Shared farms flourish as tranquil retreats

From wasteland to asset

"This used to be nothing but wild slopes, overgrown weeds and trash," said Han Kunjie, 30, who manages the Longgushan shared vegetable garden.

The land had sat unused for nearly 10 years after the surrounding area was developed. That changed in 2024, when the Tangye subdistrict office began planning the Longgushan cultural and creative park project. The shared garden was included in the park.

Han, a Zhanglingqiu Ercun villager, secured the land through a rural land transfer agreement, a practice where villages lease land-use rights to individuals.

"I had thought about planting Chinese medicinal herbs, but finally gave up the idea because I did not think the land was suitable," Han said.

He had noticed parents struggling with their children's screen addiction, stressed workers seeking outlets, and seniors wanting to stay active and healthy. So, he decided to create a shared vegetable garden.

He installed taps and irrigation pipes, leveled the paths, provided free hoes and shovels, and hired a veteran farmer as a consultant.

The results exceeded expectations. Covering just over nine mu, or 6,000 square meters, the garden was divided into 204 plots, with 200 of them measuring 20 or 30 sq m each, and four slightly larger ones.

The plots went on offer on March 1. Within ten days, all of them were rented.

"When we first planned this, we were not sure if anyone would want to rent a plot," Han said. "But it turned out to be incredibly popular," he added.

Walking through the garden, the care and individuality of each plot are immediately visible. Some have just been seeded, with tender green shoots poking through the soil. Others are bursting with produce; small watermelons dangling from vines, their weight tugging at the trellises.

"Watermelons grow on vines?" a young girl standing by one plot asked.

Many plots have been personalized with creative nameplates.

At the entrance, staff have posted a seasonal planting and harvesting calendar to guide novice gardeners.

The garden offers three rental prices. For those who want to do everything themselves, including sowing, watering, weeding and harvesting, the cost is 1,299 yuan ($190) per year. A semi-managed option, at 1,599 yuan, includes watering, fertilizing and weeding by staff. The full-service package for 1,899 yuan requires renters only to provide seeds and fertilizer, while professional gardeners handle the rest.

Interestingly, only about 10 percent of renters choose the semi-managed or fully managed options.

"Most people really want to grow vegetables on their own," Han said.

He said the project is predicted to start turning a profit in its third year.

This enthusiasm is not unique to Longgushan. At the recently opened Yugeng natural farm in Licheng district, 70 of its 150 plots — each 20 sq m — have already been claimed.

Self-planting at Yugeng farm costs 988 yuan a year, with free access to water, electricity, tools, and even seeds and fertilizer for the first year. Technical staff are on hand to offer advice.

"Our garden is not just about growing vegetables. Instead, it is about leisure," said Jiang Rongjian, the farm's manager.

"We want to create a kind of relaxed, farming lifestyle that young people and seniors will love," he said.

The farm also features a bamboo forest park, a children's karting track, and open-air kitchens where farm renters can cook what they have just picked.