Grutsch Gartenbau in Germany shows that growing flowers can go hand in hand with sustainability and biodiversity. The nursery is an inspiring example of how flower production can have a minimal ecological footprint while supporting nature.
At Grutsch, all flowers grow entirely outdoors, no greenhouses involved. This means the flowers follow nature’s rhythm, from May to October. This seasonal approach produces stronger, more resilient flowers with intense colours. Because all flowers are grown locally and transported through short supply chains, their ecological footprint is remarkably small, up to twenty times lower than flowers from heated greenhouses or imported varieties.
Grutsch is also a model of efficiency in terms of energy use. Young plants are grown from seed and planted directly into open ground. The sun provides all the warmth needed; external energy sources are hardly necessary. The little electricity that is required is mostly generated by the farm’s own solar panels, which also collect rainwater on a surface larger than a football field.
Instead of synthetic pesticides, Grutsch uses natural plant boosters such as nettle and horsetail. This makes the plants healthier and reduces the impact on soil and groundwater. As a result, the need for crop protection is significantly reduced, showing how ecology and efficiency can go hand in hand.
Grutsch Gartenbau not only produces flowers for people but also food and shelter for animals. Among the flower beds lies an eight-hectare wildflower meadow, larger than ten football fields, created especially for bees, butterflies, beetles, and other insects. Birds benefit too, feeding on the seeds of spent plants. Small mammals and reptiles find cover and nesting spots. The presence of three on-site beehives underlines Grutsch’s serious commitment to biodiversity.
Grutsch Gartenbau proves that flowers can be not only beautiful, but also fair and ecologically responsible.
