They want to raise ecological awareness in the neighbourhood without pointing a finger. Jürgen Thorand and Jörg Dickert are two of the seven current members of the newly founded "Green Estate" working group. Their aim: To gradually gain new supporters for the "green cause" and to show interested citizens, using successful examples, how a (front) garden can be remodelled in a natural yet low-maintenance way.
"The estate is beautiful," says Jörg Dickert. "But it could be a bit greener." In Armin-Knab-Straße, near Baywa, he has discovered a few "stunted corners", as well as at the former "Siedlerheim", Kleistplatz could also do with a revitalisation and some private gardens have more gravel than green spaces. "We want to improve the quality of life in our neighbourhood," says Jürgen Thorand. And the two native settlers want to set a good example.
On Father's Day, the working group invited people to its first high-profile project: Thorand and Dickert took part in the "From Garden to Garden" event. Jürgen Thorand and his wife welcomed almost 70 visitors to their garden. There were about the same number at Jörg Dickert's. The seven other settlers who opened their garden doors for a few hours also had a good turnout. If the two have their way, the event will be repeated. "I've already been approached by a few settlers who want to take part next time," reports Thorand. A nice side effect of the campaign is that people get to talk to each other and the community is encouraged. "And of course we give useful tips and suggestions."
The two settlers have gathered heaps of experience. Jürgen Thorand recently redesigned his front garden as a "prairie perennial" themed garden. He excavated 87 wheelbarrows of soil and put many hours of work into the redesign. Together with the gardener, he selected 90 plants and made sure that they could not only cope with the climatic challenges, but also provide food for insects and appeal to the human eye. He had nine tonnes of gravel delivered by the Kitzingen-based company LZR and spread it over the bed. From now on, the plants will require little maintenance and comparatively little water. The first flowering messengers can already be recognised: Indian nettle and coneflower are blooming alongside Patagonian verbena and various perennials. He gets ideas and tips once a month during the perennial walk (Hofmann perennial nursery in Rödelsee). "And I'm happy to pass them on," he assures us.
It is only around a hundred metres from Jürgen Thorand to Jörg Dickert's garden - and yet it is a different world. Dickert has almost always had a penchant for "gardening", probably inherited from his parents and grandparents. (The settlers' houses were originally built in 1935 to be self-sufficient). "I just enjoy seeing the developments over the course of the year." His very own approach: bringing new life to old things. He built his raised beds from old planks and used the wood waste to create a pile of dead wood that is home to wild bees and other insects. He has repurposed the old bricks as dry stone walls and is constantly working on ecologically valuable recycling ideas. His aim is to gradually motivate other residents of the neighbourhood to also create nature-friendly gardens. "We don't want to act as educators," he says. "We simply want to pass on our ideas and build up a network of interested people.
Of course, the city of Kitzingen should also find its place in the network. "With Claudia Ringhoff as neighbourhood manager and Caroline Wirsing, we already have very good contacts," says Jürgen Thorand and Jörg Dickert nods. The two are convinced that the district centre as a contact point clearly offers added value for the residents. New ideas for very different projects and activities are discussed and implemented there. Just like the "Green Estate" project group and the citizens' working group. "Anyone who wants to get involved is welcome," emphasises Jürgen Thorand and Jörg Dickert adds: "So that our estate becomes more beautiful and more liveable."
InfoTen
new trees are set to be planted in the estate this year. At least, that is the aim of the ‘Green Estate’ working group. Jürgen Thorand has got the ball rolling with a service tree and a rock pear.