NOW THE WELL IS DRY!

5^TH SEPTEMBER 2016 - CENTRAL PORTUGAL

So the Autumn (officially started on the 1^st September according to the MET Office) in the Beiras has begun with another heatwave.   The forecast for the week has temperature well into the 40’s –due to a South Easterly wind straight from the Sahara.

Anything in the garden that need refreshment and remained un-watered, is now very dry and crispy. No need to strim in the orchard, just break of the burnt brown weeds and brush up the remains. Most wells are now dry so the only water is coming from the mains supply – constant still, but very expensive. This could be the start of a new wave of gardening for the next decade and beyond – must get used to conservation and using minimum of water or only grow between November and May – leave the other months to Figs, Olives, Oranges, Pomegranates and Vines ( seems rather a Biblical roll call in its simplicity).

So what can survive a long HOT Drought?  Apart from the previously mentioned ‘Talmudistic’ grouping, consideration could be given to the myriad of Cactus varieties available. Whilst they enjoy the ‘Wet’ of winter, they are happy to survive with little but the morning dew for four to five months – even flowering with alacrity and in profusion during the dry time. 

Cacti enjoying the summer heat

Cactus in flower

Those trees, plants and shrubs that have put down very deep roots (usually after two or three years) tend to survive, if not thrive, in the dusty high summer and there are a number of ‘Climbers’ that at least stay green – Solanum and Plumbago even giving  a wonderful display in the white to dark blue sector. Bougainvillea are enlivening in pink, purple and yellow.

Blue Plumbago and White Solanum happily intertwined

For those requiring a more verdant and tasty garden the use of large Tubs (75 litre to 90 litre grape tubs from the Co-Operativa and €2.80 each, do admirably and don’t collapse after 2 sunny years, like their very expensive terracotta coloured plastic cousins) will, with the a minimal addition of tap water (tub usually requires around 3litres per day against the same ‘ground planting’ using at least 12 litres). These tubs can be filled with a ‘Tailor Made’ growing compost for the particular plant to be cultured and can be very specifically fed and watered throughout the growing and fruiting season to encourage spectacular results.

Tomatoes, Aubergines, Peppers, Chillis, and Cucumbers all thrive in ‘Tub Culture’ with their cropping season being extended well into the winter. Peppers and Chillis can simply be cut back to 150 mm in January and the new season starts 2 months earlier than those sown each year from seed. Usually the crop is much larger in the second to fourth years.

 

A good selection of this year's tomatoes

Shiny purple aubergines

Plump green peppers

Raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries and rhubarb (Yes rhubarb can be grown in Portugal in a tub) all thrive  in their own individual space, even Sweet Corn (sixty days from planting to eating) and leeks (maybe the sweetest you have ever tasted and they will be available with all year round with progressive planting) all perform rather well. The only way to find out is to try the method. You never know you may be saving the planet!

Needless to say, most of the summer blooming plants (and 80% of the winter flowering) are Tub grown. The half size 45 litre capacity units are best for bulbs Plant Tulips by the end of September for a display next March, and Lily bulbs by the end of October for best results next year. (Don’t over water). Cyclamens perform best in small pots. Plant in October for winter flowering under the trees.

Dahlias love the solitude of individual planting and flower profusely if regularly fed and watered well into November or December if the temperatures hold up.

Pretty "Bedding" Dahlias grown from seed - Bishop's Children Vatiety

 Roses can be grown in big tubs. Water in summer leave dry in winter, and will bloom for ten months a year. Best varieties for container growing are ‘Bush’ plants.  Climbers and Ramblers out grow the tub in a first season. 

Some roses just keep on going

Now is the time to top up all your current Tubs and Pots with ‘estrume’(Horse Manure) as most will already have lost a fifth of the compost washed out by watering and they are all desperate for a good feed. If you dislike the idea of ‘estrume’ use ‘Blue Ball’ Fertilizer or a ‘Liquid Feed’ of choice but DO FEED now if the garden is to remain in its prime until Christmas.

In case you didn't believe me!

The thermometer has just topped ‘40’ degrees and it’s not yet Noon. At last the tintinabulation of the Head Gardener’s bell with the summons to a ‘Hosing Down’ 

and coffee –

must dash, 

see you soon

Stuart.