The Otterfing horticultural association is celebrating its 50th anniversary. A festival weekend will be organized to mark this milestone. More than 200 members are passionately committed.
Otterfing
– 1974 was an important year for Germany. The country became football world champions, young people were of age at 18 and ABBA was on the radio up and down. And - not to forget: In Otterfing, around 70 plant and nature lovers got together and founded the Otterfing Horticultural Association. This year the club is celebrating its 50th anniversary. More than 200 members have joined the association, many of whom are significantly involved in Otterfinger's image. The celebration will take place next weekend.
Gardens fascinate the two board members, Ines Weinzierl and Sabine Koeder. Regardless of whether they cover many hectares or are very small, it always depends on how lovingly they are designed. “You can tell straight away whether someone has put their heart and soul into the work or whether a garden architect has been involved,” the two women agree. Their mission: “We want to take away the fear of creating something themselves for everyone who likes things to be blooming or green. We are happy to pass on our knowledge,” says Weinzierl, the association’s chairwoman. Gardening is a great balance to working life, she adds. “You can switch off and everyone has their favorite plants.”
Koeder, for example, the vice-chairwoman, has over 40 peony bushes, and Weinzierl loves her tomatoes, some of which are old varieties that you can no longer buy. Eugen Bergaenzle held the office of chairman for 40 years. “Unfortunately, our Eugen passed away, I have been first chairwoman for twelve years and Sabine Koeder is second,” explains Weinzierl.
The women, however, go into raptures when it comes to their gardens, but also the appearance of Otterfinger: “We simply enjoy it and we can garden.” The members advise private individuals when it comes to planting and questions arise such as: Which ones? Plant feels comfortable in which location? which soil is good for you? But anyone who wants to know something about pruning trees or about shrubs and perennials can also contact the association. “We are very happy to help and take a look at the conditions on site,” says Weinzierl. “We have been able to gain a lot of experience over the years and we are happy to pass it on.”
Design is in the foreground
When the club was founded in 1974, the focus was also on social reasons. “We wanted to meet and exchange ideas with like-minded people. Back then, the focus was primarily on growing fruit and vegetables, but today it’s more about designing the gardens,” says Weinzierl.
In addition to a wide range of lectures on the subject of gardening, garden trips have been taking place regularly for over 30 years. “I have always traveled with the aim of seeing gardens. It’s simply interesting to see what gardens look like in other cultures and climate zones,” explains Koeder, who is responsible for organizing and executing the trips. More than 50 participants accompany them on the trips, which primarily take place in Germany. “We’ve also been to Lake Garda,” says Koeder.
Heart project: Visit to school
In times of climate change, it is particularly important for club members to maintain old gardening knowledge and supplement it with new methods. Lectures on various topics from top-class speakers are offered twice a year. It ranges from peat-free soils to sustainable fertilization and the processing of herbs to maintain health. One project is particularly close to the hearts of the two board members. “We go to the Otterfing primary school with different projects.” Be it that the children learn to sow herbs, plant lettuce or grow potatoes: “The children love being able to get out of class to do something with their hands to do,” says Weinzierl. If something else germinates and grows, the children would reliably take care of the delicate plants.
The big anniversary
The big anniversary will be celebrated on April 13th and 14th in the school auditorium in Otterfing. On Saturday, April 13th, all friends of the Otterfings Horticultural Association are invited to the party with Leo's live band from 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. On Sunday, April 14th, the focus will be on the approximately 200 members. In the afternoon there is a cozy get-together with cake, coffee and live music. In addition to honors, a visit by District Administrator Olaf von Löwis and Otterfing's Mayor Michel Falkenhahn is on the program.
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