Almost half of Russian residents engage in gardening, cultivating their own fruits and vegetables.
🏡 Stay Self-Sufficient: The Rise of Backyard Gardens in Russia
As grocery bills climb and tastes become increasingly discerning, Russians are turning to their own backyards for a fresh and cost-effective crop alternative.
Here's a glimpse into the burgeoning world of home gardening in the homeland! 🌱🍎
Photo: Nikolai OBEREMCHENKO. [Switch to KP Photo Bank]*
This year, cherries won't be making an appearance. Severe frost has wiped out nearly the entire crop, along with peaches, apricots, beets, and various other veggies and fruits, according to experts. But don't fret, Muscovites! Over half of your fellow city dwellers are counting on their homegrown gardens to make up for this loss.
In a survey conducted by KP.RU, an astonishing 51% of respondents have taken gardening into their own hands. Why, you ask? Two words: cost-effective and delicious!
Imagine strolling through your private orchard, plucking ripe strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries right off the vine. Or perhaps you're more of the green-thumbed type, with a plot bursting with cucumbers, tomatoes, and greens. Not only will you be saving a pretty penny, but you'll also be treating your taste buds to a natural feast, absent of any chemicals or preservatives.
"I've got my plot brimming with a variety of fruits and veggies, from strawberries to sea buckthorn," says one enthusiastic gardener. "And remember, with a little elbow grease and TLC, you can preserve and enjoy your hard-earned harvest long into the winter months by pickling, marinating, and freezing—or even making homemade jams and jellies!"
So, what about those who are green-thumb challenged and don't have a plot to call their own? Fear not! 4% of respondents have found solace in their small urban spaces, tending to herbs, fruits, and even veggies on their balconies or window sills.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, 44% of respondents have decided that gardening simply isn't their cup of tea. Whether due to lack of time, limited availability of gardening space, or pure disinterest, these Russians preferred to leave the produce-growing to the professionals. Instead, they enjoy relaxing, breathing in the fresh air, grilling shashlik, and unwinding from the daily grind on their dachas.
But wait, there's more! A few cheeky souls even revealed that they've traded in their once-thriving vegetable patches for lush flower beds. "My plot is now a sea of peonies—my soul couldn't be any happier!" exclaimed one flower lover.
And for the lucky 1% who find themselves coping with the ever-changing tides of life, cultivating a garden is a fickle affair, dependent on their circumstances from year to year.
The survey was conducted among KP.RU website subscribers, with 4,300 participating in the study, spread across social media platforms like VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, and messaging apps like Telegram and Viber.
So grab your gardening gloves, folks, and dig into the home-grown goodness that Russia has to offer! Not only will you be supporting local food systems, but you'll also be savoring delicious, chemical-free fare that's bursting with flavor and homegrown love. 🥑💪🌟
A Closer Look
In the burgeoning world of home gardening in Russia, many Muscovites are turning their attention to growing their own veggies and fruits to save money and enjoy delicious, chemical-free produce. For those without a plot, small urban spaces can be transformed into mini home-and-garden oases, offering a refreshing lifestyle alternative.
