|
Tulip blossom
in the gardens at Michaelshof
|
|
|
Here comes a small update for everyone who loves the tulip blossom just as much as we do! After the traditionally very yellow March, characterized by a multitude of curiously gazing daffodils and their early-blooming friends, it appears in April: the colorful splendor of tulips. And May? It brings us even more colors and shapes, because right now, as you read this newsletter, we are at the peak of tulip abundance in Sammatz, where the gardens are as colorful as life at Michaelshof itself.
|
|
«Then I don’t even have to travel to the Netherlands anymore!», exclaims one or another who approaches our gardens at this time. The numerous tulip bulbs are replanted here every autumn and are not taken out of the soil again – two of the most frequently asked questions we receive each year about the colorful flowers. Over the years, the individual bulbs retreat further and further, so that replanting is constantly necessary if one wants to maintain a continuously colorful picture.
And when it is finally here, the colorful world of tulips, it is worth taking a new walk through the gardens every day, because again and again new, wonderful surprises reveal themselves.
|
|
Incredibly diverse, the queen of spring presents herself: fringed, velvety, flamed, ruffled, elegant, goblet-shaped or lushly double – and after the dark winter months, it exerts a very special appeal on our senses. Those who engage with it can be refreshed by the youthful power of this plant and discover a source of joy within themselves – because these flowers can touch us in a very special way.
|
|
|
One of our special tulip treasures is the “Ad Rem,” which is planted in three special locations here each year with great anticipation. The probably most impressive place is under the old, gnarled cherry tree in the campus garden with its circular shape. This year during the cherry blossom, we were already able to see some of the large-flowered orange-red “Ad Rem.” When these two blooming treasures come together, our visitors can hardly hold back: all day long you see people with their phones drawn, taking photos in small or larger groups.
Many more stories could be told about the thousands of varieties that now bloom in our gardens. It is precisely in the interplay of the diverse shapes and colors that their special appeal lies – and as a garden planner pondering over variety lists in autumn, one is always challenged to maintain harmonious compositions and develop new ones. Surprisingly, the different varieties often come together quite naturally into a harmonious overall picture. In the flower beds at Michaelshof, the bulb plants from April onward mix with the freshly emerging perennial shoots that have had their place there for years and soon complement the fast-moving tulip world with the steady serenity of their appearance.
So come on over! We estimate that some of our colorful friends will remain with us for about another two weeks before they are then replaced by peonies, roses, and the tens of thousands-fold sea of blossoms of summer.
|
|
|
«The flower proves to be a greater pioneer of
a new relationship between world and soul than
we suspect. Unimaginable effects emanate
from gardens and flowers.»
Karl Foerster
How about: Simply stay longer? In our 8 guest rooms you can enjoy the tulip bloom to the fullest over several days!
|
|
|
Get involved, experience, grow –
Internship in Sammatz
|
|
|
Interns – these are our helpers who spend 2–4 weeks at Michaelshof. Most come from Waldorf schools in Germany or Austria and do their agricultural internship here. They mainly support us in agriculture, with the vegetables, in the gardens, and in the kitchen.
|
|
Depending on their interests, they also get to know the bakery, the dairy, the confectionery, the gelateria, our medicinal plant manufactory, the shop, or the café. This concept has existed with us since 2018 – and it has proven itself absolutely.
In April, the internship period reaches its peak, because just before the big exams, many leave everyday school life and dive into the internship.
|
|
|
Whenever school classes and individual interns move through the gardens again, the village becomes a bit more lively – with all the dynamics one knows: the curious ones, the reserved ones, the enthusiastic ones, and the observant ones.
Here are a few voices from our interns from Innsbruck, Elmshorn, and Schwerin:
|
|
|
‹The best part? Getting to know so many people, being away from home for a bit, and that there is so much variety here! And: I wouldn’t have expected so many Latin Americans to live here.›
‹It’s just really beautiful here – the most beautiful place in Germany that I’ve seen! Do you know that game where you can build your own world? In Sammatz you somehow did that over the years too and now we can all enjoy it, I find that pretty amazing.›
‹I love the gardens with the many flowers and also like to relax there after work. And the animals. And the people. And the mentors. Everyone is somehow so friendly!›
In summer we also expect further intern groups – among others from Taiwan and the Czech Republic. And who knows: maybe soon from all over the world. We are looking forward to it.
|
|
|
One evening, many aromas
Gourmet evenings at Michaelshof
|
|
What are you actually up to on the last Friday of the month? Nothing yet?! Do you feel like a special organic 3-course menu in the café at Michaelshof – sometimes hearty German, sometimes exotic and always a little experience? Every month we invite you to immerse yourself in a new taste experience at our café evenings – with a changing theme, matching music, and a very special atmosphere.
This year we’ve already had hearty Bavarian and last weekend also truly Brazilian cuisine. ‹The Brazilian night was like a warm embrace from Germany (Sammatz) for me.› – Camila, Brazil
|
|
Our culinary journey continues with a typical German summer dish – our asparagus evening at Michaelshof.
Fine organic asparagus with ham, boiled potatoes, and homemade hollandaise sauce, we meet in good weather under the open sky, surrounded by lanterns and with a view of our gardens.
Come join us on May 29 from 19:00–21:30!
|
|
|
Internationally it continues with:
June 26 – Italian evening
July 31 – Barbecue evening
August 28 – Spanish evening
September 25 – Algerian evening
October 30 – French evening
November 27 – ‹Grünkohl› evening
December 11 – Swiss raclette evening
You can register for our gourmet evenings until Monday before the event via our homepage.
|
|
First pasture outing – pretty “kuhl”!
|
|
What you are now reading is handed down from a truly lively report by Sara, our farmer.
‹Yes, we had the first pasture outing with the cows last week. After the cold winter that our cows spent in the barn, they were now allowed back out onto the green meadow.
First, we all met in the morning on the farm and instructed our large group – surely 20 students plus our regular stables team – on what to do next. The first group drove ahead and step by step positioned some people at important intersections where the cows should not turn the wrong way (the path to the pasture is long!). I waited with a few of us in the field.
Then the herd set off. Leading the way was Claire, our lead cow, guided by Jakob. Calmly and determinedly, she set the herd in motion.
|
|
But the world outside the barn is exciting and everything had to be looked at extensively. Past the vegetable and medicinal plant field, they finally arrived at the fresh spring meadow. From below I saw both the boys (Anton and Jakob) as well as quite a large cloud of dust, and in it our happy cows were running. An epic sight! Once on the pasture, each of the ladies found her way in the new area depending on her character – some immediately grazed, others first played, slobbered on each other, or explored the entire pasture. Claire, our lead cow, true to her role, first observed the herd until everyone calmed down.›
Soon also the calves, then the goats and the sheep will also go onto the pasture. Finally!
|
|
|
|
Good things from the dairy – Bergkäse & Samtaler
|
|
Do you already know our Sammatz cheese? At the cheese counter of our organic market at Michaelshof, a large selection of cheeses from our ark animals awaits you. For example the Samtaler made from cow’s milk, which with its Emmental note is perfect for a snack, is well suited for gratinating, or can simply be enjoyed on its own.
The Bergkäse made from the best milk of our Angler Red cattle matures 6 to 12 months in our cheese cellar before it goes on sale. You can taste that! The finely spicy cheese with its slightly crystalline consistency makes every cheese platter a special taste experience.
You can find both either online or in our new organic market directly opposite the café.
|
|
Vegetable update from Gabi and Daniel
The vegetable season is in full swing and the field is slowly but steadily filling with green! Since Easter we have been pricking out and planting as much as we can, and soon we will also be picking up the hoe again.
This year is unusually dry and cool. That means: we have to irrigate more than usual, and much grows more slowly. As far as we’re concerned, the beautiful early summer weather can arrive now. Then the more sensitive crops like eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and peppers can finally go out into the field.
New this year: our fourth polytunnel is up – and already well filled with fresh greens, for example our tender Demeter lettuce.
What makes us especially happy right now? In about four weeks we can already harvest the first strawberries. Summer is in sight! 🍓
|
|
|
Michaelshof up to date – all opening hours at a glance!
Ark farm:
Mon-Sun 09.00 – 19.00
Café:
Mon-Sat 08.00 – 18.00
Sun & holidays 09.30 – 18.00
Biomarket:
Weekdays, Sun & holidays
daily. 10.00 – 19.00
Pavone – Plants & More:
Monday Closed
Tue-Fri 14.00 – 18.00
Sat, Sun & holidays 11.00 – 18.00
Der WAGEN in Lüneburg:
Wed & Sat 07.00 – 13.00
|
|
|
|
Our next events at Michaelshof
|
|
|
Führung durch die Sammatzer Gärten
Every Saturday at 15:30 – meeting point at the café
During our garden tours you will learn everything about our gardens that you have always wanted to know. How did we create the eight different garden areas and what is currently blooming particularly beautifully? We take you to the most beautiful places in our garden and park facilities and give you tips & tricks for your home.
60 minutes, €10 per person, from 5 registrations.
|
|
|
Tulip weeks at Michaelshof – April 11 – May 10
Now it gets colorful! In the Sammatz gardens, thousands upon thousands of tulips shine everywhere in the most beautiful colors and shapes. They form true seas of color play – and those who get very close discover a different little sensation every day.
There are, for example, the delicate lily-flowered ones, the twin tulips in bright orange, the double tulips in the most colorful hues and of course the parrot tulips with their amusingly ruffled petals – you simply have to love them! And so do the insects, which happily buzz around the early bloomers. A happening for the whole family with the good mood of spring nature!
- Seas of tulips in Arena, Waldsee & Co.
- Tulip exhibition in the pavilion & tastings in café and the cherry garden
- Music in the gardens
Free entry! Donation welcome!
|
|
|
|
Mother’s Day buffet at the café at Michaelshof – Sunday, May 10 from 9:30–12:00
Make Mother’s Day something special for you and your loved ones – with a lavish special buffet in organic quality surrounded by the warm Michaelshof atmosphere. Afterwards, a walk through our springlike gardens invites you to enjoy, marvel, and linger.
- Delicious organic buffet in the café – sweet, savory, and seasonal
- Extras to book: flower bouquets and cosmetic packages
Adults: €45, children up to and including 11 years: €20
Registration requested!
|
|
|
|
Gardeners’ regulars’ table – Wednesday, May 13 from 17:00–19:00
At the gardeners’ regulars’ table, we exchange ideas about gardens, planting concepts, and soil conditions. Our experienced Michaelshof gardeners give tips on site selection, light and shade conditions, as well as healthy soils. Whether you are looking for new ideas or simply enjoy gardening – here you learn from the pros and other garden friends. We meet in the café at Michaelshof.
Free entry, donations welcome. Registration requested!
|
|
|
|
Image-creating methods – making quality visible – Saturday, May 16 from 11:00–17:00
How can we make the living visible in substances? With image-creating methods, for example! We show you in our medicinal plant manufactory how we examine the quality of our soils and various agricultural products.
- Tour through the medicinal plant manufactory at Eichenhof & over the medicinal plant field
- From sensitive crystallization to chromatography to rising pictures
- Practical exercises on image-creating methods
Participation: €50, registration required!
|
|
|
|
Bread baking course with Jakob – Saturday, May 23 from 11:00–17:00
Taking a self-baked, fragrant bread out of the oven is a special moment! Jakob opens the doors of his bakery, explains everything about sourdough, wood-fired oven & co., and gives you important tips & tricks for your home.
- Step by step baking sourdough bread and rolls
- Tasting of all Michaelshof breads
- To take away: 1 self-made loaf of bread, 1 jar of sourdough starter
Participation: €60, lunch: €10. Registration required!
|
|
|
|
Asparagus meal at the café at Michaelshof – Friday, May 29 from 19:00–21:30
May is asparagus time! We invite you to an organic asparagus menu, which we enjoy outside in beautiful garden atmosphere in good weather. The taste of summer!
• Starter: colorful summer salad
• Main course: fresh organic asparagus with potatoes and hollandaise sauce, optionally with ham
• Dessert: chocolate cake with fruit ice cream
Adults: €37.50
Adults vegetarian: €35
Children up to and including 11 years: €20
Registration required!
|
|
|
|
Farm festival in summer – Saturday, May 30 from 12:00–18:00
With summer, our ark farm shows itself from its most lively side: everywhere it buzzes and hums, the animals enjoy the warm days, and the open stables invite discovery. Come by and experience the special atmosphere of our farm! Look forward to:
- Animal encounters for young and old – riding horses, petting donkeys, sheep, goats and more, feeding and experiencing them up close
- Farm tour & dairy tour – get to know our farm, the animals, and milk processing
- Face painting, ark farm quiz, and live music
- Delicacies directly from the farm – fresh, seasonal, and to be enjoyed by the fire with stick bread and fire bowls
Free entry! Donation welcome!
|
|
|
Pauline grew up in Krefeld and after school first went to Ireland for a gap year. There she heard about Workaway for the first time and signed up on the volunteering platform. While working on an Irish horse farm, she got to know horsemanship – a type of horse training that she also works with here. Her second stop in Ireland was a farm where potatoes were still harvested by hand like in the old days and the family’s strong accent made for a truly rustic experience. She then studied social work in Münster and worked part-time at a cheese delicatesse stand as well as a horse trainer. Studying itself wasn’t quite her thing – the student life in Münster all the more.
|
|
|
In the middle of her post-study trip to Denmark, she received roughly the following message from Sammatz via a volunteering platform: “Hey, we are a colorful community in northern Germany – why don’t you come by!” A few months later, in 2018, she came to Michaelshof as a volunteer, where she liked it so much that in April 2019 she moved here completely with her boyfriend at the time – because of the nature, the people, the animals, and the community.
|
|
|
|
At first she worked half in the café and half in our child and youth welfare facility Peronnik. Between world travel plans and the idea of her own farm in Croatia, she connected more and more with the place and decided to stay – because she realized: the dream of her own farm had long been right in front of her, just a little larger than expected. Three years ago, her daughter Madita was born and brought quite a lot of squeak into her life.
|
|
Today her everyday life consists of three major areas: her daughter, agriculture, and working with children and young people. She connects everything in her very own way – lively, energetic, and somehow simply natural. ‹Often challenging, but always wonderful!› Currently she is enthusiastic about the fruit blossom, training the new horses, and the small moments with friends that often lead to surprising insights.
|
|
|
|
Thank you for your commitment to people and nature, for your patience and your inventive nature. To many more adventures!
|
|
For our team we are looking for committed and dynamic people who like to take responsibility and enjoy country life. Is meaningful work more important to you than a “9 to 5 job”? Then you are right with us!
We are looking for skilled workers or also talented people in the area of
Hands-On:
- Educator for our child & youth welfare facility ‹Peronnik›
- Teacher for our Selma Lagerlöf School in Wietzetze
- Garden instructor
- Garden and landscape builder
- Ornamental plant gardener
- Gardener trees, shrubs & lawn care
- Construction worker
- Pharmacist
- Printer & laminator
- Baker
Your qualification is not listed, and you are still interested? Just give it a try!
Please send your application with photo to claudia.brady@sammatz.de – we will get back to you!
|
|
|
+++ NEWSTICKER +++
Impressions from community everyday life…
|
|
|
…with springlike garden moments…
|
|
|
…the first wall approaching our newest house at Flachsenberg…
|
|
|
…for which we have done quite a lot of digging, poured concrete, laid pipes, and built masonry in recent months…
|
|
|
…and some philosophical moments!
|
|
|
And because it’s so beautiful, one last tulipy greeting from our gardens – maybe see you soon here at Michaelshof!
|
|
|
|
Kind regards and until next time – Anna & the newsletter team❤️
|
|
|
|
