...when Werder's blossoms bloom
In the spring, Werder (Havel) blooms in a sea of fruit trees. In summer and autumn, the trees are densely hung with fruits. Many fruit farms offer a self-picking package. Werder is considered the orchard of Berlin. Werder's fishermen realised early on that the island's mild microclimate was ideal for fruit growing. Commercial orcharding developed in the first half of the 19th century.
The scarce land was densely planted, and in the summer the fruit was shipped to Berlin. At the end of the 19th century, the fruit growers united to form the Fruit and Horticultural Association. It advertised the products, organized exhibitions, advised the farmers and launched the Blossom Festival in 1879. After the two world wars, fruit growing slowly recovered. In the GDR, large-scale production began on the old fruit-growing areas. Nevertheless, also small-scale production in home gardens continued.
After the fall of the Wall, the fruit growers had to start over. With the ‘Werderscher Erzeugermarkt’ (Werder Producer Market) and the re-establishment of the Fruit and Horticultural Association, things slowly improved. To support the preservation of the fruit culture, in 2002, the city council launched a development plan for the cultural landscape and fruit-growing area Glindower Platte, the heart of the fruit production in Werder.