Gardening

THE GARDEN

BY USING REGENERATIVE FARMING METHODS, WE HAVE CULTIVATED A GARDEN OVERFLOWING WITH MEDITERRANEAN SPLENDOR
The traditional Mediterranean vegetable garden is small-scale, yet incredibly bountiful. Protected from the surrounding Montado forests, the garden is a sanctuary, a respite within a vast landscape. The overstory of trees provide shade, fruit, olives, and nuts. While the garden, which is thoughtfully cultivated and cared for, offers a variety of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. From this place, the essence of Mediterranean cuisine was born.

During the hot dry months of summer, the garden becomes an ephemeral microclimate teaming with life. Often, these gardens were nestled into places where the water would be readily available and natural walls would offer protection from wild animals. It was and continues to be a beautiful place to work, enjoy, gather, and rest.

Not only have we continued the traditional methods of soil regeneration, we also joyfully share the harvest with our community. Gardens have always been at the heart of a community, as they are a source of food, sustenance, and familiarity. Today we supply healthy, organic, consciously farmed produce to our restaurant and to you through our food delivery program.
 
 

TIMELESS FARMING

TO BUILD HEALTHY SOIL AND SUSTAIN THE DIVERSITY OF FOOD WE NEED YEAR ROUND, WE JOIN PAST GENERATIONS’ WAYS OF CARING FOR THE LAND WITH MODERN GARDEN TECHNIQUES.
It is our mission to take care of this land and ensure that its raw wild beauty is preserved for future generations. We do this through traditional and regenerative farming practices. With each season we continue to build the soil, grow an abundance of food, and tend to the small herd of animals.

The gardens and forests of the Montado are an incredible example of multifunctional agroforestry. Rows of fruit and forest trees are interplanted with alleys of annual vegetables. This is a way to integrate diversity, create microclimates under the canopy, as well as a means to feed the trees themselves. It mimics a healthy mulit-strata forest system, where trees and annual crops are interplanted. Also in caring for the biodiversity above and below the ground, soil disruption and tractor use are minimized. Instead we amend the soil with compost, use chicken tractors, and plant seasonal cover crops.

We are always improving our methods, as regenerative farming is a continuous conversation between every aspect of nature.



 

THE CARE WE GIVE IS THE FOOD WE COLLECT

FROM OUR FARM, TO YOUR TABLE, WE ARE DELIGHTED TO SHARE WITH YOU THE BEST INGREDIENTS THE GARDEN HAS TO OFFER.
 
Our farming methods aim to preserve and encourage the inherent strength and vitality of the ecosystem. By adding animal manure, forest biomass, and crop debris to the soil we reintroduce nutrients, minerals, and organic matter essential for growing healthy plants and animals. We may let an area rest for a season and plant a cover crop, which not only provides food for our animals but also builds the integrity and composition of the soil. We employ multi-strata methods knowing that within diversity, there is vibrancy. It is a positive feedback loop. Just as the soil provides food for us, we provide food for the soil. When you have healthy soil and practices that are aligned with nature, the harvest is abundant, food is delicious, and life thrives.

We are deeply grateful for the garden and it is with great pleasure that we share it with the community. Through Herdade no Tempo, we have the opportunity to live in a new yet timeless way.

All the produce and meat which is served at our restaurant Ceia and available through our Home Delivery Program comes from our garden. Each month we develop a seasonally inspired menu, as well as preserves, jams, and bread. We hope that you experience the freshness and taste the Mediterranean. If you are interested in our prepared food program, check it out here. It is a way to honor the planet and each other.

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