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 — 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.
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.
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.
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.
- Identify goals, needs and challenges
- “A step back”: Feel the landscape and data analysis
- “Who are we”: Social mapping and define the identity/essence
- Co-Design: Identify limitations and boundaries; Plant brainstorm; Backcasting; Network inspiration.
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.
- Site measurments
- Plant selection and design adjustments
- Hugelbed preparation and logistics
- Resources gathering (mulch, compost, tools, plants)
- Irrigation strategy
This phase included the setup of Hügelkultur 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.
Land Preparation of the West Garden with Hügelkultur 👉 Click here to learn more about what Hügelkultur is and how the beds were prepared step by step in our blog post.
The planting phase in the Perennial Beds began with key support from the Ecosystem Regeneration Camp* and Quinta Vale da Lama teams, starting with soil analysis and irrigation setup. The key milestones where:
- Baseline soil analysis
- Irrigation installation
- Planting Perennial Beds*²
* Ecosystem Regeneration Camp 👉 Click here to learn more about the program supporting hands-on ecosystem restoration and learning.
*² Planting Perennial Beds 👉 Click here to learn more about the plant selection and design approach in the West Garden.
To monitor decomposition in the Hugelbeds without disturbing the soil, the Soil Lab* team introduced an Observation Box — 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.
* Mud Valley Institute: Soil Lab 👉 Click here to learn more about an onsite soil laboratory supporting research and education focused on improving soil health and agricultural production gains.
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*.
* Get the weekly list of seasonal produce and collect your veggie box at our farm! 👉 Click here to find out more about our farm’s produce and veggie box collection service.
Since 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’s progress — from bare soil to a productive, living system — as we continue nurturing resilience and regeneration through every season.
* We’re especially excited to see the pear melon thriving — soon available at the Lagos market (Wednesdays and Saturdays, Mercado do Levante) or in a veggie box from the farm! 👉 Click here