“Responsible Gardens” is the key theme of spoga+gafa 2024, the largest garden and BBQ trade fair in the world. In Cologne, Germany from 16 to 18 June 2024, the global garden lifestyle and BBQ industry will focus on the responsibility it bears regarding the current and future challenges and their solutions related to the role the garden plays in society. 
“The focus of the topic is the responsibility the green industry bears regarding the role the garden plays in society. Together with our exhibitors and visitors, spoga+gafa will find the answers to these questions,” explained Stefan Lohrberg, Director of spoga+gafa.

Resource-saving gardening, fairly produced garden products, low-emission BBQ technologies, climate-friendly garden care and irrigation, but also a responsible rapport between garden owners will be especially emphasized at spoga+gafa 2024. The relevance of the topic will be presented and discussed in various formats.

A the same time during the Press conference in March there was the opportunity to discover new and historic green spaces in the city of Utrecht, in the Netherlands. The redevelopment of the Utrecht Central Station area is one of the largest and most complex projects in the Netherlands. The focus lies on connecting the historic city and the station more strongly with each other, improving the livability and walkability of the public space, with significantly less car traffic in the city center and more space for cyclists and pedestrians.

The new design of Catharijnesingel, by OKRA landscape architects, accommodates this by providing a walking route, a sailing route and sufficient public space for outdoor recreation. The emphasis on different micro-biotopes in the green areas also has an educational and positive contribution to outdoor activities, where one sees nature changing and growing while walking or sailing around Catharijnesingel.

Historic gardens in Downtown Utrecht, are the monastery garden of the Dom Church or right in the heart of Utrecht’s medieval city center, directly beneath the Dom, Flora’s Hof, an almost-forgotten piece of history. This was once the site of the Episcopal palace, later it became the location for a nursery and today it is one of the most stunning sites in the city center.

Also nearby is the hidden garden of the Gran Hotel Karel V where to stay and discover the city’s botanical gardens: from the old botanical garden, Oude Hortus, to the Utrecht University Botanic Gardens, the largest academic botanical garden in the Netherlands, with its collection of around 10,000 plant species. and including a large rock garden built on the bunkers of an old fort, which is now nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Another recent project is Central Park, situated right next to Utrecht Central Station with breathtaking views over the city, it is an extraordinary office building including a spectacular park 45 meters off the ground. Superbly located in central Utrecht, this building has flexible floors of 1,300 sqm dedicated to a modern work environment.

A new concept in floral design is Rood&Bloem, a Utrecht city garden store that feels like a treasure trove for everyone who loves living greenery. A store filled with green plants, dried flowers, gift packages, handmade products, unique accessories and original gifts.

At the end of the presentation in Utrecht, Stefan Lohrberg, Director of spoga+gafa. confirmed: “The more responsibly we treat private green spaces, the more social and personally relevant our gardens, balconies and terraces will become. That is our to-do list for the coming years.” At the same time the keynote speaker Theresa Schleicher, leading retail and futurologist in the DACH region, talked about changing consumer habits and customer needs, which are also influenced by global trends and a growing awareness of health and sustainability.

The design and care of gardens are more diversified than ever today: innovative, multifunctional garden tools, environmentally-friendly care methods, CO2 neutral and recycled products as well as the growing popularity of subsistence gardens are uniting efficiency and sustainability when it comes down to garden work. From 16 to 18 June 2024, the largest garden and BBQ trade fair in the world will present precisely these trends in the theme world “garden creation & care”.