PLANTING STARTED

22^nd FEBRUARY, 2015 - CENTRAL PORTUGAL

High cloud and warm sunshine, the perfect weather to start the annual planting and growing season for 2015. Following the general clearance of the winter weeds and detritus in the last few fine days the serious work has now begun. Following the frequent outbreaks of every form of garden pest and ‘ folial plague’ last year have decided that crop rotation in the raised beds will be the plan for healthy plants and maximum crops this summer. The tomato bed has gone, been re-trenched to a depth of 600mm, soil replaced with a rich mixture of loam and horse manure, new posts have been driven into the ground to take the support wires, and last year’s Raspberry plants have been split and replanted in their new surroundings. Introduced two new Tay Berry plants (genre produced from the cross of Red Raspberry and domestic Blackberry, giving large purple fruit with the juice of Blackberries and the flavour of Raspberries) to join the existing red a yellow raspberry canes. A thick top mulch of manure and shall stand clear for ‘take-off’.

Planted a Paraguayan Peach (similar to a usual peach but flat and ‘donut’ shaped) last year which is showing signs of life, it has been joined in the orchard by a similar Paraguayan Nectarine (same size and shape as the peach but has a ‘fuzz’ free complexion).  As they are both three years old will have to wait another couple of years for results (that’s why Gardeners are such good company – they have patience).

Whilst planting the new tree noticed the very first flower blossom on the Damascus Apricot and then immediately saw the first ‘Bee’ of the season and two white Butterflies enjoying their courtship dance, so it really is spring. The insect life certainly gives credence to the hope that the ‘Frost’ has gone and a ‘bumper’ year is in prospect (here speaks the optimistic Gardener that, possibly, should know better after three score years and ten plus of trying).

The first seed are ‘Up’ in the propagator (all the initial fifteen varieties were planted on ‘St Valentines’ day).The Tomato ‘Cristal’ F1 Hybrid (described, on the packet, as ‘Large, Succulent fruits, with excellent disease resistance’– we shall see, won’t we?) won the race, quickly followed by Impatiens ‘Stardust’ (Double Flowered, self collected seeds) and Cucumber ‘Delikateb’(great triumph for ‘Lidl’ - seeds bought for 27cents per packet and obviously ‘very fertile’). Having kept the propagator temperature at around 20degrees with ‘high’ humidity and ‘Full’ daylight, after three days of initial growth and the opening of the first pair of leaves, the seedlings have been moved to a cool double glazed ‘cloche’ to avoid ‘leggy’ growth.

Finally finished ‘cutting back’ the Buddleia (take them back to around 300mm every third year). Find it strange how the Buddleia is much maligned by so many gardeners. The glorious range of colours from white and pink to pale blue and deep purple, can broaden the colour pallet in any garden for a prolonged season, especially if the ‘unsightly’ brown ‘dead-heads’ are removed expeditiously. As with so many plants if it was difficult to grow and very costly to buy it would then be ‘fashionable’ and a ‘must have’ in the ‘suburban’ garden.( So will also be planting Dahlias for ‘Summer’ colour – against the ‘trend’) The current, highly fashionable, ‘Wild Flower Meadows’ (look good for around six weeks each year – but does it say that on the packet) gives vent to the thought that many ‘Urban’ gardeners are looking for an ‘easy ride’. Just wait till the weeds take over next year and the ‘Meadow’ declines into ‘Horticultural Dereliction’- there’s no easy road to garden perfection.

Sitting here in the warm sunshine – yes it is allowed, but not too often – has allowed the time to slip buy, there goes the Bell for coffee!!!!!!!

Must dash, see you soon,

Stuart.