If you want to paddle towards the sunset: off to Eichwalde! The Kayakomat offers you boats to rent 24/7. The concept comes from Sweden, where there are many lakes, and has slowly spread to Germany. I discovered the first one in beautiful Stralsund, but there are already two in Berlin. There’s one in Köpenick, but I tested the one in Eichwalde – right on the Berlin-Brandenburg border. Here, at a nice swimming spot on the Dahme, you can rent a bright red solo or tandem kayak. You book the whole thing using a smartphone and PIN code. Simply enter the code into the combination lock and take out the boat. Put the paddles together and off you go. Life jackets are also on board, of course. The kayaks here in Eichwalde are so-called sit-on-top kayaks, which are super comfortable, especially in warm temperatures. From the location in Eichwalde, if you have a whole day to spend on the water, you can go on real excursions and paddle into the next lake or do a small round trip to Lake Crossin and back via the canal. But if you are doing it for the first time, I recommend two to three hours. That’s enough to paddle around the small island and to cruise a bit along the green shores. There’s plenty to see. Tip: the boats are not exactly lightweight: so be prepared for a bit of a tow to the shore, but it’s not far. But they are easy to drive and steer and you feel super safe on them! Tip: it’s best to reserve your boat from home, because it takes a moment to get the PIN code to unlock it. So no more excuses: get on the water!

Text: Nina Trippel / Photos: Nina Trippel & Kayakomat

Kayakomat, Eichwalde/Brandenburg; map

It’s finally Saturday and the way leads to Zehlendorf – directly to the flower stand of Sonja and Jim Reifferscheid, the creators of Von Hand. Here you can find everything your heart desires: flowers, herbs and grasses, perennials and annual cut flowers. There is not a week in the year in which not even a branch makes it into one of my vases – preferably an indication of each season and from the region. The month of August is at its best and the flower stand is a splendor of vibrant pink and yellow. Countless containers full of dahlias, roses, ox-eyes, zinnias, snapdragons, as well as burnets, thyme and fragrant phlox – a sea of cut flowers from the countryside. The neighborhood knows Sonja and Jim’s flower stand, and it’s not long before one bouquet after another leaves. The last of the fiery dahlias are gone – I have to hurry with my selection!

Back to Sonja and Jim: she is a cultural manager, he – a landscape architect. Both were drawn out into the countryside – away from the noise of the city and working on the computer every day. After taking over a former farm in Werder an der Havel, they founded their business Von Hand. On their 1.5 acre field they grow not only flowers, but also fruits and vegetables – following the ideals and approaches of permaculture, No-Dig methods and other ecological principles. They sow, harvest and process their plants and do so without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and are part of the Slowflower movement. Their awareness of handwork and seasonality is what sets them apart. In the future they want to deepen and teach this through workshops about food, agriculture, handicrafts and sustainable floristry. A taster and daily companion is their vegetable box – full of seasonal varieties and also regional and gorgeous, like the flower selection at the stand in Zehlendorf.

Text: Milena Kalojanov / Photos: MERK & MARK

Hof von Sonja & Jim Reifferscheid, Bliesendorfer Str.55, 14542 Werder an der Havel; map

Flowers: Every Sat 09-15h (May to October), corner Argentinische Allee/Sven-Hedin-Straße, Berlin-Zehlendorf (near S-Bahn station Mexikoplatz)

You can find the vegetable box here. The size of the boxes varies seasonally in volume and offer. Delivery always on Tuesdays (southwest of Berlin, Werder/Havel and surrounding area)

@vonhand.gemuese.blumen