A beautiful spring morning
After a stormy night with lots of rain and thunder, a beautiful spring morning has dawned here.
We are enjoying it!
Building Sustainable Tourism
How Our Istrian Villas Lead the Way in Energy Efficiency
Welcome to our blog, where we’re excited to share the journey of our sustainable tourism venture in Istria. At our three villas, we’re not just offering a luxurious getaway; we’re also committed to minimizing our environmental impact. From construction to ongoing operations, every decision is guided by our dedication to energy efficiency and sustainability.
From the outset, we prioritized energy efficiency in the construction of our villas. Each building is equipped with thermal insulation in walls and facades, minimizing heat loss and reducing the need for excessive heating and cooling. Our commitment extends to the pool area, where we’ve insulated walls and bottom of the pools to retain heat efficiently. Additionally, all windows and doors feature double or triple glazing, further enhancing insulation properties.
To harness renewable energy, solar panels adorn the roofs of each villa, providing heating for sanitary and drinking water. This investment not only reduces our reliance on conventional energy sources but also significantly cuts down our carbon footprint. Last year alone, our photovoltaic power plant at Villa 115 produced 4,680 kWh of electricity, saving 3.3 tons of CO2 emissions.
We’ve implemented innovative solutions like rainwater harvesting to minimize water wastage. Rainwater from villa roofs is collected and utilized for watering almond trees in our meadow. Future plans include expanding this system to supply water for irrigating olive trees, further conserving precious freshwater resources.
Building upon our success, we’re expanding our solar capacity by installing a 9.5 kW photovoltaic power plant on the roof of Villa 117. With a larger roof area, this upgrade promises even greater energy savings and environmental benefits. We anticipate a return on investment within seven years, demonstrating the long-term viability of renewable energy solutions.
In our journey towards sustainable tourism, every decision matters. By prioritizing energy efficiency, harnessing renewable energy, and implementing innovative solutions like rainwater harvesting, we’re not only reducing our environmental footprint but also setting a precedent for responsible tourism practices in Istria. Join us in our commitment to preserving the beauty of our planet while providing unforgettable experiences for our guests.
Unlocking the Secrets to Thriving Olive Orchards
Unlocking the Secrets to Thriving Olive Orchards: A Guide
from Istria’s Experts
Learn how to optimize your olive orchard’s growth and health with professional pruning
techniques from Istria, ensuring a bountiful harvest.
Introduction:
Welcome to Istria, home to some of the world’s finest olive orchards! If you’re seeking to
elevate your olive cultivation game, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll delve into
the art of professional pruning, a vital practice for ensuring optimal growth and productivity
in your olive trees.
Istrian Olive Orchard: A Haven of Health and Quality:
Nestled in the heart of Istria, our olive orchard boasts trees of exceptional health and vigor.
The secret lies not only in the fertile soil and favorable climate but also in our meticulous
pruning techniques. By embracing the expertise of professional pruners, we’ve unlocked the
full potential of our olive groves, yielding abundant harvests year after year.
Picture 1. Olive orchard before pruning
The Importance of Professional Pruning:
Pruning is more than just trimming branches; it’s a strategic art form that shapes the future
growth and fruit-bearing capacity of olive trees. Here’s why professional pruning is essential
for your orchard’s success:
- Enhanced Air Circulation: Proper pruning opens up the canopy, allowing sunlight and
air to penetrate deep into the tree. This promotes photosynthesis, minimizes disease
susceptibility, and encourages uniform fruit ripening. - Stimulated Growth: Strategic pruning removes dead or overgrown branches,
redirecting the tree’s energy towards healthy shoots and foliage. This results in
vigorous growth and abundant flower and fruit production. - Disease Prevention: Regular pruning eliminates diseased or pest-infested branches,
preventing the spread of pathogens throughout the orchard. By maintaining a clean
and healthy canopy, you can safeguard your trees against common olive ailments. - Shape and Structure: Professional pruners possess the expertise to sculpt your trees
into ideal shapes, such as open vase shape. Well-formed trees not only enhance
orchard aesthetics but also facilitate ease of maintenance and harvesting. - Longevity and Sustainability: Properly pruned olive trees tend to have longer
lifespans and greater resilience to environmental stressors. Investing in professional
pruning is a commitment to the long-term sustainability and productivity of your
orchard.
Picture 2. Olive orchard after pruning
Unlocking Your Orchard’s Potential:
Ready to elevate your olive orchard to new heights? Follow these tips inspired by Istria’s
experts:
Schedule Regular Pruning Sessions: Aim for annual or biennial pruning sessions,
ideally during the dormant season in late winter or early spring. Consistency is key to
maintaining optimal tree health and productivity. - Prioritize Professional Expertise: While independent pruning may seem tempting,
entrusting your orchard to certified arborists or experienced pruners ensures
precision and effectiveness. Invest in quality pruning services to reap long-term
rewards. - Customize Pruning Techniques: Tailor pruning techniques to suit the unique needs of
your olive varieties and orchard layout. Consult with professionals to develop a
customized pruning plan that maximizes growth and yield potential. - Embrace Sustainable Practices: Incorporate sustainable practices such as mulching,
composting, and organic fertilization to complement your pruning efforts. A holistic
approach to orchard management nurtures soil health and biodiversity, further
enhancing crop resilience. - Monitor and Adapt: Regularly assess your orchard’s response to pruning
interventions and adjust strategies as needed. Pay attention to tree vigor, flowering
patterns, and fruit set to fine-tune your pruning regimen for optimal results.
Conclusion:
In the picturesque landscapes of Istria, the art of olive cultivation thrives through the skillful
hands of professional pruners. By embracing the principles of strategic pruning, you can
unlock the full potential of your olive orchard, ensuring robust growth and abundant
harvests. Join us on the journey to olive excellence, where tradition meets innovation in the
pursuit of agricultural perfection.
We had a visit
A few days ago, we were visited by guests who made us very happy.
A mother doe with her two little fawns came to the meadow behind our villas for dinner. Apparently they liked the grass growing around our almond trees.
They felt safe here, they calmly grazed the grass, and we were careful not to scare them.
Olive harvest
Our dear ones,
We want to show you what this year’s olive harvest was like for us.
Our olive trees overwintered nicely and entered this year good and healthy. Then everything
continued with a beautiful spring that allowed us to prune each olivetree in the way we
knew best.
We provided them with ecological protection from pests and gave them all the food they
needed. During the summer heat and drought, we gave them as much water as they needed. We were lucky that the storms bypassed us.
Our olive trees gave us all that back and gave us an abundance of fruits.
The fruits were healthy, ripe and full of oil.
Friends and relatives helped us and we picked the olives at the best possible moment.
We also had other helpers: They also protected our olive trees the whole time.
We spread the nets.
Shake the fruits from the trees.
Young ones helped us…
— and not so young ones.
In the end, we collected everything and finished the harvest.
Some of us got a little tired at the same time.
Some of us got a little tired at the same time.
We delivered the olives to the oil mill.
And after a short time we received our oil!
Thanks to everyone who helped us.
We are sending this to all friends and relatives, especially those who helped us with the
harvest. We also send to all dear people who were our guests in Košutići. We want to show that Košutići and Cangarela are beautiful in every season of the year.