Pflanzgarten School Garden

Over one hundred different plant species are mentioned in the Bible. These are largely the same species as in the holy books of Judaism and Islam. The most important plants can be found in our Bible garden. If desired, we can grind and bake a simple flatbread, and participants can organise a garden tour of the seven most important biblical plants themselves. At the end there will be a meal of flatbread, grape juice and biblical fruit. (in German)

Botanical knowledge of plant identification is a prerequisite for being able to assess biodiversity. Depending on the time available, we can go through up to three stations in this programme. After a brief introduction to a simple plant identification book, we first identify plant species independently. Then we categorise garden plants into the most important plant families. Thirdly, there is a herb quiz. At the end, a homemade herb quark on fresh bread is the reward. (in German)

We create pictures from flowers and leaves collected and dried in the garden as well as autumnal window decorations from natural materials. Using the technique of nature self-printing, we create creative prints from leaves and plants. During Advent, we make our own Advent arrangements from natural materials.
(in German)

While plant dyes used to play a decisive role in the dyeing of fabrics, knowledge of dye plants has largely been lost today. We rediscover historical dye plants and even dye silk scarves in an environmentally friendly way using plant material. Patterns can be incorporated for embellishment. During the Easter period, we dye eggs with plant-based colours and individual leaf patterns.
(in German)

The Francke Foundations' Pflanzgarten becomes a »garden of the senses« if you approach it in a completely different way. We explore and enjoy the garden using various sensory perception games for seeing, smelling, touching and tasting.
(in German)

Depending on the season, we get to know numerous vegetable plants, fruit trees and shrubs in the plant garden and process their harvest fresh from the garden into healthy and delicious food. We focus on health aspects as well as regional and seasonal nutrition. We also learn about the most important types of grain and their uses, as grain can be ground, baked, flaked into muesli or cooked as porridge on site. (in German)

How did people live 300 years ago, what did Francke's world look like? We approach the world of the 18th century through lifestyle, diet, land use, etc. and discover the differences to our lives today. Depending on the time, we will prepare a meal ourselves as we did back then. (in German)

From the different early bloomers in early spring to the ripening of fruit and the colouring of leaves on various trees and shrubs in autumn, we experience, observe and investigate seasonal changes in plants and animals in the plant garden and the grounds of the Francke Foundations. (in German)

We carry out experiments on the germination and growth of plants to find out what environmental conditions plants need to survive. The experiments are designed for a longer period of time. We start the experiments at the first meeting. Then everyone carries out their observations independently. At the second meeting, we analyse the results together. (in German)

The programme aims to help children understand that soil, the earth, is an important basis of life for us all. We explore the components of soil, discover the world of soil organisms, consider how soil is formed and carry out simple soil experiments depending on the time. (in German)

Various medicinal and aromatic plants are used to promote health and well-being. During a herbal tour, we learn about important medicinal and aromatic plants, their typical scent, sometimes also flavour, their medicinal use and effect. We then test our knowledge in a herbal quiz. Depending on the time available, we finish by making something homemade from herbs, such as herbal tea or herbal spread. (in German)

Clean and healthy water is a valuable commodity. What is the global situation regarding the availability of this vital element? What can we do to contribute to the conscious use of this limited resource? Depending on your wishes, we can carry out simple experiments on the topic of water or investigate the pond habitat in the plant garden. (in German)