From Berry Bliss to Autumn Bounty: June & October at Ecocostel Garden & Guesthouse

If you’re wondering when is the best time to experience the heart of nature, fresh flavors, and Moldovan hospitality at its peak, look no further than the months of June and October. These are the times when Ecocostel Garden and Guesthouse, nestled in the serene village of Roșu near Cahul, opens up its most abundant offerings of the year.

Ecocostel is more than a guesthouse — it's a living ecosystem shaped by the principles of permaculture, where food grows in harmony with the land and seasons. And if you’re a fan of fresh fruits, rare herbs, natural juices, and a slow-paced, nourishing lifestyle, these two months bring out the very best of what this place has to offer.


June: The Berry Awakening

June marks the beginning of summer and the first great wave of harvest at Ecocostel. It's a month of color and flavor, dominated by an abundance of summer berries. Expect to find a wide array of strawberries, mulberries, currants, raspberries, and other unusual berries that are not typically grown in Moldova. Thanks to Constantin’s dedication to permaculture and diversity, some of the varieties are rare and exotic, grown with care in polycultures that mimic nature.

Guests in June are greeted with the sweet scent of fruit ripening in the sun and mornings that begin with fresh-picked berries for breakfast. You might find yourself wandering through the garden trails, snacking on fruits straight from the bushes, or watching bees dance from flower to flower in the herb spiral.

Smoothies, juices, and natural snacks are a specialty during this time. Constantin is known for blending up refreshing drinks made from just-harvested berries, wild herbs, and edible flowers. Each glass is not only a boost of health but also a connection to the land itself.


October: The Season of Plenty

As summer gives way to autumn, Ecocostel enters another peak of abundance. October is harvest season for grapes, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, peppers, and many other vegetables. The garden, which continues to follow permaculture principles, shifts its palette from bright berry reds to deep oranges, earthy greens, and sunset golds.

This is when the wine grapes are ripening, and guests can see (or even take part in) traditional grape picking and juice pressing. Freshly pressed grape juice, also known as must, is offered during this time, and the kitchen comes alive with autumn recipes, many of them based on seasonal vegetables, wild greens, and heirloom varieties that are almost impossible to find in supermarkets.

One of the great things about Ecocostel’s autumn garden is the variety. Many of the plants growing here are non-standard for Moldova — things like winter berries, rare tomatoes, unusual squashes, and heritage root vegetables. The garden doesn’t just produce food; it cultivates biodiversity, resilience, and taste.

A Garden Grown with Purpose

Ecocostel isn’t your average garden. It follows the ethics of permaculture: care for the Earth, care for people, and fair share. That means the land is nurtured without chemicals, using compost, mulch, companion planting, and water-conserving designs. What grows here does so not by force, but by cooperation with nature.

It also means that guests aren’t just consumers — they’re participants. Visitors are encouraged to touch, taste, learn, and ask questions. Constantin, the host and designer behind Ecocostel, is always happy to share his knowledge and the stories behind the plants. Every herb has a use. Every path has a purpose.

From wild edible herbs like purslane, sorrel, lamb’s quarters, and nettle to more familiar greens like lettuce and arugula, there’s a continuous variety of flavors that go far beyond what you’ll find in a supermarket salad. In both June and October, the meals are fresh, vibrant, and full of natural nutrition and culinary surprises.


Why This Is the Best Time to Visit

Whether you prefer the sweetness of berries or the richness of autumn vegetables, June and October represent the high points of the Ecocostel experience. These months offer:

  • The widest range of fresh produce directly from the garden

  • Seasonal juices, smoothies, and herbal teas made daily

  • Opportunities to harvest and learn about permaculture

  • Outdoor living at its best — with comfortable weather for camping or staying in the guesthouse

  • A slower, meaningful pace of life that allows guests to reconnect with nature and themselves

For travelers looking to detox from the city, recharge creatively, or immerse themselves in sustainable living, there’s no better time to visit.

Final Thoughts

At Ecocostel, every plant is part of a story — a story of resilience, respect for nature, and a belief in living in harmony with the Earth. June and October are the chapters where this story shines the brightest. If you’ve ever wanted to eat a sun-warmed berry, sip on wild herb tea, or simply sit in a garden full of bees, butterflies, and birds — this is your invitation.

Whether you come for the fruitful summer or the bountiful fall, your stay at Ecocostel will feed more than just your stomach. It will nourish your soul.


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