For several days in September, the Argentinian city of Tandil transforms into a major meeting point for those who love plants, outdoor design, and local production. Under the name "Between Nurseries, a landscaping and gardening event"The municipality is promoting an intense agenda of activities that combines training, outdoor leisure and direct support for the area's nurseries.
This proposal, which has gone from being a one-off experience to a full week dedicated to gardening and landscapingIt has been steadily gaining momentum with each edition within the municipal program "Kilometer Zero – Made in Tandil." The result is a calendar that has already earned its own place among local green initiatives and can serve as a reference for other municipalities in Spain and Europe interested in strengthening their network of plant producers.
An event focused on landscaping, gardening and local production
Week "Between Nurseries, a landscaping and gardening event" It is usually held between September 16 and 21 and has a very clear objective: to highlight the work of local nurseriesIn addition to bringing landscaping and the care of green spaces closer to the entire population, it's not just about selling plants, but about teaching people how to use them in a coherent, sustainable way that is adapted to the environment.
The event is organized by the Secretariat of Productive Development and International Relations of the Municipality of Tandil, which coordinates activities with a large group of nurseries in the city. Over the various editions, participants have included [numbers of participants]. between 10 and 15 participating nurseries, which open their doors with promotions, special activities and demonstrations.
The proposal is structured as a Themed week dedicated to gardening, landscaping and environmental educationwith a very practical approach: workshops, guided tours, technical talks, raffles and a large plant fair that acts almost as a festive closing to the program.
Furthermore, Entre Viveros is part of a broader strategy in which the municipality seeks to boost specific economic sectors Working hand in hand with the local business community. Just as has been done in other sectors, here the focus is on nurseries and the green supply chain associated with the urban and private landscape.
The Kilómetro Cero – Hecho en Tandil program and its link with the nurseries
Entre Viveros is part of the program "Kilometer Zero – Made in Tandil"A public policy aimed at strengthening local production and consumption. The philosophy is simple yet powerful: products made in the city and its surrounding areas should be prioritized for the domestic market, reducing transport distances, fostering the local economy, and protecting the environment.
In the specific case of the green sector, this approach translates into prioritize plants grown in nearby nurseriesThese varieties are better adapted to the region's climate and soil, making them easier to maintain and reducing the risk of failure in gardens and green spaces. At the same time, local employment is boosted, knowledge related to plant production is kept alive, and the network of small and medium-sized businesses is strengthened.
Municipal authorities and event organizers repeatedly emphasize that association between nursery owners This is one of the keys to success. Sharing training, coordinating joint actions, and presenting themselves to the public as a cohesive sector has allowed the Week Between Nurseries to grow from an opening day in its first edition to a full multi-day program.
The Kilómetro Cero program also focuses on the environmental awarenessBy promoting the use of plants suited to the area and buying locally, travel is reduced, adaptation to the environment is improved, and the idea of ​​more responsible consumption is reinforced—concepts perfectly applicable to local gardening initiatives in Spain or any European country.
Talks, workshops and activities for all audiences
One of the central themes of "Entre Viveros, a landscaping and gardening event" is its open and free training programThroughout the week, talks, workshops, and meetings are held both on the University Campus and in the participating nurseries themselves, which are transformed into small green classrooms.
Among the most common topics covered are sessions on use of native plants in the garden, such as the talk "Pampa Trail: Using Native Plants in the Garden," which opens some editions of the program. Also very popular are the proposals aimed at the amateur public, such as "How to Propagate Your Own Plants," "Garden Tasks to Welcome Spring," or "The Power of Compost: Create a Sustainable Garden."
The technical topics range from garden design and selection of species adapted to the local climate This includes the production of plants with social and environmental impact, with special attention to native varieties and sustainability criteria. Topics covered include composting, water conservation, soil improvement, and the planning of balanced green spaces.
To facilitate organization, the talks require prior registration via online formsAlthough participation is free and open to the public, some editions have seen around 200 people attending the various activities, a significant number for a local event specializing in gardening and landscaping.
These meetings not only serve to acquire knowledge, but also to to connect professionals, students and amateursgenerating informal networks that can lead to new projects, collaborations or volunteer initiatives linked to urban green spaces.
Participating nurseries and city tour
Each edition of Entre Viveros brings together a wide group of establishments that They take advantage of the week to showcase their work.to launch promotions and welcome a public that, in many cases, discovers nurseries they were previously unaware of. Among the recurring names are Vivero Belén, El Cardal, Vivero El Cerrito, Crataegus, Verellen Vivero, Mia Plantas, Vivero Los Robles, Entreyuyos, Vivero Tandil, and Vivero Cooperativo Semilla Comunal. Rosales Santa MarÃa, El Penacho Nursery, El Rincón Nursery or Pampa Trail, among others.
To help citizens locate them, the organization provides a Online map showing the location of each nurseryThis makes it easy to create your own route and visit several places in a single day. This sort of "nursery route" turns the event into the perfect excuse to explore different neighborhoods and spaces in the city.
During the Entre Viveros days, many establishments offer special discounts, raffles and promotionsIn addition to organizing small talks or on-site demonstrations, staff from the Secretariat of Productive Development and International Relations also visit the various locations, handing out gardening-related prizes and supporting the promotion of the initiative.
The participation of so many nurseries allows us to showcase a great diversity of plants and gardening stylesFrom classic outdoor plants and ornamental species to rose bushes, native plants, cooperative production, and more experimental offerings, this wide range enriches the visitor experience and opens the door to new ideas for balconies, patios, and private gardens.
In addition, the Week Among Nurseries includes activities interpretation of the urban landscapeThese guided tours, such as historical and scenic walks through squares and public promenades, help visitors appreciate the design of the city's green spaces, their evolution, and the role they play in the quality of daily life.
Institutional partnerships and training in landscape architecture
One of the distinctive features of the event is the articulation between public sector, producers and academiaThe municipality does not limit itself to coordinating the agenda, but also brings together technical and educational institutions that contribute specialized content and professional support to the activities.
The following have participated in different editions INTA Tandil (National Institute of Agricultural Technology), the Higher Institute of Technical Training No. 75 with the Higher Technical Degree in Landscape Design, the National University of the Center of the Province of Buenos Aires (UNICEN), the College of Agricultural and Forestry Engineers of the Province of Buenos Aires and the Circle of Agricultural Engineers of Tandil.
Thanks to these partnerships, the talks and workshops are led by Professionals with experience in agronomy, landscaping, and plant productionThis ensures a high technical level while maintaining an accessible approach for the general public. University professors, extension technicians, and green space design specialists participate.
This joint effort demonstrates how Cities can promote practical training in landscaping and gardening integrating their reference institutions. The Tandil experience could be replicated in gardening schools, vocational training centers, or European universities seeking to bring their knowledge closer to the nursery network and the community.
Furthermore, the direct contact between landscape design students, nursery owners, and technicians creates an ideal context for Develop intervention projects in public spaces, trials of native species or proposals for improving urban trees, strengthening the link between theory and practice.
Spring picnic, medieval battle and plant fair
Beyond the talks and the strictly educational aspect, "Entre Viveros, a landscaping and gardening event" incorporates recreational and family activities which contribute to giving the week a festive atmosphere. The most notable is the Spring Picnic, which is usually held as a closing event in the Sans Souci area.
This picnic is planned as a outdoor day with extended hoursThe event combines a large plant fair with recreational activities. Participating nurseries showcase part of their production, allowing the public to purchase plants, consult directly with the growers, and learn more about the local offerings.
In some editions, one is even added. medieval battle as spectacleThis reinforces the leisure aspect and attracts people who may initially come out of curiosity and end up becoming interested in plants and landscaping. This blend of entertainment and green content helps broaden the event's audience beyond the traditional gardening enthusiast.
Throughout the week, the atmosphere in nurseries is especially lively. Guided tours, raffles, and promotions make buying plants a real treat. a more participatory and intimate experienceStrengthening the bond between businesses and residents. The general feeling expressed by the organizers is that each edition attracts a larger audience and greater involvement from the establishments.
According to testimonies gathered by the Secretariat of Productive Development and International Relations, the event has exceeded expectations in citizen participation and response, with hundreds of Tandil residents attending both the talks and the various activities in nurseries and public spaces.
Evolution of Entre Viveros: from a single day to a consolidated week
The trajectory of «Entre Viveros, a landscaping and gardening event» shows a progressive evolution in scope and durationThe first edition was organized as a weekend event, with two days in which a dozen nurseries offered promotions, free talks and raffles, in collaboration with INTA and professional associations.
Following the positive reception of that debut, the organization opted for expand the format to a whole weekThis decision allowed for the diversification of activities, the addition of more nurseries, and the opening of space for more specific content, from tours of plazas to composting workshops or garden design.
In the third edition, the qualitative leap was evident in the Number of participants in the talks (about 200 people)The number of participating nurseries and the event's recognition within the local calendar have all contributed to its success. The combination of theory, practice, commercial discounts, and social gatherings has proven effective in maintaining interest.
Municipal authorities especially emphasize that the Week Among Nurseries has become a proof of the potential of public-private collaborationThe coordination between the administration, nurseries and technical institutions has allowed the city's green sector to gain visibility and cohesion.
Looking ahead, the model offers Interesting clues for other territories: a concentrated agenda over several days, active participation of local businesses, institutional support, technical content and open activities, all focused on landscaping and gardening as key elements of a more livable city.
A local benchmark with potential for other cities
The experience of "Entre Viveros, a landscaping and gardening event" in Tandil illustrates how A medium-sized municipality can boost the nursery sector Combining economic development, environmental education, and leisure activities, the focus on local products, technical partnerships, and citizen participation creates a model that could be adapted to other urban contexts.
For Spanish or European cities that want to strengthen their green infrastructure and the network of small nurseriesInitiatives of this kind bring landscaping closer to the general public, improve training in home gardening, and encourage shopping at local businesses. At the same time, they serve as a showcase for native plant projects, low-water-consumption solutions, and new trends in garden design.
In Tandil, the combination of technical talks, promotions in nurseries, plant fairs and activities in public spaces This has created a favorable environment for both professionals in the sector and those seeking ideas to improve their balconies, patios, or gardens. The continued support of the municipality and specialized institutions suggests that the initiative will continue to grow.
With its various editions already held, Entre Viveros has established itself as a annual event that brings together landscaping, gardening, environmental education and local consumptionThis shows that, with good coordination between actors, it is possible to revitalize the green sector of a city and at the same time strengthen the relationship of citizens with their plants and outdoor spaces.
