FESTIVE THOUGHTS

8^TH 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).

  

Autumn colour of the wisteria against the 'gin clear sky'!

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.

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).

Sweet peppers ripeining in the December sunshine

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.

Mini Cyclamen just coming into its own

Little pansies/violas gradually filling up the window box

Primulas will keep going until the spring

Other plants surprisinginly also still giving us flowers in December:-

Angel's Trumpets (Brugmansia) Ringing in the Festive Season

Nasturtiums self-seeding everywhere

Clematis Jackmanii giving us it's swansong for 2016

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