Sustainability

CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND BIODIVERSITY MEASURES AT SCHLOSS HOF GARDENS

2021

2022

2023

2024

View of the insect hotel in the Wild Corner

Preserving biodiversity | Since 2021

Increasing species diversity and encouraging wild bees

Ground habitat in the Weinviertel garden with colorful flowers

Biofertilization of entire site | Since 2022

View of a colorful bed of tulips and daffodils

Biological plant protection for all cultivated plants

Persian ironwood tree on a meadow in front of Schloss Hof

Planting of 40 trees with improved planting sites | Autumn 2023

Group of wild service trees, sheep can be seen in the background

Carbon-capture tree planting with improved planting sites | Autumn 2024

Colorful flower bed in spring, in the background you can see a fountain

Production of compost tea

Carbon-capture tree planting with improved planting sites

Planned for autumn 2024

We’re planting another 60 climate-friendly native tree species to increase species diversity. We’ll be improving the planting sites by providing adequate planting pits backfilled with tree substrate to encourage optimum root formation and water retention.

Production of compost tea

Since 2024 we’ve been making compost tea as fertilizer for hedge planting and growth-booster for the beech hedges.

Planting of 40 trees with improved planting sites

Completed: Autumn 2023

We planted 40 native carbon-capture trees including thirteen species that are new to Schloss Hof Estate. Planting sites were improved with large planting pits and backfilling with tree substrate.

Biological plant protection for all cultivated plants

From 2024 we have used only biological plant protection products and plant fortifiers on all our cultivated plants (lawned areas, hedges, tub plants, vegetable crops, ornamental plants, etc.).

Transitioning to use of rechargeable battery-powered tools and machinery

From 2022: continuous replacement of existing equipment

In order to minimize the environmental impact of our work, when new equipment is needed, we check whether battery-operated professional tools and machinery are available. These are then tested and, if found suitable, purchased. Thus since 2022 we have largely used battery-operated hedge-trimmers. In 2023 battery-operated string trimmers and lawnmowers were acquired. Testing of new equipment is carried out continuously.

Biofertilization of entire site

In 2017 a project for converting to biofertilization was started. Five years later in 2022 this had been implemented in respect of all lawned areas, hedges, trees and bed plots. Starting in 2024, biofertilization and biological plant protection are now used on the entire Baroque Garden and the estate farm.

Subsurface irrigation of all grassed areas

Started in 2019 – ongoing

In 2019 we installed subsurface irrigation beneath smaller lawned areas in order to reduce evaporation and water consumption. In 2021, as an experiment, two beds in the Baroque Garden were equipped with subsurface irrigation. In 2024 the lawned areas of the Small Cascade were also equipped with a subsurface irrigation system. Further installation of subsurface irrigation is being planned.

Preserving biodiversity

Since 2017 we have been promoting biodiversity by putting up insect hotels for wild bees and by preserving deadwood habitats and leaving certain areas untended as wildlife diversity pockets.

Weed control on water-bound path surfaces

Since 2015 we have maintained all water-bound path surfaces on the estate with environmentally-friendly weed removal using mechanical and biological methods.