Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Dieter Brand <diebrand@yahoo.com>]

Here in the South of Portugal, we have extremely arid conditions.  
Grasshoppers are everywhere.  Most people find that if you keep chickens in 
or around the garden (for example with movable fences), that will greatly 
reduce grasshopper populations.

We have different types of seeds that are traditionally grown with very 
little water.  These are mostly beans, chickpeas and other legumes.  There is 
also a special variety of corn that is grown without rain during the summer.  
Sunflowers also don’t need much water.  Tomatoes and onions, once they are 
established, also get by with very little water.  Even though the skin of the 
tomatoes tends to get a little hard if it gets too dry.

During the winter we have more rain, still the soil never really gets 
completely wet as in other parts.  We have clay soil which is ideal for wheat 
during the cool season.  Rye and other grains need more water.

Dieter Brand
Portugal