Eco Retreat
South Aegean
TO THE GARDEN is a functioning centre for creative arts study and retreat and is essentialy an arts project incorporating and introducing the concept of personal life as a creative process. Our guiding pilosophy is one of individualism and self reliance and our activities attempt to explore the problems of self motivation and self employment as a means towards greater freedom of personal expression.
We have, over the course of fifteen years been involved with the rehabilitation of five acres of disused farm land according to principles of dry land reclamation and have successfully employed Permaculture and methods developed by the Mediteranan Garden Society to establish a fertile ‘forest garden’ environment.
Volunteers are invited to help establish, maintain and learn about: Rain water harvesting systems, windbreaks, composting, earthworks and organic gardens.
We try as far as possible to provide tasks that are suitable for a person and our practical ethics are that tasks undertaken should not extend into monotony but should be informative and fun. In consequence WWoofers should be prepared to be more than normally awake and able to follow instruction. A focused and energetic wwoofer can learn a great deal in a short time. We have also found that generally, women are ‘at least’ the equal of men in most tasks.
The winter here is mild and there are no frosts so it is very good for gardening.
We especially value people who are good with their hands and volunteers are also given the opportunity to learn and develop technique and creative approach in such fields as woodwork, stone laying, tiling, decorative concrete, painting and furniture restoration as an aid to developing their own self employment (landscapers, builders and decorators).
TRAVEL : Irini makes frequent trips to Parikia and is always ready to accomodate personal shopping requests or take a passenger if convenient. Otherwise bycycles are available and there is a local bus service which we can be used. The time table varies according to the time of year.
Type of property
A ‘centre’ providing an environment for study and retreat focusing on practical, creative lifestyle. Situated on disused farmland that has undergone extensive organic rehabillitation it is generally speaking an experiment in restoration.
Accommodation type
Volunteers are provided with their own comfortable rooms with own bathroom and share common space with the hosts.
Internet wifi is available for ‘non frivolous’ purposes and not for ‘killing time’. We also have a large library of books which can be used on condition that they are ‘well treated’. There is no t.v but we occasionaly watch movies.
Board
We accomodate vegetarians and non vegetarians but unfortunately cannot provide for ‘special’ diets (vegan etc.).
Dinner is a wholesome cooked meal taken together at a specified time (according to the time of year so as not to interfere with work or recreation). Breakfast lunch and snacks are left to the volunteer to take according to his own schedule and the kitchen is well stocked with plenty of food for him to forrage at his own discretion.
Description of surroundings
Open hillside and farm land with good walking and good views.
Τypes of volunteers' tasks
Environmental repair and maintenance - earthworks for water harvesting and raised beds. Drystone walling. Tree planting.
Weeding, mulching and composting.
Fruit and nut harvesting when in season.
Specific working and/or living rules
Easy going and attentive wakefulness, honest, direct and dispassionate comunication keep things running smoothly.
Because volunteers use the kitchen they are expected to keep the kitchen organised by clearing up after themselves but are not allowed to wash dishes. They are though, allowed to sweep the floor whenever and wherever they wish.
Volunteers Helping Hours frame usually needed at our farm:
We (HOST AND VOLUNTEER) each sign the Wwoof Greece Declaration of Exchange agreeing to the contents and from there can expect to establish our own personal agreements according to the type of exchange requested by the volunteer.
Months Needed: The climate dictates that winter is the best time to engage in outdoor activities;but summer months also offer opportunities for studio related tasks.
Organic methods: Water harvesting, dry stone terracing, raised beds, soil conditioning.
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Learning opportunities
Forestry
Flower farming
Traditional crafts
Green Building
Methods or systems
Permaculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
Jim
Member since 2018
Languages spoken:
English, Greek
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Response rate: 66%
Response time: typically within 4 days
South Aegean
Village of Alyki
Reviews
Dawson
Canada
•
November 2025
Jim and Irini were incredble hosts. I really enjoyed getting to know them and have dinners with them everyday. The food is delicious, the accomodation was amazing and the property is unbelievably beautiful. Working involved different enjoyable gardening tasks, and making a rock wall and there was alot to learn.
Rose
United Kingdom
•
June 2022
I had a good stay at To The Garden. Jim and Irini took me in when I was canceled on by another farm, which is a kindness I won’t forget.
Kathrin
Germany
•
October 2019
I found this as a carefully created and well-grown space, embedded in a calm, serene environment.
It was perfect for me to arrive in nature and get into permaculture practice, along with inspiring conversation and heartful nourishing meals.
The tasks given always met my needs to be enthusiastic about what I do and to be flexible with the time schedule.
I totally felt at home, thank you.
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Robin
United Kingdom
•
October 2019
Jim and Irini are one of the longest established WWOOF hosts in Greece. They have a huge amount of experience of working with volunteers and this was the perfect place for my first Wwoof visit. The accommodation was in one of their beautiful apartments, and there was great food, interesting work to do, and I would recommend this place.
Karla
France
•
April 2019
Staying at Jim's was great! He has a wonderful property and gardens, and he was caring and fun to be around. I was mainly weeding and preparing the gardens for the summer, and could enjoy his delicious home made food everyday!
Jim likes to share his skills and will make sure you are doing something you enjoy, and something interesting for everyone. The houses he built with the help of volunteers over the years are gorgeous, and his animals super friendly. I recommend ! :)
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