Welcome to Tough Kraut
Swamped by Bills and Green Dreams?
Tough Kraut is your real-life guide to simplify self-sustainable living. Practical steps and firsthand experiences to save money and gain confidence. From herbs to off-grid solutions, we make self-sufficiency achievable.
Take Your First Step Now.
Get Growing Together.
About Me
Hi, I’m Herman Kraut also known as Tough Kraut. I’m an engineer turned certified Permaculture Designer, and the founder of Tough Kraut: a growing community and educational platform for people seeking practical guidance to live off the land, off the grid, and in alignment with nature.
​
In June 2022, my wife and I left our high-rise apartment in Asia and made a complete lifestyle shift to a bare, overgrazed plot of land in rural Portugal. With under a hectare and no infrastructure, we began building a self-sufficient homestead from scratch driven by our vision and permaculture principles.
My dream is to create a lush, productive food forest, grow an abundance of food and resources, and eventually sustain myself and my family financially through the farm. Tough Kraut documents our journey step by step: from early failures and experiments to the daily realities of off-grid living. I believe in transparency and sharing what works, what doesn’t, and what we’re still figuring out.
​
With a background in engineering, I approach homesteading with a systematic mindset. But this isn’t a polished highlight reel. It’s an evolving story of learning through trial and error, from growing papayas on a balcony in the subtropics to designing a regenerative and resilient ecosystem in the Mediterranean.
​​
Whether you're dreaming of your own homestead or already living on one, Tough Kraut offers down-to-earth inspiration, tools, and resources to help you move toward self-reliance, one small, intentional step at a time.
​
Join us on this journey and let’s grow a more resilient and sustainable future together.
Herman’s Top 3 Off-Grid Tools
Hand-picked from the homestead. No fluff, just gear that works.
Explore Tough Kraut’s Self-Sufficiency Toolkit
See all the tools, systems, and resources that make off-grid living doable.
Latest from the Blog
Tough Kraut delivers no-nonsense guides to conquer sustainable living. From small-space gardening to off-grid power, our practical tips empower urban beginners, suburban transitioners and experienced growers. Explore our guides below or subscribe for monthly insights above!
Join the Kraut Crew!
Become a FREE Kraut Crew member, join our monthly newsletter and get exclusive access to our guides, eBooks and homegrown product alerts.