FLOWERS, BLOSSOM VEGETABLE PLANTS ALL AROUND

9TH APRIL - CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Wisteria dancing in the breeze in all its glorious purple and lilac splendour (Chinese certainly have the most artistic taste when it comes to flowers), the shining gold of the Banksii Rambling Rose accentuates the  perfection of a sunny, warm spring day in Portugal. Petunias and geraniums already in bloom and the first rose buds ready to burst forth. This glory has already deleted the memories of a cold winter with the exuberant colours adding more texture to the spring garden. Tulips still present and the cherry trees are in their full dress mode.

beautiful, highly scented wisteria - main attraction for the bees

Rosa Banksii hoping it will intertwine with wisteria - maybe next year

Best year so far for our cherry tree

 The new bees recently installed by my Talented Neighbour are gorging themselves on the banquet of rich pollen laid out by nature for their benefit. The expectation of copious quantities of honey by the late summer, are somewhat tempered by the control of Diabetes and Weight, but seeing, smelling and dreaming are boycott free in the world of honey. Lots of information quickly acquired on the ‘Bee’ lifestyle, Queen in charge lays 60,000 eggs per day, Drones only mate and then die happy (sounds like a male paradise), ‘Worker Bees’ don’t mate, just work till they drop (life span is six weeks in service), sounds a bit similar to the average gardener’s mate. They also sting - the Portuguese native bee is most aggressive; not a trait followed by the local population.

Cucumbers planted in new raised bed (constructed from redundant wood pallets) are growing well.  Runner beans are about to sprint up their poles, Haricots Verts, whilst having their foliage ravished by snails, are progressing. The first Sweet Peppers and Aubergines are planted and the Okra seedlings are fighting a battle with reclusive slugs in the cold frame and are already on third planting but have scattered  Slug Pellets very freely this time.

 

young cucumber plants in their new bed

Strawberries are very fecund in the new raised Strawberry Garden, full of flower in all four varieties (early, main and late fruiters for crop insurance). They all understand that the weak producers will be eliminated at the end of the season (bit like the X-Factor).Raspberries in full flower and luxuriating in the new bed.

Flower seedlings are popping up daily, Cosmos, Marigolds (all varieties from French to African), Calendulas, Corn Flowers (pink, white and blue) etc. etc., where to plant them out will be the main problem but there can never be enough colour in a summer garden.

Pansies are  at their peak just now - fantastic colours and multiple shapes always fascinate.  They always deserve their front row status and never cease to give pleasure. 

cute pansy "faces"

Nasturtiums, some already in flower, are having the new seedlings freely distributed on all terraces. There is nothing more impressive than a two metre waterfall of bright colour flowing over the terrace walls in May and June (remember NOT to feed or they will simply produce leaves not flowers).

Have just arrived in the orchard for the Fruit Setting  inspection.  Damascus Apricot has fruit the size of ‘Pigeons Eggs’, all the Peaches are full of small fruit as are the variously coloured Plum varieties. All the Apple trees in blossom at the same time this year so  maybe a ‘bumper’ crop in September. Pears are heavy with young fruit and Nectarines trying hard, as expected. 

 

Not apple blossom, but our small quince tree with very pretty flowers

There goes the Head Gardeners bell - only 65 steps to climb for coffee!.

Must dash, see you soon,

Stuart.