Spring weekend Botanic Gardens: Facts & fables about gardening

What is (not) true?

Reports on how best to garden often contradict each other. This raises questions. Answers are sometimes unsubtle, not always based on facts and in other cases an opinion is given.

• A tiled garden requires less maintenance than a garden with green plants.
• Do you really need to lime your lawn?
• Are uncertified organic plants harmful to the environment.
• Do you really need all kinds of different and special fertilisers?
• Pruning makes you bloom
• You can't go on holiday without that handy garden watering system!
• A garden design is very expensive anyway. It's better to think of it yourself.
• Bulbs are pure poison!
• Only organic, native plants are good for biodiversity.

Want to know the real deal with the above questions and statements? Then come to the Spring Weekend for workshops and knowledge sessions.

Experts

Real knowledge about gardening, plants and biodiversity is nuanced and built up through years of experience. Experts with extensive practical experience and solid professional knowledge share the facts and debunk the fables about gardening. A few examples of the knowledge sessions you can expect:

• Hans Kramer of the Hessenhof talks about the differences between organic plants and so-called “squash plants”. What are really good novelties, well-tested plants versus quick profit grabbers?
• Tinka Chabot talks about pruning. Not exactly which branch to cut away when, but in such a way that you show that you understand tree or shrub! Hein Meeuwissen shares the unfiltered and honest story of his flower bulb nursery and trade in a sector that has not always been in the news positively lately.
• Jaap Smit of Arboretum Trompenburg looks ahead to urban trees in a changing climate. Will we make do with beech, oak and chestnut trees.
• Jasper Helmantel of Cruydt-Hoeck talks about flower mixtures. How do you create a really good flower meadow and how do you maintain it? When is it important to choose indigenous? Do exotic plants only have ornamental value or added value for our biodiversity?

Programme

• On both days, there will be a Q&A session with a real gardener from the Guild of Gardeners. Here you can get an honest answer to all your gardening questions.
• At the plant market, growers offer their plants, including no-nonsense advice on their care.
• Do you have a question and want tips on how to design your own garden? Then you can speed-date with garden designers. Bring some photos and a sketch and you will receive practical, tailor-made design advice that will prove its added value. Register in advance via www.uu.nl/botanischetuinen/voorjaarsweekend.
• You can also enjoy the Botanic Gardens on your own.

Inspiration

At the Botanic Gardens Utrecht University, you can admire all kinds of different garden types. From prairie gardens to kitchen gardens, spots of deep shade and full sun as well as wet stream banks. In the largest academic botanic garden in the Netherlands, with a surface area of 10 hectares and over 10,000 plant species from all over the world, you will discover something new time and again! In short: a great source of inspiration for your own garden.

Spring weekend Garden Fun

Date and times: Saturday 22 March and Sunday 23 March from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Location: Botanical Gardens Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 17, Utrecht

Entrance fee: €10 per person including admission to Utrecht University Botanic Gardens.

More information: www.uu.nl/botanischetuinen/voorjaarsweekend.

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