Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kiwiduncan]

Does anyone know if there are any gardening clubs or vegetable growing groups in Korea? I've tried doing searches on the net in both Korean and English but have had little luck.

I'm planning to return to Korea after summer and would love to meet up with others who are interested in spending some time setting up some gardens and growing veges and fruit. Allotments (public shared vegetable gardens provided by local councils) are becoming popular with young people again here in the UK, but from what I remember of Korea, only old people grew veges there. With all the interest in 'well-being life' surely some younger Koreans might be keen to give it a go?

Links to any Korean gardening websites would be very much appreciated.

thanks in advance,

Duncan

[MollyBloom]

I am definitely interested in gardening. I actually have a small herb garden of basil, cilantro, mint, and lavender on my porch, but I'd really love to grow some fruits or veggies, and I don't have the space. I have not heard of anything in my area of Daechi.

[HapKi]

It's called "JuMaNongJang", which means weekend farm. It's for city folk like me to go out to my rented plot and plant-water-harvest vegetables that can survive Korea's monsoon season. We have a 10 pyung (about 5 yards by 15 yard) area, and paid 150,000 for annual rent. We have spicy peppers, several kinds of lettuce, spinach, zuchini, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, mini pumpkin and cilantro.
Pics later.

[kiwiduncan]

I've seen some great rooftop gardens in Seoul, particularly from the windows of subway line number 2 when it is overground. I remember seeing a Korean news programme comparing Seoul to Tokyo and suggesting the Korean government should be more proactive in promoting green rooftops as they do in Japan.

Check out www.selfsufficientish.com for stuff about growing veges in small areas.

Maybe I'll just have to move to the countryside and hang out with the halmonis . But it would be good if there was some kind of green-fingers network for aspiring gardeners in Korea.

I've just found this link to a Korean urban gardening group. I will have to join them.

http://www.refarm.org/ecofield/index.htm

[kiwiduncan]

HapKi. Got any pictures to show? I'm curious. My Oxfordshire country garden is coming along nicely but I'm looking forward to getting something going in Korea.

Are any people in the vegetarian club into growing there own veg?

Cheers,

Duncan

[Harpeau]

I'm very interested in gardening. Flooding has been a drag over the last while. I'm hoping to do some very soon. BTW, thanks for the awesome links.

[HapKi]

These are just some random shots. The torrential rains have caused havoc on my cilantro. The spicy pepper bushes don't seemed to mind, despite being heavy with rainwater and loaded with peppers. They're always a success. Tomatoes and zuchini are kind of delicate at the flower stage. If the rains knock the flowers off, they don't produce and you're left with nothing.

Cherry Tomatoes


zuchini


cilantro


spicy peppers

[kiwiduncan]

Cool. We've lost most of our tomatoes with the rain in the UK too. The courgettes look good, as does the coriander. I can't see any zuchinis and cilantros though - aren't they some kind of small Italian motorbike?

How have you found the locals when you've been out on your vege patch. Are there many other gardeners where you grow your stuff, and are they particularly friendly and helpful towards foreign gardeners? I'm guessing they would be pretty nice.

Cheers,

Duncan

[HapKi]

[Tony_Balony]

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[Faunaki]

Hapki and all, You just made my day. I love gardening and have been feeling a little gloomy about not having any outdoor space to grow anything in. Renting a little plot seems like the perfect idea. Thanks so much for sharing and the pictures of veggies are great.

[kiwiduncan]

One of my co-teachers has just said that here in the UK Brits too also often distinguish between cilantro for the leaves and coriander for the seed, so it just boils down to me being an uninformed smart-arse

Has anyone ever thought of getting an international gardening club going over in Korea? I'll try to swap ideas with the Korean gardeners of course, but it seems there are a fair few expats over there who would like to do more gardening.

It's a pity to hear that the old ladies have been stealing your veges. I like to idea of making a rooftop garden, but whilst they are more accessible and secure than field gardens, you need a strong roof, good drainage and an open-minded landlady.

[kiwiduncan]

Other websites worth checking out are www.gardentech.co.kr and www.asiaseed.co.kr

Personally, I always prefer to go to shops directly. I remember buying house plants in the flower markets in Yangjae Dong, but don't recall seeing any shops selling vege seeds or fruit trees etc. I'll keep my eyes peeled in the future

[kiwiduncan]

Another cool site for gardening matericals is www.gardenstory.com. No English but click 옥상및 데크정원 to see the rooftop garden section

[kiwiduncan]

For Zutronius' benefit I thought I should bump this thread. I'd love to do some gardening in Korea too. I even spotted a nice discrete little patch behind our university dormitory that I had ambitions to grow sweet corn in but, surprise surprise, it's just been concreted over.