I remember on the farm of my parents winter was the time to finally build in some more rest and go inwards. Although that is true to some extent here, winter mostly represents potential for creating life in the landscape for me. In this small timeframe when it rains we have the opportunity to put trees and plants in the soil that will make their first development to root into their new environment while the rain is infiltrating in the soil around them.
I want to share one of the recipes for regenerating degraded soils that I am experimenting with in between bigger projects of implementing biodiverse, regenerative systems.

Some ingredients that I had available:
Vetiver grass: This plant is simply amazing for regenerating purposes. It has many benefits, but I will name just a few: it creates a deep root structures (potentially up to 3-4m) that will stabilize the soil (erosion control), hold water, bring nutrients up from deeper layers of the soil while sequestrating CO2.
Prickly pear: This cactus (ficus indica/ opuntia) roots easily in poor (dry) soils, holds water in the landscape (it's basically water in solid form), produces great fruits and potent leaves (also to be used as rich mulch) and can potentially serve as a placenta for other plants.
Ice plant: Although this is a foreign specie from South Africa that is considered invasive by a lot of people, it can serve a great deal of functions for land regeneration. Like the cactus, it holds a lot of water, can serve as a ground cover to protect the soil, their root structures builds soil and makes it looser for plants that will come later in the cycli of natural succession.
White mulberry: This is a very well adapted plant that grows easily from cutting (cut off a healthy twig and stick it in the ground). It is drought and wind tolerant and produces leaves that can feed the farm animals, as well as white edible fruits.
Tagasaste: This is a very sturdy woody shrub that can grow in very poor soils. It roots easily from cutting, is drought tolerant, fixes nitrogen and produces leaves that farm animals love and flowers for the bees. Their root systems reach deeply and make nutrients available in upper layers of the soil. Thank you @Quinta vala da lama for the cuttings of the White mulberry and tagasaste.
Ficus Carica: When fig trees loose their leaves and go into dormancy, but before the frost kicks in, it's a good time to take cuttings from the fig tree. Some of them I put in pots during the winter season, some of them I try to put straight into the ground and protect from frost with cardboard. The ficus carica grows well from cutting, is drought resistant creates shade and produces great fruits.
Seeds of native trees: To create more potential for life I mixed in seeds that I harvested earlier this year of various oak species, pistacia lentiscus, medronheiro, carobe tree and some more.

Earlier in the week I dug small swales on contour on a slope, filled it with biomass and some biochar, measured the distances where to plant, and then the planting party could start. On top of the swale the more drought tolerant species and on the inside of the swale the plants that will be fed by the water collected by the swale. I will cover it with cardboard and biomass as mulch and protection against cold.
I mixed in the ingredients described above in other areas as well. Later when more plants will be delivered I will add some more diversity and stratification.

Curious to hear who has experience with these plants or tips to share with the world. Sharing experiences and knowledge is vital and can make a big difference.

Happy planting!