As the weather grows warmer, many a city dweller begins to dream of buying a garden allotment. However, most such dreams are abruptly dashed on the realization that garden allotments, and the miniature cottages they encompass, are in rare supply and highly sought after.
“People rarely give up their allotments. And when they do, the plots are usually sold within 24 hours,” estimates Eila Haimakainen, chairman of Markkuu Garden Allotment Association.
The Chairman of Äimärautio Allotment, Sirpa Niskanen, also points out that potential buyers often scout for plots well before the spring season starts.
The feel of idyllic community and close location offered by allotment gardening are factors which make the hobby a very popular choice.
“Someone living in Oulu doesn’t have to spend as much on gas as they would if they gardened at a summer cottage in Kuusamo, for example,” Haimakainen explains.
Because of the high demand, there is long-standing plan to build a new allotment garden community at Koitelinkoski, along the Kiiminkijoki River.
According to the plan, 70 new garden cottages, open year-round, would be built at Koitelinkoski. However, actual construction work on the Ruusulaakso Allotment, as it is know, has yet to begin.
“The unstable economy has delayed the Ruusulaakso project, which isn’t uncommon in the construction business. The location is quite popular, too, but we need to get contracts signed before we can begin work,” explains Sami Nauha, CEO of Samira Group, which is developing the site.