Island Labor: Two-Week Project carried out by Urban Apprentices on Mainau Island

Gardener Apprentice Gains Exotic Knowledge Through Exchange Program

Hilke Stevens, a gardener apprentice from the city of Nordhorn, recently returned from a unique learning experience on the "Flower Island" of Mainau. The island, located on the edge of Lake Constance near Konstanz, is a tourist hotspot known for its impressive botanical garden and stunning flower displays.

Nordhorn, a city that offers six different training occupations, including gardeners, general administration, automotive mechatronics, media and information services, and event management, was the starting point for Stevens' journey. As the first apprentice from the municipal gardening department to participate in such an exchange, she was eager to broaden her horizons.

During her nearly two-week stay on Mainau, Stevens was introduced to care measures for exotic plants, such as banana plants, by her host gardeners. She also had the opportunity to work alongside giant sequoia trees, a rare experience for a gardener in training.

The initiative for training, which allows apprentices to gain experiences outside of their typical training environment, provided Stevens with the chance to work on Lake Constance instead of the Vechtesee. This opportunity enriched her training, as she was able to learn about tasks and plants she wouldn't typically encounter in Nordhorn.

Reinhold Schnieders, Stevens' trainer from the Green Department of the city of Nordhorn, praised the program, stating that apprentices gain new ideas and are able to assess themselves after working in another team. Stevens herself had a positive evaluation of her exchange experience, noting the different climate and plants at Lake Constance as particularly enlightening.

The island of Mainau covers approximately 45 hectares and features a botanical garden with around 1200 different rose varieties. One of its most notable attractions is the Italian flower water staircase, a stunning display of floral artistry.

As the city of Nordhorn regularly seeks apprentices, Stevens' experience serves as an inspiration for future participants in the initiative for training. Her successful exchange program not only broadened her knowledge but also opened doors to new possibilities in her gardening career.