The Land Survey
Part of the land had a commercial use mostly focused on vineyard and fruit trees such as olive, cherry or almond, but the last thirty years has been inactive and forest succession has taken much of it.
Some of the planted trees have survived and now they are mixed with a Mediterranean forest ecosystem.
Some of the planted trees have survived and now they are mixed with a Mediterranean forest ecosystem.
Old management
I have spent many days walking around the land observing the vegetation, the animals paths and the shade movements, feeling with my five senses to know where are micro-climatic variations and which are their special qualities.
Looking at the current design of the terraces it became clear that has been distributed like this for the convenience of driving tractors inside. Many are not even in contour-line, the main intention was to provide access to tools and machinery.
By the age of the trees growing inside the fields I can recognize easy two main areas, one area was plow last time 30 years ago and the other 15 years ago.
Looking at the current design of the terraces it became clear that has been distributed like this for the convenience of driving tractors inside. Many are not even in contour-line, the main intention was to provide access to tools and machinery.
By the age of the trees growing inside the fields I can recognize easy two main areas, one area was plow last time 30 years ago and the other 15 years ago.
At the left picture we can see how the land was originally divided in different agricultural sectors, and which uses these ones have had.
In the list below you can see how it was organized before. Sub-plot Crop Size (hectares)
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Because the land has had many years without being manipulated by humans, certify that the soil have had time to regenerate and is chemical contamination free.
When the wild fauna and flora started to colonize also begun the succession with the organic matter cycle production, breaking the dead soil with the roots, fixing nutrients and leaving air pockets.
Creating after time this little soil film, that is the edge between the life and dead of our land.
When the wild fauna and flora started to colonize also begun the succession with the organic matter cycle production, breaking the dead soil with the roots, fixing nutrients and leaving air pockets.
Creating after time this little soil film, that is the edge between the life and dead of our land.
In the right image we can see an actual topographic map were the land site has been sectioned in two areas that correspond to two different uses.
These are:
Areas with agricultural use are those that can be work and transform as areas for garden, orchard, food forest.... Also in these ones we can build one more structure 30 square meters surface, such a tools and animal sheath or emergency shelter. |
The areas with forest use can not be modified in any way. These was intended to be a timber plantation mixed with olive and carob trees crops, but now it's completely wild.
Contours
At the left map I show were is the lowest point (214m) and the highest (282m), so we can see that there are 61 vertical meters of altitude difference between them.
I have colored the differences in altitude every 25 meters, with cream colour for the highest area and dark green where the valley start to get shape.
The house is at the lowest point of the Land, so we can play with gravity when transporting water and heavy materials. |
Climate
The climate is warm and temperate in Albinyana and winter have much more rain than the summer. The climate classification of Köppen-Geiger is Csa. say that the average annual temperature in Albinyana is 14.80°C, which is 1.83°C lower than the average temperature of Spain which is 12.97°C.
In the warmest months the average temperature is 28.60°C and for the coldest months the average temperature is 2.80°C The annual precipitation is 528 L/m², which 116,3 L/m² lower than the average annual rainfall of Spain (644,3 L/m²). |
Almost all the rain water falls in three or four downpours through the year and mostly happen in spring and autumn, the rest of the year are sporadic small precipitations of 3 L/m², but most of the time is warm with approx 300 days of sun per year, around 2700 sunlight hours a year.
Site indicators
The 70% of the land has been transformed by succession in a Mediterranean forest, mostly pine, acorn, olive, almond..., and bushes as rosemary, thyme and broom plant.
The trees have not had any maintenance for a long time, and the branches spread everywhere.
The other 30% of the land is cultivable space, with some sporadic random trees that grew wild.
The entire site was shaped in a terrace system, with several damage in the stone walls produced by precipitations and the wild flora overgrowth.
The trees have not had any maintenance for a long time, and the branches spread everywhere.
The other 30% of the land is cultivable space, with some sporadic random trees that grew wild.
The entire site was shaped in a terrace system, with several damage in the stone walls produced by precipitations and the wild flora overgrowth.
Trees |
Plants |
Yields obteined during the first year
Spring 2014
One year after to start this project I can see that has been many types of yield, the biggest the learning process and experience. But without any effort we also have had physical yields as a carobs, cherries, nuts..., that the site is producing by itself. Now we can start to be more realistically on how much production profit we can enjoy from this land in a short and long term.
We could see that those yields are just enough for the family, is not a main product in excess to exchange or trade.
As we prune and hilt the trees in the next years, we will be able to make our olive oil or marked products as carob hazelnut chocolate...
Below you can see a little list of the products that nature has given to us without any effort during the first year.
We could see that those yields are just enough for the family, is not a main product in excess to exchange or trade.
As we prune and hilt the trees in the next years, we will be able to make our olive oil or marked products as carob hazelnut chocolate...
Below you can see a little list of the products that nature has given to us without any effort during the first year.
Trees
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Plants
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Bushes
Others
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Testing the Soil
One of the most obvious ways to know what is the type of soil I have is to look at the site indicators, I can deduce the PH soil in each part of the site by observing which type of plants and trees are growing.
I also have done various tests, as to know the texture I have used the jar or hand test. I could see quite clearly that the soil have a high percentage of clay, when it rains my shoes become a ball of sticky mud, and when the soil dries it's compacted and hard as concrete. The cultivable soil is generally alkaline PH, composed by brown clay 80%, sand 15% and silt 5%. |
This soil type has its advantages and disadvantages, have poor drainage so when I water much of the water runs off, but it can keep moisture for longer. Same with nutrients that have absorbing troubles but can held them in place for longer time.
To improve the soil I'll have to facilitate drainage and provide nutrients (especially in the garden), so I'll have to add large amounts of sand and organic matter.
Another option for the garden is to make raised beds and fill them with soil and compost, and for the rest of the land grow many fast growing trees and legume plants at the beginning to provide the maximum possible of organic matter. Also it's in mind to distribute worms throughout all the site.
To do the PH test I used vinegar and sodium bicarbonate to see the reaction and it has shows me that is very alkaline. That is because we have limestone bedrock, being more practical and realistic working with vegetation that enjoy living with these conditions, instead of trying to change the PH of the site.
To improve the soil I'll have to facilitate drainage and provide nutrients (especially in the garden), so I'll have to add large amounts of sand and organic matter.
Another option for the garden is to make raised beds and fill them with soil and compost, and for the rest of the land grow many fast growing trees and legume plants at the beginning to provide the maximum possible of organic matter. Also it's in mind to distribute worms throughout all the site.
To do the PH test I used vinegar and sodium bicarbonate to see the reaction and it has shows me that is very alkaline. That is because we have limestone bedrock, being more practical and realistic working with vegetation that enjoy living with these conditions, instead of trying to change the PH of the site.
Wild life
Wild pigs, foxes, snakes and mouses, are commonly present, as many birds like robins, quails and pheasants.
There is also a big range of insects as bees, butterfly and caterpillar processionary, these last ones can be a very extended pine pest at the end of the winter.
There is also a big range of insects as bees, butterfly and caterpillar processionary, these last ones can be a very extended pine pest at the end of the winter.
Water system
One of the main reasons because we have decided to stay at the land, was the well. At the beginning we drew water out but we did not know that it was locked at the bottom, and after we have removed several liters has dried.
This has completely changed the original idea that we had to supply water to the house and gardens, and because there is no spring, or river, rainwater now is our only water resource.
So few days after of our arrival there was no more water at the site, but currently we are harvesting rain water from the house roof for us and a bit for the garden, and for drinking water we still have to go to take it from the village fountain and spring, being an investment of time and petrol to have access to this vital resource.
This has completely changed the original idea that we had to supply water to the house and gardens, and because there is no spring, or river, rainwater now is our only water resource.
So few days after of our arrival there was no more water at the site, but currently we are harvesting rain water from the house roof for us and a bit for the garden, and for drinking water we still have to go to take it from the village fountain and spring, being an investment of time and petrol to have access to this vital resource.
(Summer 2014)
Actually after having horses on the land eating the grasses have been exposed the earthworks and terraces that were made in earlier times.
Because I can see where the old water tanks are I can also deduce where the collection systems were, but after time of growing vegetation at the humid spots the succession has distorted the landscape.
This makes me have to guess where the old channels were, and redesign a new system adapting to the new terrain circumstances.
Actually after having horses on the land eating the grasses have been exposed the earthworks and terraces that were made in earlier times.
Because I can see where the old water tanks are I can also deduce where the collection systems were, but after time of growing vegetation at the humid spots the succession has distorted the landscape.
This makes me have to guess where the old channels were, and redesign a new system adapting to the new terrain circumstances.
Survey Resources
Personal
- We are two adults with energy to work and a little boy with lots of energy to play.
- We have lots of time.
Natural
- There is some fruits trees and medicinal plants (see above trees list).
- The soil have a high percentage of clay.
- There is a lot of timber, stones and other building materials.
Financial
- We have no saves
- Nims have a regular job at the town next to us.
- I have sporadic and seasonal jobs.
Physical
- In the Land there is an old cottage that we will use as our home.
- There is a water well (but needs to be unblocked).
- We have a van that we use for transportation.
- We have some tools that we have been buying like:
- - Shovels, spikes, pruning shears, scythe, wheelbarrow and other garden tools
Socials
- We have nice and friendly neighbours.
- At the town near by is a primary school were Ohli can go.
- Ohli have a friend to play near by.
- Our friends near by are happy to help.
Web
Books
Other resources
- Owner's Land survey
- Maps from Albinyana town council