From gardening in Austria to gardening in paradise

Author: Elisabeth Frankel

EDITORS' NOTE: Dear readers,

We are proud to include this wonderful article in this edition. Ms. Frankel contacted us to say that she had read the article 'Witches' Shoelaces' in our latest printed edition and had noticed that this tree could also be seen in her native Austria.

We invited her to write about her experience, and it was a delightful surprise to learn that she and her husband are another couple who have fallen in love with our paradise.

My name is Elisabeth Frankel. I am a gardener. Alfred Zenz, my former employer, who is now 91, was more like a grandfather and mentor than just a boss to me. I was proud to be his last apprentice and one of his most trusted employees. Mr. Zenz was so proud and happy when I graduated from gardening school. I was honored by the Ministry of Agriculture in Vienna, and I took him with me.

I am Austrian and have called the beautiful Bahía Uvita home for almost two years. After discovering the area's profound natural beauty and vibrant community, my husband and I felt a deep calling to settle here permanently. Having been raised in a traditional nursery environment where manual care was paramount, I developed a deep respect for the delicate balance of nature. I am deeply committed to environmental health, specializing in plant propagation and soil stewardship with a focus on sustainable, hands-on horticultural practices. My work is driven by a strong work ethic and a genuine concern for the long-term vitality of the plants and ecosystems I care for.

Relocating from Austria to Costa Rica necessitated a profound re-evaluation of my horticultural practices, as the transition to a tropical climate presented significant environmental complexities. This shift required me to diligently unlearn established methods and adapt to a vastly different ecological rhythm. While this transition has been demanding, it has fundamentally deepened my professional expertise and broadened my understanding of biodiversity. I remain deeply attentive to the rapid growth cycles and the inherent resilience of the local flora, which demands constant vigilance and precise care to maintain ecological balance. Beyond my foundational gardening background, I have become increasingly focused on sustainable stewardship and the preservation of these vibrant, yet sensitive, tropical landscapes.

Community involvement is also very important to me. I volunteer at El Refugio, helping with animal care and gardening projects. Through this work, I have developed meaningful relationships with people from a variety of different backgrounds and cultures. I am always happy to help others, whether that means assisting non-Spanish speakers, helping visitors navigate the area, or simply offering support where needed. One of the things I appreciate most about living in Uvita is its strong sense of community.

As I walk everywhere and regularly interact with locals, I have formed genuine connections with the people around me. Speaking Spanish, showing respect for the local culture, and being open to learning from others have helped me to integrate naturally into the community. Nature has always been at the center of my life and work.

Ballena Tales is a free digital magazine in Costa Rica, designed for travelers, residents, and investors, covering Costa Ballena in the Osa Canton on Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast. It is a fully bilingual, bimonthly, full-color digital magazine.

The free digital magazine introduces readers to the life of the local community, featuring interviews with pioneers, writers, and artists, as well as extensive information on restaurants, hotels, experiences, natural attractions, and wildlife in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica.

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We have a loyal audience in this region of the South Pacific; in Costa Ballena alone, your ad will be viewed by more than 8,000 readers of each print issue.

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From gardening in Austria to gardening in paradise