Simple Days on our Homestead in Portugal

Over the last 2 years we have welcomed the new rhythm of life in rural Portugal. Helping new friends. Planting trees, harvesting peanuts, limes, lemon grass and other vegetables. Making Thai Green Curry from our own produce. It's a simple yet satisfying lifestyle that we hope you enjoy watching.
Future Question and Answer Session
You can write your questions in the comments or if you prefer, ask on the Nearby Veggies Instagram page here
/ nearbyveggies
Thank you.
We look forward to reading your questions.
Meraid and Dan

[@NearbyVeggies]

Please add any questions you have for the future Q and A video here. Thank you, Meraid and Dan 😊

[@joanhesketh9419]

Hi , just be careful about adding to much pine bark as a mulch around the plants , I will lower the PH of your soil , some plants dont thrive in a low PH soil . Xx love your videos. You can Google on what like a low PH .

[@juniperwildflowers]

Just gorgeous! You have an amazing piece of land. I'm a new subscriber so I'm wondering what you both did before farming in Portugal? Who are you as people, how did your backgrounds lead you here? I will try to catch up on previous videos as well, I might just do a binge this weekend :) Thanks for the inspiration!

[@leejonesNPT]

Part of the reasons you gave for moving to Portugal was because of the price of housing etc in the UK. The lifestyle you lead looks like you have made the right decision on that front. Obviously the renovations are now starting to move forward do you think (obviously all materials have risen post Covid) that financially you have made the right decision? By the way these videos have really raised my spirits in recent months so thanks for all the hard work you do. Lee

[@100Noddy]

Please elaborate on how your lives have changed for the better since moving from the UK to Portugal , what your new lifestyle means to you in terms of lifetime goal and achievement.

[@tisaninhacerveiraesteves7579]

Vocês são extraordinários! Pegam em todos os trabalhos mesmo os mais sujos ,! Será que o seu vizinho não me vendia uma cabrinha.?

[@WhataTry]

Love Carlos and the “ Good Life “ vehicle.

[@NearbyVeggies]

It’s such a cool little vehicle 👍

[@roselynwilliams2]

I am so happy to see your subscriber numbers go up. You appear to be such a happy couple and so compatible. How long have you been married and how did you meet?

[@flangekiwi]

Bugs! (As a Kiwi, we don't have to deal with things that can kill you or eat you 😁) So I'm very interested in the native critters/wildlife and how you avoid them from killing or eating you 😁🤔👍🏾

[@ademariojunior]

Now I learned that lemongrass is capim-limão! I used this lemongrass a few times to make tea. I never knew his English name before. I never knew it had an English name! And I had never seen peanuts being harvested before. I compliment your choice of beautiful songs to soundtrack your video. For a Portuguese-born speaker, these plant translations are precious. Could you make a farmer's dictionary in your comments for these special plants and fruits? Each time you show how these names translate are jewels for those who are learning English from Portuguese. And I think they would be cherished as well by those who are learning Portuguese from English.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much and for the ideas. 🤩

[@42apprentice]

As a kid in West Africa we used to shell our groundnuts and then roast them in their skins in some groundnut oil and we salted them while still warm. The smell is fab.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Amazing 🤩

[@teresamason5155]

This one should be renamed to: “The Amazing Dan Strimming Act!” Well done Dan!

[@kassy6373]

Some growing related questions. How much of your food year round do you get from things you have grown yourself? Obviously you are not going to grow the rice to go with the curry but what do you have enough or plenty of, what would you like to grow more of? Also plants you want to grow but that did not work out and maybe things you have grown but you won´t do again or maybe later when you are bored. Since you are still working on the garden what are the overall plans for the longer term? If it´s a bit much for the Q and A then the question is just if you can do a video on the gardening plans.

[@NearbyVeggies]

The plants that didn't grow well are covered in this video Mistakes we made... kzbin.info/www/bejne/inaqmYF5YtWCo9Usi=m8AMDsju42-B01la

[@kassy6373]

@@NearbyVeggies Yes so you can plug that in the other video too. Watering the potatoes is an easy fix the autopruning trees a bit harder. The idea is to look at how much you grow for yourself per year. It does not have to be super exact like some gardening channels do it but rough estimates. It is basically transporting the how much of my food did i grow this year to Portugal. Plus then discussing what always has to come from outside (salt, rice, pasta and flour etc).

[@offgridwanabe]

As I sit here watching the snow come down I wonder if I made the right choice for location but it is beautiful in another way and I can dream along with Nearby Veggies as they share their marvellous life. Oh my question will you have a guest house/room?

[@petermak750]

I take my hat off for you guys 👒, taking responsibility for your own life and happiness the way you do. Great. My question is: would you do things differently and make other choices if you could do it all over again? Keep it up❤, warm greetings😊.

[@sheilajoseph9953]

Both of your culinary skills are to be admired. You weeps be great teachers for cookery class. My question is what are your long term plans? Would you consider having guests? 💚

[@dinac7361]

K love youf land and housd ,I think it’s absolutely beautiful!! When your house is finished fo u plan on having chickens in the farm and other animals? Where did you both learned to be such great chefs?? Love your videos❤

[@1fiatman]

More garden to plate please 😋

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks for letting us know you enjoy those sections 😋

[@ronstochler]

Carlos is truly the underdog of your youtube channel. If it wasn't for his manure producing and transporting facilities the miracles of your tiny hobby farm would never materialize. Let's here it for CARLOS the manure man, the true hero of the story. HIP!!! HIP!!! HOOOORAA!!!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Hip hip hoorah 😁

[@milliebanks7209]

I love your choice of music! Spot on for your area

[@NearbyVeggies]

Glad you like it! Thank you 😊

[@teresamason5155]

Yes on the Q and A. My question is what are the winters like, what is the coldest average winter temperature in your homestead part of the country and how long does it last and do you get snow “accumulation” for periods of time or does it melt down after a day or two? Just some information on winter life would be helpful to know. Thank you 😊

[@oliveirachapas]

Apologies accepted about câmera angles. Dan's belly and Meraid's rear bottom are also part of the content. 😊 Boa continuação em Portugal!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Stars of the show 🤣

[@angiemoore6518]

When do you think the house will be ready to move into?

[@bergannon6585]

I just love and admire your work, life balance. You really are living the dream. Thank you both for your inspiration. Are you the headchef Dan? Looks delicious 😋. Love from Ireland ❤

[@ninemoonplanet]

What was the most difficult/challenging things you've experienced moving from the UK to Portugal?. What surprised you when you finally settled in? What is the best thing about your new life in Portugal?

[@flowersflowers473]

For the Q&A: Any regrets about the property you purchased or the move to Portugal ? Anything you wish you had done differently in hindsight? Do you see this as your forever home, or will you move back once you feel you can’t manage the land? (Flowers)

[@user-rg7fp9kw7y]

Try and find a malapio apple trea as well, they only exist in Portugal, very sweet and distinct flavour 😊 my favourite ❤. Their season is about now

[@NearbyVeggies]

Sounds interesting. What region in Portugal is it grown?

[@tudomerda]

The great work horses, Carlos's tractor and your Pickup, nice to see them going and in good health. That bread looked delicious and then of course the green curry finish, great. however, I'd get some nice beef to go with that lovely vegetable curry :-).

[@NearbyVeggies]

I used to say that to Dan all the time 😂

[@100Noddy]

or goat 🐐

[@NearbyVeggies]

@100Noddy We’ve had the goat ( my friends and I, not Dan)

[@bertiew6771]

Q. Is the house ready yet? I assume you'll be in for Christmas. Enjoy your curry and lemongrass leaf tea.

[@ciciliacurt6227]

You are so excited about a few peanuts 🥜 I am happy for you You try you learn...beautiful dinner 😅

[@NearbyVeggies]

😊 thank you

[@Susan.I]

I hope that tree grows and produces fruit for you both.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@Skattie]

Ah , we make POHA, an Indian dish , using peanuts, amazing

[@NearbyVeggies]

Sounds great!

[@user-rg7fp9kw7y]

Malapio apple is originally from the Minho region, but it's now widespread through Portugal. I am from near Aveiro, central region, and we have them although they are not seen for sale often. Their flavour is unique . If you Google maçã Malapio, you can see what they look like. They smell wonderful too 😊. They should be in season now if i am not mistaken 😮

[@NearbyVeggies]

Appreciate that information. Thank you. Now we will keep an eye out for one. 🥰

[@martinehug-simon3811]

I m so admirative of what you have done, thank you so much for that recap, for the fauna and the flora, for being clever, respectuous of mother nature and the local people, thanks for helping Carla and her goats, I wish you all the best for the future rehabilitation of the house and count me in for future videos and adventures. If you have tips for drought please share them as we are in the middle of it in Catalunya. ❤❤❤❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@iniabellepaz445]

Wonderful video! Love the recipe part. Cheers enjoy

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much 👍

[@larhumba4233]

Wonderful! No wonder you 2 are so fit and healthy! 😊❤❤ P.S. Bless Jimmy Carter, he's in a Hospice aged 99.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you ☺️

[@elisabethraastad2070]

Are you able to est all the delishious food you are growing? Are you planning to sell some of it? When do you start to renevate the house? Love your vlog. You seems to be such a sweet, interesting couple. Would love to sit by your dinnertable❤

[@marcosfigueiredo8515]

Good afternoon and your asparagus plantation, did it work? Have you already harvested some?

[@alexs3119]

What an awesome retirement.......and a view........goodness me........view is just - perfect........heheheheh.......

[@NVH83]

Your life looks wonderful in Portugal, but I wonder, is there anything you miss from Ireland and the UK?

[@Coyotehello]

Ho, so nice to see you working on the second terrace. That green curry recipe looks delicious.

[@NearbyVeggies]

It's so good!

[@carlosvictor8679]

someone has got a working "rear",lol.

[@NearbyVeggies]

🤣

[@louiseswart1315]

Love the little kettle! I wonder about all the stories it must have overheard alongside the teapot and coffee pot.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Many many stories 🤗

[@paulacunha6792]

Dan é um autêntico cavalheiro ❤❤delicioso jantar😊

[@NearbyVeggies]

Obrigada 🤩

[@glow1815]

I can never get my lemongrass to grow like that. I've tried many times different ways. Us Asians we use lemongrass all the time for our dish. I love lemongrass chicken stirfry with that green lush FRESH lemongrass you guys have would taste delicious. Our signature dish is authentic beef curry 🌶🔥😋😋

[@NearbyVeggies]

Delicious. 😋

[@user-rg7fp9kw7y]

Those little pears are great for making liquor as well 😊

[@NearbyVeggies]

We have some soaking in aguardente 😋

[@ourportuguesehomestead]

I now MUST find one of those pear trees! Never heard of them, but sounds amazing

[@NearbyVeggies]

We are so pleased to have found it because the little pears are a delicious snack. I saw them for sale in a market and today I saw them for sale in Intermarche. Very pricey 24 euro a kilo in the supermarket 😲

[@jakewilliamthomas]

Thank you for showing more of the meals you are making from your garden recently ❤ QUESTION: do you have to bolster your cupboards with much else or are you eating mostly from the garden? What do you have to buy most often? Might you get chickens and use their eggs and meat? Love your channel ❤

[@janicedias_sowgrowanddiy]

I regularly watch your videos... And I enjoy every single one of them... Its my dream to homestead one day ✨🤞 I have a few questions: 1) Do you'll still live in the rental place??? 2) Will you'll host people as in B&B style? 3) How much did your land cost ? 4) What is Dan's day job??? Thank you!!!

[@GiuseppeAudino797]

Hi guys I would like to say your farm looks amazing you doing great work thanks for the good video 👍👋🍻

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@clionamm]

I love seeing what you do with all the lovely fruit and veg that you grow, from storage, sauce ideas, to meals, all great! How did you decide on Portugal? 🙂

[@hatcherhollerhoodlum4418]

13:46🤩😍👍🏻

[@NearbyVeggies]

👍

[@Skattie]

Do you know what? Watch escape to rural France and see Nick the tree surgeon, he is a Brit, works on chateau grounds all over that area, maybe he can visit you , why? Coz he is awesome ( and Cameron his assistant )

[@MsKurikara]

Do you live in this place all year round or just during spring and summer?

[@kamilfrancoolczak]

I wish I would live in Portugal - this is my dream - maybe in a new life 😢

[@400Mishka]

great harvest

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@danaholt6261]

That looked so cozy and nice 🥰

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you! 🤗

[@waynejones750]

I really look forward to your videos 😊

[@NearbyVeggies]

Yay! Thank you!

[@nataliaghidirim1655]

Cheeers! Amazing lofe! And video starts from you becoming grandparents for goatees))

[@NearbyVeggies]

The little goats are so cute 😊

[@shirleyrice7093]

Jimmy Carter’s peanut farm was in warm Georgia. Don’t you roast them? Or dry them? I have never seen peanut plants, but I would enjoy the harvest of the peanuts because I love potato plants with their many hidden potato gems.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you. They are drying now 👍

[@greeneearth]

When is the building going to start?

[@kdclothes]

Can you freeze lemon grass? I grew dill this past winter in a hydroponic container and was able to freeze it. It did really well. Coriander was so difficult for me to grow in Italy until I switched to hydroponic pots. I think it is one of my favourite herbs. Your garden looks wonderful. Such a variety. I would just stay outside all the time at your home. Happy New Year and Hope you enjoy the Green curry. My mouth is watering.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Not sure if lemon grass can be frozen. We just dry it. Curry was delicious 😋

[@michellepuccinelli8156]

Hi,when do you start on the house.when do you think you will move in

[@claudiah5643]

❤❤❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@waynejones750]

When are you hoping to start on your house?

[@nataliaghidirim1655]

I checked how chinese got high yields of peanuts, during the bush blossoming they top up the middle of a bush with a lot of soil on top

[@NearbyVeggies]

That’s a great tip. Thank you 😊

[@user-rg7fp9kw7y]

Yummy 😋

[@NearbyVeggies]

It sure was 😊

[@rockit1801]

Do you harvest any pine nuts? Those cones you keep for firing up purpose must have edible nuts... I mean fresh ones of course, not exactly those you keep in the storage place

[@NearbyVeggies]

Our pine trees are not the variety that produces nuts. We have planted one but it will be a long time before it produces nuts. 🤞

[@portugal1969]

❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

😊

[@asgeirandersen]

I want to eat that curry sauces have a good meal

[@NearbyVeggies]

Delicious 😋

[@100Noddy]

💜

[@NearbyVeggies]

😊

[@Susan.I]

The mimosa tree fell down to a lot of rain.

[@NearbyVeggies]

It did indeed 👍

[@christasmicroflowerfarm2695]

💚

[@NearbyVeggies]

🥰

[@coby6417]

🌟👏👍🍀💐

[@user-it2jo8bx4n]

Has the work on the property started I haven’t seen you mention it lately xx

[@alba.lopes7]

Good morning, now here in Rio de Janeiro there are 6:27

[@NearbyVeggies]

Fabulous 😊

[@Skattie]

My fav pedro van

[@NearbyVeggies]

👍

[@100Noddy]

Is it possible for you to adjust the comments setting to allow automatic translation from Portuguese to English? You have native speakers commenting from whom we could learn so much.

[@NearbyVeggies]

I use the computer when reading comments in other languages. I don’t have a special setting to help you.

[@waynejones750]

Lime in the coconut 😅

[@NearbyVeggies]

You know what the song is 🤣

[@aldamaria3445]

❤️👍🇨🇦

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@peterholmesgavleman]

No need for an apology regarding the Camera angle. The contents of the orange T-shirt evolve been paid for I’m sure. I have similar contents!

[@fatimar8924]

🏡🌻🇧🇷🌾🙌🙏😘

[@maggiemorgan8422]

Were the peanuts good? X

[@NearbyVeggies]

Saving them for you 🤣

[@nataliaghidirim1655]

Tiger curry;)

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thai green curry. 😄

[@queen-of-puddings]

Jimmy Carter, ex peanut farmer

[@mowdan77]

Is that good firewood?

[@NearbyVeggies]

Yes. It’s good firewood 🪵

[@mowdan77]

@@NearbyVeggies cool

[@adazohar4717]

Don't you get tired of the day to day work required to keep your homestead going?

[@NearbyVeggies]

Absolutely never. 😊

[@nataliaghidirim1655]

Do you want me as your volunteer?))) I would be happy))

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you. At the moment we are not seeking volunteers 👍