Vegetable gardens
The vegetable gardens for the summer of 2025 will open on May 1. Reykjavík residents can get a vegetable garden for their own use. Applications will open on March 15, 2025.
What are the gardens?
Reykjavík leases out about 600 vegetable gardens, 200 of which are in Skammadalur.
See the locations of vegetable gardens in Reykjavík below. You can click on the links to see which gardens are available.
- Vesturbær by Þorragata
- Fossvogur at the end of Bjarmaland
- Laugardalur at the end of Holtavegur
- Árbær at Rafstöðvarvegur
- Grafarvogur at Logafold
- Kjalarnes at Fólkvangur
The Icelandic Gardeners Association is responsible for the operation of vegetable gardens in Stekkjarbakki and Grafarvogur north of Strandvegur, as agreed with the City of Reykjavík. Resident associations in Grafarholt also have vegetable gardens on city land.
Skammadalur in Mosfellsbær
The City of Reykjavík also offers gardens in Skammadalur in Mosfellsbær, and they will have been ploughed when handed to users.
Seljagarður
Reykjavík will not operate gardens in Breiðholt at Jaðarsel this summer. The association Seljagarður has taken over the operation of those gardens and people can apply for a garden on the Seljagarður website.
How much does it cost to rent a vegetable garden?
The lease fees for 2024 are 7,200 kr. for garden land in the Skammadalur (approx. 100 m2) and 6,000 kr. for a garden (approx. 20 m2). Planters in Grafarvogur, Árbær, Fossvogur and Kjalarnes will cost 4,800 kr each (8 square meters). The allocation of gardens will be reversed if payment has not been received when due.
When is access given to the gardens?
Access is given to the gardens on May 1, but if the weather allows, gardeners can start earlier.
Free education
The Reykjavík Botanic Garden in Laugardalur offers various educational activities, such as lunchtime walks every Friday in June, July and August. They take half an hour and are 12.00 noon in Icelandic and 12.40pm in English. They also present a perfect opportunity to ask the garden staff about vegetable gardening.
The Botanic Garden also hosts the event "Spring Tasks in the Garden" on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 5pm to 6:30pm. The session will cover preparing vegetable gardens and other spring tasks. Attendees are invited to bring their tools and learn how to extend their lifespan through proper sharpening, maintenance, storage and more.
Good advice and facilities in the gardens
Gardeners can get good, green advice on growing herbs from our staff.
- Send an email to matjurtagardar@reykjavik.is
- Or call 411 1111
The gardens will be marked. Water is accessible in all areas. Garden tools, plants, and seed are not included with the gardens.