There’s a general philosophy, that is happily applied in our community, and in different movements throughout the world: it’s the sense that all that happens, happens for a reason, and all that happens, happens for the best. Although it’s a very positive perspective on life, it is not always easy. When we are faced with …
In Ananda Valley we have over the past couple of weeks created a new garden, our heart garden. To make a new garden, or to plan what to plant on your plot of land, your balcony, window-sill or your allotment is a creative process and an art in itself. Our heart garden carries a set …
Permaculture Series III: Making our heart garden Read More »
A fruit unknown to most outside the mediterranean climate. With it’s small, pointy, squishy, red fruits, called Medronho in Portuguese, it is fully ripened around this time of year and grows around us in plenty. The taste has various peculiar descriptions according to our volunteers; like a fig, a bland peach, sweet gravel, straw or …
At Ananda Valley, we have been blessed with some abundantly giving quince trees. Quince, or Cydonia oblonga, belongs to the Rosaceae family, which also contains the apple and the pear (1). This is not surprising, considering the appearance of the fruit and tree. However, quince is considerably different from apples and pears in its taste …
Here, in the aromatic garden, thyme serves as a trusty staple. It thrives under the Portuguese sun and can stand both drought and frost. Despite their small size, the abundance of pink flowers attracts numerous bees and butterflies into the garden. Besides this, the leaves are used for their lovely flavour in many of our …
