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.
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