NOT QUITE AUTUMN

27^th AUGUST – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Well the season of ‘Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness’ certainly seems to have arrived in Portugal.  The cool morning mist, never seems to clear now before 10 O’clock, keeps the garden well dampened before the heat of the midday sun so everything still soldiers on. The cool nights, down to 10 degrees, have stunted the growth of most plants.  Now is a very good time to take the proliferation of ‘cuttings’ required for next year. (It really is awful to be thinking of next year at the end of August, but when weather patterns persist in being out kilter with the norm ‘needs must when the Devil drives’.)

Picked 50 kilos of apples, 30 kilos of pears yesterday, all peeled, cut-up, stewed and frozen already -  roll on ‘winter Puddings’. (Just love ‘Greek Yoghurt with pureed apples’ some much better for Diabetics than the usual ‘Honey’ accompaniment). So many apples this year, the Multi Talented Neighbour already distilling the fermented ‘mash’ into ‘High Octane’ spirit , which, when married with the extensive Lemon crop produces the most splendid ‘Limoncello’ for Christmas. 

The Head Gardner has also got into the Winter Spirit and covered Purple Plums with sugar and Gin, in a closed jar, to produce a delectable liqueur for the Festive Season.

Gin flavoured with these plums from last blog!

Enjoyed the last of the Sweet Corn last evening - best flavour and crop for many years (planted 40 ‘Sweety’ seeds and got 40 plants and 40 ‘Cobs’ all in 60 days). The ‘16^th June planting’ of Tomato seeds now full of ripening trusses of fruit, ‘Roma’, ‘Red Alert’ and ‘Tigerella’. They are all performing well, should be picking ripe fruit in next week (so no need to be planting Tomato seed in February and having the bother of keeping the tender seedlings warm and damp in the currently ‘awful’ Portuguese spring months.  Just plant in the sun and letter nature take its course).

Chilli plants now on the turn with the early fruiting varieties starting to turn red and hot. ‘Wenk’s Yellow Peruvian strain’ now bright red to orange ( strange thing is the fruits are both elongated, about 4cm., and round, 1cm.), ‘Palivec’ are on the turn from green to red, ‘Hungarian Wax’ bright yellow and profuse as always, ‘Piri Piri’ in excessive form this year, still green but growing larger by the day, the ‘Serrano’, ‘Tabasco’, ‘Cherry Bomb’, ‘Paper Lantern’, ‘Cayenne’, ‘Jalapeno’, ‘Bartlett’s Bonnets’ with ‘Lipstick’ and ‘California Wonder’  sweet peppers are all producing fruit in sufficient quantity for here and the ‘Third World’.

Cosmos and Impatiens are suddenly majestic,

Another view worth seeing of pretty Cosmos

Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) - grown from seed this season

 Roses starting their late summer bloom

Roses still giving their all

. Plumbago and Solanum 

Soft blue Plumbago climbing through a peach tree

White solanum - flowers endlessly

 climbing to the stars and in full bloom, Passion Fruit flowering, fruiting and growing in garden ‘Thug’ mode ( avoid planting the non-edible Passion Fruit -  flowers lovely, fruit poisonous(contains cyanide) and grows runners twelve months of the year, eradication after second year almost impossible).

Must go and plant the runners from the Strawberry plants (grew them in tubs this year with reasonable success) then feed old plants and keep in the sun for ‘Christmas’ fruit.  (Note from Head Gardener – hopefully!)

That sounds like the Head Gardener back from the morning ‘Promenade’,

 must dash, see you soon.

Stuart.

Note from Head Gardener - Lovely clematis "The President" is shyly flowering in a shady corner behind a lemon tree.

FORECAST SET FAIR

15^th AUGUST – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Sun’s back!!!!   Mid ‘thirties’ the last few days and set fair for another couple of weeks (or so say four out of the five ‘Forecasters’ consulted.) Have to admit the US based service is most accurate, the Norwegian, most pessimistic (but then you would expect that), ‘Accu. Weather’ based in Monte Carlo, the most optimistic (using such terms as ‘Lovely day’ and ‘pleasant light airs’ and ‘Weather Bug’ always cloudy with occasional drizzle ( wonder where they’re based?). Living on top of a hill thirty Kilometres from the ‘Atlantic’, the most accurate forecast is the view early in the morning from the bathroom window. South Westerlies- Cloud and Rain (Summer or Winter); North Easterly - Blue Sky, Sunshine and cool breeze (All Year); Westerlies - Cloudy or Mist and Heavy Rain; Easterlies - windy (Cold in Winter, Warm in Summer); South Easterlies - HOT.

Roses keep on going!

Final demise of the climbing beans this week, a  poor crop this year (Head Gardener says ‘Must do better’), due mainly to cool nights in May and June together with general lack of early pollinating insects (must be due to ‘World Cooling’?). Bean bed replanted with second crop Cucumbers (seeded in mid-July and doing well) and lots of Lettuce (Red, Green and Brown) for September salads with the Tomatoes, seeded on the 16^th June and already at the ‘Fifth’ truss.

Second planting of climbing beans, and various lettuces

Sweet Corn are sensational. The flavour of this ‘60 day’ variety from California is as good as it gets - straight off the plant, boiled and eaten with ’salty’ butter, it really the ‘Best’. While praising the US Seeds-men, must  say that the ‘California Wonder’ Peppers are way ahead of others tried over the years. They are bountiful in crop and crisp to eat, (just as a Pepper should be)

First Chilli consumed was ‘Wenks Yellow’ (but orange when ripe) medium hot when yellow, hot when ripened to orange; and ‘Hungarian Wax’ which is best when young and ‘banana’ yellow. ‘Piri Piri’ (Birds Eye Chilli) are amazing in their quantities on each stem (up to twenty chilli on each so every plant will probably produce two hundred ripe fruits) with ten plants in cultivation we can look forward to a ‘very hot’ winter at the kitchen table. ‘Palivec’ and ‘Cherry Bomb’ are also trying hard to make a name for themselves this year. (We will see the results in October of all the vying participants.)

Big handful of piri piri chillies

The ‘Perpetual’ Lemon tree is doing its bit continually to surprise. Grown in a tub and only three years old it has Lemons in various stages of growth, plus an amazing display of flowers, with equal ‘Portuguese sunshine’ and ‘Tonic Water’, ‘Gin O’clock’ should continue throughout the coming months without supply interruption.

Lemon blossom keeping the bees busy - smells wonderful too

 Picked the last ‘Plums’ yesterday. They are still a little hard but a glorious rich deep purple and very sweet.  To get the balance between ripening to perfection on the tree and being the ‘central feeding station’ for Wasps, it’s best to ‘soften off’ in the controlled conditions of the Head Gardener’s Office.

Today's crop of lovely plums

‘Surfinia’ Petunias just had their second haircut of the season - always intrigued to see how they manage to re-grow and flower profusely within ten days of their ‘Trim’. (If left they tend to fade away after their first flower flush). Cosmos are now in full bloom (in pink, purple, magenta, white and mixed combination of aforesaid) and well over one metre tall (dead-head, water and feed in abundance).  They should then keep going until end of October then seed profusely. 

mixed Cosmos - so elegant

Cut back Dahlias now, feed well and wait for the September display, it never disappoints. Just keep feeding and watering the Fuchsias for a continuing display (must be one of the greediest plants in the garden - needs weekly feed, but never fails to reward the effort.  N.B. It’s a good time for cuttings, early rooted plants survive the winter and start to flower in  April.

   

Can't resist - more roses

Dry spell and fierce sunshine have reduced the ‘weed’ strimming efforts in the orchard. Head Gardener now frustrated as the signs of perspiration are less evident at coffee time, expect it will be ‘window cleaning’ and ‘wall painting’ instructions to keep the pores open on those ‘expected’ brilliantly sunny days to come. Must dash and find somewhere hide in the shade,

see you soon.

Stuart.

WEIRD WEATHER EFFECTS THIS SUMMER

10^th AUGUST 2014 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Grey Skies, high humidity, no sunshine, yes you’ve guessed its August 2014 in Portugal. Newspapers announced yesterday (so it must correct) that July here has been the wettest ‘July’ on record. The friendly ‘Tomato Blight’ is back with a vengeance. The Vine ‘Cultivators’ seem to have given up and abandoned the ’14 vintage already to the vaults of Viniculture History. So great ‘doom and gloom’ prevails? Well - not really. The warm damp nights have encouraged massive growth on the ‘Pepper’ plants and ‘Chillis’  are having to be supported with sticks as the crop is so heavy. With the demise of the tomatoes it’s obviously going to be a ‘Curry’ and ‘Taco’ eating programme this winter.

The local ‘mantra’ of ‘Pick everything in July’ and ‘Go away in August’ is being adhered to with great enthusiasm this season. However, the unexpected rain in July, together with cloudy skies in August, has produced an unusual effect on the local vegetable gardens.  Everything is still very green (except the tomatoes plants which are brown with ‘Blight). The bright orange patches of colour from the ‘bean flowers’ and the majestic heads of ‘bolted’ lettuces in their varying purples, magenta and ‘Spring’ yellow, add a truly ‘expressionist’ look to the countryside.

The many ‘Tree Huggers’ and ‘Rope-Sandaled -Environmentalists’ insist that it is all due to that wonderful ‘fall back’ position of most Governments and ‘Doom Merchants’, Global warming???? Does it really happen - or is it just the increased ‘Methane’ production from the millions of extra Cows whose milk is required to pander to the vanity of the emerging world in putting ‘cream’ in their tea?

  

With the exceptional way that ‘Nature’ always seems to balance it’s ‘Terrestrial Weather’ schedule (think ‘drought’ in the west equals ‘Tsunami’ in the east) Christmas in Portugal should enjoy the usual ‘Blue Sky’, and ‘Glorious Sunshine’, with a midday temperature around 20C. (So don’t give much chance of ‘clement’ conditions in Scotland over the ‘Festive’ season if they vote ‘yes’ next month). PS The Arctic sea ice only melts every few years because it becomes dirty from the increased ‘Foot Flow’ of so many people ‘Trudging’ to the mythical ‘North Pole’(Not a place designed for ‘humans’ only Polar Bears) a good ‘Melt’ and subsequent ‘Re-freeze’ simply renews to pristine white conditions. As always, ‘Nature’ will always find a way to restore the ‘Balance’

So what is the expected result of all this in the garden? The long warm Autumn ( possibly well into early January) will keep most of the flowers going strong. Fuchsias and Roses will need lots of ‘feed’ to remain full of blossom. Another ‘sowing’ of Courgettes may work to produce ‘December’ squashes ( as opposed to ‘Winter Squashes’ which will now fruit until next April). The very ‘mild’ winter will allow many ‘annual’ plants to survive and become ‘Hardy’ Annuals, (particularly many of the Chilli varieties). Plant the ‘runners’ from your strawberry plants and you just might have ‘home grown’ strawberries on New Year’s day! Just think of the flavour of ‘New’ potatoes with the same meal. Simply plant a few ‘tubers’ in a tube now and they will be ready as required. (Of course there will be masses of lettuce for the ‘Prawn Cocktail).

Would you believe it!!! There’s a chink of sunshine forcing its way through the ‘High Pressure Grey’ mantle. Must dash before the Head Gardener realises the time wasted by idle ruminations on dull days. 

See you soon,

Stuart

SUMMER SUN AND HIDDEN PLEASURES

2nd  AUGUST – CENTRAL PORTUGAL.

DRIZZLE on the 2^nd August -  has the weather gone mad in Portugal? Or is it just a reflection of the current national problem?  Last week the Portugal News reported that 80% of the population are ‘dissatisfied’ with their lives.  Must plant more Sunflowers, as they always seem to improve the national spirit wherever they are grown.

The  chillis Wenk’s Yellow (or are they?) have now started to turn orange and the round fruits (two different shapes on same plant) are now bright red.  Could this be a new variety?  Chilli plants are remarkably promiscuous -  must be something to do with their heat.  Maybe  it’s a cross with Cayenne or Tabasco as they grew side by side in the last two years. Will save seed and see what happens next year (will have to think of a name - possibly ‘Stuart’s Peach’ just to further confuse the issue. Perhaps the seeds will be worth 1euro each on the world ‘Chilli’ market?)

Wenk's Yellow, turning orange

The ‘Californian Wonder’ Peppers really are true to their name;  must be due to the perfect ‘West Coast’ breeding  ( like their children - full of orange juice and sunshine). Up to twenty peppers on each plant already and still flowering vigorously.  Big debate is should they be picked green or allowed to go red?

Lovely big green pepper

Tomatoes are all starting to turn from basic green to every hue, from ‘Black Ukrainian’ through ‘Yellow Cherry Bell’, striped ‘Tigerella’, grey pink’ Garten Pearl’ to flame red ‘Gardener’s Delight’ (no, not named after Head Gardener), fire engine coloured ‘Red Alert’ to vermillion ‘Principe di Borghese’.  As always nature is truly wonderful to behold.

Lots of lovely tomatoes - many varieties

The Winter squashes are performing very well.   Just picked two ‘Galeux d’Eysines’ (very old French variety, bit like the ‘Tricoteuses’, covered in warts) It makes very good soup.  This pair weighed in at just over 5kilos each and not over ‘warty’.  The green ‘Burgess Squash’ are still maturing but also profuse. Here’s to a ‘windy’ winter then.

Our first two Galeux d'Eysines squashes

‘Cosmos’ is now 1m high and about to burst into glorious flower, ‘Petunias’ doing well after their summer ‘haircut’, 

Just one Surfinia Petunia in this pot

‘Fuchsias’ still full of decadent bloom, 

‘Dahlias’ reaching for heaven (up to 2m high with dozens of flowers), Roses are simply enjoying their second  ‘Wind’ and as usual perfection amongst the other flowers, 

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‘Datura’ massively profuse but still think it looks ‘Alien’,

 Geraniums are majestic and quite ‘imperious’,

 

Window box of geraniums beside basil - very convenient for the kitchen!

 ‘Plumbago’ a sea of blue

 

Good companions - soft blue plumbago with deep red roses

 and ‘Solanum’ rampant in white and rich purple. Yes the garden is looking good for August (never complain too much about the weather, a little rain and few dull days allows the ‘Showy’ plants to regroup and triumph).

White Solanum doing its "thing"

Grapes going to be poor this year, too much rain at the wrong time and good solid ‘dose’ of ‘Blight’ have seen to that, never mind still plenty wine left from the ‘good’ years so expect multitude of  ‘bad heads’ at the ‘Vinhos e Castanhas’ (Wine and Chestnuts) festival in October.

Must go and turn the Pumpkins ( gardening may be solitary exercise but there are  certain hidden pleasures not spoken about in polite company!) before the Head Gardener gets excited and starts ringing  the ‘Bell’ again.

See you soon.

Stuart

Note from Head Gardener - see, I promised you flowers this time!