AUTUMN ACTION FOR SPRING RESULTS

27^TH OCTOBER - CENTRAL PORTUGAL

The morning mists, the gloriously sunny days and late afternoons of mellow fruitfulness have arrived. The glories of the long autumn are evident in every quarter of the garden and country side. Amazing how quickly the nights draw in as soon as the clock changes; one hour back may not affect the growing cycle of the plants but it has an amazing effect on the Gardeners’ habits.

Plants, bushes and trees nurtured into exceptional growth since early spring suddenly become the target of the pruning saw and secateurs and must be cut back severely to ensure their continuity next year. The perfect horticultural specimen can easily become the garden ‘Thug’ when allowed to grow beyond acceptable bounds. 

Started the cut back with the lavender bushes.  The large native Portuguese lavender, used for hedges up to a metre tall, has already been trimmed and topiaried into tidy form.  (The cuttings have been planted around the trees in the orchard as the lavender aroma seems to reduce the number of pernicious insects during the fruiting season). 

Lavender cuttings around the base of a peach tree

Fruit trees have had much of this year’s excess growth cutaway, leaving the outward facing fruiting spurs in place for next year’s crop (always remove any branches in the centre of the tree together with any new shoots that face inwards.  This allows the air to circulate around through the branches, reducing disease and promoting blossom fertilisation). A handful of pellets of  proprietary fertiliser scattered around the base of each tree, one metre from the trunk, will promote excellent new growth in the spring having been washed in by the winter rains.

A well-pruned peach tree

 Fig trees should be severely cut back in the next few weeks to maximise the next crop. Cut back dramatically the Olive trees as soon as the fruit is picked (Olives are a bit like ‘Hens teeth’ in this garden in Portugal this year). Burn all the cuttings taken to prevent any spread of disease. Don’t cut back grape vines now as they will ‘bleed’, wait until the end of next February.

Good time to take cuttings from roses, flowering shrubs and vines, fuchsias and geraniums. (Should really have done this earlier in the month for best results but should still ‘strike’ if kept in warm sun during the day). Remove the new side growth on Yuccas and plant directly into the ground.  Winter rain will ensure their growth - no watering needed.

Cuttings have been taken from this favourite fuchsia

Still picking chillis?  Decide now which plants you want to over winter for early crop next year; if in tubs put in sheltered place; if in ground lift and ‘pot-up and keep compost damp, but reduce watering as the night temperatures fall. (Never water if there is any chance of temperature falling below 10C.)  Sweet Peppers are best grown from seed each year, so save some seed from the best cropping plants and put the others on the compost heap when the last peppers have been picked. As the Chilli Plant is most promiscuous and will easily cross with a neighbouring chilli of a different variety, keep some of the seed from any chillis in close proximity with other varieties and see if your breeding programme produces the ultimate HOT chilli (in excess of 1 million on the ‘Scoville’ scale next year)!

Plenty of piri piris in the freezer now - still looking pretty!

Winter Pansies and ‘Heartsease’ (small Violas) planted last week now growing well and producing new flower buds, should flower all winter whatever the weather and chill factor, with abundant colourful blooms.  Remember to feed every fortnight and never over water.

Pretty little Heartsease ready to give continuous show all through winter into spring

 Orchids (Cymbidiums) are now inside after their summer vacation on the terrace in the dappled sunshine under the Tangerine trees.  Should see the first flowering shoots early December for Christmas and New Year flowers. Hydrangea cuttings taken now and brought inside will bloom by February.

Garden still full of lovely flowers

Suns starting to set and the temperature has already lost 10C from mid day- been listening for the Head Gardeners bell for last half hour, must be my turn to make the tea,

must dash,

 see you soon.

Stuart.