La Geria
La Geria constitutes one of the most characteristic and unique agricultural landscapes of Lanzarote and the Archipelago. Its origin lies in the need to take advantage of the wide areas covered by sand (lapilli), generated by the volcanic eruptions of Timanfaya.
The farmer from Lanzarote was able to appreciate how the plants that had been partially covered with picón or sand, as it is known on the island, had a more favorable development. In this way, the idea arose of excavating in this superficial layer, about two and a half meters, until finding the buried soil and planting there.
The holes made in this way, in the form of small cones, are usually protected from the wind with a small wall. The characteristics of lapilli made it possible to maintain rainfed crops, in an area with low rainfall. This is possible thanks to the fact that this volcanic material has the ability to absorb and retain moisture, both from rain and from the environment. Likewise, it allows greater absorption of rainwater, facilitating infiltration and preventing erosion. In addition, the picón (lapilli) acts as an insulator, preventing water loss by evaporation , and keeping the temperature of the topsoil constant.