COOL, BUT VERY FRAGRANT!

25^th FEBRUARY – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

There has been snow on the ground for at least 50 out of the last 73 years on this day in February, but never expected it to be ‘White Over’ in Portugal, though only on distant hills. Why do I know this? Because it’s my Birthday today,yet another horticultural miracle made possible by the careful ministrations of the now Head Gardener for the last 50 years, a triumph of weeding, pruning, feeding (often to excess in the past. but now under control, being just under 100kg) and being lovingly cared for as only a Head Gardener can.  (Modest blush from Head Gardener!)

So the false spring of last week has quickly degenerated into more cold rain, sleet and snow, plus a good dose of morning frost. (That will teach the Damascus Apricot to blossom in the middle of February) Though there is the odd blast of intense blue sky and brilliant sunshine. (So glad that no seeds were sown during the three glorious days of sunshine a couple of weeks ago).

So, in these conditions, most external horticultural tasks are on hold until the thermometer climbs above 12 degrees again (forecast for early March on all three Meteorological (Tarot) sights). So concentration is on the civil engineering work of removing the sad remainder of the old nursery garden from the courtyard necessitated by the prolonged  ministrations of the ‘Christmas Foundling’(going for the ‘OP’ tomorrow) and the resident ‘Hooligan’ (‘OP’ done seven years ago).

Christmas Foundling - growing and growing

 New garden is being arranged on the Belvedere Terrace which gets full sunshine all day (when it comes out) and lots of fresh gentle breezes (Eco Friendly ‘Blight’ prevention system). Lidl Green House (2015 vintage) and Home made Cloches(2010 vintage) are  already in use and an area for 15 ‘Vegie’ is tubs just about complete with ‘Potting Table’ in position with comfortable chair. There’s a wonderful view over the forest from here, it  being the highest terrace. The promise of 360 degree light and full daylight hours’ sunshine may be enlightening in the coming months.

New horticultural arrangements

The terraces are not all ‘Doom and Gloom’ and avid construction work. The first tulips are well in flower (red always seems to take precedence in blooming stakes). 

First Tulips

Jasmine is poised to astonish with the proliferation of flowers in the process of bursting forth,

Jasmine just beginning to open - stand by for fabulous fragrance

 Armandii Clematis is flowering well (pink variety to follow, always three weeks after white). 

Clematis Armandii - also wonderfully fragrant

Lime, Lemon, Orange, Apricot and Almond all in blossom (first three unaffected by slight frost, but later two usually suffer. May be lack of bees due to low temperatures, little sunshine and endemic disease also contribute to their fruiting failures over the last three years.

Lemon blossom - yet another fragrance

Almond blossom against a stormy sky

The seed packets are out, the potting shed fire is full swing, the Head Gardener has arrived with the coffee on a state visit for discussions on the growing plan for 2016 (good job the old shed is tidy!)

 must dash before the coffee gets cold

 see you soon

  Stuart.

DAMP CARNIVAL AND FLAT PANCAKES

9TH FEBRUARY 2016 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Mardi Gras, Fasching, ‘Shrove Tuesday’ or, in Portugal and Brazil, Carnival (all wonderful excuses for intemperance and hedonistic pleasures). The warmer southern climes tend to expose the flesh (specifically Brazil), Mediterranean Europe enjoys masked parades and heavy alcohol consumption. Germany becomes a little more physical (around Frankfurt it is the tradition for young ladies to cut off men’s ties just below the knot - must be symbolic but never liked to ask). England makes pancakes and runs through the village street tossing them in a frying pan!!!!!.(but integration on its way soon).

The communality in all these diverse events is the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday (tomorrow). Having divested the body of a multitude of pleasures the cheerless period of  wet February and windy March can be fully contemplated prior to the Glories of Easter. (This is not just true of the Person but also of the garden.)

The ground is very soggy from the rain but should now be dug over and fertilised, so, however cold and inhospitable the post breakfast sky looks the loins must be girded (Wellington boots, oil skins, Sou’Wester, accompanied by scarf and gloves) and the first sod of the new gardening year turned.

The cause of the heavy wet and soggy ground which now needs so much attention

The ground clearance before digging is always a confused debate. Should the strongly growing weeds be removed by hand prior to cultivation, or removed as the double digging of the ground progresses? Mechanisation beckons the less motivated and unenthusiastic towards strimming and rotovation, a system that works for short term gain, but the re-growth by April (just as the new plants are appearing) demonstrates the futility of  short cuts in horticulture (be they basic or more highly complicated). Heavy wet ground is extremely difficult to work by hand (hence the hand, camel, donkey and horse drawn ploughs of the cultivators’ heritage) but, the addition of a highly fibrous manure and the drying winds of March will produce a magnificent till for the seasons of plenty

That other mechanical marvel, the power washer, has been pressed into service for the removal of the multi toned green slime growing on every available area , especially those easily serviced by two enthusiastic male dogs (their visitations seem to promote the algae to greater efforts expedentially). 

The enforced move of the nursery yard (due to the unwanted ministrations of the two four-legged plant pot carriers) to a new location on the Belevedere terrace has begun. 

Our new "Plant pot" Hound!

Dogs consider the new arrangement of pots and containers which have been placed behind a fence

Tactics being discussed!

The space being constricted, careful planning will be required to get in the volume of  pots and tubs. The advantage is the day long exposure to the benevolence of sunshine. The Lidl  Mini green house and cloches together with the new tub rack, should be in place very soon to allow seeding and transplanting to commence.

The Brugmansia STILL flowerying in February - should be pruned soon really.

Must dash – the more mundane tasks (such as the daily clearance and hose down of the back yard due to canine residents) are calling for early completion – seems the HG’s coffee bell cannot chime until the task is completed and pristine order delivered.

Job done, bell being rung, all’s well with the world –

See you soon,

Stuart.