3RD DECEMBER
CENTRAL PORTUGAL
Blue Sky – Brilliant
Sunshine – Bl***y Cold.
The clouds have rolled
by leaving glorious sunshine and no showers; but the Arctic plunge of cold air, so beloved of
the central area of North America, has decided to take an early winter vacation
over Iberia. Really it’s the time for woolly hats, scarves and gloves during
the day and roaring log fires at night.
The night temperatures
have ‘seen off’ the soft exotics from Brazil and the Southern Regions. However,
the sturdy winter flowering plants from Northern Europe and Asia are having a ‘Field
Day’ in the new found ‘Cool’. The three ‘P’s’, Primulas, Polyanthus, and Pansies,
are now in their element. Their in- built ‘Anti Freeze’ tolerates temperatures
down to -8 degrees C; winter sun stimulates their expected, and never disappointing,
mass of magnificent flowers which sustain the avid Gardener through the often ‘miserable’
winter days. There is no such thing as ‘Depression’ if you are a ‘True Gardener’
- nature, in her many wondrous ways, will always see to that.
A few more days of dry
weather and it will be time to have the first good bonfire of the season. The garden fire ban ends in October in
Portugal (very prone to forest fires here from April till end of September),
but the torrential rain in both October and November precluded the start of ‘Arson
in the Garden’ season. Burning all the
prunings from plants, bushes and trees is the only way to ensure that the pests
and viruses from last year are not carried forward to next year. Never compost leaves or plants that have shown
any sign of disease, and always destroy any plantings that are weak or deformed.
If a plant does not look right or come
up to the usual specification required, give
it the same status as a ‘Weed’- burn never compost).
Always burn the ‘prunings’
from Olive trees, preferably where they can be seen by the tree. This encourages the tree to do better next
year. With the poor Olive crop in the last few years, a good ‘Talking to’ or
threat of total extinction may be required to ensure maximum effort next year;
and don’t forget to give your Walnut Tree a good ‘beating’. The English Gardeners from the Seventeenth Century
always concluded in their ‘Learned Works’ that Walnut Trees were like Wives,
they always improved their performance after a ‘really good beating’ (so there).
A ‘Strim’ about now in
the Vineyard and Orchard will discourage the presumptuous weeds from growing
further until spring and will ensure pleasant ‘strolling facilities’ following
an excess of Christmas Lunch (planning ahead always allows spontaneity). Most
elements of the garden will enjoy a ‘Good Feed’ at this time of year. The liberal application of well-rotted but
still steaming organic fertilizer will be well received by most plants and
trees. However, for those with pet dogs,
the less ‘Green’ solution of chemical fertilizer may reduce their ‘best friend’s’
appetite for all things ‘disgusting’ and will reduce the need for frequent ‘baths’
at the cold end of the hose pipe.
Did the Christmas Tree
survive the long hot summer? Or has that ‘little’ pot tree bought five years
ago now reached a height that is not conducive to indoor usage? So join the
world of the ‘two’ tree family - looks far more natural tastefully dressed in
lights outside at the front door than
the ever-increasing army of illuminated plastic ‘Santas’ and worse (much worse)
currently spawning onto the front gardens of the western world. Blackpool used
to be the place view ‘lit up’ tat.
Must go and cut some
Holly (with berries) and an armful of Ivy for the Head Gardener. With the house
full of ‘Greenery’, a ‘Yule Log’ happily burning in the fire place (giving off
associated smoke, sparks and ‘hisses’), Poinsettias brashly appearing on every
surface accompanied by the odd Cyclamen and Amarylis, this may be the answer to
‘Winter Gardening’
Must dash - ‘Gluhwein’ being served in the kitchen,
See you soon,
Stuart.
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