Blooming Oasis: Explore 2,500 Square Meters of Garden in Berkau
Exploring a Spacious 2,500-Square-Meter Personal Garden in Berkau
On June 2025, the "Open Garden" event returns to Saxony-Anhalt, offering an array of gardens for curious visitors to explore. One of these treasures belongs to the Thinibel family in Berkau, near Bismark in the Altmark region.
By Katharina Haeckl, SACHSEN-ANHALT
Christiane and Karl-Heinz Thinibel moved from a crowded apartment building to Berkau more than 30 years ago, into a home with a generous 2,500 square meters of garden space. In the DDR era, this meant primarily work in the beds, but the Thinibels cultivated tobacco and cucumbers on a large scale, tended to over 100 chickens, and sold their produce to make ends meet. But with the wall falling, demands plummeted. "We wondered, 'What do we do with the property now?'" Christiane recalls.
From DDR Work Garden to Oasis
The 2,500 square meter utility garden transformed into an enchanting oasis, dotted with trees and shrubs in vivid colors. Only a few small areas remain for vegetable patches and decorative pumpkins. Yet, the Thinibels are eager to share their vibrant green space with strangers.
They've been participating in the state's "Open Garden" action for ten years. What began as a surprise, with just 400 guests at their inaugural event, has since grown into a village festival atmosphere. People came from everywhere.
Showcasing Private Gardens
Around 70 local parks and personal gardens participate in this statewide event every year, offering something attractive to every taste, from healing herbs to stunning ponds, and from historical gardens to the modern. This diversity—from allotment plots to grand show gardens—highlights the breadth of garden enthusiasts throughout Saxony-Anhalt.
"The variety is what makes this action special," says Christa Ringkamp, president of the Garden Academy of Saxony-Anhalt. "It ranges from allotment gardens to larger gardens that serve as showcases at Nature in the Garden, and everything in between."
Savoring the Polish Hors d'oeuvres and Delights
Christiane and Karl-Heinz are eager to serve coffee, tea, and treats on open garden day. This tourist attraction benefits the local Berkau kindergarten, with the Thinibels keep the profits for their own work.Expect delicious Polish hors d'oeuvres and delightful refreshments while chatting with friends in the beautiful surroundings.
In this garden, as in the hearts of the people who care for it, there is a unique spirit. Visitors are warmly welcomed to share in this joy and experience the magic of the Thinibel's oasis.
And who knows, perhaps you'll spot an elk wandering nearby! It's been known to happen in nearby regions.
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Commentsklaus.kleiner77 10 hours ago
A haven of tranquility in the heart of Berkau. Can't wait to visit!
- The Thinibel family's home-and-garden, transformed from a DDR work garden into an enchanting oasis, offers a vibrant green space for visitors to explore during the "Open Garden" event, showcasing a diverse range of personal gardens across Saxony-Anhalt.
- Christiane and Karl-Heinz Thinibel, proud participants in the "Open Garden" action for a decade, invite guests to savor Polish hors d'oeuvres and delights in their colorful lifestyle garden, which has become a popular tourist attraction in Berkau.
