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Here you will find my most recent blog posts. Tough Kraut guides you from city apartments to homesteads. Explore our categories:

Homestead Chronicles: Follow our journey. Read “A Starter’s Guide” for basics or “Life on the Land” for real stories.

Cultivate & Thrive: Grow food anywhere. Try “Homegrown Harvests” for balcony tips or “Building Soil” for yards.

Self-Sufficient Living: Learn off-grid skills. Check “Water Conservation” or “Homesteading & DIY” for practical projects.

Farm Companions: Use animals and plants smartly. Explore “Natural Pest Control” or “Foraging” for free resources.

Permie Pantry: Cook and preserve. Start with “Garden-To-Table Recipes” or “Pickle & Preserve” for easy ideas.

All Posts

Close-up of a pincushion cactus showing alternating dark and light green tones under thin white radial spines.

Mammillaria pectinifera (Pincushion Cactus)

Mammillaria pectinifera is a slow-growing, sculptural cactus native to central Mexico, prized for its perfectly ordered spines and delicate pink flowers. While not a Mediterranean native, it adapts well to container cultivation in Zone 8a when protected from winter moisture and cold. This species rewards patience, making it ideal for mindful, low-input growers.

6 hours ago

A Pine Cone Cactus growing upright in a small container, held against a blurred backdrop of trees and sky.

Tephrocactus articulatus (Pine Cone Cactus)

Tephrocactus articulatus is a sculptural, jointed cactus native to the dry highlands of Argentina, instantly recognizable by its stacked, pine-cone-like segments. Well suited to container growing and dry Mediterranean climates, it thrives on neglect rather than care. Growing Tephrocactus articulatus in Zone 8a is less about cold tolerance and more about mastering drainage, restraint, and seasonal timing.

2 days ago

Outdoor setup with a homemade sifting screen for soil, showing a mix of dirt and debris on the mesh.

DIY Soil Sifter from Scrap Wood: Turning Trench Soil into Potting Mix

Digging trenches is not optional on a homestead. French drains, water lines, wastewater pipes, electricity. Every system wants to be underground. What you get in return is piles of mixed soil, stones, rubble, roots, and the occasional brick fragment from decades past. For a long time, this kind of material just sits in heaps, waiting for a future job that may or may not happen. At the same time, filling nursery pots with clean soil usually means buying bagged potting mix. Tha

3 days ago

A detailed view of a Ligustrum lucidum leaf cluster showing new and mature growth in autumnal hues.

Ligustrum lucidum (Glossy Privet)

Glossy privet is a tough, evergreen shrub valued for its glossy foliage, strong regrowth, and adaptability to pruning, making it a classic hedge plant in Mediterranean climates. When growing Ligustrum lucidum in Zone 8a, it handles heat, wind, and irregular watering surprisingly well, which makes it useful for boundary plantings and low-maintenance hedges. On our land, it has also shown subtle seasonal color shifts, adding quiet visual interest beyond pure function.

4 days ago

Outdoor shot of a person displaying a potted pickle plant cutting against a natural, grassy backdrop.

Senecio stapeliiformis (Pickle Plant)

Senecio stapeliiformis, commonly known as the pickle plant, is a sculptural succulent prized for its upright, ribbed, cucumber-like stems and subtle zebra striping. Native to southern Africa, it adapts well to Mediterranean and Zone 8a conditions when grown in containers with excellent drainage. Its low water needs and unusual form make it a conversation starter rather than a background plant — especially when grown slowly and deliberately indoors during colder months.

4 days ago

Fig cutting with a newly forming bud at the tip, captured against a blurred background with a window.

Propagating Fig Tree Cuttings in Late Winter: The Simple “Stick-It-in-the-Ground” Method (Plus 3 Alternatives)

Late winter is fig season for free trees. Late winter is one of those quiet, underrated moments on a homestead. Trees are dormant. The sap has slowed. And suddenly, what looks like pruning waste turns into potential. This week, I took dormant cuttings from our mature Ficus carica. Some went straight into the ground below the mother tree. Others went into pots and then along our southern fence line. No greenhouse. No humidity domes. No rooting hormones. Just wood, soil, and

5 days ago

Side view of a Eurasian Hoopoe with raised crest and black-and-white wing markings on a sunlit lawn.

Wild Neighbors: Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) On Our Portuguese Homestead

Some neighbors announce themselves loudly. Others slip in quietly, leave a trace, and vanish before you even raise the camera. The Eurasian hoopoe firmly belongs to the second group. We see hoopoes on our land throughout the year. In the heat of summer, they fly down into our deep granite stone well to drink. In winter and spring, they patrol our mowed pathways, walking slowly and deliberately, probing the soil with their long, curved bills. Compared to many other birds, t

7 days ago

Top view of a healthy young cardoon plant with deeply lobed, silvery leaves growing in soil.

Cynara cardunculus (Cardoon)

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) is a bold Mediterranean perennial grown for its edible stalks, architectural foliage, and long-term resilience rather than quick harvests. Closely related to globe artichoke, it thrives in warm climates but rewards patience, making it a fascinating experiment for those growing Cardoon in Zone 8a under Mediterranean conditions. On our homestead, it has proven tough once established—yet selective about where it truly wants to live.

Jan 17

Close-up of the upper branches of a young Magnolia × soulangeana tree, showing prominent buds.

Magnolia × soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia)

Magnolia × soulangeana is one of the most iconic early-spring flowering trees, valued for its large tulip-shaped blooms and calm, architectural presence. Well suited to Mediterranean climates and growing Magnolia × soulangeana in Zone 8a, it rewards patience with dramatic flowers before leaf-out, making it a seasonal focal point rather than a constant attention-seeker.

Jan 16

Assortment of seed packets and an open planting catalog with a pencil laid across a page, on a wooden table.

January Garden Planning: Seed Orders & Succession Planting for Year-Round Harvest

January has a funny reputation. It looks like a dead month in the garden, but it is the loudest month in your head. Seed catalogs arrive, inboxes fill with “new for 2026,” and suddenly you are convinced you need purple carrots, climbing spinach, and 27 tomato types. January planning means choosing varieties with intention before a single seed hits the soil. Here’s the Tough Kraut truth. January is not for buying more seeds. January is for buying better decisions. And if you g

Jan 15

Nursery pot of Magnolia 'Genie' with bark mulch and a plant tag listing variety and origin information.

Magnolia 'Genie' (Magnolia)

Magnolia ‘Genie’ is a compact, ornamental magnolia cultivar known for its deep burgundy-purple, tulip-shaped flowers and controlled growth habit. Well suited to sheltered Mediterranean and Zone 8a gardens, it offers dramatic early-season blooms without demanding orchard-scale space. Growing Magnolia ‘Genie’ in Zone 8a rewards patience, careful siting, and protection from extremes rather than brute-force toughness.

Jan 14

Detailed view of freshly collected Ballota acorns on a palm, ready for planting near stone landscaping.

Quercus ilex 'Ballota' (Holm Oak)

Quercus ilex subsp. ballota is one of the most iconic trees of the Mediterranean landscape, prized for its resilience, longevity, and historically important sweet acorns. Perfectly adapted to dry summers and mild winters, this evergreen oak plays a foundational ecological role in Mediterranean and Zone 8a systems. Growing Quercus ilex subsp. ballota in Zone 8a is less about speed and more about planting legacy, shade, and food security for future generations.

Jan 13

Pink Gerbera daisy in a mixed flower arrangement on a rustic wooden table, captured in afternoon light.

Gerbera jamesonii (Gerbera Daisy)

Gerbera Daisy is a bold, cheerful flowering plant prized for its oversized, long-lasting blooms and clean, modern look. Well suited to Mediterranean climates and USDA Zone 8a when grown in containers, Gerbera jamesonii shines as a patio, indoor, or seasonal accent plant—especially when winters are cool or damp.

Jan 12

Close-up view of a garlic bulb with emerging green shoots, held above potting soil.

Garlic Planting 101 for Late-Fall: Clove Selection, Spacing, and Cold-Hardy Varieties for Zones 8–11

Garlic is one of the most forgiving crops you can grow. But it still rewards doing a few things right at the start. Garlic is planted by cloves, not seeds. Larger, healthy cloves give the best results. Late fall is the ideal planting window for garlic in mild climates. Not because of a date on the calendar, but because soil conditions line up perfectly for root development without forcing early leaf growth. If you’re planting garlic for the first time, or want a clean reset

Jan 11

Variegated pink, green, and white leaf emerging near cut stems of a Fantasy Venice plant.

Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’ (Fantasy Venice)

Tradescantia ‘Nanouk’ is a striking ornamental plant known for its thick stems and pastel pink, purple, and green foliage. While often sold as an easy houseplant, growing Tradescantia ‘Nanouk’ in Zone 8a reveals its true sensitivity to cold, humidity, and winter conditions, especially in off-grid or minimally heated homes.

Jan 10

Wall pennywort and other small plants sprouting from crevices in a moist, mossy rock.

Umbilicus rupestris (Wall Pennywort)

Umbilicus rupestris is a self-seeding wild edible and indicator plant commonly found on stone walls, shaded rocks, and moist microclimates throughout Mediterranean regions. On our land in Zone 8a Portugal, it appeared naturally once we stopped interfering and let regeneration take the lead, making it a perfect example of “growing Umbilicus rupestris in Zone 8a” without planting a single seed. Its mild, succulent leaves are edible raw and quietly signal moisture, shade, and li

Jan 9

Black La Nordica tray with fine grey ash being carried outdoors over a grassy patch.

Wood Stove Ash in the Garden: The Safe “Free Fertilizer” Guide

Installing a wood stove is one of those upgrades that quietly changes daily life. After nearly three and a half years living in our mobile home, we finally reached that point in our granite stone house renovation. The cast iron wood burner went in at the beginning of December, and since then the fire has been running almost around the clock. Warmth, comfort, and something else appear almost immediately. Wood stove ash. A jar a day. Sometimes more. If you heat with wood, you w

Jan 8

Close-up of Baby Sage flowers in full bloom, showing vivid red petals and surrounding grasses.

Salvia greggii 'Royal Bumble' (Autumn Sage)

Salvia greggii ‘Royal Bumble’ is a compact, woody perennial sage celebrated for its deep red blooms, exceptional drought tolerance, and long flowering season. When growing Salvia greggii ‘Royal Bumble’ in Zone 8a, it shines as a low-input pollinator plant perfectly suited to Mediterranean conditions and dense food forest plantings.

Jan 7

Young Punica granatum 'Parfianka' tree with nursery tag, in freshly dug garden soil.

Punica granatum 'Parfianka' (Pomegranate)

Pomegranate is a sun-loving, drought-tolerant fruit shrub or small tree with showy flowers and serious “survive first, thrive later” energy. When growing pomegranate in Zone 8a, especially in Mediterranean-style summers, it can handle heat and poor soils, but young trees still need smart siting and a little establishment support. This entry documents our real-world experience with Punica granatum 'Parfianka', including early fruiting, frost dieback, and one planting location

Jan 6

Garlic clove sprouting in freshly dug earth, surrounded by small green seedlings.

Winter Garlic Planting in Mild Climates: Soil, Timing, and Late Success

Many gardeners think garlic planting has a hard deadline. Miss it, and the season is “lost.” That idea mostly comes from cold-climate advice. In mild winter regions , garlic follows different rules. The real question is not what month it is, but what your soil is doing right now . If your soil is still workable, not frozen solid, and cool enough to slow top growth, winter garlic planting is still viable , even if you feel late to the party. Preparing garlic planting sites alo

Jan 5

Guides, tips, stories or recipes directly from our off-grid homestead. From newbie tips to pro hacks, our posts help you grow smarter, not harder.