WILDLIFE IN MY GARDEN THIS WEEK - JULY 2013

It's been very hot this month but cooling down a little now.  Still some of the flowers seem to have made it through the worst and are attracting insects.

The bees love the sunflowers, then the birds will follow to grab the seeds.

Thrilled to find a few humming bird hawk moths among the buddleias - you may have to look carefully for him.  Quite a number of them this year.  

I don't know the proper name of this swallow tail type butterfly but there are lots about.  Must plant more buddleias!

And the crickets are chirruping and the birds are singing and summer is a wonderful time to relax and enjoy everything around us.

Must dash out to catch the view!

Our lovely Angels' Trumpets - July 2013

Just love these beautiful elegant flowers of the Datura - aka Angels' Trumpets

 No words needed - they speak for themselves

Flowers in the Hot Sunshine of July

Hot sunshine of July arrives

 There was little doubt the sun would eventually arrive, must have been saving up as it burst on the stage in the high ‘Thirties’ centigrade. The heat saw the roses off in a couple of days after four weeks of perfection and wonderful aromas. Have cheated a little by keeping half a dozen roses growing in pots, which with feed, water and shade should pay their way for the rest of the summer.

 

Red rose in pot behind cascades of fuchsias, geraniums, Busy Lizzies,and a Hydrangea

all in shade

With the high temperature and humidity up in the 90 per cents, now is the time the  numerous Brazilian plants common in Portugal really get going, from ultra vivid coloured forest floor Impatiens, Cockspur Devil Dart bushes(Erythrina) in crimson, to twenty feet high flame orange trumpet vines (campsis). These S.American imports just thrive on heat, humidity, feed and water.

Coral vine (erythrina)  in flower

Campsis (this one is yellow) scrambling through a rambling rose

The flowers on the Indian Bean trees (Catalpa) have been quite amazing this year. We planted  five trees for summer shade on the ‘Veg’ terrace five years ago, the leaves are very large and parasol’ish, they're now twenty feet high and were  full of white and mauve sweet smelling flowers. The Catalpa is also very easy to weave into shady pergolas and does not object to being ‘flat top’ pollarded. This always astonishes your non gardening friends as it would seem you have an army of eighteenth century gardeners in your back pocket.

Lovely flowers of the Catalpa (Indian Bean tree)

The plants on the patio look a bit droopy - drinkies would seem appropriate.

Must dash, see you soon.

Stuart.

Early July

          

3^rd July 2013

Summertime and the gardening is easy. As the temperature goes above 36 degrees C (98F) best to get all the routine bits finished by breakfast then just sit and enjoy.

The much maligned Buddleia is now spectacular, Pink, Blue, Purple and white, flowering profusely on bushes 16 feet(5m) high. Masses of butterflies in every hue, attracted by the honey scented flower spikes, it’s just too easy to grow for the appreciation of the plant ‘aficionados’.

How many plants get pushed out of favour by the fabricated ‘taste’ of so many TV pundits employed by commercial nurseries to promote their latest creation.

The Dahlia gets an awful press these days, ‘Blousy’, ‘Showy’ and ‘Flash’ are terms frequently expounded by the ‘Cognoscenti’, put their comments aside and just enjoy everything the’genus’ has to offer from ‘Thumb’ sized ‘Pom Poms’ to ‘Cactus’ giant blooms emulating dinner plates’, in every imaginable colour. Just perfect in tubs or mixed ‘Island’ beds, teamed with ‘Pacific’ blue Delphiniums and 6 foot(2m) tall lime green Euphorbias. Quick, catch ‘Titch’ as he collapses at the ‘heresy’

Courgettes, Cucumbers and French beans are flowering and fruiting to excess. Aubergines and Tomatoes are doing the ‘business’. Just keep the magic formula of water, feed, heat and sun in constant supply.  Pick daily. Same formula ‘Gardeners’ need really.

That looks like a ‘Passion fruit’ vine flirting with a ‘Butter Nut’ squash vine, must be the heat.

Must dash, see you soon.

Stuart.

Roses and Fuchsias - June 2013

Is there anything better than the scent of a rose on a warm, still evening in your garden?

 

All good things come at a price.  Roses – like beautiful ladies – need ‘care’.  Frequent pruning, feeding, watering and spraying will bring out the best in them.  To prolong the flowering season from May to December, roses must be watered frequently during hot and dry periods, fed every week and beautified daily.

Grow bush roses in ‘tubs’, climbers up ‘obelisks’ (three pieces of stick) and let ramblers roam free. Prune bush and climbers as if they belong to your neighbour and you hate them.  Just lop 10 metres off your ramblers now and then.  Try ‘Lidl’ rose fertilizer or the blue granules from the local co-operativa –both cheap and very effective.

Fuchsias love the cool winters and warm summer of the Beiras.  Like roses, fuchsias must be pruned hard each year (unless you want a three metre plant), kept in dappled shade, fed weekly and watered daily in summer.  (Trailing plants in hanging baskets feed twice a week and water twice a day). Results are spectacular and you assume ‘professional status’ with your friends in the first year of cultivation.

Just noticed a lonely green fly climbing up a rose but – must dash, and deal with immediately-

Back soon

Stuart

First harvest - June 2013

Picking the first fruit of your labour in the garden marks the turning point of the year.  The pleasure is only surpassed by the seductive fragrance of jasmine, orange blossom and roses.  “Hurrah” late spring finally arrives in our hilltop valley.

Enjoyed the first cucumbers, with home grown radishes, lettuce and spring onions, last night.  Looks as if it will be mid-July before green peppers and tomatoes join the plate.  Growing the cucumbers ‘up sticks’, as climbers has increased crop and got rid of yellow patches due to soil contact.

 Selection of different Courgettes grown this year.

French Beans – low growing green and yellow ‘Minidor’ and ‘Violette’ and ‘Cherokee’ climbing beans are already full of flower, all great in salads and freeze well - remember to blanche – magic winter treats with roast potatoes.

Courgettes are going to be spectacular this year.  Have ten varieties planted in various colours and shapes – ‘8 Ball’ round green currently early leader with ‘Romanesco’ (green stripes) and Rugosa Friulana’ (yellow knobbly) in close pursuit.  For real flavour the yellow and white ‘Patti Pans’ take some beating when stuffed and roasted.  Only failure in the ‘Zucchini’ stakes this year seems to be the ‘giant’ pumpkin ‘Big Max’.  Leaves are bright yellow.

The sun just got over the lip of the valley – must dash – back soon

Stuart