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                         a   S T A M M E R  project              

2008 March 15 & 16, Saturday & Sunday

Being very busy with the finishing of the second pond and the water deposit, I haven't been able to dedicate as much time as I really wanted to the observation of the vegetation. But easy to detect were these sprouting plants of what must be Lady Orchid (Orchis purpurea). Last year I counted 6 specimen but now I could detect at least 40, also on new locations. Could it be an effect of the intensified trampling and transporting by human feet?

Two plants of Orchis purpurea and one Sanguisorba minor in the half shadow on the central terrace.
Photograph taken on 2 March 16:14

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Last weekend I finished the second pond and the connection with the irrigation water deposit. Instead of using a salvaged concrete pipe as a connection (on the photo on the right) I decided to use a PE tube which goes partly underground and partly hidden by roof tiles and connects to a water inlet at the bottom of the deposit. An outlet connects with another tube that runs through the concrete pipe and ends with a tap for easy bucket filling.

The deposit had to be covered to protect against animals (mosquitoes) and falling leaves. I used some plastic on which I put some chopped Plane sticks. Not really the most aesthetic or practical solution but for the moment it will do.

The zone bordering the second pond is covered with mulch to stimulate regrowth.
Looking north.
Photograph taken on 2 March 16:01

Here the connection goes underground.
Looking north.
Photograph taken on 9 March 8.27

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With two ponds and a water deposit we have the possibility to store more than 10,000 litre of rainwater, so now we feel a little more confident to buy and plant some more species. This weekend we decided to pay a visit to Cultidelta, a garden centre at the delta of the river Ebro. It is one of the few companies dedicated to the growing of autochthonous species in Spain and after eight years they already have an impressive catalogue. We bought the following species, most of them adapted to dry, calcareous soil and native of the region:

We were a little bit worried about the capacity of our car to transport more than 100 flowerpots  but for Enric, the helpful owner, it was a routine job and loaded the pots in horizontal layers, filling up the whole backspace of the car. The roots were sufficiently developed to fix the soil and all plants survived the trip without significant damage. Transport with a trailer would probably have been worse.

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The next day we planted them, taking care not to plant in places which are too exposed to sun, wind or trampling. This meant that many species were planted near hedgerows or the oak wood. Especially the shrubs will help to establish a transition zone between the grassland and the wood, while the grassland itself will be mainly kept open. To give an idea of the distribution, here on the right an image of the terrain with a reference of the planted species. This scheme will also be helpful when watering.

In the pond we planted about 40 Sword flag (Iris pseudacorus). A little bit overdone but this species is one of the best water plants to filter and clean water and at least half of the plants will be transplanted to the future biofilter for the treatment of 'grey' water.

Iris pseudacorus planted in the first pond.
Looking south-east.
Sunday 10:29

introduction
floristic catalogue
faunistic catalogue
contact
index
gallery 1: 2006-2012
gallery 2: 2012-
map
>> 2008 Mar 20
<< 2008 Feb 23