How Permaculture Plant Selection Shapes the West Garden

Discover how perennial and annual gardens thrive through permaculture design principles.

This special garden at Quinta Vale da Lama is divided into two main zones, thoughtfully crafted using permaculture plant selection principles: the Perennial Zone and the Annual Zone. Each zone serves a distinct purpose, but together they create a regenerative garden that evolves over time. By combining perennials and annuals, this garden serves as an ongoing experiment where we try, observe, and adapt.

We’re excited to share how the plants were chosen, what qualities guided our decisions, and how they were carefully placed in each zone. Like all experiments, it’s a journey of discovery, growth, and constant learning!

Permaculture plant selection

Types of zones

An overview of the two planting zones in the West Garden.

1. Perennial Zones (P)

Low-maintenance zones featuring long-lasting plants that support the ecosystem.

In the perennial zones, plants are carefully chosen to minimize soil disturbance while maximizing ecological benefits. Through the thoughtful application of permaculture plant selection, these zones provide a range of advantages, including:

  • Wind and solar protection for annual crops,
  • Pollinator attraction,
  • Enhanced crop and soil organism diversity,
  • Beautification of the landscape,
  • Increased water retention,
  • A source of living mulch.

The perennial area comprises three beds, each 2.5 meters wide (50m length), along with a northern and southern windbreak featuring fruit trees. These zones are planted with a mix of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.

2. Annual zones (A)

Dynamic planting zones for shorter lifecycle crops.

The annual zones are designed for planting crops with shorter lifecycles. These areas undergo more soil disturbance, as beds are prepared and replanted after each crop cycle. Key features include:

  • 18 beds, each 1 meter wide,
  • Crops with longer productive periods to maximize efficiency,
  • This area has been sown with green manure/pasture and strawberries have already been planted.

The Selection Process using Permaculture plant selection

The plant selection process for the West Garden began during the Permaculture Design Course (PDC) phase, where a preliminary list of suggested plants was created. This list was based on observations of the land’s conditions and research into plants suitable for these conditions.

As the project progressed, the list was refined through additional research, testing for compatibility, and verifying the availability of plants. The final selection balanced the project’s needs with the limitations of local nursery stock.

1. Perennial Zones: Desired plant characteristics (P)

The chosen plants for perennial zones were identified through permaculture plant selection, focusing on the following traits based on the following traits:

  • Marketable crop,
  • Ease of maintenance and harvesting,
  • Preference for drought-, saline-, frost-, and plague-tolerance,
  • Wind resistance for windbreaks,
  • Deciduous plants for the southern border to allow winter light.

Drought Tolerant Bed (P2):

Central bed featuring resilient plants that need less water.

TypePlants
TreesKaki; Pear; Plum
ShrubsLavender; Artemisia; Sage; Tree Medick
HerbaceousArtichoke; Capers
Ground CoverNew Zealand Spinach
FlowersPortuguese Squill (Scilla peruviana); Martagon Lily; Muscari Comosum; Freesias; Sparaxis; Iris; Allium

The plantation pattern places trees 3 meters apart, with a group of three shrubs planted between each tree. This pattern is used along the main central line of the bed (L1), which contains a total of three planting lines. One line is dedicated to herbaceous and ground cover plants, while the remaining line is filled with flowers, creating a diverse and balanced layout.

Subtropical Beds (P1,P3):

Eastern and western beds designed for plants requiring more irrigation.

TypePlants
TreesInga Edulis; Black Sapote; Guava; Custard Apple
ShrubsMelon-Pear; Canna Edulis; Cherry Guava; Pigeon Pea; Pitanga
HerbaceousKale; Broccoli
Ground CoverSweet Potato
Living MulchVetiver

The plantation pattern places trees 3 meters apart, with a group of three shrubs planted between each tree. This pattern is used along the main central line of the bed (L1), which contains a total of three planting lines. One line is dedicated to herbaceous and ground cover plants, while the remaining line is planted with vetiver as living mulch, providing a sustainable and effective ground cover.

North Windbreak (W1):

Fruit trees providing protection from northern winds.

TypePlants
TreesQuince; Pomegranate; Mulberry
ShrubsLavender; Sage; Vitex trifolium

South Windbreak (W2):

Deciduous trees for winter sunlight and wind protection.

TypePlants
TreesNarrow-leaved Ash; Black Mulberry; White Mulberry

General Plantation Pattern

2. Annual Zones: Desired plant characteristics (A)

Annual crops were chosen using permaculture plant selection principles, focusing on these traits:

  • Long productive periods,
  • Marketability,
  • Ease of maintenance and harvesting,
  • Preference for drought-, saline-, frost-, and plague-tolerance.

Examples of Selected Annual Crops

The annual zones currently include strawberries (already planted) as well as other planned crops like: Pumpkin; Tomatoes; Peppers; Eggplant; Onions.


The plant selection for the West Garden is all about finding the perfect balance between productivity and ecological restoration. By picking plants that fit the garden’s unique conditions, the team at Vale da Lama is creating a thriving ecosystem that serves both as a market garden and a hands-on space for exploring permaculture practices. The transformation of the West Garden is an ongoing journey, and with each new phase, we’re learning and discovering things that will help shape future projects. It’s all part of the process, and we’re excited to share it with you!

Learn more about Permaculture plant selection by doing a PDC

Ready to dive deeper into permaculture design? Join our next Permaculture Design Course (PDC) at Quinta Vale da Lama! Learn how to create resilient ecosystems, step in the next stage of plant selection, and apply regenerative practices to your own projects. This 14 day program is facilitated by our partner Novas Descobertas Association.

By: Quinta Vale da Lama

Quinta Vale da Lama is a 43-hectare farm near Lagos, Portugal, using regenerative agriculture to grow organic food and enhance soil, water, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.

What’s On Vale da Lama?

Discover activities, explore educational programs, and connect with nature at Vale da Lama. Gain practical tools and eco-social mindsets to build a more balanced and thriving world.

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West Garden Regeneration

An integration of permaculture design, ecosystem restoration, and food crop testing in a market garden context.

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