Heatwave Hits Belgian Garden Centers, Affecting Customers and Plants

Garden centers in Belgium's Kempen region are facing significant challenges due to the persistent heatwave, impacting both customer traffic and plant health. Kristof, owner of Rijmenants garden centers, notes that the warm weather deters customers and causes high temperatures within greenhouses, which are difficult and unsustainable to cool.

Customers expect a comfortable shopping environment, but the heat inside the greenhouses, necessary for plant growth, can exceed outdoor temperatures. This leads to customer complaints and makes it challenging for staff, who must endure the heat all day. Rijmenants explained that cooling the greenhouses would require an unsustainable amount of energy.

The heat also demands more intensive care for the plants. Frequent watering is necessary, with some plants needing water more than twice a day. Despite these efforts, there is a higher rate of plant loss, particularly for items like hydrangeas and herbs in pots, which dry out quickly. Plants that cannot be sold due to poor condition represent a financial loss.

Maréchal garden center in Turnhout is experiencing similar issues, having adjusted opening hours during the previous heatwave. While wind can offer some relief, plants outdoors are drying out rapidly. The increased workload and plant care, coupled with fewer customers, present a difficult situation for these businesses during the current hot spell.

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Op de warmste dagen moeten sommige planten meer dan twee keer per dag water krijgen. Planten die toch uitdrogen, zijn niet meer verkoopbaar, want klanten willen enkel mooie plantjes. Daar moeten we dan afscheid van nemen, of soms geven we ze weg.