The Spring Season Begins: Great Discounts on Garden Products!
Gardening and horticulture in Slovenia remains an important part of the culture, combining tradition with modern eco-trends. Thanks to its unique climate, where alpine valleys neighbour the sunny Adriatic coast, locals have been growing grapes, olives, apples and vegetables for centuries.
The older generation tends to see gardening as part of a traditional way of life, while younger people see it more as a hobby, a healthy lifestyle or a creative project. Urban dwellers are planting mini-gardens on balconies, while rural families continue to practice self-sufficiency.
Spring is the time for gardening
With the arrival of spring, active preparation for the gardening season begins. Experienced gardeners and horticulturists check their tools, buy seeds and plan plantings, taking into account the peculiarities of the microclimate of their region.
Fans of modern technology often experiment with vertical beds and ‘smart’ watering technologies, while the older generation relies on proven methods.
Where to start?
The first thing to do is to check your tools, repair your gardening equipment or go to specialised shops and shopping centres such as Kalia, Živex, Jager, Inter Diskont, Bauhaus, OBI, Merkur to renew your inventory.
It is also important to take care of the basics in advance: quality gloves and ergonomic soil tools will be reliable helpers. In alpine regions, where unexpected frosts are possible in spring, do not forget about covering material or agrofibre - they will save young plants. Special attention should be paid to seeds and seedlings, it is better to choose local varieties that are already adapted to the peculiarities of the climate.
Preparing the soil is the basis of success. Organic fertilisers such as compost or biohumus, as well as ecocertified mixtures are used here. For seedlings, many people stock up on peat pots and compact mini-greenhouses, while technology fans add soil moisture sensors and drip irrigation systems to their arsenal.
Of course, the list of essentials and, as a result, potential costs depends on the scale of the farm and its specialisation.
Where to buy?
There are many shops in the country, each offering a unique range of products. For example, Kalia is famous for agricultural machinery, organic fertilisers and seeds, while at Živex you can find seedlings of fruit trees and berry bushes, as well as plant protection products. Fans of eco-friendly solutions will appreciate Jager catalog - it sells eco-fertilisers, seeds of local varieties, everything for landscaping and even garden décor. Those looking for budget-friendly options should consider the InterDiskont catalog, which offers basic tools and simple watering systems. Current flyers from large chains like Bauhaus, OBI and Merkur offer everything from professional tools to smart gadgets such as soil moisture sensors.
Which tools are most in demand for spring work?
When choosing tools, consider the size of the plot as well as your goals. Hand tools are the best option if there is not much work and there is no point in spending on expensive devices, electric models will give you speed, cordless - mobility, and specialised - accuracy and automation of many processes.
Hand tools: simple solutions
Mechanical or manual garden tools are ideal for small plots and balcony gardens. At Bauhaus and OBI catalog you can find professional Felco ratchet pruners, ideal for pruning grapes and roses. Lightweight titanium Fiskars shovels, which do not rust and can easily cope with stony soil, are often bought at Merkur - they also offer free blade sharpening on purchase. Narrow hoes, with which weed control becomes easier, are sought in Živex catalog, where specialised models for working in the inter-row are presented. Fans of ergonomic solutions will appreciate Wolf-Garten tools from Merkur with a lifetime guarantee.
Electric tools: speed and power for large areas
Owners of large gardens and allotments often favour electric tools because they save time and perform tasks that manual tools can't do. For example, the Bosch electric garden rototiller available from Kalia allow you to loosen the soil at an adjustable depth, which is especially useful for preparing beds for planting. For those who appreciate well-groomed lawns, Gardena electric trimmers are indispensable - you can find them in OBI or Bauhaus catalog. These models can easily cope with trimming grass along fences and flowerbeds. Another useful gadget is garden hoovers, such as AL-KO models from Merkur, which will quickly collect fallen leaves and small debris. However, it's important to remember: electric tools require access to an outlet, so they're ideal for areas with access to mains power and for extended work.
Battery powered garden tools: freedom without wires
For those who don't want to depend on the length of a cord and value mobility, battery-powered tools are a real lifesaver. You can often find Einhell cordless lawn mowers at OBI - they are quiet, lawn aerator, environmentally friendly and suitable even for the rough terrain of the foothills of the Alps. Cutting hedges is conveniently performed with Stihl hedge trimmers, which are sold in Živex, and Makita chainsaws from the Bauhaus range are useful for removing thick branches. The main advantages of such tools are the absence of exhaust emissions, the possibility to work in remote corners of the garden and minimal noise level.
Specialised tools: for special tasks
Grape growers will appreciate the ratchet pruners from Jager - they ensure a precise cut without damaging the vines. For terraced farming, which is popular in mountainous areas, mini hoes and narrow rippers, which can be purchased inexpensively from Inter Diskont, are ideal. Florists will also find special scoops for transplanting plants and fertiliser sprayers for evenly distributing fertiliser at Kalia.
Farm machinery: from mini-tractors to smart solutions
Farmers actively use specialised machinery adapted to local conditions. Mini tractors and power tillers, ideal for small plots and terraced farming, remain one of the most popular types. For example, Slovenian brand AGROLux offers models with attachments for ploughing and harvesting root crops, which can be found in the Kalia shop. These machines are particularly popular in mountainous areas where it is important to preserve the fertile soil layer on steep slopes.
Merkur catalog also offers many machines, including garden tractors, branch choppers, brush cutters, lawn mowers and cultivators.
For tending vineyards and orchards, farmers choose Antonio Carraro narrow tractors - manoeuvrable Italian machines capable of working in narrow row spacing. They are supplied to the Agrocenter network in Maribor, where you can also buy Campagnola pneumatic pruning shears for precise pruning of vines and trees. And those who grow potatoes and vegetables can use Grimme compact harvesters.
As in other areas, modern technology is also relevant here. Large farms are adopting GPS navigation for tractors and yield monitoring sensors, which are sold at Bauhaus. These solutions help to optimise seed and fertiliser consumption, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Where to buy soil and fertiliser?
A good harvest starts with quality soil. At Kalia, Jager and Merkur, you can find peat mixes, compost soil and specialised substrates for vegetables, flowers and seedlings.
When choosing a soil, it is worth paying attention to its composition: light, nutritious mixtures are better for seedlings and soils with sand are better for lawns.
Fertilisers are available in granular, liquid and powder forms. Bauhaus and OBI stock organic and mineral fertilisers from well-known brands such as Substral, Compo and Florovit, universal and specialised for different types of plants.
Garden sinks and watering systems
In spring, it is particularly important to ensure plants have enough moisture. When choosing a watering system, it's worth considering the size of the plot and the type of plants - drip irrigation is best for greenhouses and automatic sprinklers for lawns.
OBI and Merkur offer drip irrigation systems, sprinklers and water pumps as well as garden basins. And at Jager, Inter Diskont and Bauhaus you can find high-pressure garden washers that help keep paths, garden furniture and equipment clean.
Fruit tree seedlings and seeds: where to buy and how to choose?
When choosing seeds, it is important to pay attention to the shelf life, disease resistance and climatic conditions. For the best results, it is worth choosing regionalised varieties adapted to the local climate.
Živex and Kalia catalog offers a wide range of vegetable, herb and flower seeds from proven producers. Jager offers seedlings of fruit trees, shrubs and perennial flowers, while the Kalia plant department offers a variety of flowers and garden plants.
Also in season, the Lidl catalog and Hofer catalog in the non-food section offer a large selection of flower seeds, herbs and vegetables, and sometimes you can find sprouts of cherry tomatoes or peppers for your balcony or terrace garden, as well as seedlings. Of course, you should not rely only on Lidl tools, because the selection here is small and appears in the framework of weekly promotions, but it is quite realistic to buy a good product.
Protect the harvest: insecticides and other plant protection products
Bauhaus, OBI and Kalia shops offer a wide range of insecticides, fungicides and biological preparations to combat plant pests and diseases.
At Jager and Merkur you can find special insect traps as well as natural preparations that are safe for bees and beneficial insects.
When choosing protection products, it is important to take into account the type of pests and follow the recommendations for use, so as not to harm plants and the environment.
How not to miss favourable promotions and spring sales?
Preparing for the gardening season in Slovenia is not just about shovels and seedlings, but also about catching discounts. Where and how can you find them to save money without compromising on quality and quantity?
Digital assistants: apps and newsletters
Download the Bauhaus or OBI apps - they often publish promo codes for garden tools with discounts of up to 20 per cent. Sign up for Merkur's newsletter: their subscribers get exclusive offers like discounts on tools and other bonuses. Don't ignore Kalia - their spring emails will save your budget on seeds and machinery. Most importantly, specify your region in your profile to receive up-to-date promotions.
Social networks and websites: keep up with updates
Check out Živex Facebook - they regularly give away flash deals on apple seedlings or ‘3 fertilisers for the price of 2’. On Inter Diskont's website, look for weekly deals on everything from shelter cover to irrigation systems. And at Jager, keep an eye on Stories for sudden discounts on ceramic pots and organics.
Loyalty programmes: collect points and enjoy benefits
Loyalty programmes can be a great deal if you buy often and a lot or make expensive purchases. In addition to discount coupons in exchange for points and exclusive offers, many retailers offer discounts on equipment rental or online order delivery.
Seasonal calendar: sales on schedule
In spring Kalia and Živex slash prices on seeds and seedlings, in summer Bauhaus sells off Gardena irrigation systems, and in autumn Inter Diskont drops the price of greenhouses. Even Lidl and Hofer are getting in on the act, offering budget balcony gardening kits.
Analyse the market and compare prices
Don't rush into a purchase, compare prices in shops in the region and online. Use sites like geobuyer.si, which has all catalogues and flyers in one place and a blog with useful tips to help you make the most of promotions.
Rent instead of buy
If you do not carry out work on an industrial scale, then large expenditures on equipment do not make sense, and for one-time needs garden shredders, mini-tractors and other large devices will be more profitable to rent, paying for it quite a budget price.
Generally speaking, get your digital tools connected, keep an eye out for seasonal offers and use rental services - then the gardening season will not only be productive, but also economical.
