Between March and may shoots up and grows it in the garden centers. At this time, the business is blooming as usual. Half of the annual turnover of the operator in these three months. Depending on the weather, it is even more.
The arms race of the Amateur gardener, is off this season, however. To slow the Corona propagation, also need to the nurseries and Garden plants since the 17th century. March to keep their stores closed. “This time, customers tear usually Primeli and seedlings from the hands,” says Erwin Meier-Honegger (47). But this year he had to much goods, which he could not give, for example, old people’s homes, dispose of it. “We have worked for many weeks only for the compost.”
“Now there is gloom and doom”
Meier-Honegger has been chief of the garden centre Meier in Dürnten in the Zurich Oberland. Together with his sister Bettina (41), it leads the business of the 126-year-old family business with 240 employees in its fourth Generation.
Difficult times like lousy spring weather gave it again and again. “But now there is gloom and doom. This is something we have never experienced,” says Meier-Honegger. Feel sorry for him, all those who would have to spend because of the Corona, with the crisis in their Easter holidays at home, “and not even distraction with gardening can provide,” says Meier-Honegger.
The garden center-in-chief tells of how it has been with him in the operation tears. To “two to three months long-cultivated plants destroy, gnawing at the morale of the employees.” The go to the Psyche, to be depressing, he said.
“Now, my employees are already back at the plant. If we are not allowed to open longer than planned in the may of our operation, has been this trouble in vain again,” said Meier-Honegger. And again, you would have been working for many weeks only for the compost.
Disgruntled Online customers on the phone
As it helps the customers to knock on currently the garden-online shops with the doors. He expects his Webshop: On an average day, 1500 purchases go over the counter. On peak days, in the spring of it with 3000, twice as many. Online, so on the virtual shop counter, make operation a maximum of 200 orders a day. Thus, he achieved only a fraction of total sales.
“This is frustrating, because our Online and logistics team is on the Cramp.” Frustrating is also that it is understood by many customers and claimed, if there is a delivery delay time. “On the phone, we had to say many, sorry, but Easter is nothing more.”
collection points, and the seedling-Drive-Through
transcribers on plants, wages need to be paid, bearing all costs, the run despite a Lockdown on. The Meier garden centre, one of the leading in the country, it goes to the reserves. Short-time work has long been part of everyday life. “I try to see, despite the Corona, the Positive”, says Meier-Honegger.
Its pick-up station for pre-ordered plants of all kinds to expand the garden centre Meier now. Such stations are authorized in the whole of Switzerland explicitly. Not the Canton of Zurich plant has been approved – and Seedling-Drive-Throughs, as in Aargau, one from the garden center Zulauf in Schinznach-Dorf is operated. Meier-Honegger was working currently with the Hygiene and distance arrangements, if he could open the Center and then once again.
half of the gardeners holdings bankruptcy
is In contrast to Meier-Honegger’s other industry companies at the end of the Paschal lent, a matter of Survival. Jardin Suisse is now the state Secretariat for economic Affairs (Seco) Alarm. In the position paper, present a VIEW, attributed to the Swiss gardener Association with the bankruptcy of half of the horticultural farms, when additional support ausbleibe.
“is The current Situation really precarious,” writes Oliver Mark (55), President of the Jardin Suisse. “We expect a loss of 40 to 60 million Swiss francs for the whole industry.” A sector that comprises around 100 major producers, such as the Meier garden centre are 600 nurseries in villages – with a total of well over 10’000 employees.
Here is a hobby gardener to come online to seedlings and co.
Despite the closed garden centres and DIY stores, there is for hobby gardeners on the Internet Alternatives. The large stores of Migros (Do it Garden), Coop (Bau+Hobby), and Obi offer a large Online selection of plants needs. From a certain shopping cart the shipping costs. All point to your web pages, however, to delays in delivery.
The special-Senders Baldur-Garten the shipping costs to Switzerland are at 7.95 Swiss francs. Smaller orders at Lubera, with headquarters in Buchs SG cost 4.95 CHF delivery charges. Also Hauenstein has an online shop with a large assortment. Due to large crowds, this remains until at least the Easter holidays disabled, it says on the company website.
Because the seedling markets of Switzerland vary widely, sold the ProSpecieRara Foundation, a cultural-historical seeds and seedlings via the online shop. The family-run Zollinger organic seeds sent the young plants from Les Evouettes, VS, in a stable packaging. Cost: 9.95 Swiss francs from 60 francs the shipping costs.
The Andermatt organic garden AG Switzerland provides far seeds, seedlings, natural pest control, and garden accessories. Online orders will be sent by Post. The shipping costs of 9.95 Swiss francs, is sent in the order of large dietwil LU.
gardening is also, in large cities possible. Inspiration to VEG and the City provides. From a purchase value of CHF 100 the 9.95 CHF shipping costs. Jenny Wagner
Coronavirus
The Coronavirus currently holds the world in suspense. Many countries are taking measures such as Closing schools or limiting public events, to prevent the spread. In Switzerland, too, the grass, the Virus magnetized. All of the current information and Figures around the topic there is in the Coronavirus-Ticker.
I Have the corona virus or just the flu?
The Coronavirus spreads further – also in Switzerland. Especially in the flu season, you can assess for yourself whether one is ill with the Coronavirus, or whether you just have an ordinary flu. The differences are subtle, but they exist. VIEWS is defined.
protection against Coronavirus
recommendations of the Federal office for health, how you can protect yourself:
Hygiene
wash your hands: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use a Hand sanitizer. Don’t sneeze, you Sneeze into the hands, or cough in a handkerchief; or if you have none, in the bend of your elbow. Handkerchiefs to dispose of properly: paper towels, should be disposed of after use in a closed waste bin. You stay in fever and cough necessarily at home.
contact minimize
Stay home and avoid wherever possible contact with people. You go only in the following exceptional situations, out of the house: the food doctor shopping or pharmacy visit / the home office is for your job not possible / you have to help other people. You keep if possible 2 meters distance to your fellow human beings, for example, in a line or at meetings. Avoid contact with people breathing or have a cough. You avoid public transport. You can be all that is possible to home deliver. Important: No welcome kiss, no hugs, no shaking hands.
stay Informed
Note the local instructions and recommendations. Strictly to the rules and announcements of the authorities. Infoline Coronavirus: 058 463 00 00, 24 hours a day available Info-page of the BAG: bag-coronavirus.
when should the ch one to the doctor?
do not Go out in the symptoms (difficulty breathing, cough, or fever) in the Public and contact you immediately – first by phone, a Doctor, a doctor or a health care facility.
patience
remains The Situation until Further notice. The Federal government informed in regular intervals about the current developments. It applies now more than ever: peace and quiet preserved, and the thing in common to serve.
