PLANTING TIME

30th APRIL 2014 CENTRAL PORTUGAL 

 (pictures will follow later)

Planting out time has finally arrived. Runner beans are first off the starting grid. The green leafed plants with red flowers produce green beans and the dark green leaved variety produce pink flowers that produce purple beans that go green when cooked;  then there is ‘Cherokee’, red and beige speckled beans that go ‘Magnolia’ when cooked - major image ‘problem’ with climbing beans, hence the term ’Has Bean’(no not an obscure German variety simply a state of mind). However all planted and being irrigated by a new piping system using recycled ‘grey’ water from the shower (so they will all possibly have a splendid ‘Gardenia’ flavour - the current favourite in the shower gel stakes)

Runner and climbing beans, three varieties

Cucumbers are well away, planted in the edges of the large tubs containing long term plantings such as Clematis Armandii .  Small Lemon and Lime trees and the terrace Holly Trees, all supply excellent support for the Cucumber Vines and the water and feeding, needed for the cucumbers, through the summer keep the small trees in excellent fruiting condition.

Courgettes are ‘planted’;  only seven varieties this year and a maximum of two plants per variety. (Had the hard word from ‘Her In-doors’ as the 2010 vintage still filling one of the freezers) and tomato plants are about to enjoy the freedom of a large, damp and fertile growing lagoon .  (Scoop a shallow hole in ground, 2metres wide, 600mm deep and as long as you like, line with thick black ‘poly’ sheet and fill with your preferred mix of soil, compost, manure then water until moist.  Keep in this damp condition all the growing season and use only 20% of the water required to keep unlined plot operational during the long hot summer).

newly planted courgettes

Majority of Pepper and Chilli seedlings are being planted in these ‘lagoons’. However,  a few will be placed in large pots (400mm dia., 400mm deep) to lengthen the growing and fruiting season through to ‘Christmas’. A few of last year’s Chilli plants were cut back at the end of the growing season last December and were over-wintered in the ground. The ‘Scotch Bonnets’ and ‘Jenks Yellow’ varieties have been putting on re-growth  since late March and are now well ahead of the current seedling plants.  (Rumour has it that the Chilli’s are always ‘Hotter’ in the second year of cultivation - proof will be in the eating!

Last year's chilli plants taking off again

The Roses are in full bloom and as always are ‘amazing’. The terrace is redolent with the soporific scents of Orange Blossom and Jasmine, the Canna Lilies are competing with Nasturtiums to vie for the most striking red, orange and burgundy hues.

lots of cheerful nasturtiums

 The climbing ‘Solanums’, in white and deep purple, are continuing their rampant progress on any wall or tree that enjoys a sunny aspect  ( The white variety has already climbed a 7metres high terrace wall) and the complex bloom of the ‘Passion Flower’ is about to burst forth wherever it likes.  (This plant is a gardening ‘Thug’ when rampant).

Rampant white Solanum

Have to get some ‘feed’ on the Aubergines, Climbing Beans and Raspberries( if the Head Gardener is going to be satisfied with the ‘crop’ this season ) before the ‘Bell’ goes, 

must dash, see you soon.

Stuart.   

VICTORY OVER SLUGS AND SNAILS - SUNSHINE AND EASTER BLOOMS

 17th April, Central Portugal

After the false dawn of sunshine at the start of April .five days of cold wet weather put everything on hold again. except the garden weeds. However back to sunshine in the last few days and temperature rising into the high ‘twenties’ by noon. and staying above fifteen degrees at night, just perfect for the Gardener’s favourite - ‘SLUGS’. Much consideration has been given over many years to the reason for their creation. Their ‘Apologists’ say they keep down the ‘odd’ pest but they must be awarded the ‘Gold Medal’ and ‘Laurel  Garland’(leaves of which have been already much eaten by the Laureate subject of the presentation) for their unwavering destruction of all new shoots and tender plants.

So - how to fight back against this insidious ‘Predator’?. Slug traps range from ‘up-turned’ plant pots on the end of sticks, plastic bottles with ‘sugar-water’ laid on their side with the cap off, saucers full of beer(dark beer in Western Europe, where available, the slug cannot see it is about to drown at night, when it climbs over the lip of the saucer), hunting at night with torches and squashing culprit, when detained, under foot(very therapeutic when most of the spring seedlings have been reduced to stalks). But the best,and most lasting solution is ‘Chemical Warfare’. Buy ‘Slug Pellets’(small and blue balls of ‘slug’ destruction), sprinkle liberally around your plants and watch your ‘Nemesis’ dissolve over night. ‘Mission Accomplished’. Repeat weekly (Slugs breed and grow at an alarming rate) to ensure success.(by the way the same ‘Pellets’ create a terminal environment for unwanted ‘Snails’)

Well that has got rid of the ‘Death and Destruction’ for the early season, now let’s look at the ‘Good bits’. Wisteria has been fantastic this year and is now followed by the amazing ‘White Jasmine’, the perfume is almost overwhelming in its heavy intensity. 

Jasmine, pity I can't attach the scent!

Roses of all varieties are now in bloom (keeping tidy and watering for next eight months to have a ‘Rose Bowl’ full of blooms on the table for ‘Christmas’). 

First Big Rose of Summer

 Bearded Iris are at their peak just now, the ‘port brown’, ‘yellow’ and ‘purple’ flowers contrast wonderfully well with the pure white display of ‘Easter Lilies’ with their ‘Cornucopic’ flowers and lustrous large vibrant green leaves.

Bearded Iris, Easter Lilies in the background

The prospect of a ‘heavy’ crop of  fruit from the Plum, Peach, Nectarine, Cherry, Pear and Apple trees is still very promising (Barring a sudden ‘Hail Storm’ or very heavy ‘Thundery Shower’).  The Orange blossom has turned the trees from dark green to ‘Magnolia’ white and the perfume is redolent of ‘Romance’.

Another lovely scent - prolific orange blossom

Cucumbers, Peppers, Chilli, Courgettes and Climbing Beans are all competing for accolades in the ‘Garden Olympics of 2014. Looks like the ‘Weather’ is set fair for the next few weeks so, with good supply of water from the winter and the hours of sunshine to come it, could be a bumper year for ‘Gardeners’ in Portugal.

Following the ‘Pruning’ of the grape vines last month my Multi-Talented neighbour has been seen feeding the vines and spraying the ground between the rows with some wonderful concoction which removes the lush green grass and weeds that are encouraged by the ‘Feeding’ and general care of the committed ‘Viniculturist’.  So maybe a ‘vintage’ year for the ‘Water of Life’, so strenuously coaxed from the earth.

Very hot day for ‘strimming’, so listening intently for the Head Gardener’s Bell - there it goes, ready for a cool drink and a 'Sit’ on the terrace surrounded by the ‘Heavenly’ smells of a spring garden, must dash slowly - 

see you soon.

Stuart.