October was a month of fruitful happenings for The Open Garden. Of course, the CONVIVIUM Meeting was filled with gatherings, conversations, new exchanges and plans for the future. Ideas for new creative perspectives and events emerged, and we look forward to bringing them to life.

However, the October visit to Gdańsk was also a chance to get back to fieldwork in the city, which was a strong focus of The Open Garden in April. We were curious to notice how the spaces we visited earlier this year have changed – or not – and what other spaces would ask for our attention.

As in April, we were curious about Centrum Dolna Brama, a space for social activity and innovation that is also the workplace of the Department of Local Cooperation and Social Innovation. Its spatial, social, and ecological dimensions expanded earlier this year, as a set of raised beds for growing edible plants and companion species was established. We were lucky to hear from Mikołaj Robert Jurkowski, the garden’s founder, about the story, challenges and difficulties behind such an endeavour in the city of Gdańsk. We thank Mikołaj, once again, for sharing his perspectives and for giving the tour around Dolne Miasto along the trail of grassroots gardening initiatives (photos 1,2).

Of course, the workshop day “Food-Nature-City: Convivial Practices” at HUBA was a perfect way to conclude this stay in Gdańsk. We gathered to occupy our minds with what convivial food is in Gdańsk and our hands with a companion species seed activity, collage making, and foodscape mapping (photo 3). We discovered that HUBA is not only a community garden but also a kitchen space that brings food to those in need. A perfect space where the garden and the kitchen meet. More will definitely follow!