Rich Panciera

Here in Spain the Olive Fly can be a problem also. It's really common to see plastic bottles hanging in the trees that have a solution in the bottom. The solution is more of an attractant then the olives themselves and the flies drown in it. In fact, I read somewhere that this method was developed here. Apparently it's very effective. It's talked about here. Also completely organic as the chemicals don't touch the tree or the ground. There is also a plant called "False Yellowhead" (Dittrichia viscosa) that goes by the name of Olivada here. It's got an old special relationship with the trees, apparently, as it turns out it hosts the Lacewing and another Olive Fly predator (can't remember what) in it's dried flowers. We don't have any on our land but are looking hard for it. It's supposed to be a pretty tough pioneer and invasive in other parts of the world.

Everyone should be forewarned about the disease called "Verticillium Wilt". It is highly recommended to never plant anything from the nightshade genus (Solanum spp. - tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants), cucumbers (Cucumis spp.) or cotton where they would share roots with an olive tree. It is not treatable and you don't want to watch your hundreds year old tree wither away
for some tomatoes.
http://www.oliveoilsource.com/page/disease-control#verticillium
From what I have recently heard there is a tradition in south Italy for planting cereals between the trees.

Hi all,
We are very close to making a move on a piece of land in the Mataranya area of Aragon Spain and want to self-build on it sustainably (rammed-earth or earthbag).
The architects we have been speaking to are giving us very high estimates for there services. They are very open to natural building but also seem to be used to large
budget projects. Anyone know of an architect in Northeastern Spain that could draw up a project and help with permissions on a low budget?
TIA
lloop