"Garden work also has to be fun"

Mrs. Mensing-Meckelburg, which developments have you observed within the garden industry and in buying behaviour over the past years?

When I look back a few years, we were in the middle of the COVID pandemic. I think we won over more young people during that period: Many of them have gained a taste for growing things themselves. Even if it doesn‘t lead to self-provision, one can‘t grow that many tomato plants, people are proud to harvest their own tomatoes. Growing one‘s own vegetables and herbs has experienced a real hype of the past years. Particularly young families are increasingly paying attention to a healthy diet, more vegetarian foods and growing their own vegetables.

What do you think is the reason for this trend?

It is much more about enjoying the gardening and not just considering it to be work. Which brings us to another topic: gravel gardens. They are already forbidden in some regions, which is important too. Now it is about offering products that are easy to care for and which are nevertheless still fun. It mustn't just feel like work or garden work, it also has to be fun and you have to be able to enjoy it.

To what extent does the ban on gravel gardens play into your hands, or isn't it as simple as that?

The regulation is only regional so far and doesn't apply nationwide, but I principally find it good. There are many alternatives to plants that cover the ground and at the same time can also absorb water. One has to place tarpaulin under gravel to prevent weeds growing - that limits the ability to store rainwater. Plants offer many advantages here.

How would you assess the future significance of the themes sustainability and the climate as well as upcycling and recycled products?

The themes sustainability and the climate will no doubt gain significance in the future. Many communities are already relying on sustainable measures, for example by implementing perennials more often instead of seasonal plants. There is potential for sustainable practices in home gardens too. Instead of doing away with plants like roses, they should be planted in gardens, where they return every year. The use of perennial plants is an important step in the direction of saving resources.

What about recycling?

We are seeing similar developments in the material recycling section. Building timber and waste wood can be processed into new products and plastics that are easy to recycle also offer great potential. Even clay pots can be used for new purposes through creative upcycling. It is decisive that we pay more attention in future to keeping resources in circulation instead of simply burning them.

How can the industry and spoga+gafa give a push in the right direction?

Sustainability is a marathon, not a sprint. The technological development is striding forward making a lot of things easier. Pressure from the outside is also needed to bring about change, such as recycling plant pots for example. There is a long way to go and it can't all be achieved overnight. spoga+gafa carries out good work by bringing the industry together and promoting the exchange. If one keeps one's eyes open when moving round the stands, one always discovers something new and can gain ideas for one's own garden centre. It is important to go out and exchange ideas - the trade fair is ideal for that.

What else is important to you?

As a networking association it is important for us to bring people together at national and international level - spoga+gafa offers the ideal platform for this purpose. Training and further education is another important issue. For example, we are testing the use of VR goggles to determine their acceptance and potential for our customers and members. The focus lies thereby on the dialogue: How can one succeed in coming into direct, authentic contact with the customer? Digital tools can aid one in addressing people more efficiently in real life. During our training days the participants visit production or horticultural businesses so they have a better understanding about where the products come from. If one has a passion for something and can project this enthusiasm over to others, things are going well. One can only sell and convince, if one is impressed oneself. Most customers need a simple address to have successful experiences and not lose interest in gardening.

Has it become more difficult to arouse this passion in people or does one simply have to take a different approach today?

One has to be interested in the industry and also show it. In the past at school one used to learn for the teacher, not for the sake of the subject. If one can arouse the spirit of discovery and the joy by enthusiastically talking about one's own achievements, it makes people proud and they want to try it out themselves. Everyone wants recognition and this can also be gained by such stories.