Climate change as a challenge for urban gardeners

Baden-Kurpark is still generally quite empty, there are no foliage on the trees yet. However, the first signs of spring make themselves felt, some beds are already planted with flowers in a wide variety of colors. This is one of the first jobs to be done after winter, explains Andreas Kaestinger, Director of Baden City Parks. He is responsible for ensuring that the entire city will soon shine forth in spring-like splendor once again.

“We have 60 employees in the gardening district in the middle of preparations for the spring season. Last week they planted the flower beds in rotation,” says Castinger—there were about 20,000 flower bushes across town. There are also tens of thousands of flower bulbs that were planted last fall. From April onwards, daffodils and tulips will guarantee colorful parks, carousels and other green spaces.

Climate change: perennials and herbs instead of flowers

However, there will probably be fewer flowers and blossoms to see in Baden and other cities than in the past, because city parks have to adapt to changing conditions – the keywords of climate change.

“Of course the challenge is great. We already have to water the young trees from the last few years this year because they are very dry in the winter. We also now have to water the flower bulbs in the spring so that they don’t flower for two or three days and then they fall off because it gets too hot,” explains Kastinger. .

Because so many resources are needed for irrigation and maintenance, in some places people resort to alternatives. “Many plantings have been converted to perennials and herbaceous perennials, because that means less effort,” says Kastinger. In any case, these plants are also being prepared, cut back and fertilized at the moment. Until spring comes.