LET'S JUST STICK WITH NATURE AND PORTUGUESE SUNSHINE!

24^TH JUNE 2016 CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Having enjoyed a number of years on the shady and wind free garden terrace, many plants, growing in both large tubs and planted directly into the ground, seem to be now much happier re-positioned on the higher and exposed Belvedere terrace. However, the previously contented Rose bushes planted in the double wall adjacent to the Belvedere, have suddenly decided that they no longer wish to be associated with recently introduced vegetable tubs and Cacti Theatre enjoying pride of place on the high terrace. After long and in depth consideration by those original tubs on the garden terrace and also by those in the courtyard, they have decided that they will not accept any variation of the original watering and feeding regime agreed when the garden was first formed. The expected outcome is that those plants on the Belvedere, deprived of water, will quickly wither away and cease to be a source of aggravation.

Roses in the wall

Cacti Theatre

Cactus in bloom

All this may sound totally ridiculous, but it is exactly the scenario which has just come to its conclusion in the non horticultural world of Europe. Thank goodness sanity can prevail in the garden by the action of the competent Head Gardner and a hose pipe - but then, horticultural fixes can be achieved in ‘hours’, whilst in that other world it can take generations.

Sunshine and warmth have returned in abundance to the Portuguese ‘Beiras’ in the last few days. Plants in a somnambulent state for weeks, have suddenly decided to make their way into the summer season. The frequently sprayed Tomatoes are free of blight following daily ministrations of the ‘magic elixir’ and are heavy with pale green well formed fruit. The Sweet Peppers (California Wonders) are covered in white flowers, with the first embryonic peppers formed. Aubergines are in glorious violet flower and look most attractive beside the deep purple and orange flowers of ‘Violette’ and ‘Streamline’ Runner Beans. Courgettes and Patti Pans are in full production and Cucumbers are rampant. Sweet Corn is reaching ‘Donkey’ eye height (hoping for ‘Elephant’ eye height in due course) and Onions, Leeks and Lettuce are being well cropped daily.

Portuguese Plum Tomatoes

Vibrant flowers of the runner beans

Flowers emerging on the peppers

leeks ready for the pot

The Raspberry bushes, replanted last year, are in full ‘Fruit’, producing around 300 grammes per day (can easily become ‘outfaced’ by too many ‘Rasps’) and the Strawberries (all grown in troughs) are well away and the fruit is now ‘large’.

Tagetees, Petunias, Cosmos, Fuchsias, Zinnias, Allysum, Lobelia and Nasturtiums are glorious in the newly arrived sun and heat. The rambling roses are just divine in both perfume and display. The Brugmansias are in musical mode with their multitude of perfectly formed ‘Trumpets’.

Lovely brugmansia trumpets

And again

Colourful tagetees and petunias

Lovely white rambling rose - possibly dear old Rambling Rector

Catalpa flowers close up - smell lovely

Stunning richly coloured Cosmos

The head Gardener has instructed that we should just ‘ sit and enjoy’ the scents and sights of the season on the terraces available in ‘peace and tranquillity’(Bell currently being rested) enjoying a little ‘Iced Coffee’ as appropriate.

 must dash slowly in the heat

see you soon

Stuart. 

HUMID NIGHTS AND HOT DAYS

12TH JUNE 2016  CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Two weeks away in the far North of Yorkshire and the climate in the ‘Beiras’ seems almost tropical;  misty mornings, blue sky and hot sunshine with high humidity – already spraying furiously to contain the first outbreak of the dreaded ‘Blight’ on the tomatoes. (All plants full examined at 7am, stems black with the ‘furry’ spores by 5pm).

As expected, everything has grown during the absence. Cucumbers in are production, Sweet Peppers and Aubergines in flower, those tomato plants still in situ after the cull have small pale green fruit, strawberries, loganberries and raspberries being picked daily. Courgettes in wild profusion and all colours of lettuce heading for salad heaven. So just keep watering and feeding for a prolonged season of ‘untold riches’ on the table.

Petunia, Tagetees and Cosmos sown in April now in flower, Zinnias 350mm tall, Geranium and Fuchsia cuttings from March in full glory and Roses rampant everywhere, even the Brugmansia has squeezed out a few ‘trumpets’ already.

Some of the lovely roses in bloom now

Brugmansia 

Acquired some unusual seeds while in the far North, a bedding Dahlia called ‘Bishops Children’ (bred from ‘Bishop of Llandaff a few years back, seed not seen in Portugal) great for bedding with a mass of deep red and orange single blooms, together with some double Cosmos in cream and a selection multicoloured Geums. All sown today and awaited with baited breath.

Visited RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) garden at Harlow Carr whilst in Harrogate. Amazed to see the ‘New Thinking’ in the UK gardening world, everything very green or purple and the ‘Natural Meadows’ make the orchard at the bottom of the garden here look very ‘Fashionable’ (mainly due to the collapse of the ‘Strimmer’ last week and general lack of applied effort – maybe this is the future ‘trend’ in the Horticultural World after seeing the efforts on view at Chelsea this year).

Just a few pictures from the visit to RHS  Harlow Carr Gardens in Yorkshire

From Gertrude Jeykell to Monty Don the essence of all gardens still pivots around Colour, Fragrance and Form. Let the two former triumph and nature will ensure the latter. However, there always seems to be lots of assistance required in the ‘Weeding’ and ‘Watering’ sectors.(Is a weed really only a plant in the wrong place?- not according to the HG).

So, armed with trusty trowel, bucket for weeds, kneeler for comfort and masses of tenacity, its back to restore the ‘Jungle’ into the horticultural order that generates the ever necessary ‘Coffee’ on the terrace –

must dash, might miss it!!!!

See you soon –

 Stuart.