Visit to Las Glorias del Huerto

This past week we made a visit to the organic gardens of Luis Saurez which are located near Atotonilco. His rancho is called Las Glorias del Huerto and it is a magnificent garden where he grows using methods that are certified organic.

Many years ago his rancho was farmed with mainly corn. When he commenced farming the property, he converted all of the techniques to organic and ceased using any chemicals. He initially planted alfalfa which he continued for 15 years primarily to rebuild the soils. Alfalfa is part of the legume family so it feeds the soil and has VERY LONG ROOTS that also help to break up the hard pan. Thus he continues to use alfalfa as a rotation crop to regenerate his land.

Luis employs two full time gardeners and as summer comes with the increased production and of course the rains he employs more as need be.

He composts everything that the garden produces including pasture grasses and uses cattle, sheep and goat manure that he ages and works into the soil. He has primarily three different types of soil on his property and works at mixing them together since combined they make a very rich soil but separately they are not good growing mediums.

For pest control purposes he only uses artemesia and sages, which Luis believes work just fine and are totally organic.

The rancho will commence selling produce in the next two weeks, although it will be primarily salad related products, lettuce, radicchio and arrugula. He had to stop selling last year earlier than normal due to the very cold period in December but usually has to stop with the first frost. Luis is also hoping to employ more covered/protected growing areas so that he can extend his selling year round.

This coming year he will be planting fruit trees to diversify the microclimate of his property.

The Down to Earth Garden Club of San Miguel will be having a tour and discussion with Luis at his rancho on the 22nd of May from 9:30a to 11. If you are interested in attending, please register with the organization here. If you would like to see more images from our tour of the gardens, please check out the collection at my flickr portfolio here.