Horta do Pé Descalço

Horta do Pé Descalço is a family-run organic market garden in Caldas da Rainha, in western Portugal, that farms without tractors. Irrigation is the only "engine" it relies on. The garden follows no-till, no-dig regenerative practices to build healthy soil and keep its ecological footprint small, and it's dedicated to growing nutritious, chemical-free food on a human scale. The plot covers just 1,200 square metres and is intensively cultivated. In a single year it produced over 6.5 tonnes of food, more than 5 kg per square metre, across 65 vegetable varieties. The harvest goes out in two ways. Weekly vegetable baskets (cabazes) are put together on Wednesdays, and every Saturday there are direct sales at Praça da Fruta, the centuries-old market in Caldas da Rainha. Either way, customers buy straight from the people who grow their food, through a short supply chain built on local, seasonal produce. The garden is active in the local sustainability and slow food community. It takes part in regional events such as the GrowLIFE project's open producer days, and in educational visits connected to Erasmus+ programmes, where it shows students and visitors how it farms organically. The project is associated with biologist Hugo Zina, who has also been linked to wildlife conservation efforts in the region.