Agricultural activity in the municipality of Lepe, is based on two big

crops: strawberry and citrus. For several years, this offer is being
supplemented with other crops such as persimmon, raspberry,
blueberry, ... while new methods of exploitation appear, such as for
example nectarine growing in hydroponics macrotunnel or
strawberry.

Lepes agriculture is varied, the most successful is the

cultivation of strawberries and oranges as they are well
known worldwide.
Strawberries.

for strawberry cultivation must take into account :

temperature
As noted , there are a lot of varieties, some being very resistant to
cold climates, but overall, the strawberry is a crop that is well
adapted to many types of climates. Vegetative part is highly resistant
to frost , reaching temperatures up to -16 C (in the vegetative
phase , -6 C although the floral organs are destroyed with
somewhat lower values at 0 C. At the same time are able to
survive temperatures summer 55 C.
The optimal values for proper fruiting are around 10-13 C and night

temperature and 18-22 C 15-20 C. daytime Temperatures below

12 C during fruit growth lead to deformed fruits cold , while a very
hot weather can cause maturation and coloration very fast fruit ,
which prevents him from acquiring a suitable size. However, the
strawberries need to accumulate a number of chilling hours with
temperatures below 7 C , to give a vegetation and abundant
fruiting.
This requirement cold hours varies by variety , does not occur in
most places in the south of the Peninsula This requires the
development of plants at high latitudes , so that once the cumulative
amount of cold needed for each variety plants are moved to warmer
areas for cultivation . It is very important to determine the cold
required for each variety , due to an insufficient amount results in a
weak development , giving soft and short- life fresh fruit, cut once .
An excess of accumulated cold , resulting in lower yields , a large
vegetative growth and the appearance of premature stolons.
moisture
The minimum required dry pluviomtra is around 600 mm , irrigation
is necessary to provide in our latitudes in the order of 2000 mm
during the crop cycle autumn . In the Cantabrian zone can try
growing in dry land , in the rest of the peninsula and on the islands ,
except in exceptional points , it must be grown on irrigated
soil
A categorized as sandy or sandy loam soil is deep and evenly to the
ideal for our culture . Balanced prefers soils rich in organic matter,
aerated , well-drained , but with some water retention capacity . Low
levels of pathogens are equally indispensable for cultivation. It is
important that the soil is well drained so that no persistent puddles in
the growing area The optimum grain size of a soil for growing
strawberries about is: - 50 % of silica sand - 20 % clay - 15%
limestone - 5% organic matter
In short, a soil classified as sandy or sandy loam and
homogeneously deep is to the ideal for our culture .
It is convenient to slightly basic pH one slightly acidic better ,
optimum is around 6.5 is even smaller . There should be a certain
amount of organic matter in the soil in various stages of

decomposition , so it should be included , compost or vermiculite in

the subscriber line . The chemical balance of nutrients is considered
more favorable than a high richness thereof.
A C / N: 10 is considered an appropriate value , thus a good
evolution of organic matter applied to the soil is ensured.
The strawberry is very sensitive to salt, although more resistant
varieties , so we avoid saline soils and irrigation waters with high salt
content , the more pure water are the best . It is also sensitive to the
active limestone because v will block causing iron chlorosis on the
ground (loss of color) .
All these factors make the feet of granite mountains the most
suitable places for growing strawberries, such as the bottom of
Madrid mountains or ravines Aran Valley . However other less
suitable climates are also good enough, although plants require
more care, as evidenced by the most famous areas of strawberry in
Huelva Spain Aranjuez and are , none of which have extremely pure
water or siliceous soils .
irrigation
As indicated above, the strawberry is sensitive to salinity waters , so
if the water contains many salts have to be watered more in order to
drag soil salinity excess water in these culture conditions or hose
exudarte dropwise excess salt concentrate around the plant .
However if the waters are of good quality if these methods are very
suitable for irrigation to ensure the roots a constant dose of
moisture. The crop suffers , reducing its performance , with salt
concentrations in the upper water to 0.8 mmhos.cm
Need risks widely dispersed throughout the culture , not being
convenient to keep dry between waterings phases . In a year of
normal weather in spongy soils, it is necessary to apply about 35
liters per m2 of water spread over a hundred irrigation from
November to April, spread over a hundred irrigation , which is more
or less watering every two days a glass of water for every square
meter grade , I repeat , given good water quality, but more
abundantly watering runoff to carry the salts .
luminosity

The strawberry hold partial shade still need lots of light, ie not
houseplant, but grows well in the shade of a tree and bear , although
not favor him , that he planted, for example, on the north side of a
wall. Full sunlight continuously not in your favor , planted in the
cooler areas of the garden .
Soil disinfection . The strawberries are under attack from many
pathogens naturally present in the soil fungal pathogens, parasitic
nematodes , mites , insects and weeds. Therefore disinfection
techniques should be applied soil before planting the strawberry
patch , this is the direct soil application of a biocide chemical or
physical nature with which eliminated totally or partially above the
negative agents.
There are many products on the market designed for this use, the
most common are two types of treatments, Methyl Bromide and
Sodium Metham . As you know that follow this blog, without
advocating one organic garden with all its consequences , I do not
favor the use of plant protection products to them if sensible
alternatives.
For disinfection of fields there is a quite effective and to some extent
little aggressive to the point of being accepted by more strictly
organic growers who is solarization alternative method. Is to cover
with a plastic film surface to be disinfected once fluffy and watered
the ground as possible for 30/45 days on the station higher
temperatures.

Oranges:
for orange cultivation should be considered :

Climate

Latitude : 36 C latitude north and south , with tropical climatic

conditions.
Temperature: Do not be low, as it would affect crop growth , ie 13 C
and 30 C , the optimum is 23 C. to a temperature less than 8 C.
plant produces obstruction and greater at 36 C. deteriorates the
result , temperatures of 0 C - 12 C , determines the green color of

the fruit due to the acidity balance sugars ( temperate climate ) . The
temperature intervened in the rate blooms and growth trees remain
dormant in winter and grow and bloom during the summer.
Heights above 500 m heights .
Precipitation . 1200 - 1500 mm / year well distributed throughout the
year, are sufficient to meet the needs of the crop , in areas where
prevailing drought irrigation is essential for the crop to be grown
without any problem. The sour orange is less demanding irrigation,
while the sweet orange will grow well in high rainfall , are demanding
irrigation.

soils
Oranges are permanent crops begin to give back what I invested in
over the years when you start producing fruit. If a suitable site is
selected and has a good handle planting its effects will be with the
passing of the years.
Before planting any crop should perform tests prior to the
establishment of the garden to see what needs planting
requirements considering the physical and chemical properties of
that crop .
The orange grows well clayey , heavy well drained , deep to the
roots to anchor well and can extract the amounts of nutrients and
water needed for its development, while thinner the lower floor will
be the development of the trees ; with a pH of 5 , 5-7 , with abundant
organic material , the crop is susceptible to excess lime and sodium
chloride