Welcome to Alpine Roots & Maple Branches! On our blog, we share our exciting journey from the Alps in Austria to Cape Breton, Canada. Here, you’ll find valuable tips and inspiring stories about living abroad, our adventures in the Canadian wilderness, and practical advice for expats. Our goal is to establish a sustainable permaculture, and we document our progress and the challenges along the way. The blog also tells the story behind Bras d’Or, a project dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture and protecting the environment in the Bras d’Or region. Join us on our journey and discover the beauty and diversity of our new home in Canada.
What is Homesteading?
Homesteading emphasizes self-sufficiency, sustainable living, and a connection to nature, originating from the U.S. “Homestead Act” of 1862. Today, it embodies various practices from food cultivation to ethical lifestyle choices, enhancing community ties and promoting environmental stewardship. It combines tradition and modernity, fostering mindfulness and sustainability.
Year in Review 2024: Our Journey Towards Sustainable Living in Canada
The year 2024 was marked by significant changes and progress on our path to sustainable living in Canada. A Behind-the-Scenes Look: Our Blog and Its
Planting Garlic Made Easy: Tips for a Bountiful Harvest
Garlic is a versatile plant that is not only easy to grow but also offers many health benefits. In USDA hardiness zone 5b, which covers
Separate Paths, Shared Goals: Challenges on the Way to Canada
Our journey to Canada was marked by careful planning and preparation. We were aware that not every plan would work out immediately and that the
The Hidden Treasures of the Lowbush Blueberry – A Powerhouse from the Forest
On our property, in the lower fifth, we found it: the Lowbush Blueberry. Discovering several large patches of wild blueberries brought us great joy. You
Moss Phlox: More Than Just Ground Cover for Sunny Spots
Versatile Use in a Cottage Garden While Moss Phlox is often seen as a purely decorative plant, we discovered that it can be perfectly integrated
Blueberries, Building Projects, and Wildlife Challenges
After weeks filled with hard work, we’re starting to see how our project is slowly taking shape. The first blades of grass are sprouting in
Bunchberry: A Discovery from Our New Home
Since settling in Canada, we have continuously encountered plants and animals that amaze us with their diversity and beauty. One plant that particularly caught our
Soil Samples and Campfire: An Evening in Nature
Since moving to Canada, we’ve been constantly learning more about our land and preparing it for our permaculture project. An essential part of this process
Thanksgiving in Canada: Harvest, Tradition, and Community on Cape Breton
In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October, significantly earlier than in the United States. This timing aligns with Canada’s harvest season,
Traffic Rules Comparison – Canada vs. Austria
1. Introduction Canada and Austria have many similarities when it comes to road traffic, but there are also key differences that are important to understand,
Raised Bed, Wildflowers, and Fire Trucks: A Colorful Mix from Canada
After settling in Canada, the next adventure awaited us: we bought a boat – an inflatable boat! Why an inflatable boat? We thought it would
Permaculture and Forest Gardens: A Sustainable Path to Healthy Agriculture
Even before we moved to Canada, we had been deeply engaged with the idea of sustainable farming. Gernot, in particular, has been working with the
Rain, Storms, and New Paths: An Update from Our Property
The past few days have been marked by rain – sometimes light, sometimes heavy, even with stormy conditions. But as any dog owner knows, the
A Little Treasure – Our Discovery of the Spring in Loch Lomond
Sometimes, it’s the unassuming conversations with neighbors that lead to real treasures. During one of these encounters, we got an interesting tip: only about a
Quiet Roads, Big Challenges: How to Prepare for Blackflies and Breakdowns in Canada
When spring arrives in Canada, it brings not only colorful flowers and green foliage but also the less welcome presence of blackflies. These small flies,
A Day at Michaud Beach: Sea, Wind, and Adventure
On a Friday in June, we set off for Michaud Beach, an idyllic and quiet spot about 45 minutes from our home in Loch Lomond.
The Magic of Lupine: A Journey Through Myths and History
In ancient times, the lupine was considered a plant with magical powers. Entire fields of lupines were believed to protect against evil spirits, and in
The First Setback: When the Dream of Canada Meets Reality
The first major setback often comes unexpectedly, and it’s especially painful when experienced in a foreign country. After deciding to start our new life in
Field Horsetail: A Medicinal Plant with Ancient History and Modern Uses
Field horsetail, also known as scouring rush, is one of the oldest plants on Earth and has played an important role in natural medicine for
NATURE IN EVERYDAY LIFE: EXPIRIENCES BETWEEN APARTMENT AND PROPERTY
Since we arrived here, our daily life has changed in many ways. The routes we take for shopping, the daily walks with Diana, and the
The History of Nova Scotia: A Journey Through Time
The Mi’kmaq, a skilled people of hunters and fishermen, lived in harmony with nature and developed a complex society based on respect for the environment
Small Adventures in Our Hidden Paradise
After our first exciting adventure on our property, we decided to regularly embark on small excursions. Although the cleared land looks barren and bleak at
Our Trip to Arichat
A trip to Arichat, a charming little seaside town. It was a beautiful day when we set out to explore the town and its surroundings.
Our Start into the Adventure of Preparing the Property
With great enthusiasm and a clear vision, we are beginning to make our property livable. Preparing the land is a necessary step in realizing our
First Adventure on Our Beautiful Property
The approximate boundaries of our property. Our property is a beautiful, elongated rectangle covering approximately 70 hectares. Our neighbor told us that the land was
Together for a Greener Future: Your Support Matters!
KI generated Imagine a world where forests thrive, the air is clean, and sustainability is the key to a better life for everyone. This vision
Happy Canada Day
As the days grow longer and the warmth of summer envelops Canada’s vast and diverse landscapes, we celebrate one of the country’s most cherished days
A Warm Welcome in Loch Lomond: Our First Steps and Encounters
The move to Loch Lomond has been a wonderful experience for us. From the very beginning, we were welcomed with open arms, and we quickly
Arriving in a New Adventure: Our First Days in Canada
After a long journey, we’ve finally arrived in Canada and are now settled in the house we rented, which we had found earlier through our
Our Flight to Canada: An Adventure with Obstacles
The preparations before our flight were extensive and time-consuming. We had to carefully review Canada’s entry requirements and complete all necessary forms and medical checks
From Vienna to Sydney, Canada (Cape Breton) – The Best Travel Options by Air and Sea
The journey from Vienna, Austria, to Sydney (YQY), Canada, on Cape Breton Island is a real adventure. Here are the best options and steps to
A New Start in Canada: Residency and Work Permits Explained
The dream of living and working in Canada draws numerous people each year. To turn this dream into reality, it’s essential to understand the various
Canada Calls: Packing and Shipping Our Container – Part 1
Deciding to emigrate to Canada was an exciting and challenging journey for us. One of the biggest tasks has been, and still is, packing and
The Art of Discovery: How We Found Our Piece of Paradise Through Virtual Networks
In a world full of possibilities and virtual connections, our search for the perfect property begins far from home, yet closer to our dreams than
Finding the Perfect Place: How to Discover the Ideal Property for Your Home
If you dream of owning your own piece of land, whether to build a house, start a farm, or simply have a personal retreat in
Our Journey to Canada: The Search for the Perfect Emigration Destination
When we decided to leave our life in Austria behind and emigrate to Canada, we were faced with a multitude of decisions. One of the
From Alpine Roots to Maple Branches: The Birth of Our Self-Sufficiency Journey
Here and now, in the foothills of our homeland in Austria, our journey toward self-sufficiency and permaculture begins. It’s a sunny day in the garden,
From Alpine Roots to Maple Branches: The Birth of Our Self-Sufficiency Journey
Here and now, in the foothills of our homeland in Austria, our journey toward self-sufficiency and permaculture begins. It’s a sunny day in the garden,