Widower since nine years, Balthasar Pelkofer focused his life on running a quality nursery, but a discount garden center opening nearby drives him bankrupt. Finding hamburger jobs like sandwich-man demeaning, he plans to take tenants in his grand home, but most candidates back out hearing he wants to stay in a bungalow part, so he's lucky when architect couple Guido and Claire Mortensen accepts, even if he soon clashes with her over the gardening. Bored, he now butts in long-neglected adult daughter Maxi's private life, even causing trouble with her wonderful boyfriend Paul Berger, a devoted eco-activist, who sort of mediates. Claire's mother Annette Eggers seems to match stubborn Balthasar, but after several dates, when he finally takes her on a weekend in the Eifel; she's turned off when he proudly unveils his ambitious new business plans, so she seems having dumped him just like Maxi.