In addition to heavy rainfall events, the Pielachtal is also increasingly struggling with drought as a result of climate change. According to Lotte Riesenhuber, manager of the KLAR! Region Pielachtal and supervisor of the TEH herb show garden, the annual average rainfall will only change slightly overall. However, the frequency of rain will decrease and the intensity will increase. In order to be able to use this water more efficiently for watering the garden in the future, the facility will have a new irrigation system.
The idea came from Günther Steindl from Hofstetten-Grünau. The retired teacher has been collecting rainwater for years and has set up an ingenious system in his garden.
Now, with the support of the building yard, he is also building such a system for the herb garden: the rainwater from the gutters of the herb house is collected in 100-liter barrels. When these are full, the excess water is transferred to a larger barrel with a capacity of 620 liters. From there, the water runs through pipes directly to the plants and trees. “Completely without electricity and maintenance,” says Riesenhuber happily. Because the water is not standing, no dirt can settle and it is better for the vitality of the plants.
Inspiration for your own garden
In the future, information boards will explain the irrigation system and call for imitation in your own garden. “An irrigation system doesn’t pay off immediately,” Riesenhuber points out. However, the careful use of water is becoming increasingly important. “At some point you’ll be glad to have a system like this,” she says with conviction.
The project should be completed by the end of June. It is financed by the KLAR! Region Pielachtal and costs up to 4,000 euros including labor and material.
