AUTUMN TASKS IN THE PORTUGUESE GARDEN

 Autumn Tasks in the Portuguese Garden

After first eight days of the Portuguese Monsoon Season, 380mm of rain so far, and gentle wind from the south west at a constant 22degrees C., the weeds and grass in the orchard are beating all previous growing records, “Strimmer” time looms again if it’s not to be waist deep by Christmas. The wells got water again just when it has little use, yet another burden for the weary gardener’s shoulders, but very wet ground rules out ‘digging’ so some relief.

The Peppers and  Chillis are still enjoying a strong spell of  production -  seems the ’HOT’ chillis got mixed up during planting earlier in the year so careful ‘nibbling’ required to ascertain their position on the ‘Scoville’ chilli heat scale.  Currently three varieties in the pleasant to moderate category with two in the ‘AARGH’ level, but the colours are spectacular. Still awaiting the tasting of the purple ’Cardinals Hat’ variety, grown from Portuguese produced seed by a ‘Mrs.Bartlett’, which is claimed to have a ‘Scoville’ rating of 650,000.  Piri Piri is 150,000  so she has a remarkable sense of humour or must come from Gois

Basket full of a variety of peppers

 The early cuttings of geraniums, fuchsias, hydrangeas and roses all seem to have taken.  The recent rain has made further ‘Snipping and Sticking in’ even more viable.  Remember this is the time of year when you visit your friends’ gardens equipped with’ Secateurs and a Plastic bag’ to gather ‘plunder’ cuttings, much cheaper than the garden centre.

Fuschsia full of prospective cuttings

Daffodils need planting in tubs now if you want an early show, tubs are better than direct into the ground as this avoids feeding the mice throughout the winter months on expensive ‘Dutch’ treats. Make sure your compost has lots of sand and ‘Vermiculite’ for drainage as the bulbs will drown in the heavy rain.

Pinch out the middle of the Coleus you planted in late August for a good Christmas show. Bring in the ‘Over-summered in the garden’ Cymbidium Orchid plants. To encourage the flower spikes place plants in good light and keep moist but not damp. If you have a ‘Begonia Rex’ - that’s the Begonia with

dark red, pink and grey leaves and’ awful’ flowers -  cut a good leaf and ‘pin out’ on good compost in a tray or plant pot, cut the leaf veins,water and  you will have a pot full of new plants by next January.

Remember everything needs feeding NOW

Latest on the Angels' Trumpets - just look at it now!

Even more flowers out since this was taken last week

The sun's come out and the sky is suddenly blue, Ah! The pleasure of being a gardener in Portugal.

Must dash, bet there’s lot to do after the rain,

See you soon.

                       Stuart