Yangcheon-gu Launches Visiting Care Service for Large Companion Plants

'Companion Plant Co-Project' Fully Launched, Providing All-in-One Services from Diagnosis to Treatment, Management, Education, and Distribution... Introducing First Service for Large Companion Plants with On-Site Collection, Consultation, Pest Control, and Return

Yangcheon-gu (District Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced that it will officially operate the "2024 Companion Plant Project," which provides comprehensive services from companion plant diagnosis to consultation and education, to spread a healthy garden leisure culture.

Now in its third year, the "Companion Plant Project" was first introduced as a pilot program by Yangcheon-gu in 2022, the first among Seoul's autonomous districts, to provide accurate information amid the rapidly increasing interest and demand for companion plants. As of last year, 9,136 residents, accounting for 2.1% of the total population, participated in the project, demonstrating high interest in companion plants.

This year's project is aligned with the companion plants' growth diagnosis period and consists of various services including ▲ "Visiting Companion Plant Management Service" for apartment complexes ▲ "Visiting Large Companion Plant Care Service" for large companion plants that are difficult to move ▲ Companion plant consultation centers such as the "Urban Agriculture Park Companion Plant Clinic" and "Omok Park Plant Shelter" ▲ "Companion Plant Education Services" including gardening and horticulture ▲ and "Companion Plant Donation and Distribution Service" for vulnerable elderly groups.

The "Visiting Companion Plant Management Service" involves garden and horticulture experts along with volunteer gardeners and vegetable garden friends from the district's park department visiting eight apartment complexes to share know-how on pest diagnosis, plant arrangement, and management methods.

The newly introduced "Visiting Large Companion Plant Care Service" was established based on feedback from last year's "Visiting Companion Plant Management Service," where residents found it difficult to carry large pots to event locations within complexes. This service targets 250 households growing large companion plants over 1.6 meters tall, supporting up to two cases per household. Horticulture experts visit the homes to collect the plants, provide one-stop services including pest diagnosis, consultation, pest control treatment, and return. The participation fee is 10,000 KRW per case, and residents wishing to manage large plants can apply by June 7 through Google Forms or the district office's integrated reservation portal.

The "Urban Agriculture Park Companion Plant Clinic" and "Omok Park Plant Shelter" serve as everyday consultation spaces where residents can openly discuss various information and concerns encountered during plant growth, offering close consultations of 20 to 30 minutes per applicant. The "Companion Plant Clinic" operates from Tuesday to Saturday weekly, while the "Omok Park Plant Shelter" operates every Tuesday and Friday. Residents wishing to consult can make reservations by phone through the Park and Greenery Division or apply online via the district office's integrated reservation portal or Seoul's public reservation portal.

The "Companion Plant Education Service" targets 2,500 residents, providing theoretical and practical education using companion plants and crops, garden management and companion plant consultation, and plant content experience programs to offer opportunities for emotional connection and enjoyment of a healthy leisure culture. Additionally, a "Little Farmer Experience Program" is operated using urban green spaces such as Yangcheon Urban Agriculture Park and Sintree Park to help children appreciate the importance of nature and the environment.

The "Companion Plant Distribution and Donation Service" distributes about 10 types of easy-to-manage and ornamental foliage plants to 500 vulnerable elderly residents aged 65 and over. To ensure ease of care after distribution, horticulture experts regularly visit and call to diagnose plant conditions and provide care guidance. This process naturally facilitates check-ins and conversations between experts and the elderly, contributing significantly not only to psychological stability but also to alleviating emotional isolation.

Lee Gi-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, "Considering the high population density and concentration of residential complexes in our district, many households grow plants indoors. We operate the 'Companion Plant Project,' which integrates everything from plant management to treatment, education, and distribution, and we hope for the active interest and participation of our residents."