Garden miracle at 84: Günter Oehme and his magnificent greenery!
Günter Oehme, 84, has been tending his award-winning garden in central Saxony for over 40 years - a role model for climate-adapted gardening.

Garden miracle at 84: Günter Oehme and his magnificent greenery!
Gardens are not only a piece of green idyll, but also a place where nature and people are in harmony. This is shown by the example of Günter Oehme from Central Saida. At the proud age of 84, he keeps his garden of over 1000 square meters in remarkable condition. Oehme has been dedicated to garden care for more than 40 years, and his passion for plants honors nature with blooming colors and healthy greenery. There is not a wilting leaf to be seen there, which fascinates not only him but also the numerous tour buses that drive past his garden. Freie Presse reports that ...
But in times of climate change, gardening is no longer an easy matter. The climate crisis is reflected in dry summers, mild winters and more heavy rain. For many garden lovers, managing the fields will be a challenge. At the latest when the vegetables dry out and the lawn turns brown, the gardeners have a problem that needs to be solved reliably. NABU shows how one can adapt the garden to the changed climatic conditions.
Gardening strategies for a better future
Private gardeners can take an active part in protecting the environment and meeting the challenges of climate change. Tips for climate-adapted gardening include choosing suitable plants for dry, sunny locations. Native plants in particular will have the best chances in the future given the changed climatic conditions, when thirsty plants such as hydrangeas or delphiniums have to fight passionately for water. Crater beds help retain heat and moisture, which benefits sensitive plants.
By designing gardens with diverse plants, garden members have a much better opportunity to reduce vulnerability to extreme weather conditions. That's why NABU also has ten design tips that are important for climate-adapted gardening. This also points out the need to minimize sealed areas in the garden in order to better retain rainwater in the ground. Collecting rainfall is another step to prepare for dry seasons; Rain barrels are a practical solution here.
The importance of plant selection
A garden that adapts to the challenges of climate change also requires thoughtful plant selection. Drought-resistant perennials include maiden's eye, mullein and even some Mediterranean herbs. These plants are not only easy to care for, but also have the advantage of requiring less water and are therefore more sustainable. Alternatives such as larger perennials or shade trees, such as the Indian banana, can help protect the sensitive plants from the sun.
In addition to these cultivation methods, it is also important to promote biological diversity in the garden. A wide variety of plants strengthens the robustness of plants against pests and other crises. Regularly checking the trees for weak points and loosening the soil after heavy rain are also important measures to guarantee the vitality of the garden.
Overall, it is important to see your own gardens not just as decoration, but also as a place for learning and adapting to current environmental conditions. Awareness of climatic changes and the right measures are essential in order to continue to enjoy a blooming garden in the future. NDR shows how you can adapt your garden so that it will still be a place of joy in 20 years.