Summer Vegetable Garden and Food Forest Tour - 2 Years on

We came to Portugal to build a great big edible garden. After two years of work, clearing, and planting, we've made great progress.
In this episode, we present the Summer Vegetable Garden Tour.
We're building a vegetable garden bursting with food and food forest garden from an old neglected farm.
We look back at then and now and how much has changed in such a short time (in the world of gardening).
We hope you enjoy the tour and the wonderful transformation that has taken place so far.
If you'd like to see how we created the mini terraced vegetable garden
• TRANSFORMING a Slope i...
or perhaps making the bench and flower garden
• Making a Bench and New...
planting the Mulberry and other fruit
• Planting Mulberry | Ja...
Meraid and Dan
Thank you to Carissa ‪@FrankieOffGrid‬
and Lea ‪@ourportuguesehomestead‬
for the seeds.

[@deborahbasel184]

Your food garden is the envy of every gardener and foodie.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Ah, that’s really kind of you. Thank you 😊

[@isabelrodriguezmitchell6057]

If one doesn’t know what to plant exactly, all they need to do is to watch this video, and make a list. Lovely lovely❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

So nice of you. Thank you 😊

[@patriciabrown8301]

You have both got Green Fingers your veg and flowers are amazing your garden is so lovely once your fruit trees get going you will be able to live of your land

[@NearbyVeggies]

We’re at 90% of vegetable production now. No carrots. We’re getting a lot more food than last year and every day we learn a little more. Thank you 😊

[@kevinwilkes5969]

I think I've been here from the start. I've watched every video. The pleasure was all mine. Thank you.

[@NearbyVeggies]

You rock, Kevin. You’ve been around as long as we can remember. Thank you 😊

[@mesutozsen903]

Eline emeğine sağlık bu güzel video için kolay gelsin hayırlı işler....👍👍👍👍

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@Coyotehello]

Lovely video as always. I love how your channel has no fake drama or misleading titles. It is like you are just inviting us into your house, or garden. A 30 minutes tour into a relaxing oasis of peace. Apparently I am not the only only liking this! Congratulations on your success with the YT channel.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks a lot, Coyotehello. We love showing you around the garden. Hopefully when we restore the house you’ll enjoy that too 😊

[@Coyotehello]

@@NearbyVeggies "Hopefully when we restore the house". I cannot wait! And Meraid, we all know you got the building permit now... ;-) No pressure. LOL

[@NearbyVeggies]

Only just found this comment. Patience patience patience 🤣

[@ruthannleder4783]

Your garden has grown so much. Your hard work is paying off. It’s just beautiful. I enjoy watching the whole process grow.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Glad you enjoy it. Thank you 😊

[@crivensro]

Happy Birthday Meraid, may the garden Gods be with you 🙂! You both worked wonders! What a delightful paradise you created!

[@NearbyVeggies]

We feel like we have made progress now. Looking back is helpful and encouraging for us too 😊

[@HomeHarvestCo]

Your videos have made me appreciate the little miracles that happen in the garden every day.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Wow, thank you 😊

[@offgridwanabe]

A true labour of love, It hard to believe you two did all that garden but I watched you do it and you folks love growing anything. Happy birthday young lady.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you. We do love what we do. We went for a walk in a forest for my birthday. We also had cake 🎂

[@leacruz7311]

Your garden is amazing and you have good memory on the life cycle of your plants 😊!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much 😊

[@Peachy08]

I thoroughly enjoyed the garden tour. Loved seeing the before and after of each area! Your garden is a thing of beauty ❤All of your hardwork shows! You both should be very proud of it! Happy birthday 🎉🎂🍻 Congratulations on 25,000 plus subscribers!!🎉🎉🎉

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much. We appreciate that 😊

[@JayDee-ck4op]

Well done Mr&Mrs Veggie 🤠🤠 Lovely to see the fruits of you labour. Please take real good care of that young lemon tree 🍋🍋

[@NearbyVeggies]

We’re doing our best 👩‍🌾👩‍🌾🍋

[@christines5430]

Congrats on reaching 25k subscribers! You deserve it!

[@NearbyVeggies]

🎉 thank you 😊

[@tracey4474]

Utterly inspirational gardening guys thank you so much for sharing - happy birthday 🎉

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@rubivitae]

Happy birthday and congratulations for the wonderful work you have done. Big hug.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much 😊

[@christines5430]

Your garden is amazing❤ So much transformation and produce in such a short space of time! Your hard work, imagination and vision is paying big dividends. Well done👏🏽

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much, Christine. Always such lovely comments from you 😊

[@rosbeaton637]

Congratulations on your birthday Meraid!🎉🎉 Your garden is a real tribute to your and Dan's hard work. It is truly beautiful and walking around with you has been a wonderful experience

[@NearbyVeggies]

😊 Thanks a million

[@lindasoaft9303]

We call that 3 sisters planting with beans,squash and corn! Fantastic garden!

[@NearbyVeggies]

We do as well. Thank you 😊

[@sueg2658]

Happy Birthday 🎉and Congratulations on 25.5K subscribers 🎉 You two have built an outstanding garden!!! I cannot believe how much has changed in a year. Well done!! 👍🏻💪🏻🤘🏻♥️

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you. We’re amazed by how much the garden has developed too. 😊

[@tisaninhacerveiraesteves7579]

Que lindo o vosso jardim !não é sem trabalho mas são recompensados com o que apanham e vêem! Parabéns.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Obrigados 😊

[@angiemoore6518]

Congratulations everything looks amazing!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much 😊

[@moniqueslikkerveer6158]

Wow, in two years. That gives me hope. Thank you, and congratulations.

[@NearbyVeggies]

You are so welcome. Thank you 😊

[@sheilajoseph9953]

I love your channel, your passion for your gardening is infectious, I've got the bug.😂 Dan has done an amazing job with the terraces and land. You have an abundance of veggies You deserve a million subscribers.💚

[@NearbyVeggies]

So nice of you. Thank you 😊

[@christasmicroflowerfarm2695]

Happy birthday🎂 and congratulations on 25,000 🥂🍾🥂Your videos are such a pleasure to see and I keep them as a treat to watch🥰💚👒

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much 😊

[@fayito9970]

I love nectarines when they are just at this crunchy stage--sprinkled with a bit of kosher salt 😊

[@NearbyVeggies]

That sounds delicious. Will have to try it next year. 👍😊

[@manny-perez]

We love you guys, and we are really glad that we found you. ❤🥰

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you. Really great to have you with us. 😊

[@KnackFarmer-theanswerismeat]

2 years!! It is truly a transformation!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@elsafischer3247]

This is the first time I seen a chickpeas plants. Thank you

[@NearbyVeggies]

They are cute little plants. 😊

[@paulamartin2740]

I love that you have a go at growing such a huge range of veggies, really interesting to see such things a chick peas. Very inspirational 😃

[@NearbyVeggies]

Hopefully next year we can get a big harvest of chickpeas. 😊

[@martinehug-simon3811]

Unbelievable growing so fast! The passion fruit plant has a normal soil or did you amend it? You re really a reference for us on a smaller scale.... Have a lovely summer and admire what you have done!!!! 😅

[@NearbyVeggies]

We started the vegetable garden by filling it with all the old straw that was in the loft of the barn and we dumped in loads of mimosa wood chip. That was after we dug out the brambles and really tough perennial plants we didn’t want. Back in December, we had friends over and gave the space loads of our home made compost. Thanks for asking and giving us the opportunity to share what we did. 😊

[@brianquinn5060]

what a beautiful journey with wonderful hard working people. you brought joy to all of us. Thank you Both.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Our pleasure. Thank you 😊

[@johndavidlazaro1065]

Happy Birthday Ma'am... You both reminded me of my late parents. I say this with tears in my eyes ❤ I am so proud of you both ❤❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you. That’s a sweet thought. 😊

[@suewhipp6228]

Absolutely brilliant! What a selection!!! Beginner follower and lover of all things growing! ❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

You’re very welcome here. Thank you 😊

[@bealbocht63]

It must be so satisfying seeing the transformation over the 2 years. And such a great variety of veg and fruit! ❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

It really is. Thank you 😊

[@mm.6991]

Happy birthday 🎉😘 The garden is incredibly beautiful. 👍💯🥰

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much 😊

[@JK-yf9sx]

Happy 30th anniversary of your 21st birthday Mairead ☺.I've no idea how old you are ... to my 75 yr old eyes everyone under 74 looks like a spring chicken ... especially if it's a sprightly one nipping up and down the terraces growing enough food for the whole village. Best wishes my dear, you are an inspiration ♥

[@NearbyVeggies]

Hopefully the sprightliness lasts a long time. 😊 thank you.

[@anniemac3075]

Thoroughly enjoying your videos, agree with another comment on here you don't use dramatic & unwelcome clickbait titles you're just 100% genuine. Happy Birthday lovely lady, you've both achieved amazing results through your hard work. 💐 🎂 🎉

[@NearbyVeggies]

Glad you like them. Thank you 😊

[@iniabellepaz445]

Hi Dan and Meraid, A very Happy Birthday Meraid, sending you best wishes. I love to see everything you have done. I learned so much from your videos, you both are very inspiring! Now my husband started watching you too and got some ideas for our garden! Yayy for me. He is not into gardening so this is exciting to see. I love seeing the passion fruit vine and learning the different names of vegetables. Congratulations on your 25k plus subscribers wishing many more. Stay well.

[@NearbyVeggies]

That’s unbelievably exciting. We’ll done for getting your husband into the garden. 😊

[@denisemastromina7821]

Happy birthday, I really enjoy your videos you have really understood gardening in a hot climate reaps big rewards as long as you water really well and the no dig method is really fantastic.

[@NearbyVeggies]

We’re still watering the bare minimum and the mulch is probably our best friend. Thank you 😊

[@sandramorton5510]

Outstanding progress, both of you have worked hard, the love and dedication shows. So happy for both of you. The food you have is tremendous, thank you for sharing.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much😊

[@miroslavalewandowski7434]

Glückwunsch, wenn ihr baut kommen noch mehr ❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@simplydelicious21]

У вас чудесный огород. Так много разных растений. Спасибо за экскурсию.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@bluebean7001]

Hey, I subscribe to a lot of Portuguese farming/expat channels but there are only a few where I religiously watch every episode. Yours is one of them because you're so authentic. It's a pleasure to follow your journey.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks so much 😊

[@Susan.I]

The finches love the sunflowers!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Not a single seed left for next year 🤣

[@markdawsonbruce4457]

You 2 are beautiful people, love your gardens ❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

You are so kind. Thank you 😊

[@hatcherhollerhoodlum4418]

What a transformation ,I hope yall hav an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction when your having your morning coffee an looking out over your beautiful land. I ll be waiting for the next one😉

[@NearbyVeggies]

We really do love looking at the progress. 😊

[@mariaeugenia7599]

Oh my! What a great garden. You should be really proud. A real paradise!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@ewa5803]

it is amazing like everything quickly grows there

[@NearbyVeggies]

It sure does. 👍

[@irmelieija]

Just love your garden and your show. 💯😍

[@NearbyVeggies]

So nice of you. Thank you 😊

[@clionamm]

Wow, your garden has really come on, it's fabulous. I love the terraces too, there's something really nice about different levels. Well done on creating such a lovely space. Happy birthday Meraid 🙂

[@NearbyVeggies]

We also love the interest that different levels and the terraces bring. Thanks so much 😊

[@HeloisaVidigal]

Feliz aniversario Meraid! Nós que agradecemos a presença de vocês no YT! 💕💕

[@NearbyVeggies]

Obrigados 😊

[@hellohey4749]

It's such a pleasure to watch your videos. It's making me a bit jealous 😊 seeing you have a chance to enjoy and leaving in this beautiful country. Well done for your hard work in the garden!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you! 😃

[@bridgetnaughton435]

Happy Birthday Enjoy Your Day 🎉🍾🎉🎂🎉🍸🎉🎂🎉🍾🎉

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@MsKurikara]

Happy birthday my dear!!!!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much 😀

[@larhumba4233]

It's all looking so amazing! Well done to you both, and hope you had a lovely birthday Meraid! 🍰💖🍷

[@NearbyVeggies]

We had a lovely day out for my birthday. Thank you 😊

[@user-qc6hy9oh6x]

We learn from you,yours hard work in a good mood, thanks, Manuela

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@ianandresen2326]

I would like to thank you! You create excellent content! Both of you are easy to listen to and understand! You are the everyday type gardener. And that I appreciate!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Wow, thank you, Ian. 😊

[@bertiew6771]

Parabéns, Meraid!!! I hope this birthday you went easy on the vodka. You've both worked so hard to get the garden in order and this video is a celebration of that work. Well done both.

[@NearbyVeggies]

A little too much sparkling wine. Took the celebrations literally. 😂Thank you

[@adrianc6975]

Great Job, I'm in the Algarve and I know how hard it is to keep things alive with the heat... you have done an amazing job!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you. It is a challenge at times. 😊

[@shahlatavakoli2084]

beautiful 😍😍😍😍😍😍well don👋👋👋👋👋🏵🏵🌻🌻🌺🌺🌺🌺🌼🌼🌹🌹

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much 😊

[@ruthconstantino6861]

So long as they're yummy, crunchy nectaries are fine 🙆🏻‍♀️. They're usually firm on the tree... had you waited, the birds would've got it. Squirrels often get ours while i'm waiting for them to ripen, the adorable rascals! 🐿 I'm so glad you showed how your plots are growing. You rewoke the land and tended it caringly so that it's now so productive and beautiful. You worked so hard on your land, so you indeed have fruits of your labors. Happy 21st, Meraid 🥳, and happy 1st KZbin anniversary Meraid and Dan! Besinhos 🥰

[@NearbyVeggies]

You’re right. All we’ve done is reawaken the land and care for it. Thank you, Ruth 🥰

[@Susan.I]

Our cherry tomatoes are growing straight out of the raised bed!

[@theresadunlop5602]

Everything looks amazing! Thanks for the tour!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks, Theresa. 😊

[@PazLeBon]

Respect for the amount of graft required. Its taken me a year to find a flattish plot that I thought I was capable of digging etc :)

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@BeverleyAnn-rh2lv]

Happy birthday Meraid🎉❤🎉❤🎉

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks, Beverley. 😊

[@joketendam5806]

Thanks for the toer.😊

[@NearbyVeggies]

You're welcome 😊

[@roselynwilliams2]

Happy Birthday Miraid! What a delightful tour. Congratulations on 25,000 subscribers. Now that you have become such celebrities, you'll forget about little old Rose in Oregon, USA. Just kidding.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much, Rose 🤗 We will remember.

[@Susan.I]

Wow, that Nectarine tree has grown so big!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Massive 😀

[@HorizonIntegration]

Looks amazing!!!! How are the new water storage tanks going? Can’t wait to see the new watering system!!!!

[@NearbyVeggies]

We can’t wait either. Slow pace here 😂

[@fantasmasnolaboratorio]

Happy birthday Meraid, you guys are the best, stay strong

[@NearbyVeggies]

Much appreciated. Thank you 😊

[@seanconner9407]

Lovely to see that all that work paid off

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@ninemoonplanet]

I wondered how the insane heat this year would affect the garden, but you both understood the real importance of shade. 👍 In semi-arid climates the use of trees and ground cover makes all the difference. Nicely done 👍. Do you know about wicking beds, gardens grown in those require much less water? For special plants you really treasure, a wicking bed should be better.

[@NearbyVeggies]

I don’t know about wicking beds. I’ll look into it. Thank you 😊

[@ninemoonplanet]

Start small, a barrel or tub will show you the way it should work.

[@pamelamalmberg3175]

What a wonderful video.. it really makes my Saturday morning good.. 🌄

[@NearbyVeggies]

You are so kind. Thank you 😊

[@melvaoconnor]

Happy birthday 🎊. Your gardens are a testimony to your imagination and 😓 work! Amazing and beautiful! Congratulations 👏

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks a million. 😊

[@memeannasvegetables497]

🎉 Happy birthday and congratulations on your subscribers!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you! Cheers.😊

[@lesleysluyters2165]

Congratulations on your success in your wonderful garden…the hard work really paid off. You are such a joy to watch and I look forward to every episode and the progress you make….long may your garden flourish ❤️❤️🌻🌻 love and hugs from Kent x x x x x

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you. You too 🤩

[@user-pm2gl6pf7m]

I absolutely love your garden. One thing that surprises me, nobody uses gloves or worries about snakes. I can only assume you don’t get many. I believe you only have two venomous ones. Sadly here in Australia we have many and even get them in small suburban gardens.

[@NearbyVeggies]

We do wear gloves a lot especially around rocks where the snakes live. Thank you for your question. 👍😊

[@stephanieh.777]

Your gardens look amazing! Your dahlias are beautiful - and edible! The petals have a variety of flavours, depending on the dahlia; you can sprinkle a few pettals on salads, etc. to add a burst of flavour, rather than pulling them for the tubers. Also, ochra are best to pick when they're a bit bendy; once they pass that stage and go hard, they're good for seed beyond that. Hope that helps!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks for the tips 😊

[@paulettebarber7219]

Happy Birthday! My sons birthday is tomorrow. Vast improvements over the past year. I really like those little terrace beds and so handy to the house. Congratulations on 25K subscribers!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Happy birthday to your son. The mini terraces are fabulous. Thank you 😊

[@elisabethraastad2070]

Happy birthday 🌹and Thank You sooo much for the gardentour. I’m impressed and inspirated. You both are professional gardeners!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@kathleenpitt1981]

Happy birthday! Congratulations on reaching 25,000 subscribers! What a beautiful garden! I loved the herb, weed comment! Your garden reflects all the hard work and thought that you put into it. Well done!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks a lot, Kathleen 😊

[@AntoniEmanuel7328]

Fair play to you both. I agree too the Maracujá looks amazing. ❤ your videos.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@heidiedwards4160]

Such progress...well done. The chilli thing....so funny 😅

[@NearbyVeggies]

Dan couldn’t stop laughing at me either 🤣

[@willaharlatt4862]

beautiful garden............i do hope the plants next to the house dont get trashed when the renovation starts soon

[@NearbyVeggies]

I think they'll be grand.

[@willaharlatt4862]

@@NearbyVeggies good to hear...........ive just been traumatised by careless contractors....so im like DONT THROW SHIT ON THE PLANTS!...........LOL

[@vaijayanti_prememalcolm8160]

You two inspire me and hubby to keep at our garden acre n a half in Cornwall , happy birthday Merida xxx

[@NearbyVeggies]

That’s a lovely thing to say. Thank you and the best of wishes for your garden. 😊

[@chrisdyson9141]

Happy birthday and well done both of you! So many happy plants, evidence of so much hard work and the satisfaction of knowing where most of your food comes from having been tended with love and respect. Here's to many more days, weeks, months and years as the home and land develop.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much 😊

[@moirasimmerson929]

Congratulations on increasing subscribers, but more so on your bloomin’ garden.

[@NearbyVeggies]

You’re absolutely right. Thank you 😊

[@mexine]

I also loved this vlog - you (both of you) have such an interesting way of talking about the vegetables that my mouth is watering. I am a sort of vegetarian - and I don’t eat anything with four legs or a face 😮😢😊😊😊

[@NearbyVeggies]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-vb9nh7qn8p]

You two are så Lovely couple and do creates your own vegs garden. Everything looks very nice. Greetings!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much 😊

[@farmyourbackyard2023]

"This is a herb, not a weed." This was an unfortunate moment for me to take a sip of my coffee.,. 😂 Enjoyed this tour so much and seeing all your progress. I'm not sure how you plan to use the Huacatay, but it sounds like it might be delicious in salsa.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Sorry about the coffee 😂 The huacatay makes a great salsa with lemon juice, olive oil and chilli.

[@farmyourbackyard2023]

LOL thanks! And yum for the recipe. will have to try this! @@NearbyVeggies

[@NearbyVeggies]

You’re most welcome 🤗

[@peterholmesgavleman]

I’m in Dan’s camp at 4:15 when eating the aubergine. I prefer stone fruit and pears when they are firm and tasty, rather than too juicy. It saves the juice, dribbling down my chin, or in Dan‘s case, the beard!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Oh no. Not dribbling into the beard. 😂

[@mariacabral7811]

Happy Birthday 🎉your videos I love to see ,you put so much love in all you do. Congratulations on all your 25k subscribers I love your gardens

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@donnatrimble7439]

Such hard has produced such a beautiful place

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@jacquelinerichardson9771]

🎉🎉🎉🎉Happy Birthday 🎉🎉🎉🎉 The garden is looking beautiful, so many different vegetables, I’m so glad you got heaps of subscribers, well done you deserve more, love watching you both, Can Dan write done for us, about the plants to plant that make it good for other plants, it might help my veg patch. Thank you for our videos. ❤

[@NearbyVeggies]

Comfrey. There is a spreading variety and the one we have which is Bocking 14. If you need the Latin name, let me know. 👍

[@nataliaghidirim1655]

So genuine and hilarious both;)) happy 21st birthday

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@libreriapapiros4771]

As always, it's a pleasure to watch your videos. Congratulations and keep it up, I can't believe that only a year has passed and that piece of land has changed so much.

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you very much! We do feel surprise when we look back and see how much the land has changed. 😊

[@libreriapapiros4771]

@@NearbyVeggies oops I forgot to greet you for your birthday. Happy Birthday !!!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@ronaldingleby8158]

Great job guys

[@NearbyVeggies]

Thank you 😊

[@paulacunha6792]

😂😂😂 muitos parabéns vocês são um casal super divertido e trabalhor ...foi divertido ver -te a comer a malagueta...foi preciso coragem para trincar a malagueta...😂😂😂

[@NearbyVeggies]

Obrigados, Paula 🤣

[@orlandonascimento669]

Boa noite amigos, obrigado sempre á espera de novo video, e vos espero em Bragança Trás os Montes

[@NearbyVeggies]

Esperemos que sim, Orlando. 😊

[@Gabriela_73]

🙌🙌❤You two are incredible, so funny, what you have done in that place in a short time is great, an example for those of us who follow you, you fill our souls with hope that you are making our future path with your learning and teachings, to be able to see ourselves reflected in your experience one day, happy birthday Meraid!! It has also been my birthday, my 50th birthday, a beautiful journey through that edible paradise, congratulations on what has already been achieved!!

[@NearbyVeggies]

Happy 50th birthday Gabriela. Delighted you enjoyed the tour. 🥰