Horstwirtschaft klunkerkranich

Horstwirtschaft Klunkerkranich: Gardening above the rooftops of Neukölln

What is probably Berlin’s highest urban gardening project can be found in Klunkerkranich on the roof of the Neukölln Arcaden. Anyone who arrives up here immediately understands that this rooftop garden project is far more than just a nice greening. The Kranichgarten, with its rich plant world, is a constantly changing, wonderfully sprawling community garden of a very special kind. It shows what urban gardening in Berlin can really look like when people are serious about it.

Organized as a non-profit association “Horstwirtschaft e.V.” since 2016, the Kranichgarten is maintained by volunteer gardeners. Nature-friendly gardening, foregoing chemical fertilizers and pesticides, not only transforms the gray parking deck into a green oasis but also actively contributes to increasing the city’s biodiversity. In fact, the result is impressive: A study by the University of Potsdam even discovered an almost extinct beetle species here: the ribbed weevil.

Community Garden, Herbs, and Berlin Club Culture

Meanwhile, the garden has grown beyond itself, onto the roofs of the floors and the toilet containers. Among other things, a spacious herb garden was created on the east wing in 2023. Absinthe herb, thyme, or oregano grow there, which are used in cocktails. In this way, Horstwirtschaft connects rooftop gardening and gastronomy in a way that is rarely found elsewhere in Berlin.

Access to the garden is possible during Klunkerkranich’s opening hours and is free, as the garden is intended for everyone. For those who want to delve deeper: guided tours of the garden can be requested from Horstwirtschaft. The association also regularly offers workshops, for example on permaculture or forest gardening on balconies and raised beds, for everyone who wants to plant their outdoor areas more diversely. So, anyone interested in garden tips and sustainable urban gardening will get their money’s worth here, literally at lofty heights.