Finca Verde Food Production Plan
Apart from being an agri-food business the Finca Verde Community also needs to provide a variety of food for people living on site and others who may visit the site periodically or in passing.
We also recognise that having a variety of crops growing along side each other also known as intercropping is beneficial to increase biodiversity thus reducing the instances of plagues affecting our main crops (olives, oranges and almonds).
Thus this food production plan seeks to capture and address the following needs:
- a yield that can contribute towards community members and visitors nutritional needs
- building up organic matter in the soil to maximize water retention capacity
- increase biodiversity of plants, insects and animals that help towards decrease effects of plagues / sickness in main crop trees
This plan also considers the nutritional needs captured here.
A Sustainable Planting Plan for Self-Sufficiency in Southern Spain
Southern Spain's temperate climate, characterized by hot, dry summers, offers both opportunities and challenges for self-sufficient gardening. This article presents a comprehensive planting plan for annual and perennial crops that fulfill an adult's dietary requirements throughout the year, considering limited water availability during the hottest months. By focusing on efficient irrigation, crop selection, and sustainable practices, this plan aims to create a resilient and productive garden.
Seasonal Planting Overview
To meet dietary needs while considering water constraints, the plan includes a mix of annual and perennial crops, strategically chosen for their resilience in arid conditions. The growing season is divided into four main periods: winter, spring, summer, and autumn, with crops adjusted for optimal productivity and water efficiency.
Detailed Planting Plan and Requirements
The table below details the planting plan, including the crop name, planting season, the amount of produce needed per year per person, the number of plants required, land space required, and the estimated water needs.
| Crop Name | Planting Season | Yield Needed (kg) | Plants Required | Typical Spacing (cm) | Area Needed (m²) | Water per Plant (liters/season) | Total Water (liters/year) | Additional Information | Finca Verde Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potatoes | Spring, Autumn | 300 kg | 200-300 | 30 x 30 | 18-27 | 25-30 | 5,000-9,000 | Key source of carbohydrates; store well for winter. | |
| Winter Squash | Spring | 100-150 kg | 50-70 | 100 x 100 | 50-70 | 50-60 | 2,500-4,200 | High-water needs; mulch to retain moisture. | |
| Beans | Summer | 40 kg (dry) | 150-200 | 10 x 10 | 1.5-2 | 10-15 | 1,500-3,000 | Use pole varieties for vertical growth, reducing water needs. | |
| Peas | Spring | 10-15 kg | 70-100 | 5 x 5 | 0.5-1 | 8-10 | 560-1,000 | Low to moderate water needs; drip irrigation preferred. | |
| Almonds (Tree) | Perennial, Autumn | 10-20 kg | 2-3 trees | 6,000 x 6,000 | 72-108 | 2,000-4,000 | 4,000-12,000 | Drought-tolerant; deep-root watering in dry periods only. | more than enough trees on the farm already |
| Olives (Tree) | Perennial, Autumn | 10 kg oil (50 kg olives) | 2-3 trees | 6,000 x 6,000 | 72-108 | 2,500-3,500 | 5,000-10,500 | Thrives in Mediterranean climate; minimal watering needed once established. | more than enough trees on the farm already |
| Avocado (Tree) | Perennial, Summer | 25-30 kg | 1 tree | 6,000 x 6,000 | 36 | 4,000-5,000 | 4,000-5,000 | Requires consistent watering; mulch and shade are beneficial. | tree needs hard pruning (fruit out of reach) |
| Leafy Greens | Year-Round | 50 kg | 50-100 in rotation | 20 x 20 | 1-2 | 5-10 per cycle | 500-1,000 | Rotate plantings and use drip irrigation to conserve water. | |
| Carrots | Spring, Autumn | 25 kg | 150-200 | 5 x 5 | 0.75-1 | 8-10 | 1,200-2,000 | Moderate water; deep watering encourages root growth. | |
| Beets | Spring, Autumn | 25 kg | 150-200 | 5 x 5 | 0.75-1 | 8-10 | 1,200-2,000 | Drought-resistant once established. | |
| Tomatoes | Summer | 50 kg | 15-20 | 60 x 60 | 5-7.5 | 50-60 | 750-1,200 | Requires consistent watering; shade cloth reduces evaporation. | |
| Bell Peppers | Summer | 20-30 kg | 20-30 | 45 x 45 | 4-6 | 40-50 | 800-1,500 | Mulching and shade cloth reduce water usage. | |
| Citrus Trees | Perennial, Winter/Spring | 50-100 kg | 1-2 trees | 6,000 x 6,000 | 36-72 | 2,500-4,000 | 2,500-8,000 | Requires regular watering in dry months, particularly in summer. | more than enough trees on the farm already |
| Strawberries | Spring | 15-20 kg | 30-40 | 30 x 30 | 3-4.5 | 15-20 | 450-800 | Mulching improves water retention; shallow roots. | |
| Blueberries | Perennial, Summer | 10-15 kg | 10-15 bushes | 100 x 100 | 10-15 | 20-30 | 200-450 | Drought-tolerant once established; mulch conserves moisture. | wild blackberries available - need to audit and take note of harvest season |
| Herbs | Year-Round | N/A | 5-10 plants each | 20 x 20 | 0.5 | 5-10 | 25-100 | Minimal water needed; drought-resistant herbs. | wild herbs available as well as cultivated herbs in pots (need audit) |
Total Land Area and Water Requirements
The total land area required per person is approximately 350-500 m². This includes adequate space for annual crops, perennial trees, and bushes, with room for pathways and crop rotations.
The estimated total water requirement per person per year is 30,000-55,000 liters. This estimate is based on efficient water conservation techniques, including:
Drip Irrigation: Provides water directly to the root zone, minimizing evaporation.
Mulching: Helps retain soil moisture and reduces the need for frequent watering.
Shading and Wind Barriers: Protect sensitive crops from excess heat and evaporation.
Sustainable Practices for Water Conservation
Given the limited water availability in southern Spain, special attention must be paid to reducing water use without compromising yields. Strategies such as using drought-tolerant varieties, effective mulching, and companion planting can significantly improve the garden's resilience to dry conditions.
Key Practices Include:
Drought-Resilient Crop Selection: Choosing crops like olives, figs, almonds, and certain herbs that naturally thrive in low-water conditions.
Efficient Watering Techniques: Drip irrigation reduces water waste, and soil moisture sensors help ensure water is used only when necessary.
Mulching and Shade: Mulching reduces soil evaporation, and shade cloth helps protect plants from the scorching summer sun.
Here we are speculating & will be testing whether through selecting appropriate crops, optimizing planting seasons, and employing sustainable water practices, if it is possible to meet an individual's annual dietary needs on approximately 350-500 m² of land while conserving precious water resources.
This plan provides a start in approach to self-sufficiency that can be adapted to different scales and conditions. Implementing these strategies can help foster resilience, reduce dependence on external resources, and contribute to a more sustainable way of life.
References
National Research Council. “Dietary Reference Intakes: Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate.” The National Academies Press, 2005.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “FAO Nutrition Reports.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “Plants Database” and “National Agricultural Library.” USDA, 2024.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Sustainable Diets and Water Usage.” Harvard University, 2023.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). “Drought-Resistant Plants and Gardening in Arid Environments.” NCCIH, 2023.