Biogarten Thurner Hof

What do a former parking lot, a silted-up moat and a half-timbered house have in common? Here at Biogarten Thurner Hof, they are woven together into a tapestry of urban sustainability. You might not guess it, but this tranquil oasis was once a neglected corner of the city. In the late 1980s, dedicated volunteers from the Cologne Adult Education Centre saw the potential of this place. What began as an effort to revive a dilapidated car park blossomed into the Biogarten Thurner Hof we see today. Step through the entrance and be greeted by the vibrant hues of the Bauerngarten, a traditional cottage garden nestled beside the imposing 16th-century farmhouse. This meticulously designed space is a feast for the senses, brimming with medicinal herbs, colorful vegetables and beloved garden classics like phlox and peonies. Follow the gentle curve of the Seerosengraben, a former moat that lay forgotten until those same volunteers painstakingly resurrected it as a haven for aquatic life. Today, it’s a thriving Teichlehrpfad, a water garden where you can discover the secrets of aquatic and waterside plants. Beyond the small wooden bridge lies the heart of Biogarten Thurner Hof, a sprawling meadow orchard. Here, traditional orchard staples like cherries, plums and pears grow alongside forgotten treasures – the Mispel, Speierling and Bayernfeige. This is not just an orchard; it’s a living archive of fruit varieties, preserving the legacy of regional favorites like the Rheinischer Bohnapfel and Rheinischer Krummstiel. As you wander, notice the gentle hum of activity around the beehives, another testament to the commitment of Biogarten Thurner Hof to biodiversity. Biogarten Thurner Hof is a testament to the power of community, a place where nature flourishes thanks to the dedication of volunteers. It shows that even in the heart of a bustling city like Cologne, a forgotten corner can be transformed into a place of learning, growth and connection with the natural world.