NEAR MIST AND MELLOW FRUITFULNESS

13^th September 2015  CENTRAL PORTUGAL

First signs of autumn - sun has gone on vacation and the high clouds have been acting as caretakers for the last two weeks; no real rain yet, just a feeble, very light drizzle that simply keeps the dust down (no serious growing potential).

The other sign of the impending season of ‘Mist and Mellow Fruitfulness’ is the heightened activity in the kitchen. Having started seriously to harvest lemons and limes (not just the picking of the odd ripe fruit for the evening ‘G&T’) the resultant quantities require to be processed. Lemon Chutney and lime Chutney are now rubbing shoulders on the store room shelf with both red and green tomato chutney, pickled beetroot, pickled mixed vegetables (cauliflower, carrots, red Sweet peppers and gherkins) together with the first of the chilli oils (1litre olive oil infused with 200grames of chilli of choice (this year’s chillis are, so far, piri piri, cherry bomb and jalapenos).

Lemons and limes fresh from the trees - ready for action

A selection of pickles and chutneys from the store cupboard

The experimental planting of the new chilli ‘Hotscotch’ is progressing. Currently the green ‘bonnet’ shaped fruit are the size of small plums and are just starting to turn orange. Early taste sampling confirms their unbelievable heat. Touching the flesh with the lips produces almost instantaneous numbness followed by pain! (Should be a major success in the masochistic world of the chilli eater?). Will report on any fatalities that may occur.

Hotscotch!!

Tomatoes still producing, but in weekly reducing quantities. (Find most varieties start to flounder after the initial six or seven ‘good’ trusses). The Cristal F1 has produced the greatest results in both flavour and quantity. (At least 70 kilos from eight plants and still producing around 1 kilo per week per plant). Moneymaker is coming to the end of production. However, the various fancy cherry plants continue to fruit and flower. (Red Sweet Baby and Yellow Cherry Bell are the best performers this year).

Sweet peppers have had, and continue to have. a wonderful year. They have had lots of hot sun for three months together with lots of feed and expensive water (just got the horrendous June and July water bill)  ‘California Wonder’ is now turning red, August Moon an orange yellow, and there is just a hint of red on the Italian Long Reds.

The first yellow shiny sweet pepper

Last of the courgettes picked from the first sown seeds. Soleil F1 and Grisette de Provence were the best producers. Planted second sowing of seed 7^th August (Eight Ball and Golden Zucchini) which are just coming into flower, so will have late season Courgettes to astound the Head Gardner. (Silent groan from HG!)

Raspberries and strawberries are continuing to flower and fruit (lots of feed and regular water supply. At least ‘Strawbs. and Rasps’ now more expensive in the shops). Yellow raspberries have been very prolific this season; newly planted Tayberries a bit ‘poor’ so far (maybe better next year- the ever optimistic Gardener!).

Raspberries still fruiting

Roses having their second ‘fling’. Remember to take cuttings for new plants as soon as rain comes. Roses are very easy to propagate in Portugal - just cut a 300/400 mm. stem and plant about 200mm. in the ground behind the blade of a fully inserted spade and ‘heel’ in. Leave for six months- plant ten cuttings to get five new rose plants.

September roses in the rain

Dahlias now finished. Cut back to around 500mm., feed well and water for another two weeks before lifting. Trim, clean and replant for next year. Keep dry until next February for a great show by next May.

Dahlias as they were earlier - now resting

Having inspected the tulip bulbs lifted in June and removed the dried detritus, these have all been replanted (including the small side bulbs) fed, watered and put out of the sun (proverbial ‘cool dry’ place) until December. This year  bought new  bulbs (great value in’ Lidl’ just now, €1,05 for twelve large bulbs, less than 30% of the price from the catalogues). Daffodils, crocus and alliums are all ready for their new cycle to start. It’s a good time to split Snowdrop ‘clusters’ (if you can remember where they are - they do tend to disappear completely in this hot climate. Bulbs will be awaiting attention when found).

Brugmansia is (Angels’ Trumpets) is full of Golden Trumpet Flowers for the third time this summer (must be best value in the garden though highly toxic) .

Third time of flowering for the Angels' Trumpets

So, back to the wood pile. Lots of logs to chop for those cold winter evenings - just another task prescribed for the late summer ‘Fitness Regime’ by the HG.

 There goes the bell for coffee, the ‘Gardener’s Glow’ (only ‘Woodchoppers’ sweat) can be assuaged by the ‘cup that cheers’.

 Must dash, see you soon.

Stuart.