Spring is coming and that means it is time to get busy out in your yard, or as the German’s call it, your Garten. The Naturschutz-Zentrum (Nature Protection Center) Hessen has designated the Yard as the Biotope of the Year for 2002-2004. (Biotope of the year is only designated every two years to allow time for the winning area to be studied, presented and improved.) The Yard has won this year due to the role it plays, not only in the lives of humans but also in the lives of local plants and animals. Furthermore, not only can nature preservation centers and environmental protection organizations give presentations and hold seminars on this topic, but the average person can also play his or her role in helping the environment: Millions of people have yards and can take the initiative themselves to make a difference.

Here are some ideas on how to make your yard a welcome place for plants and animals; and, at the same time, how to do your part in protecting and improving the environment.

• Set up a wilderness corner with wild berry plants to give birds and other small animals and insects a peaceful place to rest and snack.



• Create a small pond to provide wandering amphibians a welcome and safe resting stop.



• Use and preserve heirloom seeds and plants whenever possible to promote and protect plant diversity. There are thousands of types of vegetables, flowers and herbs, most of which have lost their places in our gardens due to mass production of standardized seeds. Instead of planting purple eggplant, for example, try white, green or black! Check out the website of the Seed Savers Exchange www.seedsavers.com for more information on heirloom seeds.

Information taken from Angelika Hillmer's article, Überraschung: Das "Biotop des Jahres" is der Garten from the Hamburger Abendblatt, 2./3. Februar 2002.

The contents of your yard are important, but how you maintain it plays an even more important role for the environment. For example, set up a composter in your yard, and you have a natural source of fertilizer at your fingertips year round. Or, bury a rainwater container in your yard and connect it to the downspouts from your roof for watering your plants. This way you do not have to waste precious drinking water. And finally, do away with the need of poisons to deter harmful pests from destroying your yard by switching to natural and environmentally friendly products. Here are a few tips:

• Pechnelkenextract from Spinnrad (website www.spinnrad.de), dissolved in water and sprayed on your plants, offers them added vitality, strengthens their resistance and improves their growing ability.



• Niem tree products work wonders for detering insects and other pests from consuming your plants. The scent of niem sends the animals running in the other direction.



• Moss treatments: gather up moss from your yard and soak it in 10 parts water overnight. Drain the moss through panty hose or another fine filter and use the water to water your plants. This not only adds vitality and strengthens their resistance, but it also works to repell unwanted creatures.

Even if you just have a tiny balcony, get out those flower pots and go to work! It is spring and with the Yard being the Biotope of the year, it is an excellent opportunity to discover or re-discover your green thumb!

Information taken from Angelika Hillmer's article, Überraschung: Das "Biotop des Jahres" is der Garten from the Hamburger Abendblatt, 2./3. Februar 2002.