Horticulture Institute staff trip to South Kurzeme region
On July 27, members of the Breeder Pēteris Upītis Society and employees of the Horticultural Institute went on an experience exchange trip to the South Kurzeme region.
At the Durbe Museum, we visited an exhibition about the father of Latvian gardens, Sīmanis Klēvers (1834–1922). He was not only a gardener and author of gardening books, but also the mayor of Durbe.
Did you know that the coat of arms of Durbe depicts an apple tree?
On a dark blue background, a silver apple tree with seven silver apples, one apple for each day of the week, is depicted. The apple tree symbolizes the Durbe apple orchards, which were established in the early 20th century at the suggestion of the city mayor and gardener Sīmanis Klēvers.
In Grobiņa municipality, we visited the Zenta Mauriņa Memorial Room and the Īve tree nursery, where they grow and sell forest seedlings and ornamental garden plants on 18 hectares.
In Medze parish, we followed in the footsteps of the Stern dynasty of gardeners. The Stern family's contribution to the establishment, care and development of the gardens of Medze parish can be measured over almost a hundred years. They have been engaged in selection, have taught young gardeners and have given advice to anyone interested.
“So that fruit trees would bloom near every house, fruits and berries would grow, and diseases would be eradicated,” was the goal of the gardeners Sterns.
We visited the house where the Sterns once farmed, which has now been taken over by new owners and, just like in the past, is surrounded by orchards. Here, among the old and newly planted fruit and berry trees, there is a large beehive and bees are buzzing all around...
We visited the oldest and most valuable Greek walnut trees ( Juglans Regia ) in the South Kurzeme region.
Finally, we went to Aleksejs Naumovs' solo exhibition "Vineyards, Gardens, Parks and Other Landscapes", which can be viewed at the Liepāja Concert Hall "Great Amber".
We have enriched our experience and knowledge of the history of horticulture, as well as consulted with industry professionals.
Thank you to the director of the Durbe Museum - Reinis Bach, the directors of the Zenta Mauriņa Memorial Room and the arboretum "Īve", the granddaughter of the Štern family - Vija Šenkevica, and the new owners of the Štern house for the welcome!
