BUSY BUSY, WITH SO MUCH TO ANTICIPATE

22^nd APRIL 2016 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Coldest March in Portugal for the last forty years (Official – it was in the Portugal Times today).  Happy to agree, as there has been nothing but rain, more rain, wind and more wind, snow on the mountains (and even on the hills) accompanied by very cold nights and not so hot days. The result is that little has prospered in the garden so far this spring but all looks ‘latent’ like ‘Greyhounds in the Slips’ and awaiting the warming sunshine, which must be just around the corner. My Neighbours in the village put it all down to the ‘El Nino Effect’ and have decided to wait until May before venturing out into the planting fields.

Blossom is just emerging on the apple trees.  Cherries and pears just burst forth but the cold keeps the bees at home, so little chance of a good  ‘Fertilisation’. Lots of fruit formed and swelling on the almond tree as it blossomed early and caught the last warm days in February to be well serviced. Nectarines, apricots and plums seem to have struggled to produce embryonic fruit so far, whilst the peaches are trying very hard to please.

First apple blossom

Cherry blossom - from afar!

Masses of seedlings are well forward in the ‘Lidl’ green house , all awaiting pricking out. Tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, okra, courgettes, runner and French beans and sweet peppers (California Wonders) on the vegetable front are all bursting their seed pots.   The flower garden is going to be well supplied by the Cosmos, Zinnia, Lobelia, Impatiens, Tagetees, Nasturtiums from seed and Geranium, Fuchsia and Dianthus from cuttings that just need a little sun.

Seedlings in the little greenhouse

More seedlings

Even in the ‘cold’ there is always something going on somewhere in the garden. Five different varieties and colours of  lettuce, together with Mizuma (excellent and easily grown oriental leaf) and Pak Choi on the salad front; red and white onions, leeks and beetroot on the ‘veg’ patch. Strawberries are full of flower and forming fruit, which are also appearing on the Loganberries and early raspberries. Last year’s cut down Sweet Peppers and Chilli plants are now coming into leaf (this pruning in late November produces first Peppers by June – usually six weeks before the newly seeded plants).

Lots of flowers on the strawberries

Roses well in bud, should be in flower next week, with the benefit of a little sun-shine. Wisteria magnificent (enjoying the cold), Jasmine rampant and filling the terrace with exotic scent and the purple Iris, accompanied by white Arum Lilies, are quite a sight even under very grey sky.

Wisteria now twining in with the Rosa Banksii

Lovely elegant purple iris, and one yellow and purple just coming into bloom

Fuchsia never disappoints.  Been flowering all winter

 All the plants in tubs on the high terrace are growing (if not well) and the Cactus Cloche is keeping the day temperatures well into the ‘forties’ so the first signs of flowers are appearing on a number of the ‘Pricklies’(the seeds sown three weeks ago are stubbornly remaining dormant).

Cacti enjoying the sunshine while still in their "Winter Quarters"

Investigation under way concerning the overnight disappearance of a trough of ‘growing on’ Pak Choi, eight green Pepper plants and half a dozen Mizuma plants, all cleanly removed at soil level. No sign of slugs. snails or mice (not a dropping in sight). The H.G. suggests possibly an ‘Airborne’ attack by Pigeons or maybe the Hoopoe (which we hear but never see) or it may be due to some insidious ‘Drone’. The mystery continues.  However, the addition of a ‘Curry Plant’ and a few Piri Piri pods (from last season) ,on the growing on table , have certainly caused an immediate cessation of nocturnal ‘feasting’ for now.

At last the Bell, must have a coffee to revive the feeling in the frozen bodily extremities thank goodness for the H.G. 

Must dash before ‘rigour mortis’ sets in

See you soon –

Stuart.