Maru Malwe

Ken, I think the wide grid is because traditionally in Spain people would grow wheat, or indeed beans and the wide spaces were simply more accessible to tractors. It is a huge issue though as with 7-8 months of drought these areas basically become like a rock (and then the first heavy rain washes the top 5-10cm away!). So I definitely think to increase planting density first, and underplant now with very resistant herbs. Would love blackberries, though . Ar eyou able to grow any berries where you are?
As for nitrogen, I am planning to use carob trees, have a lot of young trees arund the property, they are literally miraculous trees, completely drought and pest resistant and beautiful, too. Although there is some discussion about their nitrogen fixing, so maybe need to re-think that!

Yes, should have mentioned pomegranates, persimmons and membrillo -they do seem to grow quite freely around me. And the thymd, unbelievably, I am unable to grow it, I tried so many times! I now suspect something is just eating it !

hello, we need to replant about 30 acres of mixed orchard in Spain. The current layout is to have almond, carob and some apricot and fig trees planted in a rows 15m apart, typically cereals would be interplanted between the rows. I do not have animals (other than some wild ones!) and do not intend to keep them. Would like to increase diversity, which would mean limiting Prunus family...but then this is a commercial orchard and almonds and apricots are the main crops in this area. Thinking about planting a second row in between the current one and encourage lavender, rosemary to spread under the trees.  Can people share their ideas - what species would you plant? What density? Am I wrong in wanting to abandon cereals and the traditional layout? This is the area that normally experiences 6-7 month of completely dry and hot weather (air is humid, mind you but no rain), ground water can be saline and we are on the rock with just 1-3 meters of soil layer, depending on the spot. Erosion is a major concern and so is the shade, with 300 sunny days a year. Thank you!

I do not know how old they are but think at least 35 - 40 years, they are clearly affected by some virus (a neighbour told me a name of it in Catalan that I do not speak - so no help). And your instinct is right, the trees were planted 20 meters apart and grains were grown between the rows, so deeply ploughed at least twice or three times a year. I know, however, it is not the dought that´s affecting the trees, depsite the fact that we got no rain for 8 months last year. Couple of young almonds that seeded themselves naturally ae completely unaffected and covered in flowers. Amazing, really.

Konstantinos, I have a devastated almond orchard in Mallorca...we are in the process of removing 500 almond trees (very old and diseased, we pruned them heavily last year with a hope of some regrowth but alas, no regrowth!) and I was already worried about how will I find money, time and labor to do this! I planted about 10 seedlings this January, along with some carob seedlings that germinated naturally in the property (great trees for the region with an additional benefit of nitrogen fixing, good looking evergreen trees too!). I was thinking about adding hazelnuts for their quick growth but not sure if they would survive the summer - any experience with them? Will now definitely add apricots. I threw in some flax, sesame and borage seeds to cover the soil - but weeds seem to be stronger. Will definitely put your method to work this autumn. Cheers!

Amazing!!! I wish I did not have a full time job and a lot of money in my bank account