A SLUG'S PARADISE!

20TH APRIL, CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Ravenous, rumbustious and reviled by Gardeners, the repulsive slimy black Slug is back for its share of the fresh young growth in all sectors of the garden. It must have been a ‘Bad Day’ for nature when this rampant garden ravisher was sent into the world. Does it really have a purpose?. The only resort is the liberal application of slug pellets, always the day after the slugs' massive campaign of  destruction has occurred.  The sight the next morning of silvery trails ending in a decomposing ‘slug porridge’ tends to ameliorate the distress of the previous couple of days. (Always re-apply the pellets after heavy rain and examine the underneath of trays and pots for the hidden foe lurking out of sight).

The first tomatoes planted out (Cristal F1) are growing on well and were joined by another blight resistant variety ( Sweet Baby F1) to complete the initial bed. The next planting (Money Maker) will be in tubs as an insurance that the ‘blight resistance’ primary crop is genuine.

Young tomato plants - two hopefully disease resistant varieties

All three types of Cucumbers are thriving. The ‘Danka’ and ‘ Salanga’ are about ready to flower, with the ‘Pepino’ looking strong and fecund. Lettuce are being picked daily and then replaced weekly with new plug plants from the market (at 50 cents for ten seedlings, there is not a viable alternative). Planted in rows of bright green, flame red and copper brown the lettuce bed always looks attractive and what can ‘better’ fresh crisp lettuce, firm sharp cucumber and succulent newly picked tomatoes with any hot or cold dish.

Cucumbers in their new homes

rotating lettuce crop

The Strawberry Farm is productive; picked first crop yesterday with masses still to come from the first ‘cropper’. With the other three types to follow, should have Strawberries until the palate is well satiated. The Raspberries are in full flower and forming fruit. Tayberries will be the first to be ready for picking in about two weeks.

  

First strawberry of the season - was delicious - many more to come

All the Beans (Scarlet Runners, Purple Climbers and Haricots Verts) are performing well. The Scarlet Runners are one metre up their poles and the Haricots Verts should be in flower next week - all subject to continued sunshine and light showers at night.

Haricots verts coming along nicely

Scarlet runners leaping along on the left - purple climbers just in

The Damascus Apricots are starting to colour, the Quince tree is full of growing fruit, the Peaches are well formed and numerous, Plums are plentiful and the Apple trees are fertilising each other with gay abandon. The black cherry trees look as if they will give the birds their usual banquet - hope they leave a few for the table.

Iris are at their very best just now in bronze and yellow or rich purple and gold. The dry conditions on the Spring terrace certainly ripen the tubers for the following year's show. Roses are well away. The large red ‘tea’ rose on the ‘Coffee’ terrace is in the full splendour of it’s first display of the year; the ramblers will be ‘out’ next. Can’t for the wonderful fragrance of ‘Rose’ mixed with divine smell of Orange blossom. 

Some of the Head Gardener's favourite iris

Dahlias are 400mm tall and ready for staking; the Petunias are amazing and the Pansies are still putting on a splendid display. It really is going rather well so far!!!!! Hope the threatened thunderstorms don’t materialise.

There goes the ‘Bell’, the Head Gardener must have had yet another 'Good Idea’,

 must dash to hear the wisdom,

See you soon,

Stuart.