On February 12, 2025, Petra Hirner (Natur im Garten), Denise Kirner and Christopher Böck (Bauhof Petronell) and Tina Rigler (KEM Carnuntum) met in the freezing cold for a joint tour of Petronell to evaluate the potential for near-natural design and maintenance of green spaces.
Biodiversity on the “cavalry camp” meadow.
The meadow in Anton Widtergasse, which conceals a Roman cavalry camp, is currently being mowed and mulched, which is usually detrimental to biodiversity. The troupe was all the more surprised to see a great variety of different meadow plants despite the unfavorable management. Longer mowing intervals and removal of cuttings could lead to a conversion to a low-maintenance herb lawn. This is more drought-resistant, increases the biodiversity of flora and fauna and reduces the maintenance effort. In contrast to the flower meadows usually created to promote biodiversity, a herb lawn is also friendly to residents, as the herbs do not grow so tall and spread their seeds.
Butterfly meadow near the dog zone?
The meadow next to the dog zone currently requires a lot of maintenance due to the swampy conditions. As a solution, Petra Hirner had the idea of converting the meadow into a butterfly meadow with moisture-tolerant plants. An arrangement of the existing benches along the path between the meadow would then offer the public the opportunity to observe the many new species and a place to slow down and linger.
The inspection revealed new ways of making the green spaces more natural and easier to maintain. The concept was subsequently presented to the municipal management for evaluation.
