Hailstorm completely destroyed the nursery - that's how Josef Holzer is doing today

Created: 01/24/2022, 19:54

A fresh start after the storm: Josef Holzer and his son rebuild the nursery in Gelting.

© Rudi Stallein

The Geltinger nursery Josef Holzer was destroyed by the hailstorm over Wolfratshausen.

But giving up was not an option, “even if your heart bleeds”.

Gelting – When he left the house that night, Josef Holzer felt like crying.

The devastating storm that hit Wolfratshausen and parts of the northern district in the late evening of June 21, 2021 completely devastated the family's nursery in Gelting.

The glass roofs of the five large greenhouses had been literally shot through by hailstones the size of a golf ball, and the six foil houses on the Loisach-Isar Canal were shredded.

Today, more than six months later, Josef Holzer can smile again.

It's true that not everything has been restored by a long shot, but operations are running – as well as they can.

Hailstorm completely destroyed Geretsrieder nursery - that's how Josef Holzer is doing today

Some damage only became apparent over time, which is why the repair work dragged on.

Added to this are the current supply bottlenecks in many sectors.

"We were really lucky with the glass," says Josef Holzer (63).

“We immediately had a glazier on hand, who we also entrusted with the procurement.

He started work on the second day.”

A shambles: After the hailstorm it looked like this at the Holzer nursery in Gelting © Archive

Nevertheless, the company was closed for almost two and a half months.

There were also no more goods that could have been offered to customers.

The tables in the greenhouses were littered with shattered glass.

It was hoped that trees and shrubs could still be sold.

"But when you got to that, you had tiny shards in your finger.

You couldn't sell them anymore.

They had to go, even if it made your heart bleed,” reports the gardener with a wistful voice.

“We were glad when the container was gone.

We were all more comfortable there.”

Garden center in Gelting: After the hailstorm, Josef Holzer rebuilds everything

The nursery only opened again in mid-September.

However, almost the entire autumn range had to be purchased from other companies.

"But there is an extreme sense of togetherness," emphasizes the 63-year-old.

It was to take until All Saints' Day before the last roof was sealed again - around 2500 square meters of glass roof and another approximately 2500 square meters of foil houses in total.

"Bit by bit it grew again," says Holzer.

Storm over Wolfratshausen and Geretsried: There was a lot to do for the nursery

As soon as areas were ready - the plant tables also had to be renewed - one grew their own plants again.

After all, they want to live up to their own company slogan as soon as possible: "Buy where it grows." In between, he and his son Josef Holzer jun.

in demand as a craftsman.

You had to do a lot yourself, explains the 39-year-old.

Glue the plastic tubs to the new tables, for example.

Father and son are currently busy re-establishing the irrigation system.

"The connections of the old casting machines don't match the new tables." In addition, the electrical system "hangs", which also has to be replaced because cables were also cut by the falling glass.

Buy fresh flowers and plants: Geltinger Gärtnerei looks to the future

The biggest problem at the moment: “The old control cabinets have been outside for almost the whole summer.

That wasn't good for them - and you can't get new ones at the moment." It will probably still be a construction site until Easter.

"But in spring we can offer everything from our own production again," says the gardener happily.

In three greenhouses, the pots with still green daisies, buttercups, forget-me-nots, pansies, geraniums and primroses are crowded together.

Despite the immense damage, which Holzer senior puts at "almost half a million euros", it was clear from the start that the nursery should continue to operate.

"Quiting was not an option," assures the father.

"But," adds his son with a mischievous smile, "you don't have to have something like that again."