After the big opening event I didn’t feel like rushing to the Croatia Hall with several thousand other guests. I wanted to get some fresh air first, so I decided on the traditional flower hall reception in Hall 9 – a constant highlight of the International Green Week, always organised by the Zentralverband Gartenbau e.V.
It was particularly pleasant to be able to really breathe deeply here – on the one hand, around 700 guests spread out very well in the fairly large hall, and on the other hand, the extensive planting contributed to a pleasant climate. For some people it might have been a bit chilly this year – which was because the “doors” were left open. This year’s motto was “Nature in all its diversity”.
As every year, the hall was a visual treat and the planted areas shone in every imaginable colour. With more than fifty thousand flowers, shrubs and even water plants, Landgard eG has managed to create a real “refuge” for fair visitors. Here and there the slogan “100 Good Reasons” – an initiative for flowers and plants, fruit and vegetables – was also created by Landgard Service GmbH and is addressed to all of us in blog form with “Do it Yourself” ideas.
Despite the enormous “plantations”, enough space had been left to place small culinary islands. So of course there was wine, water, beer and non-alcoholic drinks and a glass of sparkling wine as soon as you entered the hall.
Before some of the speakers started to work there was enough time to do a tour of the hall. Especially impressive I found the lawn mowers – oops, sorry – I mean of course the Husqvarna automovers. I still know Husqvarna from the times when I was a motocross rider, but the modern chainsaws and especially these automovers, which almost look like small cars (and cost as much as a used one…) are quite something. But then you need a really big green area to “send out” the self-sufficient mowers.
Impressive was also a glazed, round pavilion of the company Hoklartherm – it was very appealingly furnished and made a good impression. The roof could be partially opened – of course with gases to protect against the remaining mosquitoes – and certainly ideal for the one that is also useing the automobile…in any case a real eye-catcher.
I also found the exhibition of the regional association of Berlin garden friends exciting – here there were exhibits that explained the origin of humus, but above all also very useful “multi-functional houses”. I think this is something for everyone’s garden or roof terrace – especially in times when insects are not around, a great thing. The cottages offer at the same time space for butterflies, bees, lacewings and several areas that pass as insect hotel.
After my tour the speakers said a few words to the guests, who were eagerly waiting for the opening of the buffets. When this came, there was no stopping and the “masses” pounced on the sandwiches, soups and the offered curry sausage.
Thus, from a culinary point of view, a quite down-to-earth buffet concept with really nice service staff. Besides half lard sandwiches, there were rolls with salmon or roast beef – which were really tasty but unfortunately had already spent too much time under the foil – and the mentioned curry sausage.
As a Berliner and grandson of a guild butcher I had to squeeze away a tear or two here – the ketchup was OK and the curry powder that came with it was also suitable – but what a “sausage” it was. If an optimization is desired here, I will be happy to help in 2021…
It had become late and I finally set off for home.