Erdäpfelpyramide auf der Katrin

On the Katrin, Ischl's local mountain at around 1500 metres above sea level and a popular excursion destination for many Upper Austrians and guests from near and far, not only alpine herbs but also potatoes are now growing. The new, pyramid-shaped potato field is located above the mountain station and is in full bloom in autumn.

This is because harvesting only takes place in October and then the two hut operators on the Katrin can also benefit from the results of the cultivation, emphasises potato expert Ulrike Haunschmid. She initiated this sustainability project and realised it with commitment together with the dedicated head of department and professor Lilly Lehmann and the second class of the Höhere Lehranstalt für Wirtschaftsberufe (HWL) in Bad Ischl.

The pupils, professor and Haunschmid were supported by Johannes Aldrian, Managing Director of Katrin Seilbahn GmbH. "The pyramid was built during the winter by our people after the snow melted".

It has a size of L 3.5 m W 3.5 m H 3.5 m. We carted up every kilo of soil we needed to grow the potatoes - which came from the Sauwald - with the gondolas and then carried it up to the pyramid," he says, who is now also more surprised that potatoes "thrive at this height at all."

Uli Haunschmid is not surprised. "Potatoes are only grown on the plain. But this tuber actually comes from the South American Andes, where it is grown at an altitude of 4,000 metres," she explains: "So why shouldn't this also work on the Katrin?"

There is also a potato pyramid in the mountains of Kaprun at an altitude of 2,400 metres. The particularly hardy Lungau potatoes were used there, "but we planted Sauwald potatoes on the Katrin", says Haunschmid, "and ten kilograms of them". The potato harvest at the end of October will be exciting - judging by the growth of the greenery, the harvest should be considerable. The pupils will harvest and celebrate - the first year of the project will end with the potato harvest festival - not before "wintering in" ... Winter barley will be grown as the first catch crop - this will then be worked into the soil as a young seed next year as fertiliser before the successor crop, either herbs, pumpkins or strawberries, is grown.

This requires the construction of a second pyramid so that potatoes can be grown again to continue the project. Signposts will soon be erected on the Katrin to guide visitors to the potato pyramid and provide information.

Visitors will also be made aware of the potato delicacies with which the two hut keepers will spoil their guests - as is well known, they taste good and, above all, are healthy and provide strength and vitality.