Green Granada: Urban Gardens and Neighborhood Recycling

Green Granada: the plaza that became a garden and changed a neighborhood

Among the tree-lined streets of Granada, a neighborhood many caleños know for its restaurants and nightlife, there is a corner rewriting the neighborhood's history. It is not a trendy spot or a new bike lane. It is a plaza that, for two years, stopped being a forgotten space and became an urban garden producing lettuce, aromatic herbs, and even strawberries. And most importantly: it got neighbors who barely greeted each other to now share compost, tools, and a common purpose.

It all started in January 2024, when a group of five neighbors —including a 34-year-old architect and a 68-year-old retiree— decided to take over the plaza separating Calle 5 and Carrera 34, a triangle of land that previously accumulated trash and served as an improvised parking lot. Today, that same plaza has 12 raised beds, a composting system that processes 80 kilos of organic waste per month, and brings together over 40 families every Saturday. This is not a pilot project from the Mayor's office: it is neighborhood recycling built on conviction and will.

How was the urban garden of Granada born?

The story of the urban garden of Granada does not start with a formal meeting or an NGO. It starts with Doña Lucía, a retired teacher who lived in the building next door. Tired of seeing the plaza fill up with trash bags and debris, she started cleaning the space by herself. One day, a younger neighbor, Carlos (a 34-year-old architect specializing in bioclimatic design), approached her and proposed something: "What if we planted something instead?".

That casual conversation led to a WhatsApp call that brought together 12 people at the plaza on a Saturday in February 2024. They had no budget, but they had the will. They got seeds donated by a nursery on Avenida Sexta, borrowed shovels, and a bucket of water. The first crop was cilantro and curly lettuce. Two months later, they were already harvesting for shared salads.

Today, the group is called "Granada Sostenible" and has a committee of seven leaders who rotate tasks: watering, composting, children's education, and waste management. They don't receive money from the municipality, but they do get logistical support from the neighborhood's Community Action Board, which lends them a small storage room for tools.

The leaders behind the project

Knowing the people who drive this helps understand why it works. Here are three key profiles:

• Lucía, 68 years old, retired teacher: She is the project's memory. She remembers when the plaza was a dump and now celebrates that neighborhood children ask for "garden chores" instead of video games. Her specialty is composting: she knows when a banana peel is ready to become soil.
• Carlos, 34 years old, architect: He designed the raised garden beds (so older people don't have to bend over) and the rainwater harvesting system they hope to install in June 2026. He also manages the project's social media, where they post photos of harvests and calls to action.
• María José, 27 years old, biologist: She joined the project eight months ago and handles the technical side: what to plant according to the season, how to rotate crops to avoid depleting the soil, and how to control pests without chemicals. She is the one who explains to children why ladybugs are allies, not enemies.

Besides them, there is a floating group of about 30 neighbors who participate depending on their availability. Entire families, students from Universidad del Valle living in the neighborhood, and even a chef from a nearby restaurant who donates the organic waste from his kitchen for composting.

What is grown in the plaza of Granada?

The garden is not a decorative garden. It produces real food that neighbors take home or share during mingas. As of May 2026, these are the active crops:

• Curly and romaine lettuce: These are the most popular. They grow fast (45 days) and are harvested every two weeks.
• Cilantro and parsley: Essential in any caleño kitchen. They are planted on the edges of the beds.
• Cherry tomatoes: In bamboo cages. The last harvest yielded 12 kilos.
• Strawberries: A risky bet that paid off. They grow in a bed with partial shade.
• Aromatic herbs: Mint, basil, rosemary, and spearmint. They are used for infusions sold at the neighborhood fairs for $2,000 COP per bag.
• Calendula and sunflowers: They are not edible, but they attract pollinators and brighten the view.

Everything is grown without pesticides. They use organic fertilizer produced from the project's own compost, which processes waste from 15 households in the neighborhood. The seeds are mostly native, donated by the Red de Semillas Libres del Valle.

Neighborhood recycling: the composting that unites the neighborhood

If the garden is the heart of the project, composting is the circulatory system. Without it, there would be no fertile soil and less trash. The process is simple but requires discipline: neighbors separate organic waste at home (peels, food scraps, coffee grounds) and bring it to the plaza on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There, a rotating team of three people weighs it, mixes it with dry leaves, and places it in the wooden composters they built together.

• 80 kilos of organic waste processed per month. That equals about 960 kilos per year that do not go to the Navarro landfill.
• 15 households actively participate in separation. The goal for December 2026 is to reach 30.
• 2 rotating composters. One is always being filled while the other matures. The full cycle takes 60 days.
• Compost produced: About 40 kilos per month of rich, black soil used in the garden and given to participating neighbors.

The environmental impact is clear, but the social one is greater: neighbors who previously didn't speak now discuss the correct carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in the compost. Doña Lucía says humorously: "Before, gossip was the topic of conversation. Now we talk about worms and whether mango peel is useful or not".

What to do at the urban garden of Granada?

The plaza is not just a place to plant. It has become a meeting point with several regular activities:

Mingas de siembra every Saturday

From 8:00 to 11:00 a.m., neighbors gather to work the land. It doesn't matter if you've never planted before: there is always someone willing to teach you. The mingas include weeding, watering, planting new seedlings, and maintaining the composters. Afterwards, they share a coffee or natural juice made with fruits from the garden.

Workshops for children

On the second Saturday of each month, María José leads a children's workshop called "guardians of the earth". Children learn to identify beneficial insects, plant seeds in recycled cups, and make their own compost with worms. Between 10 and 15 children participate per session, many from the public school three blocks away.

Barter and sale fairs

On the last Sunday of each month, the plaza fills with stalls where neighbors exchange or sell garden surpluses: lettuce for $3,000 COP, bags of aromatic herbs for $2,000 COP, organic compost for $5,000 COP per kilo. There is also bartering: you can bring used clothes or books and exchange them for vegetables.

Cleaning and recycling days

Every two months, they organize an extended recycling day where they collect not only organics but also plastic, glass, and cardboard. They sort it and take it to a recycling point on Carrera 38. At the last event (April 2026), they collected 120 kilos of recyclable materials.

Where to eat or drink near the plaza

Granada is known for its gastronomic offerings, and the garden is just steps away from several places where you can eat well after the minga. Here are some recommendations:

• La Casona de Granada: A traditional restaurant on Carrera 34 with Calle 4. They offer bandeja paisa and sancocho de gallina. Dishes from $22,000 COP. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 9pm.
• Frutos del Bosque: A vegetarian and vegan option half a block from the plaza. They have bowls, soups, and natural juices. Prices between $15,000 and $25,000 COP. I recommend the lulo and ginger juice.
• Café del Barrio: On Calle 5 with Carrera 35. A specialty coffee shop where they prepare drinks with oat milk and offer artisan breads. Ideal for a break after the workshop. A cappuccino costs $8,000 COP.
• La Tienda de la Abuela: An artisan bakery selling empanadas and pandebonos. It is on Carrera 33, a three-minute walk. Perfect for a quick breakfast before the minga.

If you prefer to cook what you harvest, the plaza itself sometimes organizes community lunches with garden produce. Ask the project leaders if one is scheduled during your visit.

How to get to the plaza of Granada

The plaza where the urban garden operates is in the triangle formed by Calle 5, Carrera 34, and Carrera 34A. It is easy to find because it is the only green space with raised beds in the middle of the concrete.

By public transport

• MIO: The nearest station is "Granada", on Calle 5 with Carrera 37. From there, walk three blocks east along Calle 5. You can also get off at "San Fernando" (a station on Autopista Sur) and walk 10 minutes north.
• Feeders: Routes A34 and A35 run along Carrera 34 and drop you half a block from the plaza. Ask the driver to let you know at "la plazoleta de Granada".

By bicycle or on foot

Granada is a flat neighborhood with informal bike lanes. From downtown Cali, you can get there in 20 minutes by bike along Calle 5. There is an improvised bike parking area at the plaza, but bring your own lock. If coming from the north (El Peñón neighborhood), head straight down Carrera 34.

By car

There is parking on Calle 5 with Carrera 34, but it is limited. I recommend leaving your car at the Unicentro shopping center (a 10-minute walk away) or at the public parking lot on Carrera 35 with Calle 4, which costs $4,000 COP per hour.

Local tips to enjoy the experience

If you are going to visit the urban garden of Granada, these tips will help you integrate better and make the most of it:

• Arrive on time for the mingas. They start at 8:00 a.m. sharp. If you arrive late, you'll miss the initial explanation and the community coffee.
• Wear clothes you can get dirty. Soil stains, and white t-shirts are not a good idea. Wear closed-toe shoes and a hat if the sun is strong.
• Bring your own water bottle. There are no drinks for sale at the plaza, but you can fill it at the tap in the building next door (the building owner donates the water).
• Don't be afraid to ask. The neighbors are open and love to explain the project. If you are a foreigner, they will welcome you with a smile and teach you words like "abono" or "compostaje" in Spanish.
• Bring a bag for your waste. If you consume something during your visit, separate the organics and deposit them in the composter. This way you participate in the cycle.
• Check the calendar on social media. The project has an Instagram page called @granadasostenible (verify the exact name by searching in the app). They post dates for mingas, workshops, and fairs there.
• If coming with children, notify in advance. Children's workshops have limited capacity. You can message them directly to reserve a spot.

Fun fact: the garden born from a fight over a tree

Few know that the garden's origin was not the trash, but a mango tree. In 2023, a neighbor wanted to cut down the mango tree in the plaza because the mangoes fell and dirtied his car. Another neighbor opposed. The argument escalated until Doña Lucía intervened: "Instead of fighting over the tree, let's plant more trees". That phrase was the spark. The mango tree is still there, providing shade for the raised beds, and every June the neighbors collect the mangoes and make juice for the mingas. The car of the neighbor who wanted to cut it down is now parked two blocks away.

Challenges and next steps of the project

Not everything is rosy at Granada Sostenible. The project faces real challenges that its leaders openly acknowledge:

• Lack of constant water: The plaza does not have a direct connection to the water supply network. They depend on the goodwill of the neighboring building, which lends them a tap. During the dry season (July-August), water is scarce and they have had to reduce watering. The long-term solution is a rainwater harvesting system, which they have already designed but have not been able to install due to lack of funds (they need about $2.5 million COP for the tanks and pipes).
• Occasional vandalism: On two occasions, strangers uprooted plants and broke a composter. The group responded by installing a guadua fence and improving lighting with solar lanterns donated by a neighbor.
• Generational turnover: Most of the leaders are over 50. Carlos and María José are among the few active young people. They are looking for strategies to attract more students and young professionals, such as vertical garden design workshops.
• Municipal bureaucracy: Although the Community Action Board supports them, they do not have a formal permit from the Administrative Department of Environmental Management (DAGMA) to use the public space. So far, no one has bothered them, but they know it is a fragile situation.

The next steps are ambitious but realistic. By June 2026, they hope to have the rainwater irrigation system installed, which will capture water from the roofs of two neighboring buildings. They also plan to launch a "green passport": a card that neighbors can get stamped each time they participate in a minga or bring waste to the compost, and upon completing 10 stamps, they receive a plant or a kilo of free compost. And in the long term, they dream of replicating the model in other plazas in the neighborhood, such as the one on Carrera 36 with Calle 3.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the garden if I am not from the neighborhood?

Yes, absolutely. The garden is open to anyone who wants to participate. It doesn't matter if you live in El Peñón, Ciudad Jardín, or if you are a tourist passing through Cali. The neighbors welcome visitors gladly. Just respect the basic rules: do not step on the raised beds, do not uproot plants without permission, and separate your waste if you consume something on site.

What do I need to bring to participate in a minga?

The basics: comfortable clothes you can get dirty, closed-toe shoes, a water bottle, and gardening gloves (if you have them; if not, the project lends some). You can also bring seeds or seedlings if you want to donate them, but it is not mandatory. The group provides the tools (shovels, rakes, watering cans) and at the end of the minga, they share a community snack.

How can I support the project if I don't live in Cali?

There are several ways. You can make a financial donation to the project's savings account (ask the leaders in person or via social media). You can also donate tools, seeds, or construction materials (wood, guadua, mesh). And if you are a professional (architect, biologist, communicator), offering your knowledge is equally valuable: for example, helping to design the irrigation system or improve the social media presence.

Does the garden sell its products to restaurants in Granada?

For now, not formally. The production is small and is mainly used for consumption by participating neighbors and at the monthly fairs. However, some restaurants in the neighborhood, like Frutos del Bosque, have shown interest in buying aromatic herbs. This is something the group is evaluating for the second half of 2026, provided production increases without neglecting local supply.

CTA: Add your compost or your time

If after reading this you feel like getting your hands dirty, you have a concrete opportunity: next Saturday, May 25, 2026, there is a planting minga at 8:00 a.m. at the plaza of Granada (

Historical or contextual introduction

Granada has evolved from being a traditional neighborhood to becoming an epicenter of urban culture in Cali. In recent years, the community has begun to adopt sustainability practices, creating urban gardens that not only beautify the environment but also promote conscious eating and neighborhood recycling.

This change not only reflects a response to rapid urbanization but also a desire to reconnect with the land and foster collaboration among neighbors. Urban gardens have sprung up in patios, parks, and empty spaces, becoming a symbol of resistance and creativity amidst daily life in Cali.

Furthermore, community initiatives such as composting and recycling workshops have allowed residents to focus not only on growing their own food but also on reducing waste. This movement is not exclusive to Granada, but it is felt with particular strength here due to the warmth and collaborative spirit of its inhabitants.

With the growth of these initiatives, Granada positions itself as a model to follow for other neighborhoods in Cali, demonstrating that it is possible to live in harmony with the environment while strengthening the social fabric.