Jena, March 12, 2026. Those wishing to strengthen biodiversity right on their doorstep can now receive professional support: The Volkshochschule Jena is organizing a special basic course this coming Saturday on the creation and maintenance of nature-oriented front gardens, terraces, and balconies.
- What: Basic course “Nature-Oriented (Front) Gardens”
- When: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Where: Grietgasse 17a, Jena
- Lead: Christina Zaubitzer (Thüringen NaturGarten e.V.)
- Registration: Required at www.vhs-jena.de
Theory and Practice for Home Greenery
Gray gravel gardens and sterile lawns offer local wildlife hardly any food or shelter. How this can be changed – even on small areas such as terraces or in front of corporate buildings – is taught by course instructor Christina Zaubitzer. As a dedicated career changer, she has been active in the regional group Thüringen NaturGarten e.V. since 2018 and shares her practical knowledge with the participants.
The course is specifically aimed at beginners and gardening enthusiasts who want to work with native wild plants and wild shrubs. In addition to the theoretical introduction to the principles of nature-oriented gardening, practical tips for implementation are also on the agenda. The goal is to create sustainable and low-maintenance habitats for insects, birds, and small mammals.
Background: Why Nature-Oriented Gardens are Important
In times of noticeable climate change and insect decline, urban green spaces are becoming increasingly important. Nature-oriented gardens serve as important ecological stepping stones in densely built-up cities. They also improve the urban microclimate by having a cooling effect on hot summer days and being able to absorb more water during heavy rain than sealed gravel surfaces.
The choice of native wild plants is crucial: many native insect species are highly specialized and cannot build a food chain with exotic ornamental plants from conventional hardware stores. Native perennials and shrubs are also more robust and often cope much better with local weather conditions, which minimizes maintenance efforts in one’s own garden in the long term.
Source:
Nature-Oriented (Front) Gardens
Transparency Note: This article was automatically generated, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.