15THNOVEMBER
2014
CENTRAL PORTUGAL
Thunder,
lightning soft hail and torrential rain, ( six days, 170mm of rain). Let’s
consider the benefits of a Water Garden! If the pond is big enough you get to
eat the fish - unless the locally friendly Heron gets there first (they usually
do).
So
what are the positives of all this ‘Weather’?
No watering just now, at least
not outside, the indoor exotics still need their daily ‘drip’ or ‘spray’ in the
centrally heated interior (can’t believe the boiler is on full blast this
early).
The
cold never deters the determined Gardener but ‘THE WET’ has a definite negative
effect on the morning enthusiasm. Potting Shed gardening is obviously the order
of the week (forecast for solid rain for another week), comfortable chair by a
well-stoked round stove with kettle simmering on the top certainly lifts the
spirit on a cold wet day. This is the perfect environment for making those essential
‘Lists’ to prepare for the winter season and next year. A few of the lesser
palatable tasks will include: Washing and sterilising the plant pots, dirty
pots carry forward last year’s pests and disease; might as well start a little
ahead of these problems next year. Clean and oil all garden tools and
implements, dirty tools cause dirty habits. A row of pristine spades, forks,
rakes, hoes and ‘clippers’ of various sizes (suitably sharpened) hanging on the
shed wall always impresses the ‘Non Gardening’ fraternity when they visit the
‘Shed’: Service the power tools, ‘Strimmers’ and ‘Hedge Cutters’ always need
lubrication, be it summer or winter. However, a good ‘clean and oil’ now will
improve the ‘temper’ next March: Give the garden boots a good clean and heavy
‘wax’ if leather (keeps out the water on a ‘squelchy’ progress around the lower
terraces): that’s about it from memory maybe should consult the ‘Head
Gardeners’ recently prepared list of tasks to complete (Blessings and Peace be
upon Her Head). – Note from Head Gardener – Amen!
Saving
‘Seed’ now will reduce the cost of next year’s cultivation. Bit late for
Tomatoes (there may be the odd example still hanging on or in the fridge – may
even be ok to take from the freezer if stumped). Just the right time for Chilli and Peppers
seed harvesting. Take the pulp and seed from
the middle of the fruit and spread on a thick piece of kitchen roll, leave in
the open until the seeds have gone mouldy (this part is essential to create
easy fertilisation when planted), when fully dry after this process put in air
tight container until required.- P.S.
Best to label?. (Note from Head Gardener
– please don’t save too many – freezer has sufficient chillis for the next
three years!!)
Oranges,
Tangerines, Lemons, Limes, Grapefruit and Mandarins are all looking good. Why not sprinkle a little
‘fertiliser’ around the base of each tree just as a ‘Treat’ or early Christmas
present?
Make
sure the Fuchsia and Geranium plants put away in late October are not being
wintered in a ‘wet and windy’ spot (never know what the vagaries of ‘Climate
Change’ can do to your ‘Historic’ storage places). For some reason the summer
Impatiens have re seeded, grown into fine plants and are now in flower on the
most exposed part of the top ‘Belvedere’ terrace, so you never can tell what is
the best policy with some plants. Maybe these are the ‘NEW’ hardy variety that
the world is waiting for with baited breath.
Kettle’s
boiling, stove needs more wood and the Head Gardener’s bell has rung for the
second time. Coffee made (two cups), umbrella up (still raining), dash to the
back door (don’t slip on the wet leaves). It’s bound to clear soon, after all
this is Portugal in November.
See
you soon,
Stuart.
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