Shared farms flourish as tranquil retreats

Connecting to the soil

On a Saturday at Longgushan, retirees, young parents and children trickle in.

Eighty-six-year-old Han Yuanren, who lives ten minutes' walk from the garden, visits his plot every day with his small dog. In his 30-sq-m plot, he grows more than a dozen vegetables, including cilantro, cucumbers, beans and lettuce.

"I am happy when I see these vegetables growing very well," he said, smiling.

According to Han Kunjie, most renters were born between 1985 and 1995. "They rent the plot for their parents," he said.

"People live in apartment buildings. Neighbors hardly know each other. Grandparents are stuck at home watching television or scrolling on their phones which is not good for their health," said Han.

Tian said the plot gives him something to do, and helps his son Lele learn where food really comes from. "My family is from the countryside," said Tian, as he loosened the soil alongside his son.

"My father farmed for more than 30 years. But we live far from our hometown, and our son knows very little about vegetables. We would like him to experience the whole process, from sprouting to harvest," he said.

Tian, who works as an interior designer, has given his vegetable garden a style of its own.

"We try to grow more crop varieties, each no more than one square meter," said Tian, adding they plan to plant more flowers.