The morning of the 14th at La Mata saw several members of the Volunteers waiting for action with gardening tools at La Mata information centre and we all set off along the vine route heading in a northerly direction until we got to a plot which had been prepared with furrows for the planting. The two maintenance men then started digging holes to show us how. The holes looked about a foot deep and the same square. Some branches were then cut off the existing vines and the ends had to be hammered flat to encourage root growth, then they were planted in the holes and stamped in. Apparently no watering is required, we just hope for the winter rains to do the work.
Jose Manuel explained that there was great excitement when they realised they had these vines which are unique to La Mata and the only others are in the Seed and Plant Bank in Madrid. As they have not been modified in any way they hold they original flavour from about 150 years ago.
This plot used to reach right down to the sea, one of the men’s grandfather used to have them, but now we have buildings and the N332 instead.
Jose Manuel made it very clear that it is up to us to look after this planting and in 3 months we have to go and learn how to prune them. As time passes we have to prune them again and learn how to choose the strongest stems for further growth. In 3 years we may have a harvest! Tapes were put round the stems with the names of all the Volunteers present so we have a personal interest in them. This is very much “our baby”!
No comments:
Post a Comment