8TH DECEMBER 2016 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL
Sharp morning on the Belvedere, not quite freezing
but feels cold in the light easterly wind, sky azure blue and the atmosphere
‘Gin’ clear with just a touch of dampness. These sparkling December mornings
are one of the many bonuses of living in the Beiras of Portugal. The weeks
prior to and during Christmas are usually bright, clear and dry, significantly
different from the grey, wet, foggy and cold days frequently experienced in the
North of England as a precursor of the miserable weather that settles on the whole of northern
Europe in January and February.
Thoughts of the Festive Season invariably preclude
the enthusiasm for manual labour in the garden. It has always been a good time
to hang up the strimmer and give the tools a well earned rest. A gentle
brushing of leaves and the application of the power washer is sufficient to
spruce up the terraces, patio and paths
for post Christmas Lunch preamble (nothing worse than slipping on wet leaves
and ending up with a sprained ankle for the evening’s entertainment). The Autumnal chill
has almost removed most of the wonderfully coloured and vibrant leaves, the
Diosperos trees are resplendent with large orange and translucent fruit, their
gaunt branches etched onto the sparkling clear sky (pity their fruit never
tastes as good as it looks).
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| Autumn colour of the wisteria against the 'gin clear sky'! |
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| The Diosperos (Kaki, Persimon) redeems itlself every autumn with its wonderful colour |
Removed all the broken, dead and diseased branches
and whips from the orchard fruit trees (not pruning just tidying up as with
little or no fruit last year do not wish to discourage any fecund attitude now
dormant in the new buds). Most roses, if not in bud and flower, are now cut down
by two thirds until the full prune in late February (when the first feed is
due). Geraniums and fuchsias cleared of ‘sticky
out’ bits and the rampant flowering vines, Wisteria, Solanum, Rambling Roses, Orange
Brazilian Campsis, have all been cut back for their winter rest and
recuperation.
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| Fuchsia and geranium flowering bravely on |
Even in Winter the garden still gives of its best,
amazing quantities of sweet peppers (California Wonders) and chilli (Jalapeno, Cayenne,
Ring of Fire and Piri-Piri) are being picked daily. Now enjoying young tender leeks
(planted in September) and a vast selection of green, red and brown leaved
lettuce (still planting twenty plugs plants from market every two weeks so they
may take over by April).
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| Sweet peppers ripeining in the December sunshine |
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| Still "hot" food to look forward to from these Cayenne Peppers! |
Still lots of colour from the Primulas, Pansies,
late Geraniums, Cyclamen and the Tulips have decided to show their ‘tips’ (so
continuity guaranteed) and lots of cuttings growing away with ‘gay’ abandon.
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| Mini Cyclamen just coming into its own |
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| Little pansies/violas gradually filling up the window box |
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| Primulas will keep going until the spring |
Other plants surprisinginly also still giving us flowers in December:-
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| Angel's Trumpets (Brugmansia) Ringing in the Festive Season |
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| Nasturtiums self-seeding everywhere |
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| Clematis Jackmanii giving us it's swansong for 2016 |
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| And, of course, there will be oranges for months to come! |
Potting Shed stove is performing well today, well
stoked and the log basket full, two chairs available so no bell required,
coffee served by HG and new seed catalogues being perused in depth (HG has some
very good ideas for next year’s planting) will keep a positive attitude to this
spectacular thoughts to ensure liberal
coffee supply during next year.
Happy
Christmas and a wonderful horticultural New Year –
must dash
into January,
Stuart
