gardening
What will change due to climate change
Plants and climate are inextricably linked.
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Climate change can already be felt in Germany. An expert explains what that means for gardening.
Climate change affects various areas of our lives. Even when gardening, plant lovers face new challenges and problems. “The summers are getting hotter, the winters milder,” says Veronika Schubert, author of the book “Gärtnern im Wandel” (Servus), which was published on March 17th. With the climate, the vegetation changes and with it the choice of plants in the garden. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the expert talks about other effects of climate change, what needs to be considered when watering and which plants feel comfortable on the balcony.
Which vegetables and fruits will suffer from climate change?
Veronika Schubert: All those that are less robust and have a harder time surviving the dry season. But there are two ways to counteract this: either use efficient irrigation or change the type of vegetable. Parsnips and tomatoes have deep roots and can draw water from deep layers of the soil.
How do you water efficiently and conserve resources?
Schubert: You should store every drop in different containers, starting with the good old water butt right through to cisterns and wells. Plants that do not form deep roots themselves can be encouraged to root deeper with a conscious watering strategy: Water less, but more often. The garden is always watered in the morning and evening hours, since too much water evaporates directly from the surface in the midday heat.
What should you consider when choosing plants?
Schubert: Since climate change is a “hot” topic, you can find new breeds in nurseries and nurseries every year that are more robust. Drought tolerant plants often have thicker leaves and are hairy. Water suckers like hydrangeas, on the other hand, have soft, large foliage.
Are pests becoming a problem?
Schubert: Pests always appear when the plants are weak. Anyone who remains true to the principle of “the right plant in the right place” and to gardening in the cycle of nature will continue to reap good harvests and enjoy the lush flowers.
How can even the smallest piece of garden contribute to climate protection?
Schubert: Climate protection starts small, even in the garden – and the smallest garden is actually a flower pot. Every bit of green, no matter how small, every plant helps to break down carbon dioxide. So you can rightly feel a bit greener when you garden.
What tips do you have to ensure that nothing goes wrong when planting?
Schubert: If plants are in the wrong place, they need all their energy to cope with the situation that is bad for them. A prerequisite for successful planting is knowledge of the requirements and appropriate soil preparation.
Which plants do you recommend for people who only have a small balcony?
Schubert: Basically anything can be planted, even if it gets hotter and drier, as long as you water. Drought artists such as fat hens, stonecrops and grasses can withstand the new conditions well. Pelargoniums are also robust pot plants.
How do you find the right location for plants?
Schubert: There are plants that love the sun and others that love the shade. But the demands on the soil, and this is very important, also differ greatly. If you know what living conditions the plant wants, you can roughly determine the soil conditions with a simple finger test.
What do gardeners have to consider so that bees, birds and insects feel comfortable in the garden?
Schubert: Single flowers offer significantly more pollen and nectar than double ones, in which the stamens have turned into petals. Many different types of plants in the garden attract different animals and there should always be something in bloom, from spring to autumn. Birds need sources of food, preferably wild bushes with fruit, which also serve as shelter and breeding grounds.