Driving from Barcelona to Mont Serrat, the bus wound past many a farm. The earth was dry and heavy, used relentlessly down the centuries, all nutrients washed down the steep slopes to the river below. Yet despite the scorching heat the dark green of vegetable gardens bloomed everywhere against the rocky backdrop.
A lot of effort must go into these plots. The lush green rises from an earth which looks barren. Hoses stretch across the ground, a moving pattern of irrigation. Large zucchinis nestle against the ground, and pumpkin and squash plants spread across the earth. Tomatoes of all types stand staked in rows, while netting protects the larger plants from birds. To produce crops here requires dedication and vigilance – and probably a lot of heartbreak. Continue Reading →
