3RD NOVEMBER
2014 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL
The ‘Second Spring’, and an autumn of ‘Mellow Fruitfulness’ did not
last long in Central Portugal. Five days
of glorious sunshine, clear blue skies and temperatures in the high ‘twenties’
has suddenly given away to heavy blustery rain from the South West and the
thermometer struggling to get above 10 degrees. Cold nights, well below 10
degrees have put an end to any lingering growth in the flower garden (apart from
Heartsease and Pansies, which are both just relishing the winter conditions). Summer
vegetables not fairing any better (but it is November). The Chilli plants look
sad (anything under fifteen degrees and the leaves start to fall) and the Fig
trees and Catalpa (Indian bean trees) have all but lost their leaves. So the
‘Doom and Gloom’ of early November will last for another few days before the
fresh air and blue skies of the real Autumn commence - looking forwards to
Christmas Day drinks on the terrace in the mild mid- day sunshine under a clear
blue canopy.
Hear reports from the
‘North’ that they expect the ‘Coldest Winter’ in two hundred years, that North
America is already experiencing a super ‘Cold Plunge’ of freezing Arctic air
with heavy snow in the Mid Western States, that the North Atlantic sea ice is
further south than usual and Siberia is very cold as usual (no change their
then). Maybe ‘El Nino’ is growing up and moving south just to upset the ‘Global
Warning’ gurus.
So what to do on an
unexpectedly cold wet day! Collected all the geraniums from their summer
positions, cut back this year’s growth by two thirds, topped up the pots for
winter with a fifty/fifty mix of compost and sand, placed in a cool, light and
frost free covered ‘spot’(second floor of open fronted barn) and sorted out the
trimmings into large quantity of ‘plantable’ cuttings. (Always plant cuttings
around the rim of plastic plant pots,
150mm dia. for best results. Water and
leave to ruminate and grow roots during the winter months). Do the same for
Fuchsias, Hydrangeas, Lavenders and Euphorbias. Plant ‘Whip’ cuttings from flowering trees,
shrubs and fruit trees directly into the now wet ground.
Best method is to take
a spade and push into ground to depth of the blade, while in the ground pull
handle forward leaving a space behind the blade, insert the 350mm long prepared
cuttings into the bottom of this void, remove the spade and ‘heel’ in the
cuttings. Leave undisturbed until next
April. Plant three cuttings for every single plant required this will ensure
when two out of three prosper that a surfeit of plants will be available next
year (the swopping potential, next spring, with fellow Gardeners will increase
the varieties in home garden without cost).
Have you planted your
Cabbages, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Turnips, Winter Radishes,
Celeriac, Lettuce and Winter Greens? If
not, it is getting late and remember to plant Broad (Butter) Bean seeds by the
15th November or your plants will mature in late March ready for the
early ‘Black Fly’.(Plant now and pick in late February early March before this
pest gets going).
Talking of ‘Getting
Going’ there goes the Head Gardeners bell, must dash.
See you soon.
Stuart
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