Blooming City and Happy Bees: Now Sowing Flower Seeds in Düsseldorf
In the vibrant city of Düsseldorf, a new initiative is blossoming to encourage residents to create insect-friendly gardens and promote biodiversity. The "Blossoming District 2023" competition, now open for registration until August 1, 2023, aims to inspire others through garden tours, local press contributions, and social media posts.
The competition, organised by the local branch of Alliance 90/The Greens, is not just about the most beautiful gardens, but also the most insect-friendly ones. This includes tree pits and balconies in District 1 (Golzheim, Derendorf, Pempelfort, Altstadt, Carlstadt, City Centre). Interested parties can register their entries online at [www.wir-tun-was-fuer-bienen.de/registrierung.html](http://www.wir-tun-was-fuer-bienen.de/registrierung.html) until July 31, 2023.
Seed packets for bee-friendly flowers and plants can be picked up for free at various locations across the city. These include the PSD Bank at Bismarckstraße, the Garden Office at Kaiserswerther Straße 390, Düsseldorf Town Hall, and citizen's offices. The seed packets, sorted by Wilfried Burchartz and Dirk Schmidt, are a gift to the city's residents, part of the city's efforts to promote pollinator habitats.
Wild bees, in danger due to decreasing nesting opportunities caused by surface sealing and removal of dead wood, are particularly happy about the blossoms. Approximately 80% of plants rely on insect pollination, primarily by wild and honey bees. Sadly, about 300 out of 560 wild bee species are on the red list of threatened animal species.
The Foundation for Man and Environment is also hosting the "Germany buzzes! - Planting Competition 2023," which is in its eighth year. The Düsseldorf Beekeepers' Association has also joined the cause, bringing a box of seed packets for bee meadows to the PSD Bank. Moreover, the city is giving away wildflower seeds with the "Düsseldorf Mix."
These initiatives reflect Düsseldorf's commitment to promoting biodiversity and creating a city that is a haven for pollinators. For the most precise and up-to-date information on such programs, it is recommended to check with the City of Düsseldorf’s official environmental or urban gardening departments, local beekeeping associations, or community environmental groups.
- The "Blossoming District 2023" competition, organized by the local branch of Alliance 90/The Greens, welcomes not only beautiful gardens but also ones that foster insect-friendly lifestyles, extending to home-and-garden spaces like tree pits and balconies in District 1.
- As part of Düsseldorf's initiatives to promote pollinator habitats, seed packets for bee-friendly flowers and plants are available for free, not just for gardeners, but those with a passion for home-and-garden and gardening, making it possible for anyone to contribute to a insect-friendly lifestyle.
