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.