Natur im Garten

What Natur im Garten does

"Natur im Garten" is an Austrian state-backed movement promoting natural, pesticide-free gardening, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Tulln, Lower Austria. It operates through two legal entities ("Natur im Garten" GmbH and "Natur im Garten" Service GmbH) with 26 employees across nine regional offices covering all Austrian federal states. The organization offers a multi-channel educational ecosystem including a free telephone helpline ("Natur im Garten" Telefon), a quarterly magazine, a podcast ("Red ma Natur"), a blog, and specialized digital navigator tools (Baumnavigator, Heckennavigator, Kletterpflanzen-Navigator, Gartentelefon24) for trees, hedges, climbing plants, and pest diagnostics. Certification programs (Plakette, Gütesiegel) cover gardens, schools, kindergartens, and partner businesses, with a network of 170+ partner nurseries, tree nurseries, and flower shops across Austria.

The business model is hybrid: primarily public funding from the State of Lower Austria and EU project grants, supplemented by licensing and certification fees from partner businesses. All public-facing services (hotline, magazine, webinars, workshops, educational resources) are free. The organization serves four primary segments: hobby gardeners, municipalities (greening consulting, pesticide-free community certification), educators (garden pedagogy, sample school gardens), and garden industry businesses (partner certification). Showcase gardens (Schaugärten) and the Garden Tulln experience center provide physical engagement, while EU-funded projects (LIVING GARDENS, EDUGARD, ARCADIA, Plants4cooling, SYM:BIO, Klimagärten³) extend the organization's reach into European research and cross-border initiatives. Key certifications include the Austrian Environmental Label (Österreichisches Umweltzeichen) and Ö-Cert, and the organization has received multiple industry awards (Sonja-Bernadotte-Preis, Best of Austria, ELCA Award).

Name

Natur im Garten

Legal name

"Natur im Garten" GmbH

Website

https://naturimgarten.at

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Natur im Garten is an Austrian state-backed movement founded in 1999 that promotes natural, pesticide-free gardening through free education (hotline, magazine, podcast), certification programs, and a network of 170+ partner nurseries and nine regional offices across all Austrian federal states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Horticultural Education & Certification Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL)

Keywords

• Ecological gardening education
• Garden certification programs
• Pesticide-free gardening
• Municipal green space consulting
• Garden knowledge platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Tulln

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and Subsidies: Funded by the state of Niederösterreich and other public sources. Activities include EU projects, consulting for municipalities, and educational programs.
2. Partner Business Fees: Partner businesses (170+ nurseries, tree nurseries, flower shops) pay for certification, training, and use of the 'Natur im Garten' brand and quality seal

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

"Natur im Garten" is a state-backed Austrian movement that delivers free ecological gardening education, advice, and certification programs. It runs a telephone helpline, quarterly magazine, podcast, blog, webinars, and on-site workshops, complemented by digital knowledge tools (plant navigators, pest helpline) and a network of 170+ certified partner nurseries and demonstration gardens. It also provides consulting, certification, and educational programs for municipalities, schools, and garden industry businesses.

Product overview

"Natur im Garten" is an Austrian natural gardening movement offering a multi-channel educational ecosystem centered around ecological gardening practices. The core offerings include the "Natur im Garten" Telefon (telephone helpline), the quarterly "Natur im Garten" Magazin, the "Red ma Natur" podcast distributed across Spotify/Apple/Amazon/YouTube, and an extensive blog with seasonal content. Supporting these are digital knowledge platforms including Wissenswertes (seasonal tips), Gartentelefon24 (pest and plant disease help), and specialized navigator tools for trees, hedges, and climbing plants. The organization maintains a network of demonstration gardens (Schaugärten) and over 170 partner nurseries across Austria. For municipalities and professionals, it offers green space planning and maintenance consulting, while educators access garden pedagogy resources through the Lernen im Garten platform and free educational posters. Family-oriented offerings include Kinder UNI Tulln summer programs and specialized advice for hobby gardeners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• "Natur im Garten" Telefon Telephone helpline providing ecological gardening advice and plant health consultation for hobby gardeners, municipalities, and professionals, staffed by expert advisors on pests, plant diseases, and natural gardening methods.
• "Natur im Garten" Magazin Quarterly magazine focused on biological gardening, biodiversity, and nature, delivered free of charge to subscribers' mailboxes or available to read online.
• "Red ma Natur" Garten-Podcast Regular podcast series featuring interviews with gardening experts on herbs, plant strengthening, and beneficial garden insects, distributed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
• Wissenswertes Knowledge platform providing seasonal to-do lists, organic gardening tips, and inspirational content for garden enthusiasts.
• Gartentelefon24 Online portal offering quick help for pests and plant diseases with ecological remedies and tips.
• Baumnavigator Online tool helping users find the perfect tree for their garden or green space.
• Heckennavigator Online tool for finding the ideal hedge plant for privacy and nature protection needs.
• Kletterpflanzen-Navigator Online tool for selecting climbing plants for facade greening, fence beautification, or natural heat protection.
• Lernen im Garten Methods platform for educators providing practical approaches and ideas for teaching in garden settings.
• Schaugärten Network of demonstration gardens showcasing natural gardening principles, including annual showcase garden awards and the "Goldener Igel" (Golden Hedgehog) quality distinction.
• Partnerbetriebe Network of over 170 certified partner nurseries, tree nurseries, and flower shops in Austria where customers can redeem vouchers and access products for natural gardening.
• "Natur im Garten" Gütesiegel Quality seal/certification for gardens and partner businesses meeting natural gardening criteria, including criteria for schools and kindergartens.
• "Natur im Garten" Plakette Certification plaque awarded to gardens, schools, and kindergartens that demonstrate natural gardening practices.
• Kinder UNI Tulln Children's summer university program held at GARTEN TULLN, offering workshops and activities for children aged 3-14 on topics including garden animals, herbs, fruits, and trees.
• Jugend UNI Tulln Youth summer university program at GARTEN TULLN for older children and teenagers, complementing the Kinder UNI Tulln children's program.
• "Natur im Garten" Gemeinden Certification and consulting program for Austrian municipalities seeking to adopt pesticide-free practices, including green space planning, greening of public buildings, and access to public subsidies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 170+ certified partner businesses across Austria
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Garden TullncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGarden Tulln serves as the main showcase location for 'Natur im Garten', featuring the largest adventure and natural playground in Lower Austria. Hosts regular events, workshops, and the annual Ferienspiel (holiday program) for children.
• Partnerbetriebe (Partner Businesses)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 170+ certified partner businesses including nurseries (Gärtnereien), tree nurseries (Baumschulen), and flower shops (Blumenläden) across Austria. Partners receive training, certification, and marketing support. Gift vouchers are redeemable at these locations.
• AGES (Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on mosquito monitoring in Austria since 2011 to track invasive species and potential disease transmission risks including West Nile Virus.
• Verein Tierschutz macht SchuleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation on educational posters about birds in gardens, teaching children how to create bird-friendly spaces.
• EU Projects ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participant in multiple EU-funded projects including LIVING GARDENS, EDUGARD (Education in Gardens), Creating Nature Garden and Learning Through It, SYM:BIO, Klimagärten³, Klimagrün (ETZ), Grün.Raum, Plants4cooling, ARCADIA, and Erasmus Plus.
• Regional Offices in Austrian StatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNine regional offices across Austrian states (Burgenland, Kärnten, Niederösterreich, Oberösterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien) implementing programs at local level.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• ProSpecieRara: Swiss foundation dedicated to preserving agrobiodiversity and rare plant breeds, with public education programs and partner networks. Comparable mission (ecological cultivation, biodiversity, public awareness) and nonprofit/movement structure, though focused on cultivated species rather than garden practices.
• Botanischer Garten der Universität Wien: Vienna's university botanical garden offering public education, workshops, and conservation programs. Comparable in combining public-facing horticultural education, certification-style engagement, and Austrian geography; overlaps with Natur im Garten's educational scope from a research-institution angle.

Broad incumbents

• NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland): Germany's largest environmental association, with over 900,000 members and a national/regional federation structure. Comparable in mission (ecological advocacy and education) and movement-style operation, though broader in scope (wildlife, climate, agriculture) than Natur im Garten's gardening focus.
• BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland): One of Germany's largest environmental organizations with regional associations and broad advocacy mandate. Comparable in federated environmental education and project-based funding model, but covers wider environmental policy rather than gardening-specific topics.

Others

• Slow Food: Global grassroots movement with national chapters, focused on ecological/sustainable food production through education, certification (Presidia), and a partner business network (Slow Food Travel, Earth Markets). Comparable in movement-style governance, certification programs, and partner/convivium distribution model, but applied to food rather than gardening.
• Naturparke Deutschland: Federation of Germany's nature parks combining conservation, public education, and regional partnership models. Comparable in public-funding model, regional federation structure, and use of certified showcase locations to drive engagement, though oriented to large landscapes rather than private gardens.

Direct peers

• Royal Horticultural Society: The UK's leading gardening charity, providing public gardening education, certification programs, horticultural advice, and partner networks. Closely comparable as a mission-driven organization delivering free gardening education, structured certification (e.g., shows, awards), and content at scale.

Regional players

• Natur & Ëmwelt: Luxembourg's nature and environmental protection organization, providing public education and operating partner/regional structures. Comparable in regional federation model and educational outreach on ecological topics, though operating in Luxembourg rather than Austria.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/naturimgarten
• Facebookfacebook.com/naturimgarten
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/natur-im-garten
• Instagraminstagram.com/naturimgarten

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Natur im Garten