Aromatics in practice: El Jardín de las Lilas

El Jardín de las Lilas is a family business dedicated to the cultivation of aromatic plants to produce hydrolates (herbal distillate) in the province of Girona. Among other species they grow old roses, lavender, geraniums, helichrysum, rosemary, sage, and thyme. It is a small-scale production; in total the cultivation of aromatic plants occupies between 2 and 3 hectares. 

The aromatic cultivation field is on a slope, so the space is divided into terraces and since they started in the business, they implemented a keyline design. This way of structuring the aromatic rows allows them to carry out a more equitable distribution of water on the plot, which is very important for them as the rainfall in the area is low.  

Depending on the requirements of each species, they use different types of mulch, incorporating the remains of distillate, straw, or shredded firewood. The fields are full of biodiversity, they implement intercropping with different aromatic species and native species such as hedges, olive trees, almond trees and rose hips are included between terraces. In addition, spontaneous vegetation grows between the crops, which is regulated by the introduction of the donkeys into the field. 

"With this new production model, we have found a lot of benefits, it is an accumulation of things. With a few years of working in a different way, the land has changed a lot. Before they were intensive cereal fields, and in five years you can see that it has a different colour, it is full of life. It is incredible". - Ana Gayoso, El Jardín de las Lilas - 

El Jardín de las Lilas is an unusual process in the aromatics business. Normally, distillation is done to obtain essential oil as the main product, with the hydrolats being a secondary product that can also be sold. However, on a small scale, the production of hydrolats allows enough product to be obtained from a small volume of raw material. Through this unique processing, the properties are enhanced, and higher quality hydrosols are obtained.  

For more information see the website (www.laslilasylaluna.bio/el-jardin-de-las-lilas).