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

LONG HOT SUMMER

19^th AUGUST 2015 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Still hot – around 35 degrees at 11 O’clock, and very dry, with little more than heavy morning dew for the last ten weeks. This could be the start of a real drought? The heat and lack of water has certainly shortened the cropping season for much on the ‘Veg’ terrace. Cucumbers, courgettes (first seeding),runner beans, French beans and Pati Pans have all given up the ghost and are now becoming (very dry) compost. The first rule of gardening on steep valley side terraces is that ‘what grows on a terrace stays on the terrace’(except the crop of course which usually languishes in the ‘freezer’).

One day's harvest - note from Head Gardener "need second freezer!"

Tomatoes are loving these ‘conditions’ – with a liberal daily supply of piped water and constant feed. The ‘Cristal F1’ is a great success, 50kg. from eight plants already picked, with at least the same to come in the next few weeks. ‘Moneymaker’ just plugs away at a regular one kilo per plant per week and the Cherry varieties (Sweet Baby, Yellow Cherry Bell, String of Beads) are in full production; so good for those on a diet as more energy expended on picking (due to small size and large quantity) than calories gained on consumption!

 

Tomatoes after cropping - lots more on the way

Never seen sweet peppers, both green and yellow, produce some many and such large fruit. California Wonder (like the ones on the Uncle Ben’s Rice advert) are already two metres tall and full of ripe and ripening peppers plus loads of flower still coming. The local Portuguese yellow strain is also quite overwhelming in its fecundity and the long reds are actually turning bright red.

Lots of lovely sweet peppers

Although the HG required a greatly reduced crop of chillis this year, the few plants grown have been unaware of the sanction and are about to produce unprecedented results.  Cayenne and Tabasco have mature red pods with serried ranks of green fruit waiting their turn to shine, whilst the white flowers still proliferate on the top of the plants. Cherry Bomb and Paper Lantern are covered in small fruit and a new planting this year of ‘Hop Scotch’, is full of  bonnet- shaped pale green, immature fruit. Trial tasting yesterday produced numbness of tongue instantaneously and numb cheeks today (so would consider the ‘Scoville’ reading of 850,000 possibly on the low side).

THE HOT ONES!

Aubergines have got their ‘second wind’, covered in both swelling dark purple gloriously shiny fruit and lots of mauve flowers - all ready to give more fruit in  September and October. (Just feed, water excessively and crop frequently). The very large Aubergines look spectacular but tend to be full of seed and inedible, so best for photographs only and eat the medium sized production.

Aubergine promising more fruit - lots of flowers

Purple plum tree has done very well with around 50 kilos picked, and very sweet and juicy (winter crumbles here they come – via freezer of course). The large Fuji plums are also starting to look almost ready to pick, so, with the over-supply of yellow plums early last month, this has certainly been plum year.

One again, not an Olive year.  There has been lots of blossom, lots of embryonic fruit in May, lots of sunshine and no water in June, equals no fruit AGAIN! is this the year for the ‘Big Chop’?.

Actually have good crop of apples. the Granny Smith’s and New Zealand Starkings,  have made to the end of August on the tree and are ‘real’ apple size (maybe not Grade One’s but definitely Grade Two plus). Must mention the Quince tree as, after eight years of cultivation, it has three very large  fruits nearly ready for picking (Quince Jelly here they go)

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The Sweet Corn, grown from the excessively costly packet of twenty four F1 seeds purchased in UK last year, has produced twenty one edible ‘heads of corn’. Half already eaten, absolutely splendid, sweet and very flavoursome - well worth the price, effort and water (will never again be persuaded to plant the local seed which produces corn ears only fit for hen food- Thompson & Morgan have got it ‘right’).

Geraniums are in full bloom again (fed with the ‘Blue Balls’ two weeks ago). Dahlias suffering from the heat and starting to show signs of powdery mildew (spraying having little effect once the leaves succumb to the virus) so they will be leaving the garden very soon. The heat has not helped the Fuchsias so far, but at least they have another three months to go. The Petunias have kept going but are now exhausted and a little sad. The Roses are showing signs of life and new buds ready for the ‘second spring’ in September.

Geraniums still wonderful - roses trying hard

Yellow and Red raspberries are fruiting again in competition with the Strawberries (which are still producing two bowls of fruit per day). Head Gardner very pleased with the new growing arrangement in the raised troughs as no bending required.

Ripe yellow raspberries - full of flavour

Must remember pick a lettuce before the coffee bell.

 Ah! there goes the bell- must dash

see you soon.

 Stuart. 

RAMBLINGS ON A HOT SUNDAY AFTERNOON

19^TH JULY 2015 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Still hot and no rain, enjoying a life spent watering! This is the time of year that the thought of the horrendous water bill (no bore hole) against the local market cost of fruit and vegetables always seems to rear its head? However the pleasure of planting and watching the crops grow, not to mention the specific enjoyment of eating home grown produce, soon banishes any financial stigma.

Picked the white peaches (15kg) and the red peaches(12kg) yesterday, just in time as they had started to fall. They were quickly stoned and blanched for immediate freezing (minus a few ‘star’ examples which were rapidly consumed) Peaches go rotten so quickly when picked when just ripe. The flavour of most fruit, with the exception of Medlars and Portuguese ‘Iron’ Pears, when tree or bush ripened is always superior to the bought examples (maybe it’s the salt from the sweat expended during cultivation and picking that gives them that extra ‘Je ne sais quoi’).  Quick freezing can often retain a modicum of their celebrity status.  Of course, the Head Gardener also made spicy peach chutney and friends make lovely peach jam.

Just a small part of the peach crop

Tomato season now in full swing - Cristal F1 are being picked and eaten; first trusses already consumed with many more to go.  They are just as good as it said on the Seed Packet (and no disease – amazing). Expect to get around 8kg each from the eight original plants. Sweet Baby also being picked; flavour is exceptional and the quantity of fruit per truss is spectacular (20 – 30 at least). However, the description ‘Baby’ is correct as they are the size of ‘Maltesers’ (UK produced round chocolate and cinder toffee sweet) and almost as sweet. Reckon around 2kg per plant. Good old ‘Money Maker’ (been growing for it about for years and quietly does the ‘business’ without too much fuss).  Still green but very heavy with ripening fruit (hope to start picking following the main ‘Cristal F1’ crop), should give a late crop for ‘freezing’. The fancy multi coloured cherry tomatoes are all growing well with well formed fruiting trusses, but at least a month away from picking.

Sweet Baby

Crystal

All colours, shapes and sizes of courgettes are giving of their bounty (new recipes now exhausted so freezing in spectacular quantities). Aubergines are so plentiful may consider export to India to supply the Lady chef who does wonderful things in her kitchen with a ‘Small Aubergine’. It always seems such a shame that something that looks so spectacular in its colour and shape should taste so bland.  (The Head Gardener finds slicing, griddling with application of garlic and chilli oil then covering in  cheese sauce improves the culinary experience).

One day's picking of Tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, courgettes, patty pans, and a few beans

The salad front has been trying hard for the last few weeks.  Over production of cucumbers has calmed down (only around three per day now). Lettuce, in all its many hues from flame red through autumn brown to vibrant green, is still in full production.  The re-growth, after initial cutting, to the next full size lettuce takes around three weeks with plenty of water in the current heat and the supply of Italian and Thai Basil complements every meal.

The Okra plants are in flower (think they should be grown for the flower rather than the fruit as ‘Ladies Fingers’ can be a bit ‘slimy’ if not cooked correctly, but that’s just me). Growing in a tub this year so water supply (copious) can be easily regulated.  

Okra has such pretty flowers

Flowers are profuse - the pictures speak for themselves. First cuttings being taken from Geraniums as there are signs of Rust (small brown patches on leaves) It’s one of the penalties of scorching hot days and warm nights. Dahlias are being sprayed to minimise Mildew (as are the vines in the local vineyards where their leaves are taking on the familiar purple coating of  home made Portuguese Bordeaux Mixture). 

Lovely perfumed lilies

Lilies and Cosmos - nice combination

Stunning archway of plumbago at the entrance to the patio

Yellow Plums picked, Purple Plums should be ready next week and Green Plums still working hard. Apple and Pear trees are ‘groaning’ with weight of potential crop (at least another six weeks to initial picking). Nectarines are as usual very poor (maybe trees out this winter when the apricots are also erased). 

Just one branch on the purple plum tree

One of the six apple trees - good crop this year

Pear Tree also full of fruit

The view from the ‘recovery’ bench (just completed in the orchard after seven years of consideration) placed under the afternoon shade of the oldest olive tree, is tranquil.  Even the insects have given up in the 38 degree plus heat.

And finally - a new recovery seat for tired workers!

At last - there goes the Head Gardeners resuscitation bell. Now must face the ‘39 Steps’ to the coffee terrace

Must dash (slowly),

See you soon.

Stuart. 

EVERYTHING'S COMING UP FRUIT!

14TH  JUNE CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Two or three days of summer rain are a relief after the weeks of sunshine and have removed the immediate portents of drought. (Not so bad in the ‘Beiras’ but becoming serious in the Alentejo and Algarve). Temperatures have dropped from the mid ‘30’s last week to a gentle low ‘20’s now, so all the plants are regrouping for a further sprint when the sun returns next Tuesday. (General opinion of all four forecasting sites consulted).

Started spraying the Tomatoes already against the dreaded ‘Blight’- might say ‘Blight Resistant’ on the packet but don’t be led astray by optimistic marketing by the Seed Merchants copy writers. (They, like the seeds, are all ‘F1 Hybrids’ and don’t always come true). Even during this uneasy period of doubt the fruit (yes ‘Fruit’ - tomatoes are not vegetables, even if the ‘Supermarkets’ think so) on the various Tomato varieties under cultivation, is amazingly profuse this year; not red yet but could certainly muster a few kilos of green chutney already. This year’s feeding regime of horse manure to start, followed by nitrogen rich rabbit droppings, and topped up weekly by a light scattering of the blue balls from the Co-Operativa, has created an unusual eco-chemical programme that will possibly offend all the various aesthetic gardening factions, but certainly suits the recipient plants. (Maybe should consider this a ‘Vote of Confidence’ by the most important parties in the debate).

Tomatoes and two kinds of Basil (wonderful eaten together)

Soon to be ripe Tomatoes

The Cucumbers that were massively profuse with both male and female flowers, but seemed to be of a ‘non-mating persuasion’, have suddenly found the profound benefit of fertilisation and are producing vast quantities of fruit. (Perhaps the  feed of rabbit droppings has had the desired effect. The adage that ‘Nothing breeds like Rabbits’ may have passed through the system).The seeds from Lidl - ‘Chinese Slangen’ and ‘Konsa’ - are well ahead of Mr.Fothergill’s ‘Marketmore 76’.

Cucumbers well on the way now - too many as usual!

Courgettes are having a field day. ‘Grissette de Provence’ are well ahead of the pack (picking six per day and already looking for recipes),’Golden Zucchine’ and ‘Black Beauty’ have flowers and small fruit, ‘Soleil F1 Hybrid’ still playing the ‘Prima Donna’, lots of leaf and no flowers yet but still time to demonstrate its credentials. The various colours of  Patty Pans are hiding their fruit with massive leaves ready to surprise with ‘Pie’ shaped progeny in a couple of weeks.

The first of the golden courgettes

Grissette courgette 

The huge leaves of the patty pan courgettes

Raspberries giving a ‘tea cup’ of fruit per day (long may this last) and the Strawberries in their raised troughs are really starting to make a daily contribution to the ‘table’. ‘Blueberries’ slow to turn blue - maybe waiting for a few cold nights.

raspberries just keep going

Aubergines have fruit, but still small, and numerous flowers (bees visiting hourly from my talented Neighbour’s hives). Sweet Peppers are full of flower and have their initial fruits forming. (These are strange plants as they always seem to wait for a precocious flower to fertilise and grow before the rest decide to emulate) and Chillis still struggling.

First baby aubergine

and the first sweet pepper

Apple trees are still full of swelling fruit (so looks like good crop later). Peaches growing fast and Plum trees are heavy with ‘Pigeon Egg’ sizes fruit getting ready for a July harvest. Olive blossom has passed and the embryonic olives are visible. Will have a decent crop in October, if the thunderstorms restrain themselves for another couple of weeks. (Last year everything looked set for a  splendid harvest  after massive blossom, but all wiped out in mid June by a 50mm in one hour storm which totally de-nuded the trees).

Lots of apples this year

peaches coming on well

young fruit on the yellow plum tree

Dahlias, Petunias, Geraniums, Roses are all behaving well .(Keep feeding weekly to keep them going)  This seems a very good year for Fuchsias and with the  trailing begonias, all seem ready for potentially a superb display. (See previous post!)

Also showing signs of fruit - pomegranate, and a lone apricot!

pomegranate forming and lots more flowers

One and only apricot on the tree!

The Head Gardener’s Basil is looking very ready for Summer salads and evening pastas, so ‘Brownie Points’ gained will ensure continued coffee supply in the coming months. Just awaiting the Bell - bit chilly in the current grey drizzle.

Well - there it goes,

Must dash,

See you soon,

Stuart.