Small organic garden in the green heart of the city

Barcelona

Interior de la caseta de fusta / allotjament.

Updated 8 months ago

Welcome to L’Hortet de Vallparadís! Hello, WWOOFers! I’m Albert, project manager at L’Hortet de Vallparadís, a rural refuge in the heart of Terrassa. Until a few years ago, the Vallparadís stream was full of gardens, and today it is an urban park, the green lung of the city. Our family garden is the only one left in the area. We grow seasonal vegetables and greens for our family and some neighbors, following ecological criteria and using seeds from traditional varieties. We also have chickens, ducks, and geese. Occasionally, we organize educational and recreational days open to the public, aiming to bring rural life closer to both young and old. Environment and Location We are located inside Vallparadís Park, a green space with walking areas, a river, a medieval castle, and Romanesque churches just minutes away on foot. Terrassa is a city with a rich modernist heritage, historic monuments, a very active popular culture (human towers, traditional festivals…), and a vibrant cultural and artistic scene, with activities, museums, and festivals throughout the year. Nearby are the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park and Montserrat mountain, perfect for hiking and enjoying nature. Barcelona’s city center is less than an hour by train, allowing a great mix of rural life and big city. Why We Need Help Having animals (chickens, ducks, and geese) means we need to be here every day to feed them, collect eggs, and keep the facilities clean. The garden requires constant attention to maintain production and manage the crops. Tasks are varied and change with the seasons, but always include working the soil, preparing it with compost and biofertilizers, sowing and transplanting, pruning fruit trees and vines, installing and maintaining drip irrigation systems, weeding, harvesting vegetables, and fighting pests using only ecological methods like traps and natural preparations. We also carry out educational projects, open days, bioconstruction, and material recycling, so it’s always helpful to have support to keep these activities going. What You’ll Do and Learn - Sowing and transplanting: sowing seeds and transplanting seedlings both in the greenhouse and outdoors. - Soil preparation and care: applying compost and biofertilizers to keep the soil healthy and fertile. - Irrigation systems: installing and maintaining drip and exudation irrigation systems. - Animal care: feeding chickens, ducks, and geese, collecting and cleaning eggs, and keeping the facilities clean and in good condition. - Harvest and maintenance: weeding, general crop maintenance, and harvesting vegetables. - Seedling production: making seedlings from seeds of traditional varieties and managing the seed bank. - Ecological pest control: installing traps and using natural preparations to protect crops. - Pruning: pruning fruit trees and vines, using plant waste with a wood chipper. - Sustainable management: treating organic kitchen and garden waste, composting, and reusing materials. - Maintenance and repairs: caring for fences, greenhouses, and other facilities to ensure a safe and functional space. - Educational activities: participating in workshops and open days to bring rural life closer to everyone. - Special projects: collaborating on bioconstruction and material recycling projects to promote sustainability. Who We Are Looking For We seek people eager to learn, responsible, with a collaborative spirit, and willing to enjoy the outdoors. No prior experience is necessary, but interest in organic farming, respect for animals, and nature in general is essential. A positive attitude and willingness to participate in a community project are fundamental. What We Offer - An immersive experience in a small garden with animals, where you’ll learn sustainable cultivation techniques and agroecological management. - Shared living and cultural exchange, with homemade and abundant meals featuring vegetables, legumes, and eggs from L’Hortet de Vallparadís, alongside typical local dishes, cold cuts, pasta, and rice. Approximate meal times are usually: 7:30 breakfast, 14:00 lunch, and 21:00 dinner. We will share most meals except for occasional timing conflicts. You can also share your own recipes if you like. - Accommodation in an independent wooden cabin with a garden, close to trees, the garden, and animals. Includes double bed, wardrobe, table, microwave, electricity, and internet connection. - Shared use of several bathrooms and the possibility to wash clothes by hand or machine. - Swimming pool to cool off after work. - Immediate access to Vallparadís Park and all its historical heritage. - Proximity to natural parks and mountains for hiking, as well as the city of Barcelona. Activities You Can Do in Your Free Time - Walk through Vallparadís Park and visit landmarks like the medieval castle and Romanesque churches. - Discover the city of Terrassa, with its impressive modernist buildings, museums, a lively popular culture, and a varied gastronomic offer. - Hike in the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park or Montserrat mountain, two spectacular natural spaces nearby. - Visit Barcelona with all its cultural, artistic, and urban attractions, less than an hour away by train. - Relax by the pool during summer or simply enjoy nature and the silence in the garden. - Join us in local cultural activities, such as attending a rehearsal or performance of a human tower group, to experience firsthand this unique Catalan tradition. - Some of these activities can be done together to make the experience even more enriching and fun! How to Get Here L’Hortet de Vallparadís is located in Terrassa, inside Vallparadís Park, very close to the city center and well connected. From Barcelona, the most convenient way to arrive is by the S1 line of the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC). Vallparadís Universitat station is located inside Vallparadís Park itself, near the garden entrance, so it’s just a few minutes’ walk to get there. It is also easily accessible by urban buses that stop right at the garden’s door, making it very accessible for those arriving by public transport, bike, or on foot. If you come by car, Terrassa is well connected by road, and parking nearby is easy to find. This access allows you to enjoy both the city and the nature surrounding the garden, making the visit comfortable and accessible.