PROBLEM-FREE GARDENING: SPRING FLOWERS, AUTUMN FLOWERS, TREES

In 2015, Bakker, a leading Dutch multinational company in the mail order sale of gardening products, published the results of an interesting online survey involving 18 different countries, with over 30,000 responses. Do you know what the results were? The country that declared itself to be most devoted to gardening was Germany, with an impressive 73%. We had no doubt about that!

And what do Europeans, and especially us Germans, like?

The French and Italians want a rose garden and a vegetable garden, while we and the British prefer a nice greenhouse. The Dutch put strawberries first; we, the French and the British prefer tomatoes.

The German gardening market grew by + 1,4% in 2017, so it seems that the Bakker survey data has been confirmed.

But what are the most popular flowers in our country? We asked Markus, a gardener by trade and passion.

Markus: Well, there are many flowers that are loved in our country. Everyone, or almost everyone here in Germany, loves to take care of plants, work in their garden, cultivate a small vegetable garden or even just decorate their balcony with colourful flowers. However, there are some flowers that have a special meaning in our country, such as the daffodil – Berlin's flower par excellence – which is synonymous with desire; or the cornflower, the heraldic emblem of the kingdom of William I. But the most beloved flower, at least in my experience, is the rose, which is found here in over 150 species and many colours. It can be found almost everywhere.

Lupos: Markus, do you prefer flowers or vegetable gardens?

Markus: To be honest, I devote myself to both. I devote myself to gardens, flowers and tree care for work, but at home I also have a small vegetable garden that I cultivate together with my wife. My little girl also enjoys working with plants and gives us a “hand”...

Lupos: The perfect prototype of a German family, united even in the garden, fantastic!

Markus, you are a professional and I am sure you are very careful at work, not only with plants but also with your own protection, am I right? How do you protect yourself?

Markus:  No, you're not wrong at all. I couldn't work properly if I wasn't well equipped. You know, accidents are a daily occurrence when pruning, moving trees, etc., and you have to be very careful. I want to play it safe; I have to think about myself and my family. It's important for me to keep my wife calm too.

I use aluminium ladders, which are easy to handle but have knurled steps, and I always secure them before climbing on them. The work shoes you wear are also very important, because not all of them have the same grip, and obviously I am constantly in the dirt, mud, water and so on.

Lupos: What safety shoes do you normally wear? Do you always wear the same ones, or do you have more than one pair, depending on your needs?

Markus: Personally, I love high work shoes because they keep my ankles stable and give me a greater sense of security. My favourites are the Varys (editor's note: model from the LK2 line in S3 SRC ESD safety standard). These shoes are particularly lightweight and have a sole that not only guarantees excellent grip but is also easy to clean and comfortable to wear.

Lupos: Are you referring to the innovative Infinergy® system that recovers over 55% of energy?

Markus: Yes, I think so. To be honest, I couldn't remember the name, but what I can tell you is that these shoes have a relaxing effect. Since switching to this model, I come home less tired in the evening and my legs feel lighter. So, yes, I think it's definitely the Infinergy® system!

Lupos: Do you usually wear the same pair of shoes all the time, or do you alternate between two pairs?

Markus: Varys is a four-season model, so if you want to know whether I change my safety shoes according to the season, the answer is no. However, I do have a second pair of work shoes because, as you can imagine, I sometimes work in very humid conditions. Sometimes, I need to let them dry, so I keep a spare pair to alternate between. This second pair is also a high-top model, called Gregor if I remember correctly, and has similar features to Varys. The difference is in the upper material because Gregor (editor's note: model from the LK2 line in S3 SRC ESD safety standard) is made of leather, while Varys has Cordura inserts.

Lupos: Let's get back to our flowers... what advice can you give our readers for gardens that are always in bloom?

Markus: My advice is to organise your garden so that you always have colourful corners in bloom according to the season, alternating with evergreen plants that can guarantee lively movement and remain beautiful to look at all year round.

Spring flowers, which bloom around April, include tulips, poppies, daffodils – I love them! – gerberas... Lilies also bloom around March.

In autumn, on the other hand, go for anemones, cyclamen, squills and, if you like large flowers, amaryllis, which is a bulbous plant that symbolises elegance and pride, with a truly majestic corolla. Beautiful!

Lupos: And for those who don't have a garden but only a balcony?

Markus: Go for flowers that are easy to care for. The plants I recommend are all fairly resistant to rain, wind and lice, and they can even cope with a balcony facing only east or west. Plant your seedlings after 15 May, after the Eisheiligen, so to speak, so that you don't risk them dying due to the temperature, and always water them either early in the morning or in the evening, never during the hottest hours of the day. Check them every day and remove any dead or wilted flowers and dry leaves. This way, the plant will not waste energy and the flowers will be more colourful and abundant.

Experiment with mixed flower arrangements, your balcony will come to life and become beautiful, I guarantee it!

I recommend Blaue Mauritius, lavender – which is very fragrant! – and lobelia. Pair them with petunias: they look great together! And then there's Husarenknopf, which is very easy to grow and looks like a miniature sunflower, and nasturtiums (Kappuzzinerkresse), of course, which are also edible and can be added to salads.

Lupos: Fantastic, Markus, thank you so much! One last question: from a safety point of view, what advice would you give to someone who loves gardening but doesn't do it professionally?

Markus: My advice is to never underestimate the dangers. Do not improvise with inappropriate clothing. Wear safety shoes, suitable gloves and trousers that can protect you from sharp branches or thorns. But above all, protect your feet with a pair of suitable shoes!

Lupos: Thank you, Markus, for your valuable advice. We wish you all the best in your work and will keep you updated on our progress!

LUPOS®, your safety shoes