The biggest advantage of living in the Extremadura is that it can be real spring on the first of March. Already the last two weeks, the change in the weather was noticeable. The birds are very active, the moles are moving around, the celandine is starting to flower, as are the fruit trees. Even the frogs are waking up and croaking in the charco. About time because we had some pretty cold days and nights.
This winter a lot has changed in the garden of La Tierra Verde. With the idea to extend the vegetable garden a tractor was bought. After a lot of research and comparison, we decided to buy a new Kubota B1620 from Cial. Lianos, Don Benito. The service was excelent. All registration and paper work was done in a short time, and 3 weeks after buying the tractor it was delivered on our doorstep.
The tractor came with a rear loader and harrow, but the last was on our request modified to ridger. A rotary tiller was purchased from an Italian agricultural firm, Deleks, and delivered to Cial. Llanos to adjust the implement to the tractor. The Kubota has 16 hp, 4 wheel drive, three point hydraulic lift, etc. In short all the systems and gadgets of a large tractor, although this one measures only 90cm width and 220cm long. A real mini tractor, perfect for garden and orchard work.
In order to protect the tractor, implements and other garden tools from the harsh elements like sun, rain and wind, we set up a large army tent.
Now that we are mechanized, more land can be prepared for production. However, there were still a number of dead and dying olive trees in the field. With the help of an excavator those trees are now removed. On their places other fruit trees will be planted. At the same time the excavator removed the two large mountains of bramble and other rubbish. These rubbish mountains were a result of the original clearing of the field, now more than 2 years ago. Although the larger wooden bits and pieces were not completely rotten away, most of the ruble is now a reasonable compost. This compost was spread on the still barren parts of the field. A part of this area will be used for flowers, both wild and cultivated, to attract bees, and part will be used for vegetables and herbs.
In the coming weeks a lot of overdue work will be done. Planting and sowing is a bit delayed this year, but with the tractor, we will soon be up to date again. Shortly there will be a larger range of vegetables and herbs on offer again. In the garden peas, snow peas, broad beans, broccoli, red cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, leek and onion are growing fast. From the tunnel greenhouse you can expect spinach, Asian salad leaves, spring salad leaves, rucola, turnip tops and coriander during early spring. Furthermore, bean sprouts and alfalfa sprouts are always available.
