SUMMER IS ON THE TURN

3^RD SEPTEMBER 2014 CENTRAL PORTUGAL

The latent heat of Autumn (summer officially finished on the 31^st August according to the UK Meteorological Institutions), suffuses the days and nights of Central Portugal. Now is the time it becomes apparent why the Ex-Patriot Community really lives here. Long hot days and warm nights will continue to be enjoyed for the next few months whilst the North of Europe goes into hibernation.

The ’Corns’ of the local Portuguese ‘Sages’ assure that the fine weather will continue for at least another two months and most probably until Christmas with little rain or cold until mid January.  As the Grapes and Olives would seem to be very poor this year they expect a Drought next year with a poor Potato crop.  This is the reason they all look so ‘Happy’ with their lot. OR is it as one younger ex- resident commented, as he got into his car to return with his young family to Luxembourg, that he, and most of his friends, now enjoy the ever more ‘fruitful’ but non agricultural ‘life style’ in the north.

However, in this arena of ‘Doom and Gloom’, the Chillis are amazing (ten varieties all maturing well), 

short ones

Long ones

round ones

fat ones

 

Piri piri

Tomatoes, seeded on the 16^th June (after the ‘Blight’ had infected the initial planting) are now being picked and eaten (can’t do that in the damp wet summers of the north).

 

seeded 16th June

 All colours of Sweet Peppers are sumptuous. Finally picked the Dark Purple Plums (they always seem to enjoy the long hot summer whilst the other colours were ‘off’ the tree starting in early June until mid July). Good year for Apples - picked a 100 kg for the freezer and now suffer from ‘Peelers Thumb’.

As the tomato tubs are being emptied of plants the opportunity for refilling with cuttings is too good to miss. Buddleia (yes, I know it is out of fashion, so what!!!, it still gives a great show and camouflages quickly those less esoteric corners of your garden). Lavender - just stick the odd hundred cuttings into a couple of tubs and by next spring at least 50% will be rooted and ready for planting into low hedges around the ‘rough’ bits.  Roses - catch them just after the bloom has faded, take a cutting 250mm long and plant at least 200mm in ground, water and leave until next March (again at least half will grow).

 For those with a ‘Biblical’ tendency, this is a good time to take Fig Tree cuttings. Like roses, take a decent length of ‘Whip’ from the existing tree, plant deep, water and wait. Twenty cuttings will give you a ‘Fig Forest’ in five years with masses of shade to sit under and contemplate the world, just as described in the ‘Old Testament’.

Petunias that look sad need a second ‘Haircut’ and ‘Feeding’ if you want to enjoy their mass of colour into October. Do the same with Impatiens, Fuchsias and Cosmos for a good show in the ‘Second Spring;’ of Portugal.  

 

Impatiens (Busy Lizzie)

pretty Cosmos

Ballerina Fuchsia

Feed your Lemon, Orange and Grapefruit trees while the ground is dry. The morning dew has an amazing effect on the ‘Slow’ release of the nutrients which will ensure a heavy crop this winter. Good time now to start burying all the garden rubbish (all the greenery left from annual crops after harvest). Having a terrace garden, the rule that  ‘all foliage that grows on the terrace stays on the terrace’  ensures that the soil improves each year with the ‘plant fibre’ and the imported ‘organic manure (estrume)’. (It’s also much easier on the aching back). Dig a hole around 200mm deep (follow the ‘Bob Flowerdew’ method of relief, see BBC Gardeners World prior to censorship and P.C. for details), introduce the odd torn up cardboard box or newspaper, damp down and in fill with dug out soil. Plant next year’s Beans on this site for excellent results.

Must get back to the ‘Apple Peeling’, managing to do it left handed now, less painful but very slow.  

 (Note from Head Gardener – he didn’t peel ALL the apples by himself!)

Apple basket empty - just right  for a cat!

See you soon,

Stuart.