In Europe, but especially in Germany, you can lease a fenced-in piece of land called a Schrebergarten (allotment). These gardens, managed by associations and leased by its members, is a fenced-in piece of land, usually containing a small structure and arbor. These allotments are intended to serve the recreational need for nature, to enable the townspeople to grow fruit and vegetables, and are based on 19th century English cottage gardens. In these allotment gardens you can also find ornamental plants, such as flowers and lawns, especially when relaxation is paramount. These allotments fulfill various social functions. They offer the general public a better quality of life in cities through noise reduction, dust control, greening, habitat and species protection, and wildlife corridors. The allotment gardens offer families a sensible leisure activity: gardening and growing their own fruit and vegetables. For children and adolescents, the allotments compensate for lack of playgrounds and adventure spaces, and build awareness of their connection to the natural world. For working people, they offer a healthy respite from work-related stress . The allotment gardens offer unemployed people the feeling of being needed, avoiding boredom and ultimately providing a subsidy of fresh fruits and vegetables at a minimal price. They also offer seniors a place for conversation and tranquility by bringing together people with the same interests.

There are more than one million allotments in Germany, mainly in large cities. The individual plots are approximately 370 square meters (almost 4000 square feet or one tenth of an acre). The allotment garden can compensate for missing greenery and green spaces close to the home.