Anita Streitfelder: Natural garden certification as a role model for the region!

Anita Streitfelder: Natural garden certification as a role model for the region!

There is good news for garden lovers and conservationists in the Berchtesgadener Land region. Anita Streitfelder, a dedicated gardener from Oberau, has managed to award her naturally designed garden with the coveted natural garden certification. Since 2009, Streitfelder has been dedicated to maintaining her green paradise, which has now been officially recognized for its sustainable management by two natural garden certifiers from the District Association for Horticulture and Landscape Conservation. This reports bgland24.

The criteria for natural garden certification are demanding: synthetic plant protection, fertilizers and substrates containing peat are taboo. In addition, some optional criteria must be met that give the garden additional ecological value. Streitfelder mastered this with flying colors by planting 18 standard fruit trees and 40 slender apple trees in her garden and relying on natural methods of soil care. Strawberries, for example, which suppress grass growth, are just one example of their skilful care.

Diversity and habitat in the garden

What makes Streitfelder's garden so special? In addition to the fruit trees, the garden is a true Eldorado for plants and animals. Heat-loving plants such as fig trees and mulberries thrive here. The lean beds created not only provide a home for special plants, but also for ground-nesting insects. Dead wood and natural stone dry stone walls promote the settlement of beetle and insect larvae and create a harmonious balance. A “wild corner” is only mowed every two to three years to support and preserve biodiversity.

The proximity of a garden to nature is not only important for nature, but also for people's recreational opportunities. Natural gardens are a place of peace and offer an exciting habitat for many species. This philosophy is also reflected on the website Bavarian State Institute for Horticulture, which offers garden owners a wealth of information and guidelines for designing natural gardens in order to garden in harmony with nature.

The certification procedure and the benefits

For all those who would also like to create a nature-friendly garden, there is an option for certification: those interested can register directly with the Bavarian State Association for Horticulture and Land Conservation e.V. If certification is successful, garden owners not only receive a beautiful certificate, but also a plaque that represents sustainable management. Members of the fruit and horticultural clubs pay an allowance of 40 euros, while the fees for non-members are 80 euros.

In order to benefit from a natural garden award, we recommend contacting the district garden advisory service on +49 8651 773-853 or by email at kreisgartenfachberatung@lra-bgl.de.

Anita Streitfelder is not only a gardener, but also the board member of the Oberau fruit and horticultural association and successfully completed the Salzburg arborist training in 2024. She is also one of the few natural garden certifiers in Berchtesgadener Land and has developed a good knack for maintaining and designing her green oasis.

This holistic approach to garden care, which includes both ecological and social aspects, is also a role model, as described in various projects and initiatives, such as in bioterra. Co-creation in natural gardens supports vibrant diversity and therefore represents a valuable contribution to biodiversity.