My natural garden
The near-natural garden is modelled on nature; wild flowers are encouraged and weeds are tolerated. There is a wide variety of plants, animals and insects, as the garden offers different habitats, food sources and hiding places.
The appearance of the garden changes naturally with the seasons.
Once the design is complete, maintenance is reduced to a few simple steps and only a few tools are required.
The blaze of colour in the near-natural garden is more discreet, but no less varied. The many plants improve the air quality and regulate the local climate. The near-natural garden is therefore a plus for people, animals and the environment.
Infographic – Quality of life in a natural garden (pdf)
Native perennials,
hedges and trees
These plants are planted once and bloom anew every year. They provide food sources and habitats for animals and insects. In late autumn or spring, pruning is sufficient to maintain the plants.
Herb lawns
and flower meadows
They provide food and a home for bees, butterflies and other insects.
They are low-maintenance because they are rarely mowed. They do not need to be watered or fertilised; no moss needs to be removed.
Unsealed
Paths and squares
Water-permeable surfaces (gravel, crushed stone, (grid) stones, wooden surfaces, etc.) allow rainwater to seep into the ground. The spaces between the stones can also be planted with greenery, because if the surface is driven or walked on (cars or pedestrians), the greenery will stay short all by itself.
Greened
Walls and privacy screens
Climbing plants are ideal for vertical greening (privacy screens, shading and demarcation of areas). Dry stone walls provide an important habitat for numerous plants and animals.
.jpg)
Nesting sites
and shelter
Piles of dead wood, ‘wild corners’ (where nettles or mugwort are allowed to grow) or an insect hotel provide ideal harbourage for animals and insects. These naturally ensure that pests in the garden are reduced.
Lean substrate
A lean soil is usually the best, low-maintenance option for herb beds and flower meadows.
Here, the planted herbs or sown plant mixtures can grow without too much competition from nutrient-loving spontaneous vegetation.
Utilising vegetation
instead of fighting it
A closed vegetation cover naturally suppresses the growth of unwanted plants. Open spaces in the plant bed can be covered with a layer of wood chippings or cocoa husks that is not too thick until the plants are large enough to cover the ground.
Do without chemicals
A near-natural garden requires neither pesticides nor artificial mineral fertilisers. The diversity of plants and animals creates an environment that keeps itself in balance. Any weeds that grow here are hardly noticeable and do not have to be laboriously removed.
How to create a flower meadow:
Seeds
Soil composition and location
Before sowing
Sowing
Jump-start
Patience
Irrigation
Snails
Care during the sowing year
Mowing
Winterfood for birds
Here you can download the above information as a pdf file: