4TH FEBRUARY
2015 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL
Brilliant sunshine,
clear blue skies, bitter cold; the heavy rain of the last few days has gone (so
much rain that the local very large ‘Baragem’- artificial lake fed by the Dao
and Montego rivers with a coast line of 285km- has risen by 5metres since the
start of the month). Night temperatures down to -2 C degrees and forecast to go
as low as -4 C degrees in next three days (so lots of ‘Plant Wrap’ out NOW). Let’s hope the warm sun during the days does
not persuade the early fruit blossom to burst forth. In the cider orchards of
Somerset they light ‘smokey’ bonfires to ward of the frost damage at this time
of year. Seems the smoke, not the heat,
keeps the ‘chill’ at bay ( can’t see the Head Gardener letting the Potting Shed
stove be used for this purpose).
So the ‘cold’ precludes
the planting of ‘Anything’ outside. However,
this is a good time to attack the ‘Green Slime’ of winter which is covering
most of the exposed paths and walls (particularly those favoured by the dog for
a quick ‘Night-time’ visit – must be something in the water?). Out with the
trusted ‘Power Washer’, put on ‘Wellies’ and ‘Waterproof trousers’, plus three
sweaters (told you it was cold) and into action. Three hours later, frozen to
the ‘Marrow’, feet wet (boots must leak) and listening intensely for the ‘Bell’
announcing hot coffee (hope the HG has not gone out), job done.
Orchids ready for a changeover (careful when
you move the flowering plants as exposure to a cold wind can remove the newly
open flowers and latent buds in a ‘jiffy’). The initial plants in the house
have been in bloom since start of December.
Many are still very presentable and will remain on show well into
March. With the ‘follow-on’ plants just
coming into flower should have Cymbidiums - and phalaenopsis - until the end of May, when they can
all go for a well earned rest and recuperation around the tangerine tree on the
terrace – is there another plant that beats the Orchid Family to give such
value for so little effort?.
 |
| Lovely display of cymbidium and phalaenopsis orchids |
Good to see the
prevalent ‘Grow your Own’ mentality has had the desired effect on the
availability and price of seeds in the Supermarkets. Local ‘Lidl’ is offering over two hundred
varieties of vegetable a flower seeds from 29 cents to €1.45 per packet (all
performed excellently last year). It certainly puts the ‘T&M’ catalogue in
perspective.
 |
| Just a few packets of my seeds, awaiting planting (NB not all from Lidl!) |
Talking ‘Seeds’, it is
about time you considered what you are going to grow this year – particularly
as the ‘Beiras Grass Roots’ Flower Show is in early May – Head Gardener has put
a limit on the number of varieties to be grown this year. It seems four types
of Tomato will suffice, Chillis down to three (and that was after ‘extreme’
negotiation as the freezer has around eight kg. in store). Courgettes limited
to the ‘Fancies’, i.e. ‘Sunburst’ Patty Pan, ‘Eight Ball’ Round, ‘Striato d’Italia and ‘Romanesco’ (but might just slip in a few
others on the side). Sweet Peppers seem to be in favour, so will be planting
‘California Wonder’(the best there is) and ‘Corno Rosso’, which is long, very
sweet and very red (Italian Peppers at their best). These, together with a few Beans, Aubergines,
Lettuce and some Sweet Corn should make a good starter ‘seeding’.
Still waiting for the
summons by ‘Bell’. The fire has gone out in the Potting Shed and sun is
starting to set - may take more than coffee to assuage the cold.
.
Must dash before
becoming another icicle
See you soon,
Stuart
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