ROSES ALL THE WAY

21^st MAY 2016 - CENTRAL PORTUGAL

The sun continues to shine on the ‘Beiras’. Cool morning mist is quickly dispelled by the warming sun golden in a pale blue sky, and so it should be after all this is May in Portugal. Apart from the odd sneaky low pressure area slipping onto the Iberian Coast and disrupting the summer’s halcyon days, the only worry seems to be the possibility of drought by the end of July. Thus it will always be for the avid Gardener - it’s either too ‘Hot’ or too ‘Cold’ or too ‘Wet’ or too ‘Dry’. Then there is the continual threat of ‘Blight’. Some may ask ‘Why do we bother?’ Simply direct these doubters to the sight of multi coloured displays of flowers and the wondrous flavour of freshly picked vegetables and fruit; ample compensation for those strenuous moments on cold wet days in January or the daily watering ‘grind’ of the summer months.

In the ‘compensation stakes’ this week, roses are exceptionally rewarding. The garden is festooned with multi flowering ramblers in yellow, red and golden hues with the start of the pink and white climbers coming on track, the hybrid tea roses have all their towering stems in bloom, or ready to burst forth in the next few days of warmth. Even the cuttings planted after pruning last November are performing and enhancing the nursery beds. Fuchsia plants are full of colour.  It’s a good time to take cuttings from the tallest stems – this makes the plant bushy and increases the number of flowers – just stick around the edge of a 75mm pot of compost, water and a new plant will root in the next three weeks (the wonders of ‘costless’ propagation).

Lots of lovely roses - 

The re-potted Geranium plants are now well in bud and showing signs of flowering, and the seeds planted six weeks ago are now ‘potted-up’ and at the sixth leaf – so flowers in a month and till November. Zinnias, Cosmos, Tagetees and  Lobelia, seeded first week in April are  now all tall, strong and planted out. Iris are still in spectacular bloom , accompanied by the still rampant ‘Easter Lilies’ and Alliums ( the early unseasonal cold months of the year still dominating this year’s natural blooming cycle).

Head Gardener's favourite Iris

This on is a close second

Tomatoes are progressing. Fortunately had facilities for keeping plants under cover until climate improved so not very far behind; most already in flower at the first or second truss, some with fruits fruit forming. Spraying has commenced to mitigate the dreaded ‘Blight’. With a wide selection of Supermarket Tomatoes already down to 80 cents a Kg. the thought briefly forms as to the efficaciousness of the bother of cultivation, but then the memory of the true flavour when freshly picked falls into place. Money Maker, Cristal, Principe de Borghese, Red, Yellow and Black Cherry are the varieties of choice this season.

First trusses on tomatoes

Courgettes are planted in the ground, a limited number this year as the freezer’s still full of the 2013 vintage. ‘Eight Ball’(round and green),’Rugosa Friulana’(Yellow, Bent and Knobbly) and Green, Yellow and White ‘Patti Pans’(round and pork pie shaped) leading this year’s Charge in the Cucurbita Handicap. ‘California Wonder’ Sweet Peppers just in flower and last year’s Chillis coming into leaf. Cucumbers about to flower -  local variety ‘Pepino’ well ahead of the more exotic ‘Delikateb’, ‘Fem Spot’(self fertilising they say?- shall watch with interest) and ‘ Marketmore 76’(think the number represents the length). 

First courgette flower

French Beans all growing (no flowers yet), Climbing Beans in glorious vibrant red flower and Leeks are superb. Lots of Raspberry, Tayberry and Strawberry un-ripened fruit and masses of flower (one benefit of a cold wet spring – so it’s not all bad then).

The Head Gardener likes these beans just for the flowers!

Tayberries on the move!

Not long now for ripe strawberries

As the Orchids are back out on the terrace it must be early summer, just managing to eat breakfast outside each morning, and coffee being served in the sunshine, after the Bell at ‘Eleven’, by the smiling Head Gardener.

Must dash

See you Soon

Stuart

MAY IN THE RAIN

5^TH MAY 2016 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

The hiatus of ‘May Day’ passed in the first period of consistent good weather this year, (well six sunny and very warm days).  Alas, the meteorological metronome has again swung into the WET quadrant, and the forecast is for RAIN and more RAIN during the next fortnight. As it is now almost warm, except during the downpours, the horticultural inhabitants of the garden are enjoying a sudden bout of growth (as predicated). However, the insidious intentions of the various air-borne plagues of the vegetative world are already girding their loins for an all out attack on the soft a vulnerable new plant growth. Now is the time to start the counter attack with the various unctions available (be they eco-friendly and a balm to those of a ‘Green Persuasion’, or Chemical and highly effective).

Tomato plants are usually the first to befall the viral terrors – at least this year, with cold start to April there is little to blacken and wilt as yet. For some reason the abundance of caterpillars is most evident on anything that seems vulnerable and healthy, so the morning mantra is ‘Spray, Spray for yet another day’.

Pleased to report that everything so far planted is progressing with considerable vigour, put down to liberal feeding with the old blue ball, plus a new compost mix of 30% estrume, 30% new bagged compost and 40% of last year’s residual in the previously used tubs.  This, with constant application (every three or four days) of liquid fertilizer when watered has an amazing effect.

The new roof  garden on the Belvedere terrace seems to have the most potent position for container grown produce. (If the sun shines, each container receives up to 15 hours of beneficial rays per day, but requires watering morning and evening).  Currently, leeks are getting ready for picking, the pak choi has, as usual, bolted  before being picked . (The cropping period seems to be around thirty minutes long at around 3am twenty eight days after seeding – missed it again this year) . Tomatoes are growing well.  One variety,  Chucha, is already on its second truss of flower, with small fruit set on the first truss. (Presume these will be the first plants to get blight due to their precociousness). Cucumbers are showing early flower buds, green peppers, runner beans, courgettes doing well. Aubergines are struggling .

Flowering tomatoes, with "bolting" pak choi underplanted

General view of flourishing plants - in the rain!

Cosmos, tagetees, zinnias, lobelia seedlings  are now plants and puckering up to flower. Geranium cuttings growing well, and Dahlias looking promising. Roses are as always looking lovely. The yellow ‘Banksii’ is particularly prolific this year. Jasmine is truly ‘heavenly’ with its exotic aroma (cross between petrol and burning car tyres some say). Wisteria still in full ‘wistfulness’, Arum lilies now blooming to the size of Ariadne’s cornucopia, Fuchsias in full flower, the Begonias  showing initial signs of life and the orange trees are in full bloom(with accompanied blissful aroma). Even the holly trees are full of flower buds ( so looking forward to a green and red berry Christmas).

Last flowers of the wisteria - been beautiful this yer

Rosa Banksii - doing its thing

Flowering holly - promising berries for the Festive Season in December

Begonias beginning to appear

The orange blossom is competing for scent with the jasmine

Arum lilies - elegant as ever

 iris

Nameless climbing rose

Even the inclement weather cannot dampen the Gardener’s enthusiasm in May. Everything is poised for summer glory. Even the Head Gardener is preparing to enjoy the plaudits so liberal available when everything in the garden is ‘Rosy’.

And, lastly, one of the Head Gardener's favourites

The rain has stopped for a few minutes, must dash as masses to do before the coffee bell.

 See you soon –

 Stuart.