Success in harmony with nature: The roadmap to sustainable gardening
The green revolution: How nurseries and horticultural businesses can become sustainable
Consumer demands for environmental compatibility and resource conservation are constantly increasing. Sustainability is also becoming an increasingly important competitive factor and a corporate obligation in the green industry. Nurseries and horticultural businesses striving for future-proof and environmentally conscious practices can take action in various areas.
Here are five key areas of action that will help nurseries to make their business future-proof and sustainable.
Soil protection and peat reduction
Protecting valuable ecosystems begins with the substrate. Peatlands, from which peat is extracted, are essential carbon sinks. Their extraction releases large quantities of stored carbon and destroys unique habitats.
Activities:
- Peat-free substrates: The consistent switch to peat-free soils and substrates based on wood fibers, compost or bark are essential.
- Circular economy: Make your own compost from green waste. This not only reduces the need for purchased substrates and fertilizers, but also creates a nutrient-rich, healthy soil improver.
Intelligent water management
Water is a scarce and valuable resource. Especially in greenhouse operations and when irrigating large open fields, nurseries can save a great deal through efficient management.
Activities:
- Rainwater collection: Collecting rainwater in large cisterns for irrigation is the simplest and most ecologically sound method.
- Circulatory systems: The use of irrigation tables that collect excess water and reuse it after treatment drastically reduces water consumption.
- Plant selection: Prioritizing climate-resistant, site-appropriate and native plants reduces the maintenance and water requirements for sales and customers.
Biological plant protection and biodiversity
The avoidance of chemical-synthetic pesticides is a core principle of sustainable gardening. Instead, the power of nature is relied upon to keep pests in check.
Activities:
- Use of beneficial insects: The targeted application of beneficial organisms (such as ladybug larvae, lacewings or nematodes) for biological pest control in greenhouses and open fields is highly effective and environmentally friendly.
- Natural remedies: Application of plant-based liquid fertilizers, teas or natural oils to strengthen the plants and protect them from infestation.
- Promote biodiversity: Providing insect-friendly plants and creating nesting and overwintering aids (e.g. insect hotels or piles of leaves) on the company premises promotes local biodiversity.
Packaging and waste prevention (precycling)
In the retail sector, the choice of packaging plays a crucial role in the ecological footprint. The goal should be precycling , i.e., avoiding waste before it is even created. Where packaging or labeling materials are unavoidable, innovative solutions offer an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastics. These include materials based on bioplastics , which are produced from renewable raw materials and are compostable at the end of their life cycle.
Nurseries can use compostable carrier bags that repel moisture and help packaged fruits and vegetables stay fresh longer. Special bioplastic packaging films are available for florists and retailers, ideal for wrapping bouquets in an environmentally friendly way. These films can replace conventional packaging paper in many cases . Bioplastics are based on rapidly renewable raw materials and require significantly less energy and water to produce than paper made from slow-growing trees. Using such materials is also a sustainable choice for internal logistics, for example, as liners for organic produce boxes , packaging films (e.g., as mulch or covers), and for barriers on farms or in fields (as biodegradable barrier or marking tape). This is particularly important because even if the materials unintentionally end up in nature, no permanent microplastics are created.
For plant propagation and labeling, compostable planting bags are ideal, as they can be placed directly in the ground, eliminating the need for potting and preventing root damage. Sustainable products are also available for forestry, such as growth protection sleeves or tree covers made of bioplastic. These protect trees from browsing animals and biodegrade after their lifespan in the forest, leaving no lasting microplastics behind. Robust, weather-resistant plant markers and loop labels made of bioplastic are used for price marking and plant identification. These are compostable and prevent the accumulation of permanent microplastics in the soil.
Here you will find a selection of compostable packaging and labeling materials made from bioplastics, specially developed for nurseries.
Energy efficiency and logistics
Greenhouses in particular are often energy-intensive. Reducing energy consumption not only reduces CO2 emissions but also operating costs.
Activities:
- Heating: Use of modern heating systems such as geothermal energy, biomass or connection to district heating networks to replace gas and oil.
- Lighting: Conversion to energy-efficient LED lighting systems in greenhouses and sales areas.
- Local procurement: Where possible, prioritize regionally sourced goods and short transport routes. Electric vehicles or cargo bikes are ideal for internal logistics.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about sustainability in nurseries and horticultural businesses
Why is reducing peat so important for nurseries?
The extraction of peat destroys peatlands, which are important CO2 sinks and unique ecosystems. Peat-free substrates based on wood fiber or compost make a significant contribution to climate protection and soil conservation.
What advantages do bioplastics offer over paper as packaging?
Bioplastics (based on renewable raw materials) require significantly less energy and water to produce than paper. They are also moisture-resistant and based on rapidly renewable resources, unlike slow-growing trees.
How can nurseries efficiently reduce their water consumption?
Through measures such as collecting and reusing rainwater, using closed irrigation systems (circular systems) and favoring climate-resistant plants.
What is meant by "precycling" in the context of horticulture?
Precycling means avoiding waste from the outset. This includes choosing more sustainable materials or using reusable systems before single-use packaging even becomes waste.
Are compostable planting bags really more environmentally friendly?
Yes, because they are based on renewable raw materials, can be planted in the ground along with the plant, and decompose biologically there. This eliminates the need to repot the plant and prevents the release of permanent microplastics.
What role do beneficial insects play in sustainable plant protection?
Beneficial insects replace chemical-synthetic pesticides. Their targeted use combats pests biologically, maintains the ecological balance, and protects the environment and employees.
Why should we use barrier or marking tapes made from bioplastic?
Unlike conventional plastics, these tapes biodegrade if left behind or forgotten in nature (in fields or forests). This prevents harmful, persistent microplastics from entering the soil.
What alternatives are there to conventional plastic labels and plant markers?
Plant markers and loop labels made from bioplastics are a robust, weatherproof, and compostable alternative. They prevent the use of permanent microplastics for plant labeling.
How can nurseries improve their energy balance?
By switching to modern, renewable heating systems (e.g. biomass, geothermal energy) instead of oil/gas and by using energy-efficient LED lighting in greenhouses and sales areas.
What are the advantages of bioplastic liner bags for organic waste boxes?
They demonstrably keep harvested fruit and vegetables fresh for longer, protect the produce during transport and are biodegradable at the end of their use – a sustainable alternative to coated paper or plastic films.
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