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.