Alo Land

Rites of passage

What next? Just be.

permaculture

The Power of Observation: an example during early Winter

Observation is a design tool that you keep going back to in order to keep improving your site.

Burnout

I would sit at my desk, look at the interesting topic in front of me, and blank out. It was time for a more radical change.

Wildfire protection strategy

As we learned and observed more the risk seems higher. We planned and implemented several measures.

Happy anniversary - 1 year in Portugal

It has been a year since we moved here, which is very confusing. Because it was so intense, it feels like we just moved here, and we are just starting to get a sense of our whereabouts. At the same time, because so much has happened, it seems like many

One year at home in Portugal

This time I'd like to stay and grow roots here.

QGIS and permaculture

I just wanted to draw on a map.

A fast-moving mess

It is happening. Hundreds of trees coming, needing immediate attention, a place to be planted on, water, amendments, mulch, light, care. We had been waiting for this moment for a long time and for the past few days we, the family and 5 men full time, have been digging, planting,

permaculture

Bem-vindas a casa, plantas

É muito emocionante pôr as mãos na terra, cheirar as plantas, e sentir que estamos a remendar algo que está rasgado no nosso mundo.

Earthworks completed

The garden is hard to recognize now. While the earthworks were needed, I hope that we won't be making such dramatic changes to it again.

Kick-off reforestation

Today it was the kick-off of the reforestation. Or should I say deforestation? Oddly enough, the first step of making this a fertile land is to remove most of the trees, which are eucalyptus. They are a fire hazard, drinking all the water and preventing other trees from growing. It

Sementes de felicidade

Regenerar 10.000m2 de solo não é fácil, mas é muito estimulante. Entre um casal e duas crianças pequenas, 0 design de Permacultura para este espaço vai crescendo, pouco a pouco. Temos as próximas semanas para implementar a primeira fase: preparar o solo, as valas de irrigação (swales, em permaculturês)

projeto

Projeto de Reflorestação

Nesta fase, vamos concentrar-nos em preparar o solo, aumentar a sua fertilidade, privilegiar a introdução e proteção de diversas espécies produtivas e de apoio à regeneração

autumn

Autumn is coming

October is gearing up to be a big month for our plot. We will be doing all the necessary earthworks, install swales and lakes, and plant a lot. We are also going to be some home improvements, so we have an efficient way of keeping the house warm throughout the

Free the oaks

These brave pioneers did not get the memo about not growing under eucalyptus trees.

Dill vs Fennel

Herbs can taste and be used so differently and yet look so similar. A pair that often demands a second look to identify is Dill and Fennel. Here is a way to tell them apart.   Dill vs Fennel: an overview Dill is a wonder herb. Packed with nutrients, it looks

On humility

Our goal is to document our journey: what we did, how we failed, what worked for us, and what we learned. If any of it inspires, motivates or helps anybody, great. If not, oh well.

Courgette vs Pumpkin

Although we tend to think of these two vegetables as being very different, and cooking/eating them in distinct fashions, the reality is that they are both from the same family (gour/Cucurbitaceae), and genus (Cucurbita). So, in reality, they are quite similar. Courgette, also known as summer squash, zucchini,

Getting Started

Obtaining a yield

As we continue to plan swales, ponds, harvesting water and defining lists of plants and resources to create a regenerative ecosystem, it is energizing and confidence boosting to just go outside and grab a bit of basil to season lunch.

forest school

Forest School - an update

The summer break was also about to start, so there was a graceful exit, without the need to make it clear we aren't going back.

Home energy audit

Mindfully using energy is a key tool in solving humanity's environmental problems (see also this amusing yet insightful test). Doing so begins at home by using: * only the energy needed for reasonably comfortable living, * converted in efficient ways, * sourced from renewable sources, * produced locally, whenever it makes sense to do

forest school

Forest School - Seedling of life

Do I really want my kids to be whoever, however they are?

Eating Clean Foods

Our family had a bunch of “little things” that were hard to grasp, explain or identify. But a few things were clear: we didn’t like it, and normal medicine didn’t have the answers.

training, permaculture design, milkwood

Hello Permaculture

We will be sharing which actions we picked and tracking progress. Maybe this will be useful to you in case you are curious about this way of farming/building/living.

Getting Started

When moments happen without a write-up

From the beginning, a big component of the vision was to write about our experiences in case it's useful for others on similar paths.