Gardener from Essenes: "It's not feasible to pull out every single weed"
Monika Gwosdz, a passionate tomato enthusiast and collector of old tomato varieties, is inviting the public to explore her enchanting garden during the upcoming "Open Garden Gate" (Offene Gartentür) event. Located at Riesweg 76 in Essen-Stadtwald, the garden covers approximately 1000 square meters and will be open from 11 am to 5 pm on the 2nd and 3rd of August.
Gwosdz's garden is a haven of sustainability, with 4000 liters of rain barrels and tanks for water conservation. The tomatoes are protected by sheep's wool, which not only provides protection but also fertilizes the soil and stores moisture. The garden is transformed into a "sensory experience course" through various projects, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience.
As you wander through the garden, you'll notice a variety of insect-friendly plants, including catnip, blue and red monkshood, Echinacea, and poppies. These plants, which can withstand heat and require little water, attract bees and dragonflies, adding to the garden's vibrant ecosystem.
The garden is also home to two pets, Luna (a cat) and Safran (a tomcat). Visitors may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these friendly companions during their visit.
This year, Gwosdz's garden is participating in the "Open Garden Gate" event for the first time. The event, which has been practiced in England since 1927 and has been followed by private gardens along the Ruhr for the past 20 years, features multiple private gardens that residents allow visitors to explore. This year, eleven gardens in Essen, Hattingen, Bochum, and Castrop-Rauxel are participating.
The garden's front area features a variety of plants, including strawberries, which were particularly successful this year. Visitors can even purchase plant cuttings such as mint, columbine, verbena, giant iris, pink knotweed, asters, and various grasses to take home and grow in their own gardens.
Gwosdz has carefully designed her garden to be a bit fairytale-like, with little paths and various favourite spots. However, she admits that she is not completely satisfied with the fennel this year, as she prefers thick bulbs instead of thin stalks.
The garden also boasts a Klar apple tree, which is probably as old as the house from 1956. Previously, the garden featured a giant fir tree in the middle, which has since been replaced with a water lily pond. Garlic surrounds the garden, helping to keep slugs at bay.
Visitors to Gwosdz's garden can look forward to a unique and immersive experience during the "Open Garden Gate" event. With comfortable seating available, visitors can view the garden from different perspectives and enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents of this enchanting space. As of the first opening weekend in July, around 250 visitors have already enjoyed this sensory journey.
The enchanting home-and-garden of Monika Gwosdz, featuring a variety of plants and pets, is offering a unique sensory experience during the "Open Garden Gate" event. Immersed in a vibrant ecosystem, visitors can wander through her garden, admiring the tomatoes protected by sheep's wool, the insect-friendly plants, and the fairytale-like paths.
