EVERYTHING IN THE GARDEN IS WONDERFUL

6^TH 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.

Tomatoes developing nicely

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.

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’).

A selection of geraniums

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.

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.

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.

Lovely large tuberous Dahlia

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.

Peaches - not long now

Damascus Apricot - lots of fruit at last!

These plums are going to be quite large

Young Apples

 Now there goes the tintinabulation of the HG gentle summoning for refreshment. The trumpets of the Brugmansia seem to be joining in 

Stunning, as usual,  the first Angels' Trumpets

must dash,

See you soon 

Stuart