Permaculture in the hotel garden – vacation in the Dolomites

The last month we have already introduced to you a hotel garden which is operated after the principles of the permaculture: the Bio-Agrivilla i pini with its vegan and biodynamic cultivation in Tuscany. This month our blog takes you to South Tirol, more precisely to the Pustertal in the Dolomites. Home to the Leitlhof which grows a most of its food itself or have it produced at the associated Mühlhof.

What is permaculture?

Permaculture describes a completely sustainable approach which was first intended only for agriculture, but refers today in general sustainable actions. The original definition after Bill Mollison describes the beginning of the permaculture, as alignment with and not against the nature. It is about observing nature with all her facets and acting accordingly. Every system should be evaluated in all ist functions instead of expecting a yield. Summarized this is a matter of creating a permanently functioning system, a circulation.

Following the seasons …

If one follows a sustainable way of treating resources, the basic principles of the permaculture are probably followed almost besides — without this is explicitly intended. Thus lived at the Leitlhof: It is Important to live according the seasons and to experience this also consciously — seasonal and regional kitchen is obvious referring on the knowledge of the past generation in the agriculture. A scientific explanation is not needed, the experience leads to success.  

… and the moon

A part of the traditional and today hardly known knowledge is the one of gardening according to the phases of the moon. Depending of the phase of the moon more water and nutrients are in the roots or, however, in blossoms and sheets of a plant. Then, hence, according to the moon cancellation the sowing and planting or the reaping  is more favorable or less favorable. What is often dismissed as an esotericism, has a special tradition in the Leitlhof: „ One may think that this is humbug, but we have learnt from our ancestors to follow the phases of the moon in different areas,” comments Dietmar Walder of the Leitlhof Crop failures and pest infestation could be observed in the Pustertal when the lunar state was not considered. 

Organic and locally with good conscience

You as guests notice above all the tasty and biologically generated food which is processed in the kitchen of the Leitlhof and which you can enjoy with the best conscience. In the hotel garden some vegetables and herbs are grown. Only few minutes away from the hotel lies of associated Mühlhof which delivers own the other vegetable kinds and bio lamb meat. The Leitlhof also produces some herb liqueur and (especially tasty :-)) elder liqueur itself. All ingredients which it needs, in addition, still come from local producers from Innichen. 

Sustainable hotel operation

However, not only traditional knowledge and a life according to the seasons is part of permaculture. It is about long-term thinking concerning all processes, be it the gardener or the hotel life. Hence, the Leitlhof obtains its energy from the own wood chip plant as well as a solar plant on the roof. This reflects the holistic sustainable approach: the CO2 emissions are not only compensated, but actively reduced. And the best is the fact that the environment-conscious and close to nature activities of the Leitlhof have no negative effect on the guests or employees. On the contrary, finally, they are sensitized and inspired to move the one or other idea also home.

Cover picture: © Leitlhof / Harald Wisthaler

Are you looking for more information on the Leitlhof? Check out this blog post: