10th
NOVEMBER 2014 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL
Four days of torrential
rain, driving wind and low night and day time temperatures leave a look of devastation in every sector of the
garden at first inspection. Suddenly, whilst preparing for a further ten days
of inclement weather, the sky clears and the sun miraculously appears in the firmament,
temperature rises as if by magic into the low twenties and the sodden ground
becomes instantly friable. Yes, this is a further chapter into the vagaries of
gardening in Central Portugal in November.
Just the perfect day to
plant a few rows of Broad Beans for
picking in late February. They love damp to wet ground and seem to ignore totally the temperature variations. The certainly make a dietary change from the
culinary all pervading Cabbage of the winter months. The burden of Cabbage for
the winter cook can be slightly alleviated by the wide choice of the varieties
available. Those with a ‘Cast Iron’ constitution, and deviant taste buds, will
enjoy the dark green striated leaves of the native Iberian variety. This tastes mainly of ‘Iron’(so it must do
wonders for the health of those who partake).
However there are numerous other
more palatable types available from large ‘Cannon Ball’ (perfect when blanched
in boiling water and lathered in molten butter) to the pale ‘Eau de Nil’ of those
designed specifically for salads and ‘Coleslaw’. The Portuguese ‘Red Cabbage’
is excellent for pickling or turning into the most unctuous of dishes to be
served with the turkey at Christmas Lunch. ( Lightly boil, max.5 mins., the
chopped cabbage leaves, drain, add brown sugar and a large glass of port, simmer
for 30 minutes and enjoy), possibly just has the edge on Brussels Sprouts with
chestnuts.
Having struggled with
rock hard ground through the long hot summer, the plentiful supply of rainy days
makes the earth easier to work, so take advantage of the brief respite between the
thunderstorms due in the next two weeks and dig. Well-manured and deep-dug soil
always produces the best results next season.
The effort instilled into the land now will ensure perfection in all
garden departments from next March until late November.
First flower shoots are
appearing on the Orchids. Just ignore and let nature take its course for the
best results (maybe a very little water if the interior holding room is warm).
Amaryllis are about to flower. Keep planting new bulbs for a long winter
display.
 |
| Pretty Spider Orchid getting ready to flower |
 |
| First of the Amaryllis bulbs to enjoy through the winter months |
Just picked the first
Limes of the year. Expect they will continue to mature till end of January when
the Lemon trees will be in full fruit. Tangerines and Mandarins should be ready
for Christmas Stocking duty - all well
orange coloured - need a few weeks to become sweet. Orange trees are very heavy
with fruit but leaves are starting to yellow.
Now is the time to sprinkle a couple of handfuls of ‘Epsom Salts’ around the
base of each tree (if in tubs spray on as a foliar feed for same result).
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| Tangerines getting ready for the Festive Season |
 |
| Plenty of maturing Lemons |
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| Todoay's harvest - Pomegranates, limes and those chillis - again! |
Still picking Chillis -
freezer full and can’t give them away anymore.
Must remember to cultivate half number of plants next year (maybe
potting up the best plants to over winter undercover will reduce the pressure
on the propagator next spring). Buddleia
cuttings taken four weeks ago are now growing, Fig cuttings looking healthy. Lavender may fall to the ‘weed’ category if it
keeps on out-performing expectations.
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| Note from Head Gardener - must insist on less chilli plants next season! |
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| Buddleia cuttings below, Lavender cuttings above |
It’s raining again, no
‘Brolly’ so will be rather wet by the time I can scramble up the terrace steps
to the sanctuary of the Head Gardener’s coffee table
Must squelch,
see you soon.
Stuart.
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