From guide to action: garden workday in Leuven Central Prison

In spring 2025, the biodiverse garden in the courtyard of Leuven Central Prison was further developed: grass and flower meadows were sown, perennial plants were added, and berry bushes were planted by the inmates. By summer, however, it became clear that maintaining the garden was not easy due to limited staff availability.

To address this, a Garden Maintenance Guide was created. The guide explains gardening tasks and techniques in a simple, accessible way, enabling even those who have never worked in the garden before to participate. Each year, three major workdays will be organized for larger tasks, carried out by a group of inmates interested in green work. During the summer months, the regular gardener will take care of ongoing maintenance as watering and mowing.

The first workday took place on a sunny October day. The guide was introduced, and thanks to JUSTNature, new gardening tools were provided. A group of ten inmates rolled up their sleeves: berry bushes were pruned and tied, weeds were removed, grass was reseeded, and flower beds were prepared for winter with a protective layer of wood chips as mulch.

The day also included a composting workshop led by a compost expert from the city. Soon, compost bins will be installed, allowing grass clippings, pruning material, and kitchen waste to be transformed into healthy compost within the prison walls.

This initiative shows how nature-based solutions can flourish even in unexpected places, creating opportunities for learning, collaboration, and sustainability.