BLOG: FARM UPDATES
CLONING PLANTS
At first, this might look as we are simply cutting plants. But in reality we are creating life and expanding our garden.
Cloning plants is an ancestral gardening method used to create genetically identical copies of a plant, leveraging cells' natural ability to regenerate into whole plants.
This natural technique requires the right timing and knowledge, guided by nature’s rhythms. It is usually done in January, when resin flow is reduced or dormant due to winter and fewer hours of sunlight and in periods when the moon is in its waning phase.
Our gardeners select each plant, since only certain species are suitable for cloning. Plants with high resin levels, for example, are avoided. Then they choose branches with the right level of maturity and that have two or three nodes, and apply the cutting or layering technique (in this reel our gardeners are using the wedge cut).
The stem must be cut in the right place and shape and planted correctly to take root, grow, and develop into a healthy new plant. We are doing this now so that, by spring, more plants will be ready to bloom, filling our Quinta with a rainbow of colors and life.
OUR FIRST ANIMALS
We are delighted to share that Quinta Filippa has welcomed its very first animals to the farm. Five ducks have made their home in our ponds, filling the space with movement and life. Pedro and Paula were purchased during a Casal novo festa, while the three black ones, a species known as Pato Turco, were a gift from the father of Ivo, our farm manager and neighbour. Since their arrival, they have bonded beautifully and now spend their days swimming, exploring, and staying close together. Their presence marks the beginning of a new chapter for the farm!
AROMATIC GARDEN
Tucked into the heart of Quinta Filippa, the Aromatic Garden brings together fragrance, texture, and flavour to enrich our guest experience. This cultivated space is home to over 25 herbs and plants, many of which were grown from cuttings in the Quinta’s own greenhouse. Guests can discover a variety of mint, from pineapple and chocolate to Moroccan and orange, along with lavender, lemon thyme, cascading rosemary, sage, and wild thyme, which gently scents the paths underfoot. Culinary essentials like basil, parsley, coriander, oregano, and chives grow in abundance. The garden also features rhubarb, incense plant, and white-flowered lavender and rosemary. It is a living source for the kitchen and for connection to the land.
A GARDEN IN BLOOM
The tropical garden is taking shape. Since 2024 the land has been reimagined, with each section planned by color, scent, bloom time, and texture. Recent plantings include Brugmansias, lavender, Nandinas, hydrangeas, rosemary, Abelia triflora, bamboo, and citrus trees placed near the house to support both the kitchen and natural insect balance. Herb beds feature companion species for culinary use and pest control. To protect the soil and support long-term health, bark mulch has been layered over biodegradable plastic to suppress weeds without chemicals. This layer will be removed as plants establish. More than 10,000 trees and plants now contribute to a landscape created for year-round beauty. Native and exotic species coexist. Some support pollinators, others offer shade or color, and many are simply planted for the joy they bring. Mike’s vision is a living and evolving garden, abundant and free-flowing. Each path and planting invites guests to explore, pause, and experience nature.