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