22nd March 2017
CENTRAL PORTUGAL
Yesterday was the first
official day of Spring. ‘Primavera’ in Portuguese sounds so much more romantic
and so much less energetic than the act of ‘Spring’. It all really started here
about two weeks ago when the weather turned from ‘cold and miserable’ to
‘glorious and hot’ it actually managed to reach 30 degrees on the ‘15th’.
(8 degrees and sleet and snow in the mountains today, ‘Tis the pleasure of
being a Gardener)
The garden is full of
new colour. Blossom enrobes most of the fruit trees with masses of soft tints,
ranging from just off white through pinks, peaches and purples. The warmth has
ensured the arrival of the fertilising hoards, and a few bees have appeared,
which would seem to be amazing if the harbingers of ‘eco’ woes are to be
believed. Embryonic fruit has already appeared on the Damascus Apricot so maybe
this is the year for the first real crop after eight years of ardent
cultivation (did not prune last year so maybe?). Nectarines, peaches (red, white
and flat Paraguayan), cherries and plums,
are all competing for the ‘Glory of the Garden’ title.
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| Peach blossom |
The Dutch tulips in
Portugal always beat their parents in Holland into full magnificent bloom. This year is no exception. The colours and
shapes are, as always, enchanting. As they appear it is always easy to
understand the Dutch Tulip Bubble (as opposed to the South Sea Bubble in UK) in
the 18th Century when great fortunes were lost and gained on a single
unique bulb. Daffodils are spectacular but fall well into the shade beside the
heroic ‘Exhibitionism’ of the grandeur of tulip time at Keukenhof, the High
Temple of the Bulb.
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| Lots and lots of lovely Tulips |
First buds are forming
on the hybrid tea roses and the yellow specie rose, Banksii, which grows amongst the purple Wisteria, are
lightening up the corner of the patio terrace.
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| Rosa Banksii just emerging |
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| Wisteria braving the cold rain today |
Over wintered geraniums are
coming into bloom and the miniature cyclamen are claiming their place in the
dappled sunshine.
First shoots have
appeared on last year’s seeded Dahlias ( Bishop’s Children and Summer Gold) and
the new plants for this year’s stock have had their seeds sown. An array of
Nasturtium seeds have also been planted - lots of Indian Dwarfs in dark reds
and bright orange and yellow climbing varieties will give colour throughout the
rest of the year (remember don’t feed Nasturtiums or there will be little flower,
just very large leaves).
Still too early to
transplant seeds sown under glass or in doors (wait till end of March, and
until mid April before planting most seeds in the ground). There is always the
chance of a cold snap in March when the Iberian high pressure slips and the
miserable northern Low pressure creeps south with its attending chill and rain.
(Think it has just arrived!)
Early start to the fire season here, right next to the garden. Thankfully it's out and not likely to start again as they weather is now giving us a hail storm!
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| Thick smoke next to Stuart's Garden |
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| Our Wonderful Bombeiros Voluntarios putting out the flames |
Bit of a chill in the
wind for old bones, when will that bell ring for coffee?
Ah there it goes,
must dash slowly (old bones remember) –
see you soon,
Stuart.
