[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” module_id=”timeline” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” background_position=”bottom_center” bottom_divider_height=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”West Garden Timeline” subhead=”Tracking the progress of West Garden regeneration journey” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”Go back” button_one_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjEwOTIzNTYifX0=@” module_class=”lwp-header-link” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_one_url” _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”Averia Serif Libre|700|||||||” title_text_color=”gcid-heading-color” title_font_size=”46px” title_line_height=”1.2em” subhead_text_color=”#2B2A1A” subhead_font_size=”22px” background_enable_color=”off” background_enable_image=”off” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_color=”#C8B11A” button_one_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” button_one_border_radius=”4px” button_one_icon=”#||divi||400″ button_one_icon_placement=”left” custom_button_two=”on” button_two_border_width=”0px” button_two_border_radius=”4px” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-heading-color%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93}” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” button_one_bg_color__hover=”” button_one_bg_enable_color__hover=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”#C8B11A”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][tmdivi_timeline labels_spacing_bottom=”10px” story_spacing_top=”20px” story_spacing_bottom=”20px” timeline_fill_setting=”on” timeline_fill_color=”#719455″ icon_background_color=”#719455″ label_font=”Averia Serif Libre||||||||” sub_label_font=”Alata||||||||” year_label_font=”Averia Sans Libre||||||||” year_label_bg_color=”#2B2A1A” description_font_color=”#2B2A1A” description_text_size=”18px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” description_settings_font=”||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”.tmdivi-title { font-family: Averia Serif Libre; }||.tmdivi-description { font-family: Alata; }||.tmdivi-label-big { font-weight: bold; font-family: Averia Serif Libre; }” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][tmdivi_timeline_story show_label=”off” sub_label=”Previous years” story_title=”Respecting Tradition” media=”https:\/\/www.valedalama.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/qVdLOldFarmcolor-2.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
This plot of land carries traces of its past, with visible ruins showing it was once used for agriculture and livestock. For us, recognizing this past is more than a reflection \u2014 it’s a guiding principle, as it reflects generations of knowledge embedded in the land. By respecting these traditions, we honor the resilience of the past while evolving to regenerate and sustain the garden’s future. We are blending heritage with regeneration to ensure this land continues to thrive.<\/p>\n
[\/tmdivi_timeline_story][tmdivi_timeline_story show_label=”off” label_date=”2009″ story_title=”West Garden Born” media=”https:\/\/www.valedalama.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/pizza-garden_moonland.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The West Garden came to life as part of our first permaculture design course, serving as an experimental space for applying permaculture principles. It earned two nicknames during this time: “Pizza Garden,” because the vegetables grown here were mainly used as toppings for wood-fired pizzas, and “Moonland,” inspired by the semi-circle layout visible in satellite images from 2013. These early experiments laid the foundation for the vibrant, regenerative practices now thriving in the whole farm.<\/p>\n
[\/tmdivi_timeline_story][tmdivi_timeline_story label_date=”2016″ story_title=”Adjustments and Adaptation” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The land was cleared and decompacted to prepare it for planting. Following a thorough soil analysis, amendments were added to improve its fertility. We then installed a new irrigation system and shade tunnel, followed by the transplantation of fruit trees to their new positions.<\/p>\n
[\/tmdivi_timeline_story][tmdivi_timeline_story label_date=”2023″ story_title=”Production Suspension: Sheep Take Over” media=”https:\/\/www.valedalama.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/sheep-take-over-grazing.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Production was halted due to the challenges posed by perennial weeds. The beds were covered, green manure was applied, and our sheep were brought in to graze, helping to manage the weeds and restore balance to the garden.<\/p>\n
[\/tmdivi_timeline_story][tmdivi_timeline_story show_label=”off” label_date=”February” sub_label=”2024″ story_title=”Project Design for West Garden 2.0″ media=”https:\/\/www.valedalama.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/planning-design.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
As part of a Permaculture Design Course, a restoration project was initiated with a focus on identifying goals, needs, and challenges. Inspiration was drawn from diverse networks to shape and guide the restoration process.<\/p>\n
[\/tmdivi_timeline_story][tmdivi_timeline_story show_label=”off” label_date=”April” sub_label=”2024″ story_title=”Planning” media=”https:\/\/www.valedalama.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/west-garden-plant-zones-infographic-2.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
During the planning phase, we assessed the site, refined plant choices, and adjusted the design accordingly. Hugelbeds were prepared, resources gathered, and an irrigation strategy was established to support the project’s success.<\/p>\n
[\/tmdivi_timeline_story][tmdivi_timeline_story show_label=”off” label_date=”July-September” sub_label=”2024″ story_title=”Site Preparation” media=”https:\/\/www.valedalama.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/preparation-westgarden.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
This phase included the setup of H\u00fcgelkultur beds, along with all logistics and organization needed for their installation. An irrigation system was also put in place to ensure efficient water flow and support healthy plant growth.<\/p>\n
Land Preparation of the West Garden with H\u00fcgelkultur \ud83d\udc49 Click here<\/a> to learn more about what H\u00fcgelkultur is and how the beds were prepared step by step in our blog post.<\/p>\n [\/tmdivi_timeline_story][tmdivi_timeline_story show_label=”off” label_date=”November” sub_label=”2024″ story_title=”Planting Perennial Beds” media=”https:\/\/www.valedalama.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/quinta-vale-lama-west-garden-planting.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The planting phase in the Perennial Beds began with key support from the Ecosystem Regeneration Camp*\u00a0and Quinta Vale da Lama teams, starting with soil analysis and irrigation setup. The key milestones where:<\/p>\n * Ecosystem Regeneration Camp \ud83d\udc49 Click here<\/a> to learn more about the program supporting hands-on ecosystem restoration and learning.<\/p>\n *\u00b2 Planting Perennial Beds \ud83d\udc49 Click here<\/a> to learn more about the plant selection and design approach in the West Garden.<\/p>\n [\/tmdivi_timeline_story][tmdivi_timeline_story show_label=”off” label_date=”February” sub_label=”2025″ story_title=”Observation Box” media=”https:\/\/www.valedalama.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/West-Garden-observation-box-2.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n To monitor decomposition in the Hugelbeds without disturbing the soil, the Soil Lab* team introduced an Observation Box \u2014 that allows annual checks on woody material breakdown while preserving soil structure. It also serves as an educational tool, helping adults and children alike understand soil life and ecosystem processes, supporting our mission of hands-on learning throughout the year.<\/p>\n * Mud Valley Institute: Soil Lab \ud83d\udc49 Click here<\/a> to learn more about an onsite soil laboratory supporting research and education focused on improving soil health and agricultural production gains.<\/p>\n [\/tmdivi_timeline_story][tmdivi_timeline_story show_label=”off” label_date=”March” sub_label=”2025″ story_title=”First Strawberry Blooming” media=”https:\/\/www.valedalama.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/strawberry-blooming-2.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In early December 2024, the first annual bed was established for planting strawberries. By March, the first flowers began to bloom, marking the start of a promising harvest season. Quinta Vale da Lama is known for its delicious organic strawberries, which are sold at Lagos Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, as well as through private orders at the farm*.<\/p>\n * Get the weekly list of seasonal produce and collect your veggie box at our farm! \ud83d\udc49 Click here<\/a> to find out more about our farm\u2019s produce and veggie box collection service.<\/p>\n [\/tmdivi_timeline_story][tmdivi_timeline_story label_date=”June” sub_label=”2025″ story_title=”Resilience Through the Summer” media=”https:\/\/www.valedalama.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pear-melon-west-garden.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\ud83d\udcf8 View Photo Gallery<\/a> * We\u2019re especially excited to see the pear melon thriving \u2014 soon available at the Lagos market (Wednesdays and Saturdays, Mercado do Levante<\/em>) or in a veggie box from the farm! \ud83d\udc49 Click here<\/a>[\/tmdivi_timeline_story][tmdivi_timeline_story show_label=”off” label_date=”December” sub_label=”2025″ story_title=”One Year of Regeneration at the West Garden” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n\n
\nSince planting in November 2024, the West Garden is steadily coming to life. Fruit trees, herbs, and support plants are growing well, even as summer heat puts them to the test. This update shows the garden\u2019s progress \u2014 from bare soil to a productive, living system \u2014 as we continue nurturing resilience and regeneration through every season.<\/p>\n