6TH JUNE
2017 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL
Light rain overnight
and brilliant morning sunshine have made the garden sparkle like a casket of
precious jewels – but then what is more precious than the splendour of nature’s
bounty in your very own plot.
The weather has been
fickle for late May and early June - very
hot sunny days interlaced by bright but cold north westerly and easterly winds.
The Iberian High Pressure has yet to establish prominence this summer. Still a
shortage of rain and there would seem to be little prospect of any substantial
amount until October, so the decision to mainly ‘Tub Plant’ this year seems to
have been the correct way to go (one litre of water a day will keep a 95litre
tub full of plants in good order).
The Tomatoes, tub planted
in April, are now full of green fruit and up to the fourth truss. (As they have
restricted growth, they will be stopped off at the fifth fruiting truss). Regular
feeding twice a week with the daily watering regime should get the best and
heaviest crop. Removing two thirds of the leaves which promotes and allows the
movement of air around the plant, nipping out the side shoots, which ensures
all the plant energy goes into the promotion of maximum sized fruit, and a
fortnightly spray with your favourite Anti-Blight potion, which ensures there
is no catastrophic attack of Black
Mould, must become the rule for the next weeks until the crop is harvested.
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| Tomatoes developing nicely |
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| Lovely truss of cherry tomatoes |
The ever reliable
California Wonder Sweet Peppers are producing their first fruit from a plethora
of white flowers, and the violet flowers the Aubergine are starting to show
signs of small claret coloured globes. The new Piri Piri plants introduced this
year are full of flower, but seem to have an aversion to direct hot sunlight.
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| One small aubergine (eggplant) and accompanying flower |
Flowers are all super.
The long sunny days during the last two months and the lack of heavy rain have
ensured that the blooms are lasting at their best for a longer time than is
usual. However, the clement weather has
seen off the first flush of this year’s Roses - feeding now to promote the next
bloom is essential. Remember to prune back the flowered whips (stalks) to the
second to last outfacing bud. Fed and watered, these buds will be in flower
within three weeks. Climbing, and most rambling Roses usually only flower once,
so when the flowers have dropped ,remove the exhausted wood to promote new
growth for possibly a second flowering or for next year. (Yes, planning ahead
for next year this early in this season ensures garden continuity).
Geraniums and Fuchsia
never fail to please, and this year is no exception. Keep Geraniums on the dry
side and don’t feed (unless you prefer leaves to flower). Fuchsias are greedy
feeders, need plenty water. Keep in dappled shade (lift up the pots of the
trailing varieties to ensure the blooms are free of the ground – this gives the
best show and prevents ‘rust’).
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| A selection of geraniums |
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| A bevy of Fuchsias! |
Petunias always add that explosion of rich colour. The
‘Surfinia’ strain is now available in more vibrant and interesting colours and
certainly has a propensity to produce masses of flower blooms for the whole
summer – ensure they are fed at least once per week and are watered daily. Left
to dry out will ensure their demise.
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| And another bevy - petunias this time |
Marigolds, both French
and African are now burgeoning forth. These often forgotten and much maligned
genre will brighten up the most morose corner or the most exposed (to sunshine
and wind) of the garden, ranging in height from 75mm to 1metre, they certainly
give value for very little money.
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| A Parade of Marigolds |
Another favourite
making its way back into the fashionable garden is the Dahlia. Both tuberous
and bedding will add splendid colour and lots of character to even the driest
of situations.
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| Lovely large tuberous Dahlia |
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| A pot of bedding Dahlias - variety Bishop's Childre n |
It looks as if the
early promise of loads of summer fruit from the Orchard will be fulfilled.
Peaches, Apples, Plums, Pomegranates are over laden with growing fruits and the
lazy Damascus Apricot tree (which has produce three fruits in nine years) is
covered in ripe or near ripe plumptious Apricots (see, miracles do happen in
the garden). There may even be an Olive or two in late October.
So hot, sticky (been
dead heading Petunias) and a bit ‘Chuffed’ with results so far, the Coffee Bell
and the HG will be most welcome.
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| Peaches - not long now |
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| Damascus Apricot - lots of fruit at last! |
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| These plums are going to be quite large |
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| Young Apples |
Now there goes the tintinabulation of the HG
gentle summoning for refreshment. The trumpets of the Brugmansia seem to be joining in
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| Stunning, as usual, the first Angels' Trumpets |
must dash,
See you soon
Stuart
