WELCOME TO 2016

7^TH JANUARY -  CENTRAL PORTUGAL.

Rain, rain, and even more rain, accompanied by strong winds, means the ‘drought’ is over in Portugal. Last December has been the driest month since records began (wonderful journalistic ‘cliche’ meaning ‘ Since the ‘Journo’ could remember and as he/she is possibly still in late ‘teens’ around the turn of the century). So during the deluge, currently of ‘Biblical’ proportions, the potting shed stove is being well stoked and the majority of the garden left to its own devices (amazing how it usually survives a wet winter without a great deal of horticultural interference).

Whilst in the process of tabulating the various remedial seeds plus the newly acquired varieties for next season, a list was produced entitled ‘2016 Seeds Available’, the HG happened to drop in on the Potting Shed (suitably armed with mug of coffee) looked at the list in wonderment and asked the question ‘You haven’t counted them all individually have you’ (response – wry smile from the tabulator – causing swift exit with pink cheeks by the HG).

So what is in the running for cultivation in 2016? Must concentrate in the ‘Veg Patch’ on Blight resistant strains where possible. With hindsight, the tomato that triumphed was ‘Cristal F1’. Good crop, started early and continued until late October, and remarkably free from ‘Blight’ and other problems. ‘Sweet Baby’ was very prolific but fruit too small, ‘Principe Borghese’ cropped well with few problems, and good old ‘Money Maker’ plodded on with heavy production but undistinguished flavour. ‘California Wonder’ is still the best all round sweet pepper, early starter, long season, constant supply of large firm peppers. Having promised to reduce the Hot Chilli production last season , the five varieties planted (down from fourteen the previous year) all had fun producing bumper crops from Piri Piri, Hotschotch, Paper Lantern, Jalapeno and Celia (own cross between Cayenne and Scotch Bonnet).

Courgettes were moderate, season seemed very short this year with the heat of June and July forcing the growing season and the inevitable ‘Mildew’ on many varieties arriving early. Patty Pans, all colours, were poor, however, the ‘F1 Hybrid’ Soleil (Short Golden Yellow) was outstanding and profuse. Cucumbers were slow in starting to fruit but made up for this deficiency in late June and July with their fecundity. Aubergines (all grown in tubs last summer) were splendid in their quantity, size and magnificent rich colour.

Beans, climbing and ‘French’, were very miserable, lots of flower then little fruit (still asking ‘Why’ must investigate, maybe shortage of insects?). Sweet Corn, planted forty seeds got sixty deliciously sweet large cobs, enough said. Of the other assorted vegetables and ‘Salads’ planted nothing stood out except the various Lettuces (around six different colours and shapes) which seemed to avoid ‘Bolting’ for longer than usual, still picking now.

The flower garden soldiers on through the miasma of winter weather. The stoic Cyclamen carry on regardless, Roses still budding, bulbs (both Tulip and Iris) showing on all their pots, Knifophia and Fuchsias still flowering completely out of season. Inside the Orchids are in full splendour to accompany the blatant ‘blousiness’ of the Amarylis trumpets.

Lovely indoor show of exotic looking blooms

Phaleonopsis orchid

and another

Amarylis (Hippeastrum) boldly scarlet

Oranges and Tangerines taste terrific, Lemons on the perpetual tree are ripening to a beautiful ‘Lemon’ yellow (what else could they do) and the Diosperos (not quite the ‘Sharon Fruit of Israel’, these are basically inedible!!!!) are about to split the tree in half with the over laden branches.

Diosperos tree groaning under the weight of fruit

Plentiful supply of tangerines

The military precision of percussive rain hammering the potting Shed window has so far dissuaded further hot coffee supply from the HG’s warm and cosy lair,

 must dash -  still might be a chance between the claps of thunder.

See you soon,

Stuart.  

Rudi feeling "at home" with his old slipper

PS. Our little ‘Christmas Miracle’, Rudi, is settling in to regular diet of four meals a day (little and often after the weeks of starvation)) which has had an astonishing effect, as can be seen from the picture. Feeding, together with a little love and companionship from ‘Ferdy’, are making for a much improved life for our ‘Christmas Eve Foundling’.