Stuart's Garden

27^TH SEPTEMBER – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Second Spring has arrived in Portugal. This is a strange phenomenon which occurs on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula around the last week in September and can last six weeks. Following the long hot summer (early May to mid September, no rain and daily temperatures in the 30s) the first real rain (around 125mm on day one followed by 85mm on day two) fell ten days ago. Seven days later the juices can be seen to rise in the dehydrated horticultural landscape.

Flowers which were struggling to survive the drought, suddenly bud and burst into bloom. The August sowing of speculative seeding literally burst from the ground in unabashed enthusiasm .  (They have to rush if they want to fruit early in November when the cold nights start to bite). Courgettes planted on the 7^th August have their first fruiting.  Sweet corn planted on the 18^th August is 1500mm high and already has flowers. (Expect to pick and eat around the 15^th October – if the information on the seed packet is correct - sixty days from planting to cooking).

New young yellow courgette

The Sweet Peppers are still going forward with gusto, flowers still forming, fertilizing and fruiting. California Wonder (big and green then red if left unpicked for a further three week) are exceptional this year; the Long Red Italians are almost red enough to pick and the Yellow Peppers are pale yellow and preparing to turn that glorious golden shade which indicates perfection.

California Wonder

Long red Italian Pepper

Chillis know no bounds in their profundity. Piri Piri plants are covered in masses of small brilliant red cones and the pre-ripened fruit, which is black on this year’s  grown variety, is covering the top of the plants just waiting for its moment of ruby glory. The Hotscotch chillis are turning from green through lustrous peach to vermillion (which gives natures ample warning of the excessive ‘HEAT’ of the chilli – Scoville around 1million). Cayenne has done well and another plant (name unknown, but from own seed from last year so possibly a new cross breed- see picture) is producing very ‘red’ fruit which in early trials – bite off small amount from base of fruit and wait – tends to numb the lips and tongue, plus cheeks if allowed further oral access, for up to twenty minutes (still thinking of a name – possibly ‘The Head Gardner’ for obvious reasons  - perfectly formed and red hot).

Piri Piri

Hotscotch

New chilli - no name

Brugmansia (Angels' Trumpets) is back in profuse flower for the fourth time since May. So many trumpets are in bloom that it resembles an inverted pipe organ (but smells exotic in the evening air). 

Wonderful trumpets

Trumpets viewed from underneath - amazing perfume in the evening

Roses still doing well, with lots of new buds for the new Spring. Miniature Cyclamen are flowering in the shaded areas and Geraniums got their second wind before the annual taking of cuttings.

Tomatoes have had a terrific year but are just about over now (thank goodness as freezer is overflowing with Italian winter treats). Lettuce well settled for autumn salads (plant ten plants every two weeks until end of November for winter salads). Leeks planted two weeks ago and Beetroot – planted week earlier- are progressing well.

The end of the tomato crop

New beetroot and leek plants

Have been exuding litres of perspiration on the clearing of the wood shed – job avoided for many years but most satisfying on completion (amazing the things you can find in a thirty cubic metre pile of assorted detritus. Ten metres of logs cut, carried and stacked, to the great satisfaction of the HG (so pleased - coffee guaranteed until Christmas).

Emptied old woodshed

New wood store

The ‘Mists’ of  October mornings are nearly here so take cuttings, plant bulbs and start reading the new seed catalogues, enjoy a little ‘Rest and Recuperation’ before Autumn weeding starts.

There goes the bell

must dash, see you soon,

Stuart

STOP PRESS: H.G. picked over 40 limes today - G and T anyone?