A Total of 493 Plots Available for Lease at Mujigae Garden and Dasan Farm Until February 13
Applications Open to All Residents and Institutions in Seongdong-gu
Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) announced that it will lease a total of 493 plots, including 393 plots at Mujigae Garden and 100 plots at Dasan Farm, by the 13th to provide residents with relaxation and rest in their daily lives through eco-friendly urban agriculture.
This year marks the 14th year of leasing Mujigae Garden, which consists of a total of 393 plots divided into 347 general types and 46 considerate types. The general type is divided into L-type, approximately 11㎡ (about 3.3 pyeong), and S-type, approximately 5.5㎡ (about 1.65 pyeong) for single-person households and small-scale cultivators, expanding the range of choices.
The considerate type consists of 46 plots prepared to accommodate socially vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, families with two or more minor children, national veterans, and low-income elderly living alone aged 65 or older. The leasing fee is 60,000 KRW per plot for L-type, and 30,000 KRW each for S-type and considerate types.
Dasan Farm, located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do, leases a total of 100 plots without type distinction. Each plot is approximately 16㎡ (about 4.8 pyeong), and the leasing fee is 50,000 KRW per plot.
As demand for gardening continues to increase, the district signed a usage contract with Dasan Farm in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do in 2021 to lease plots to residents, and expanded the scale from 69 plots to 100 plots starting in 2023. It is especially well received by residents as a nature-friendly space for healing while breathing fresh air away from the city.
All leased gardens are cultivated using eco-friendly methods without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers. In the first half of this year, the district supports eco-friendly fertilizers and seedlings such as lettuce and cabbage to garden cultivators and also lends farming tools free of charge. The district plans to lease box gardens in May and June to allow easy cultivation of crops indoors.
Mujigae Garden is open to application by Seongdong-gu residents or institutions and organizations located in Seongdong-gu, with one garden plot available per household, institution, or organization. However, those who won a Mujigae Garden plot last year can apply for Dasan Farm but are excluded from Mujigae Garden leasing. Last year’s Dasan Farm winners can apply for both locations.
Applications for garden leasing can be made from 10 a.m. on February 3 to 6 p.m. on February 13 through the Seongdong-gu Office website under Seongdong Participation - Events/Applications. Winners will be announced on February 21 through a random computerized draw. For further inquiries, detailed information can be obtained through the news section on the Seongdong-gu Office website or by contacting the Regional Economy Division.
The district operates the Mujigae Sledding Hill during the off-season of the Mujigae Garden after the winter harvest. Once sledding operations end on February 9, the district will request safety inspections for heavy metals and pesticide residues in the soil from the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment to ensure the garden can be safely reused. Inspection results will be posted on the bulletin board at the entrance of Mujigae Garden.
Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “I hope that families and neighbors cultivate the urban garden together to create a healthy and vibrant local community,” and added, “I wish many residents dreaming of becoming urban farmers to heal their tired hearts and regain relaxation in the green heartland of the garden.”
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