Grazalema has the odd reputation for being "The wettest place in Spain"...Historically the average yearly rainfall is around 2000mm (or 2000 litres per square metre) and this is caused by the Atlantic westerly winds that heat up over the low ground suddenly being forced up to the higher ground of the Sierra de Grazalema, the first mountain range in the path of these winds. The warm air cools quickly, condenses and falls as rain... For the last few years though, rainfall has been a lot less than normal and one look at the lake levels in the area shows us that we all need to be careful with water, one of our most precious commodities.

Growing vegetable plants in bulk can have its problems, with various bugs and beasties wanting to eat the bounty before you. A  trip to almost any garden centre or agricultural wholesaler will undoubtedly offer an arsenal of chemicals to make your plants grow bigger, better and healthier...But.... there is always an alternative and in many cases the organic treatments have been tried and tested for centuries. Garlic for example has more uses than just pan Andaluz (olive oil garlic toast..mmm) so here is an organic recipe that keeps the greenfly population down and also controls other basic plant afflictions.