Dryland Sunflower Harvest

An impressive seed head, but un-impressive harvest

It’s harvest time at Semilla Besada and one of the annual plants we have been trialling is Sunflowers.   The plants were grown by a neighbour of ours and were impressive in both height of plant and size of seed head.   However, when we came to harvest the seeds, we were surprised by the actual quantity of viable seed that we were able to collect.   From a 24cm diameter sunflower seed head we collected 35g of seed.   The quantity of seed diminished from the outer rim to the centre, with almost 100% at the perimeter, and nothing at the centre.

The harvest from this one seed head would be a tasty addition for a salad for three but no more.   When we are trialling dryland annual vegetables at Semilla Besada, it is important to consider a number of factors:

• how much water they will use during their growth
• whether that water is supplied by irrigation or annual rainfall
• how much labour will be involved in growing, tending and harvesting the plant
• how much fertility will the plant need and how will it be provided
• how much food will be produced per plant
• whether the food will serve both animals and humans
• whether the plant is an important food source for wildlife

Overall, we subject the plant to a ‘marginal reaction’ test, or what might also be called a ‘cost/benefit analysis’.   This year, with this variety, there has been more cost than benefit.   It has failed the marginal reaction test.   Next year, we will trial another variety and see whether we have the same return under the same conditions … nevertheless, the bees do love this summer food, and of course, finches love the seed!

Aspen signing off from Semilla Besada on a beautiful autumn evening

Andalusian Blue Hen and Chicks

The Andalusian Blue originated in Andalucia, southern Spain, and strictly speaking the name should be spelt Andalucian, but rare breed poultry clubs the world over spell it with an ’s’ not ‘c’.  

At Semilla Besada we have a flock of this local heritage breed and this year have had eight mothers who have so far hatched 24 eggs between them.   Today, the latest of the Andalusian Blue mothers has ventured out with her two little chicks into the main yard of the chicken area.   She is very protective and will fluff up her feathers in order to look more intimidating at any approaching chicken or person and make a ‘roaring’ sound.   As she wanders about in search of food, she continually makes a ‘clucking’ sound so that her chicks know where she is.   Similarly, the chicks keep in touch by making a continual ‘peeping’ sound.   The chicks are now 15 days old and can do everything that an adult will do … peck up food, scratch the ground for food, have a dust bath, drink water, ’preen’ (clean) their feathers and get a slight lift when they flap their wings!

When the mother is approached by the cockerel, she will move away into dense plant cover.   Can you spot the mother hen and chick in the picuture?

Aspen signing off from Semilla Besada, the first farm in Europe to use Holistic Management to reverse desertification.

Can you spot the mother hen and chick?

Tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa)

Tomatillo plants in August

The single most important remit at Semilla Besada is sustainability.   This means diversity because, as we all know, we shouldn’t put all our eggs in one basket!   With this in mind, we try and grow as broad a range of vegetables as possible.  

One of the summer vegetables which does very well in a dryland environment of the Alpujarras, is the Tomatillo, the Latin name of which is Physalis ixocarpa.   It grows in a similar way to a tomato, but rather than having clusters of fruit, has single fruit which develop in a lantern-like husk.   When the fruit is mature, it bursts through the husk and is ready to harvest.   The fruit is the size of a small tomato and is light green in colour, ripening to a pale yellow.   Inside there are numerous seeds, again like the tomato.   But there the similarity ends.   The flesh is firmer and the taste  … I need a wine-taster’s vocabulary! … fresh, lemony acid, high rather than bass note.

The tomatillo has gained popularity in southern Spain because of the spread of tomato mosaic virus, to which it is not susceptible.    It can be used in all the ways that a tomato is used, and in Mexico it is the main ingredient in the famous salsa verde.   Here’s the recipe:

1/2 kg of tomatillos (without the husks), 3 chiles (with seeds), 3/4 cup fresh coriander leaves, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon sugar and I teaspoon of salt.   Place all the ingredients into a blender and purée.   It is especially good with tortilla chips, most seafood, and eggs.

Enjoy!

Aspen signing off from Semilla Besada on a hot August afternoon in the Alpujarras, in the foothills of the Sierrra Nevada mountains in southern Spain.

Sustainable Sorghum Growing

Sorghum plants in August

Here at Semilla Besada, in southern Spain, we are about 80% self-sufficient in food production, but our major lack is in cereals … oats for those winter porridges and wheat for that lovely home-baked bread.   And that’s not to mention what our chickens, rabbits and sheep would like to eat as well.   Over the years we have been exploring other grains, because diversity is a major element in farming sustainably.   We have been growing Rox Orange Sorghum for some years now.   It produces a large seed head of chestnut coloured grains and a sugar sap in its stalk, which we can eat like sugar cane.   It does well in poor soil, and does not need a lot of water, both of which are real bonuses in the dryland area of the Alpujarras in the Sierra Nevada mountains.   However, it needs quite a long season in which to produce mature seed heads   Over the past two years the seasons have shifted, giving us a longer, more unpredictable Spring leaving us with an even shorter growing season than usual.   We are now looking for a short-season variety that is more suited for flour than sugar sap production, as it will do better in even drier conditions.   And that’s the prediction for the Alpujarras …. it’s going to get even drier.   Useful resources have been www.twinvalleymills.com and www.sorghum.state.ne.us

 Looking forward to making my next entry on life at Semilla Besada, the first farm in Europe to use Holistic Management to reverse desertification.

Aspen