BIG SOAK - AFTER THE BIG FREEZE

30^TH JANUARY 2017 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL 

      

A month of hard frosts, minus 5 degrees on a few nights, has reduced most of the non hardy plants and shrubs to brown sludge - even those judiciously covered  or wrapped in garden floss have suffered. These low temperatures are not unheard of in the Beiras but seldom continue for such a consistently long period. From the forecast, it would seem that this big freeze is about to be replaced by the Big Soak as heavy rain is predicted for most of the next month. Although this will hold up gardening progress in this new season, it is most welcome as there has been little significant rain since last May. The local baragem (reservoir) is twenty metres lower than usual so just about at drought level.

Whilst the garden generally has suffered in January, not everything has been destroyed by the cold. This will be a spectacular year for most of the citrus fruits. All varieties of Oranges, Tangerines, Clementines, Lemons, Mandarins, Limes and Grapefruit are profuse, large and very sweet , due to the glorious sunny days in the last weeks, created by the high pressure stuck over the west of the Iberian peninsula.  To the eastern side there has been snow in places that do not expect it, such as the Costa Del Sol in Spain.

Tangerines in profusion

One very large grapefruit

Two small lemons

shy little Clementines

BIG oranges

The days have been very bright, but out of the sun the air temperature has remained cool, so little else is progressing. The delay in the early fruit blossom on the apricot, almond and cherry trees may mean that it will not be in full flower until early March when the chance of further frost is minimal. This may enable much fertilisation by the then hungry bees, and a bumper fruit crop in the summer says the ever optimistic Gardener  No set back is ever a disaster in the garden – all is balanced by nature.

The prospect of a deluge of rain should be used to apply the first major feed of the year – be it natural or chemical.  The precipitation will wash the goodness down to the ever ready roots. To maximise the cultural effect of the top dressing it is worthwhile lightly forking the surface around each plant, shrub or tree being fed. A mulch can then be added to the surface to maximise the overall effect.

Pleased to see the tulips are showing signs of growth, having invested in a new bulb supply from Lidl in September. at €1.49 for fifteen bulbs, the ‘Urge to Splurge’ was irresistible, so have at least ten tubs of thirty bulbs each getting ready for a spring fantasia( just trying to emulate the show in Holland at Keukenhoff Gardens on a miniature scale). Was amazed to see that last week my favourite supermarket was offering a wide range of summer bulbs, including Gladioli, at €1.29 per 15 bulb pack (don’t think they will stay long on the shelves at that price).

Tulips pushing through now

The inclement conditions have precluded much outside activity since the new year. Unless a heated cloche or green house is available , there is little use in planting seeds as they need at least an ambient temperature of 15 degrees to germinate.   This is too long in very cold damp compost  as the seed will rot in most instances. For the energetic, the spells between the expected showers in February will allow the ground to be well dug over in preparation for March sowing and planting, so it is time to get the Wellies out and put on the waterproof  hat to maximise next season results – Slacking will only become evident in June so no excuses.

There is still a little colour in the form of winter pansies and polyanthus, with the odd lone Rose trying very hard.

Pretty polyanthis - smell lovely

One lonely rose!

 For those needing a ‘Flower Fix’, it’s the perfect time to study the seed catalogues by the potting shed stove, enjoying a welcome mug of the Head Gardener’s specially brewed coffee

 must dash, don’t want to let it go cold

see you soon

Stuart

COLD, FROSTY AND SUNNY START TO THE NEW YEAR

7TH JANUARY 2017 - CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Happy new Gardening Year to all those worldwide followers of ‘Stuart’s Garden’. Last year just over 25,000 of you lusted after the Head gardener's Coffee; your interest has been overwhelming. The thought that a small plot of slightly infertile ground in the ‘Beiras’ of  Portugal could be of interest to those as far away as North America, China, Australia, Argentina South Africa and many in between, has been both encouraging and shocking to the system.

The first week of 2017 has been very cold for here. 0 degrees most nights and heavy frost every morning has seen off most of the tender foliage plants.

Ice on the path

Frost in the valley

 Nasturtiums, impatiens, dahlias, some geraniums, all the chillies and sweet peppers, brugmansia, tamarillos and the frost intolerant fuchsia are all drooping soggy masses. Roses are looking interested in a little action and most of the solanums, with the warmth of their support walls, are still flowering happily. Primulas and Winter Pansies  are giving colour after Christmas and the first tulips are peeping through on the Belvedere. Cacti, under the protection of Garden Floss, are in jovial spirits, or should it be prickly, and still seem to be growing taller.

One hardy fuchsia tolerating the cold weather

Winter pansies enjoying the sunshine

Primulas giving a hint of Springtime

Citrus fruit are all coming into their own (hope the frost does not get below 0 degrees for much longer as the fruit can freeze on the tree). Tangerines were perfect for Christmas Stocking Fillers, as predicted. The early Oranges are being picked for eating. New Year Gin & Tonics enjoyed freshly picked Lemons and Limes. Breakfast is being embellished with new season Grapefruit and the Mandarins should be ready in the next fortnight. The enthusiasm for all things Citrus does tend to fade a little by the end of March, by which time every possible recipe involving Oranges and Lemons Etc. has been exhausted and the trees can be pruned before their glorious perfumed blossoms appear.

Oranges and Tangerines at full ripeness

The clear blue sky and wall to wall sunshine during the day (when the temperature can get to 20 degrees) is encouraging the bud formation of all of the fruit trees in the orchard. Let’s hope these early January days of frost will purge the meteorological world's need for frost before the first blossoms appear (usually on the Damascus Apricot, hence the usual lack of any fruit –flower buds die in the cold and if they make it to flowering there are no insects about to pollinate), so maybe a mild damp February will create a bumper crop this year.

An unusual cross?

Apart from daily inspections, and bit of ‘tutting’ there is not much to do just now. This then is a splendid time to collect all the plant pots and tubs for an in-depth wash and sterilisation ( best results for clean sterile pots are achieved by using ‘Babies Bottle’ sterilisation tablets – very cheap and very effective). Most garden tools could also do with cleaning and oiling before the new season kicks off, and it’s a good time to get Strimmers serviced (before the rush in March when all your neighbours realise its Spring). Sitting by the Potting Shed fire on cold winter days is also the perfect time to sharpen all the garden cutting aids, secateurs, hedge shears, loppers and pruning saws all appreciate a little attention prior to another season of mistreatment.

The sun is streaming through the shed window, so it must be very close to coffee time. Have get the HG back to priorities after the Festive break. Is that the tintinnabulation of ‘Angel Chimes’ or is it the ‘Bell’. Yes it was the ‘Bell’. Enjoying fresh coffee and a warm log fire while bathing in the sunshine – so gardening does have many good points even on winter’s day.  

The dawn of another  sunny winter's day in Central Portugal

Must dash,

see you soon,

Stuart.