners will also receive assistance when they start out. Ideal for people living in the city, who don’t have their own garden but are keen to start growing things. Since the parcels are part of a complex, you will get the chance to meet other people, pass on knowledge, and share seeds and plants.
More info:
Find all the details here: https://leuven.be/volkstuintje-salvenbos
Contact: duurzaamheid@leuven.be or 016 27 24 08
"Facade gardens"
Leuven encourages greenery even in the smallest of spaces - if you own your property, you can add a "facade garden" by removing a small amount of paving blocks (check the rules first!) and planting a climbing plant. The city provide lots of helpful information and even up to EUR25 to do it.
More info:
https://leuven.be/geveltuin
Volunteering in green spaces
Did you know that you can also put your green fingers to good use volunteering in green spaces?
Friends of Park Abbey
Since 1929 an association of volunteers has been supporting the Abbey and its land? As a "Friend of Park Abbey," you can help promote the heritage, maintain the gardens, and support the abbey’s activities. For just €25, you can join the association, receive the newsletter, and get early invitations to events — email them to get started!
More info:
https://www.abdijvanpark.be/vrienden-van-abdij-van-t-park
Pick-Your-Own harvesting
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs and pick-your-own (PYO) farms offer a unique way to enjoy fresh, local produce by subscribing to regular harvest shares and visiting the farm to harvest your own fruits, vegetables, or flowers. While you don't grow the plants yourself, you get to spend time in nature picking your food or flowers and experiencing the changing seasons.
Make sure you check the details - most places have information moments during the harvest season and require you to subscribe for a full season, rather than just showing up with your secateurs! :)
De Heuvelaar
A fruit and vegetable CSA on the edge of town, you can join their program (in 2025 the season starts on 1 April).
More info:
Tervuursesteenweg 360, 3001 Heverlee
https://www.deheuvelaar.be/
Boerencompagnie
This is the farm connected to Park Abbey - where you can also enjoy picking your own fruit and veggies if you join their "groenten" program. If you're not sure you want to commit to picking your own, you can also buy their produce at De Wikke - the farm shop in Park Abbey.
More info:
Abdij van Park 7, 3001 Heverlee
https://www.boerencompagnie.be/
Flowers
If you're all about the flowers, then there are a few options locally for picking your own flowers and putting together wonderful creations.
More info:
Fleur Locale at Hal 5: https://www.fleurlocale.be/
t' Pluk Geluk behind Park Abbey: https://tplukgeluk.be/