Family in Bielefeld constructs an idyllic backyard sanctuary, complete with a swimming pool, as captured on film
A Transformed Garden in Bielefeld: A Haven for Small Creatures and Sustainable Living
Sylvia Tetmeyer's house and garden in Bielefeld, Germany, have undergone a remarkable transformation, turning into a living work of art that blends creativity, nature, and sustainability.
The family, including Sylvia, Lutz Hermanns, and their three daughters, moved into the over 100-year-old house in 2021, which they had purchased in 2020. Since then, they have dedicated themselves to creating a garden paradise for small creatures.
The garden, spanning more than 1,000 square meters, is one of the 14 most exciting gardens selected for a competition to find the most beautiful garden in OWL. It boasts a variety of native shrubs, a bed with bee-friendly plants, and a vegetable garden. A Benjes hedge has been created to provide shelter for small animals such as birds, hedgehogs, rabbits, beetles, and more.
The family's dedication to sustainability is evident in the garden's fertilization, which is done with humus produced from garden waste in the compost pile. The pond, designed to be suitable for swimming and using 28 tons of Ibbenbüren sandstone, now has a filter system to keep the water clean. Newts, grey herons, and kingfishers have been spotted at the pond, adding to the garden's rich biodiversity.
Lutz Hermanns, a hobby cook, built a greenhouse from recycled window frames for growing peppers and tomatoes. The family values a natural garden and does not use chemical control for snails, instead collecting them. Various vegetables such as strawberries, zucchini, rhubarb, pumpkins, beans, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and potatoes are growing in the beds.
The family aims to teach their children about the origin of food and plans to create a farm-like garden with a stake fence for growing stock roses and gladioli. A small seating area in the garden, framed by summer lilac, decorative quinces, a fig tree, and native shrubs, offers a peaceful spot to enjoy the garden's beauty.
The fragrant scent of rosemary, thyme, tarragon, and oregano attracts herb enthusiasts, while the family's participation in the "Day of the Open Garden Gate" for the first time and welcoming around 70 to 100 visitors showcases their love for sharing their garden with others.
Voting for the competition will take place on the digital theme page in the first week of September. If you’re interested in more specifics about the timeline, design influences, or detailed features of the garden and house, stay tuned for more insights!
- Sylvia Tetmeyer, Lutz Hermanns, and their daughters have created an outdoor-living space within their transformed garden, achieving a harmonious blend of their home-and-garden, promoting a sustainable lifestyle by using compost, reusing window frames for a greenhouse, and cherishing small creatures.
- Embracing the concept of sustainable living, their transformed garden in Bielefeld now boasts a variety of vegetation, including native shrubs, a bee-friendly flower bed, and vegetables, as well as providing a haven for various small animals, making it a perfect illustration of their lifestyle centered around outdoor-living and gardening.
