FIRE AND WATER

19^th AUGUST 2016 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

With the glorious relief of rain, well not really rain just a very fine drizzle, and the temperature down to 25 degrees, following three weeks of excessively high temperatures well into the 40’s on a number of occasions, 24 hours of relief is most welcome. (The word ‘relief’ is used advisedly as the forecast is to return to the heat-wave next Sunday with temperatures back to 39 degrees being predicted). The heat was not the main problem. The worst forest fires in twenty years have engulfed the ‘Beiras’(and much of the rest of Portugal) in the past fourteen days. Approximately 60,000 hectares of standing timber have been destroyed and this has only been contained by the amazing bravery and extreme effort of the truly noble ‘Bombeiros Voluntarios’ (the Portuguese Voluntary Fire Brigades stationed in every Portuguese Town). These Men and Women (yes a large proportion are young women) without fear for their own lives (six deaths in action during the last two weeks) stoically fight these tremendous ‘Blazes’, pausing only when exhaustion drives them to their knees. Without them the crisis would have become a disaster. To them all we give are most sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude.

Portuguese firemen fighting a forest blaze

Smoke from forest fire seen from the house

So, gardening has taken very much a minor role in the last days. The main priority has been watering as even the best placed plants cannot survive such blistering heat that has been experienced, without a constant supply of water. As is usual in a drought, constant sunshine and inflated temperatures the Well runs dry and water has to be drawn from the piped supply. (The choice of what to water and allow to survive or to just abandon becomes critical when the cost of Piped water is entered into the equation).

Efforts have concentrated on those plants grown in tubs (so was not a bad horticultural decision in February to concentrate this year’s efforts on the Belvedere terrace in Wine Tubs). Tomatoes are cropping very heavily – Coeur de Bue, Money Maker, Cherries (Black, Red and Yellow), Cristal and Cucha Plum have all been rampant. Cucumbers are so prolific that cold Cucumber Soup has become a staple to use up the excess (cucumbers do not freeze well). 

Just some of the cherry tomatoes

Coeur de Bue (Ox heart) tomatoes

Yet more cucumbers

Aubergines just love the sun, heat and water ( so it’s lots of  Ratatouille as it does freeze well). Sweet Green Peppers (California Wonders) are splendid in the Wine tubs and will also be destined for the Cold Repose. Courgettes are past their best, but still supplying daily. 

Aubergines cropping well

Leeks planted in March are all eaten and their growing tubs have been re-planted with seedling plants for December picking. (Those eaten were excellent and totally superior to their shop bought cousins). Have still enjoyed a few good ‘Cobs from the Sweet Corn, but generally it has been  a very low yield. The Lettuce, as usual, is performing in the spot light of Sunshine  and constant watering.

 A few strawberries are being picked daily but getting very small and Raspberries are Write Off this season as are all the Fruit Trees and Olives – but then the Gardener has always a burden of  Failure which will be hopefully overcome next year (without this Positive attitude the garden would not exist).

The flower garden has prospered without the usual spoiling tactics cast upon it by rain. Watering , dead heading and frequent feeding have ensured continued and profuse flowering from the Roses, Geraniums, Fuchsias, Dahlias, Cosmos, Zinnias, Tagetees, Solanum, Brugmansia  and, a new addition, the regal purple flowers of the Tibouchina ( another spectacular Lidl purchase).

Just some of the Geraniums grown from seed this year

Roses happily climbing up the Diosperos (Sharon Fruit) tree

Such a colourful Zinnia

And yet more Zinnias

White double Cosmos finally made it into flower

Tibouchina against yellow dahlias

Erythrina against a clear blue sky

So now is the perfect time to consider the cuttings that will beover wintered’. Taking now will allow new roots to be formed for a good healthy plant to grow – for every twenty cuttings taken (however badly) at least half will survive and bloom next year – beats €2.50 per pot at the market.

The Chilli plants kept from last year and cut back in February are now resplendent with ripe red Chillis - at least a month ahead of the new seedlings. The Piri Piri bushes (yes Bushes) are over a metre high, covered in white flowers or small green or black Piri Piri’s and should be good for few more years. (A Tabasco plant is now in its fourth year and is full of fruit). This success with Chillis is not greatly appreciated by the Head Gardener who is not overwhelmed by HOT food, but has been persuaded that the use of ‘Chilli Oil’ is most beneficial to many recipes. (2litre plastic bottle fill to one third with Chilli of choice – usual preference Piri Piri or Cayenne – fill with good Olive Oil, replace cap and leave for three to six months prior to use) and is much more controllable in the Heat stakes.

Here come the chillis again!

Last year’s effort must have been appreciated as there goes the coffee bell –

must dash –

see you soon,

Stuart.

HOPES BOTH BLIGHTED AND ACHIEVED!

8^thJULY - CENTRAL PORTUGAL

A perverse week of rain, wind and dark clouds has finally been replaced by brilliant sunshine, blue sky and temperatures getting back to normal. It is amazing the havoc one week of cold wet weather can cause, especially when it is completely out of season. The ‘Tomato Blight’ that was presumed conquered at the end of June has returned with a vengeance, even three spray applications of the ‘Magic Potion’ have had no effect on one bank of ‘tub grown’ tomato plants (the speed with which the leaves turn brown, the stems turn black and the fruit rots is astounding and ‘very annoying’). The emergency tomato seed plantings when the ‘Blight’ first appeared on the 16^th June have now become the ‘great future hope’ for a tomato crop this year. Nature maybe ‘Wonderful’ but it certainly knows how to keep Gardeners on their toes!

The poor weather has not affected the Chilli and Pepper plants. They seem to gain height by the day and are now covered in flowers - fingers crossed for pollination in the current sunshine and heat (the ‘over wintered’ chilli plants are now heavy with ripening fruit, so it does seem to work). Aubergines having wallowed in deep depression for the last three months have had a change of heart and are now coming into purple flower and are growing 6cm per day. Haricot Beans and Climbing Beans are cropping freely, cool days have kept the ‘Black Fly’ at bay, and there are plenty of bright red and deep purple flowers coming into bloom on the now 2m high vines.(See picture below).

Cucumbers are ‘rubbish’, Courgettes are in full production and the ‘Winter Squashes’ are now 4m long with a selection of green, yellow and beige globes growing larger every day. Great year for lettuce and radish. The ‘Sweet Corn’ has another 24 days to produce ‘table ready’ cobs (according to the story on the most expensive seed packet?).

WINTER SQUASH COMING ALONG NICELY

Peaches are splendid this year, have started picking whilst a  little ‘hard’ to ensure well ripened fruit rather than over ripened fruit on the tree. The three varieties of plums in the orchard are starting to ripen well - the ‘Golden Yellow’ first, the plump ‘Reds’ next (large, sweet and juicy) followed by the ‘Dark Purple’ in around ten days

.

PEACHES,  PLUMS, BEANS AND COURGETTES IN ABUNDANCE

Fuchsia are still in full bloom, Roses getting a little tired(must feed and water well for a late August show), Dahlias big and ‘blousie’ as always, Petunias coming again after the ‘big chop’ ten days ago,Erythrina (Brazilian ‘Tears of Christ) and Campsis (8m high and a mass of yellow flowers rather than the more common orange) are paying their way this year.

 

ONE OF THE PRETTY SMALLER FLOWERED FUCHSIAS

 

BUDS OF THE ERYTHRINA HAVE NOW OPENED - VERY EXOTIC

 

DAHLIA, COLOURFUL AS USUAL

 

FLOWERS OF THE CAMPSIS LESS COMMON YELLOW VARIETY

Well if the new found weather decides to stay the ‘Blight’ may disappear as quickly as it came. Might get some respite from the Head Gardener (can’t hide in the shed much longer!) See you soon

Stuart.

FROM GARDEN TO TABLE!

25th June - CENTRAL PORTUGAL

‘Thunderstorms’, isn’t nature wonderful? - two weeks of sunshine causing one hour of watering every evening (which does have a tendency to become very tedious) and along comes the bounteous rain in copious amounts (but like certain guests and fish, three days is really enough at one time).

So everything, including weeds, is enjoying ‘growth’. Courgettes seem to grow at a meteoric rate, if left for two days they resemble ‘Dirigibles’ - strange to see an ‘Art Deco’ ‘Zeppelin’ establishing itself on the vegetable terrace. Had an excellently flavoured overgrown ‘Romanescu’ baked in the oven and stuffed with a ‘hot’ chilli con Carne for dinner this evening.  Tomorrow it could be a round green ‘Eight Ball’ thinly sliced and fried with garlic until crispy on both sides – now this is part of the ‘joy’ of gardening. (He hopes! - HG)

courgettes and their flowers hiding amongst their leaves

           

Just along past the courgettes there are four varieties of ‘Winter-Squash’ doing their ‘thing’. The green ‘Burgess’ grow large without any conscience and the ‘Gourd’ like ‘Harriers’ grow with ‘gay’ abandon (splendid for squash soup).

Two varieties of winter squash

 Cucumbers are doing so well that they are already being used to make and excellent ‘Chilled’ summer dinner party soup - just add a little garlic, mint, lemon juice, yoghurt and season to taste – utterly delicious on a hot evening.

young cucumber

 (Note from Head Gardener - have you noticed how he's publishing all my best recipes?)

 Seem to have eradicated the fearful ‘Brown Blight’ on the tomatoes, fruit now forming on at least ten of the fifteen varieties under cultivation (planted some emergency seeds on the 10^th June when the ‘Blight’ appeared, just in case, and  ‘Red Alert’, ‘Roma’ and ‘Tigerella’ are now in individual pots and are showing the first signs of embryo flowers, so looks like Tomatoes well into November (probably have to buy another freezer to accommodate the crop).

Nice trusses of green tomatoes

"Just in case" young plants

The ‘Erythrina’ (Brazilian Dragon Flower) is bursting into incredible flower with long sprays of vermillion buds, hence the native Brazilian name ‘Crista Galli’(Tears of Christ), easy to grow but very difficult to propagate cuttings.

can't wait for these buds on the Erythrina to open!

Fuchsias and Geraniums just get better by the day. Keep frugally watering the Geraniums and feeding and watering the Fuchsias to keep the ‘Show’ on the road.

The seriously hot small, yellow, Peruvian Chilli plant that was ‘over wintered’ has come up trumps with the first chillis formed and ripening with a mass of flowers just about to be fertilized into a very heavy crop of mouth ‘burning’ fruit.

Not the best angle on the yellow chillis, half hidden by fuchsia flowers!

Pot grown Strawberries are now producing sweet perfectly formed crimson fruit and look set to continue for quite some time if the ‘flowers’ are any indication, just the wonder of ‘Miracle Grow’ yet again.

Spot the ripe strawberry!

Whoops, that sounds like the Head Gardeners bell, must dash as the umbrella is probably required on the upper terrace.

See you soon,

Stuart

Flowers in the Hot Sunshine of July

Hot sunshine of July arrives

 There was little doubt the sun would eventually arrive, must have been saving up as it burst on the stage in the high ‘Thirties’ centigrade. The heat saw the roses off in a couple of days after four weeks of perfection and wonderful aromas. Have cheated a little by keeping half a dozen roses growing in pots, which with feed, water and shade should pay their way for the rest of the summer.

 

Red rose in pot behind cascades of fuchsias, geraniums, Busy Lizzies,and a Hydrangea

all in shade

With the high temperature and humidity up in the 90 per cents, now is the time the  numerous Brazilian plants common in Portugal really get going, from ultra vivid coloured forest floor Impatiens, Cockspur Devil Dart bushes(Erythrina) in crimson, to twenty feet high flame orange trumpet vines (campsis). These S.American imports just thrive on heat, humidity, feed and water.

Coral vine (erythrina)  in flower

Campsis (this one is yellow) scrambling through a rambling rose

The flowers on the Indian Bean trees (Catalpa) have been quite amazing this year. We planted  five trees for summer shade on the ‘Veg’ terrace five years ago, the leaves are very large and parasol’ish, they're now twenty feet high and were  full of white and mauve sweet smelling flowers. The Catalpa is also very easy to weave into shady pergolas and does not object to being ‘flat top’ pollarded. This always astonishes your non gardening friends as it would seem you have an army of eighteenth century gardeners in your back pocket.

Lovely flowers of the Catalpa (Indian Bean tree)

The plants on the patio look a bit droopy - drinkies would seem appropriate.

Must dash, see you soon.

Stuart.