Foundation stone for Naschgarten in Weiz: fruit trees for a better quality of life

Foundation stone for Naschgarten in Weiz: fruit trees for a better quality of life

The foundation stone for an innovative snack garden was recently laid in the picturesque Hofbauer Landscape Park in Weiz. At this event in mid-November, around 20 enthusiastic participants came together to learn how to properly plant fruit trees under the guidance of tree expert Alois Wilfling from the OIKOS Institute. The principles were divided into 25 golden rules that helped the participants to put the theoretical principles into practice. A total of 38 fruit trees were planted that day and will soon bear rich fruit.

Mayor Ingo Reisinger expressed his joy about the project and announced that the Naschgarten should become a place of enjoyment: “Step by step, a garden for everyone should be created here.” The vision behind the Naschgarten is to offer park visitors not only a quiet break, but also the opportunity to harvest fresh fruits such as apples, pears, cherries and berries. This project is supported by the city of Weiz in collaboration with the energy region in order to promote biodiversity and provide food and habitat for wildlife.

Distribution of old fruit trees

But the commitment to the fruit trees does not end in the landscape park. On the same day, over 100 old variety fruit trees were also distributed to private individuals and local businesses. This campaign was part of a KLAR! initiative that was implemented from September to October. Christoph Stark, mayor of Gleisdorf and chairman of the energy region, emphasized the importance of this measure: “Through this campaign, old fruit tree varieties find a new home, which not only benefits the landscape, but also biodiversity.” This is an important step towards preserving traditional fruit varieties and promoting regional awareness.

Christian Hütter from the KLAR! region explained the long-term goals of this project: “The combination of workshop and regional distribution is intended to promote orchard cultivation and contribute to adaptation to climate change in the long term.” These measures are also expected to have a positive impact on the local microclimate by providing shade and stabilizing soils.

Long-term projects in prospect

But this tree planting campaign in Weiz is just the beginning. Another fruit tree ordering campaign is already planned for spring 2025, which will be accompanied by a course on proper tree pruning. In this way, even more citizens in the region should become active participants in this flagship project. The Naschgarten therefore acts as a shining example of how climate adaptation, biodiversity promotion and quality of life can be linked.

Committed citizens in Weiz can look forward to further campaigns that aim to create a sustainable and healthy environment. This project has the potential to both strengthen the community and transform the Hofbauer Landscape Park into a thriving center for nature lovers and pleasure lovers.

For further details on the background of this initiative and future plans, see the report on www.meinkreis.at.