A 5-phase roadmap to restore soil health, water retention, and biodiversity at Wild Roots. Evidence-based site preparation, perennial food systems, and an education centre that proves regenerative agriculture is possible in the Mediterranean climate.
Each phase builds on the previous, with measurable milestones and adaptive management throughout.
Objectives: Stabilize site, capture rainfall, reduce evaporation
Objectives: Increase organic matter, restore microbiology, prepare beds for perennials
Objectives: Introduce long-lived productive species adapted to local climate
Objectives: Layer perennials, ground covers, and fungi into integrated systems
Objectives: Mature site becomes working demonstration, research base, and learning space
Measurable outcomes that define success. All data published openly on our Data Hub.
When to plant what in the Algarve. Coordinated with local rainfall, temperature, and soil conditions.
| Month | Soil Temp | Rainfall | Plant Species (Trees) | Plant Species (Shrubs/Herbaceous) | Maintenance Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10–12°C | High | Almond, olive, carob | Lavender, rosemary, sage | Dormant season; pruning, composting |
| February | 10–11°C | High | Fig, pomegranate, cherry | Oregano, thyme, rockrose | Mulch refresh; grafting + cuttings |
| March | 12–14°C | Medium | Citrus (late), stone fruits | Herbaceous perennials; cover crop | Spring growth begins; weed control |
| April | 15–17°C | Medium | Last trees for spring planting | Remaining herbaceous; nitrogen fixers | Irrigation established; pollinator habitat |
| May | 19–22°C | Low | — | — | Drought watch begins; mulch management |
| June–August | 25–29°C | Very Low | — | — | Irrigation critical; fire prevention; rest period |
| September | 25°C | Low | — | First autumn plantings possible | Harvest season begins; soil aeration |
| October | 20–22°C | Medium | Trees can resume (cooler soil) | Autumn herbaceous, cover crops | Autumn rains promote growth; fungal monitoring |
| November | 15–18°C | High | Prime planting season opens | Perennials; nitrogen-fixers; legumes | Major planting push; mulch applied |
| December | 11–13°C | High | Peak planting (through January) | Final autumn/winter additions | Mulch protection; frost watch |
Wild Roots applies core permaculture ethics and design principles to ensure resilience, productivity, and ecosystem health.
Build soil health, retain water, regenerate habitat. Every intervention improves long-term site fertility and resilience to climate stress.
Create jobs, share knowledge, enable food security. Design systems that serve communities, not just extract resources.
Share knowledge openly. Publish all data, methods, and learning. Enable replication by other farms and regions.
Use natural processes (soil biology, water cycles, ecological succession) instead of fighting them with inputs and energy.
Monitor continuously. Adapt management based on data—satellite imagery, soil tests, species surveys, water balance.
Start with landscape-scale water and wind patterns, then design guild structures, species selection, and maintenance protocols.
Capture rainfall during wet season for dry-season use. Build thermal mass in buildings. Maximize solar exposure.
All-on-site recycling: composting, mulching, greywater, deadwood → fungal habitat. Zero external inputs where possible.
Wild Roots collaborates with University of Algarve, ICNF, and European research networks to validate outcomes and contribute to peer-reviewed literature on Mediterranean renaturation.
Explore Partnership Opportunities →Every phase outcome is tracked, documented, and published in real time on our Data Hub. Soil organic matter, water balance, species richness, and carbon stocks are updated seasonally.
View Live Data →