Discover the secret orchard of Donau-Ries: tours start!

Discover the secret orchard of Donau-Ries: tours start!

The botanical orchard in the Donau-Ries district is enjoying growing popularity. Nestled between Wemding and Fessenheim, it offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of ancient fruit varieties. The garden, which opened its doors in summer 2022, is freely accessible and covers an area of ​​1.6 hectares. Visitors can not only linger here, but also gain interesting insights into the care and preservation of regional fruit varieties. Donau-Ries currently reports that the garden's technical support is provided by experienced district consultants such as Paul Buß, Dr. Silke Peterek and Sophia Och are taken over.

A little piece of natural history

The idea for this garden has its roots in 2011, when Antonie Schäble transferred the property to the Donau-Ries district. Her heartfelt wish was to preserve the land “for the benefit of nature and people” and to develop it as an educational natural object for young people. The district council resolution in 2019 laid the foundation for this exciting project, which was implemented in 2020 and 2021 with funds from the European Union as well as the district and city of Wemding. The garden is home to a variety of old and new fruit varieties, which are not only visually appealing but also play an important role in nature conservation. How Donau-Ries.de emphasizes, the care of the garden is the work of the district gardening department and volunteers from the horticultural associations.

Old fruit varieties in focus

The real treasure trove of the garden is the ancient fruit varieties. These varieties have been bred over generations and are characterized by their robustness against pests and diseases. In the Orchard paradise we learn that these regional local varieties have great genetic potential. Especially when compared to modern cultivated varieties, they offer many advantages, including a higher content of polyphenols, which can be more tolerable for allergy sufferers than common apple varieties such as Pink Lady, which contain fewer of these valuable ingredients.

Guided tours and events in the garden

For those interested, the Botanical Orchard offers regular public tours, which are often very popular in summer. The next dates are on June 25th, September 15th and October 7th, 2025, at 7 p.m. or 6 p.m., regardless of the weather - weatherproof clothing and sturdy shoes are advisable. It is also possible to book individual tours for small groups. The garden is not only a place for relaxation, but also a lively learning environment where visitors can benefit from the expertise of the expert advisors who are on site to answer questions every last Friday of the month.

With its unique offerings and charming backdrop, the botanical orchard between Wemding and Fessenheim has developed into a true gem for nature lovers. If you would like to find out more about old types of fruit, you have come to the right place and should definitely plan a visit.