FEELING LAZY BUT LOTS TO DO

21ST NOVEMBER 2016 - CENTRA L PORTUGAL

Cold, Wet and Windy – but then it is the end of November even in Portugal. Little new in the garden due to the adverse weather conditions, apart from super lettuce, chunky leeks and early ripening tangerines, oranges and diosperos. 

Several varieties of lettuce, side by side with young leeks

More lovely lettuce

Oranges nearly ready for eating

Lowest temperature so far is 1degree and this cannot have been for long as nothing, including cacti, dahlias and bananas have been affected. As the forecast for the next week promises further low temperatures, the garden fleece will have to be cast over the more vulnerable varieties. Have often wondered why this thin, porous material works so well; think it must be something to do with keeping the plants free of morning dew just prior to the snap of near frost.

Cacti still surviving outside - not for much longer

The log store is well filled, so roaring fires are the order of the day; lovely to start and finish the day in flickering fire light. With the current adverse conditions, sitting in front of the fire, reading a book and drinking coffee during the day is also worthy of praise. The lovely story of the Sage sitting by the fire for the winter months comes to mind. When asked what he did to pass the time the response was ‘Sometimes I sit and think and when I’m bored of thinking, I just sit’.

Lots of lovely logs in store

But alas, being a Gardener there is always something that needs doing, however chilling the wind may be. About time the Christmas Tree was rescued from the summer quarters, a quick tidy and top up the compost with a little feed, water well in the tub, leave for a couple of weeks and it will be ready for its annual three weeks of glory in the Limelight. Looks as if the Holly Trees will be full of red berries and the Ivy has had very good growth year so no excuse not to have a well traditionally decorated ‘Wassailtide’.

The beauty of pot plants adds much to the special festive atmosphere. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and hippeastrums pot planted back in September and kept in that cool dark place should now be brought into the light and heat for late December flowering. Pansies and primulas planted now in window boxes will give great flowering satisfaction until March, irrespective of wind, rain and tempest. Give the cymbidium orchids (now ensconced inside for the winter months) a generous feed and water to encourage the flowering spikes that always impress your seasonal visitors.

Mini pansies ready for winter in the window box

Primulas just planted for the season

The pleasant somnanbulance of fireside relaxation stirs the thoughts of next seasons projected triumphs and necessitates an in depth perusal of the new Seed Catalogues(orders placed now often elicit a rather good price discount). With the price of seeds from the UK Seedsmen increasing annually, plus the provocative exchange rate, a set budget will be required to ensure a degree of stability and common sense. (Are the five new varieties of ‘Bead’ tomatoes really necessary – and they say ‘Black’ but they always seem to be dark brown or a poor Claret). The HG has put limit on the number of Chilli varieties, and quantity of plants, to be grown next year. Having disposed of much this year’s crop to un-suspecting friends, the devastation reaped by the ‘Ring of Fire’ and the ‘Cayenne/Scots Bonnet’ cross has created a group of ‘husky’ voiced people who stand a great deal.

So very many piri piri chillies - where will it all end!

The fire needs stoking and here comes the HG with coffee (no bell required today) –

must dash for more logs,

see you soon

Stuart.

SEASONS END AND ALSO BEGIN

11^TH OCTOBER – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Cooling down a little bit after the long hot summer, heavy rain expected in the next few days, so can only conclude that Autumn is here. The days are still warm when the sun shines, but the nights are now cool, with temperatures falling to around 8 degrees ( just enough to inhibit growth on the summer flowering plants). The still air is encouraging the spread of powdery mildew on the dahlias, which is disappointing as they have at last started to flower profusely.  The  problem in Portugal with ‘Border’ dahlias is their dislike of very strong sunshine but requirement for abundant light (so not good if kept in the shade as they ‘Bolt’ towards the light and become tall, thin and non-flowering).  Only solution is to move then around a great deal so always plant in pots, unless there is a north facing flower bed with good soil and water available.

This one dahlia still looks pretty

Roses and Geraniums, on the other hand, are having a wonderful time. Masses of new bloom on the Geraniums and splendid display in progress from the Roses.  Fuchsias are soldiering on, with a colourful display which may last through the winter months if they continue to get a little sunshine on a regular basis. (Prolonged periods of rain always ‘spoil’ the flower display).

Geraniums as bright as ever

Roses reviving now the weather is cooler

Fuchsia will hopefully carry on for many more weeks

Aubergines, Sweet peppers and Chillies still flowering and producing a good crop.  Cucumbers finally finished after an epic season and being replaced in their tubs by Leeks ( which should mature throughout the winter if planted progressively).

Sweet peppers and aubergines not quite as impressive as earlier in the season!

Lettuces and leeks growing companionably together

Hot chillies still doing so well

Poor year for Raspberries . The canes are now devoid of any growth and are dry and brittle with little sign of life. However, the Logan Berries did better and are still ‘green’ and producing new shoots (so lots of cuttings and a major production effort next year – could be the end of the Raspberries).

Lots of cuttings being taken before the cooler weather sets in. Taken now, most will put down roots to sustain life throughout the winter. Brugmansia are just about to have their last splash of colour so am expecting to take around twenty cuttings for planting and ‘swaps’ next year. This plant produces the most exotic ‘Trumpet’ flowers in the most glorious combination of colours from deep gold, through creams with pink, yellow and red frills to a wonderful pure white with a touch of green. Flowers profusely from May until October and has a beguiling scent on the evening zephyrs – so highly recommended if not already in your garden.

The lovely white Brugmansia showing the promise of yet more flowers to come

Trying a few ‘Tree’ cuttings again this year, the usual Fig and Catalpa with the addition of Holly, Tamarillo and Cordyline Australis (well nearly a tree as there are two on the spring terrace that are 4metres and 5 metre tall) – same process with these as plant cuttings - two thirds of the ‘Whip’ in the compost (50% spent compost, 25% estrume and 25% garden soil) around the edge of the tub, lots of water and see what happens ( around half will grow so lots of ‘free’ trees next year).

Tulips have been planted for three weeks already. Orchids look ready to bring in. Cyclamen are sprouting and some in flower. Oranges are very green, large and profuse, Limes prolific, Tangerines just on the turn.

Limes preparing for the G & Ts

oranges promising fresh fruit for December

 Diosperos still fruiting despite being cut back and ignored (shame they don’t taste better – Israelies definitely have it with their ‘Sharon’ fruit variety). Lettuces are magnificent. So all’s right with the garden, which is very encouraging when the rest of the world is viewed. 

That must be the HG’s bell,

must dash – 

see you soon,

Stuart. 

SEASON OF MISTS - BUT LITTLE FRUITFULNESS

25^TH SEPTEMBER, CENTRAL PORTUGAL

The autumn equinox has passed so the days now shorten until the arrival of winter. The very high temperatures of summer have passed with night temperatures falling to around 10 degrees, and with day time highs in the region of 22 degrees with, as yet, little rain.

 So, not a lot happening as there is little fruit to harvest this year. the grapes are very poor as there has been so much sun and little water ( yield is around 60% of normal around the village) and the olives just about non-existent. Tomatoes are now finished with plants out yesterday (lots of Green Chutney currently being produced by the HG). 

Head Gardener's chutney production - so far!

Aubergines getting progressively smaller as their season ends but my Indian friends tell me they can do wonders with a ‘Small Aubergine’. 

"Small" Aubergines still prolific

Peppers and Chilli still exuberant – Jalapenos very large with all the sun and constant watering.  The ‘New for this Year’ Chilli ‘Ring of Fire’ is prolific and very very HOT(all grown in tubs this year under controlled feeding and watering – much less water used).

Green and Ripe Chilli "Ring of Fire"

The Sweet Corn (seeded on the 14^th August) has managed to produce its top seed tassels and is forming ‘cobs’(let’s see if they are edible on harvesting). Leeks, a favourite on cold winter nights, which were planted in August, are now substantial. The lettuce (five varieties) patch looks to be becoming productive (twenty plants from market planted every fortnight in September and October keep the supply going until next March).

Hoping for late season sweet corn

Leeks coming on well in the pot

Five varieties of lettuce, accompanied by more leeks

The Banana Trees, pot planted out last April are very ‘Chunky’ (no fruit this year but with a well protected winter just might produce next year) and the Tamarillo tree – also 250 mm dia. pot planted – is now 1.5 metres high with three solid stems (the stems give off a strange smell when handled – bit like Macadamia nuts) have no idea if and when it will flower or fruit but know it must have winter protection in its early years – will observe with interest as is one of the Head Gardener’s ‘Silent Pleasures’. Both these plants were acquired at the Beiras Grass Roots plant swap, last year, so am looking forward to the next event being held at Tabua on the 8^th October.

Banana tree a year on

Tamarillo has made great progress

This was also the venue that a number of discarded Cactus cuttings were found on the floor, rescued, returned home, planted up and have now turned into an overabundance of fast growing and flowering Cactus plants. The Cactus Theatre is now completely overwhelmed with plants that have grown up to a metre in their first year.  These have been cut back, ‘pricked out’ and will be ready to swap in October.

The Cactus Theatre

Cactus cuttings awaiting new homes

The Dahlia seeds sown in mid June have produced very sturdy and free flowering plants. The glorious range of reds and autumn tints in the flowers produced by the ‘Bishop’s Children’ seedlings have been splendid and will hopefully continue in flower until Christmas or first really cold night (under 3 degrees usually puts an end to the Dahlia progress) Will attempt to take seed but as they are F1 hybrids they may not come true next year (however only sowed half the seed packet so can still hope for colourful result next summer)

                                       Two of the Bishop's Children Dahlias

With the start of the ‘Second Spring’ in Portugal (a micro climate of the Western side of the Iberian Peninsula caused by warm southerly or south westerly winds giving ‘balmy’ days in October, but often chilly nights), lots of work is required in the garden after the lazy days of summer. Orchards are usually cleared of the dry, brown weed detritus of the dry summer – this was always done to allow nets to be placed on the ground to collect the Olives (non- existent it would seem this year) before the weeds could germinate with the soft autumn rain. About time all cuttings have been taken, roses given a top prune, over ambitious rambling and climbing plants cut back a little to increase the light on the plants below, and everything is fed to take advantage of the late growing season.

Zinnias and Begonias still giving pleasure in the garden

Good time now to get your bulbs planted. A workable potting compost can be made from combining half of the old compost from your finished tubs, with one sixth new compost, one sixth ‘estrume’(Horse Manure) and one sixth of soil from the ground (without this addition the mix will be sterile, the organisms from the garden soil ensure the bulbs and plants will thrive through the winter months).

This year my favourite bulb supplier, Lidl, are offering a wide range of very well priced Tulip, Daffodil, Crocus, Hyacinth plus a myriad of all those little fiddly bulbs that many ladies seem to like. All for around €1.19 – €1.69 for 10 or 12 bulbs. It certainly beats buying on line or from the usually overpriced catalogues.

The last of the new Brugmansias, potted up last year and not properly labelled (HG not pleased), has bloomed a pure Virgin White with a delicate bouquet.  Always amazed at the bad reputation this plant has in many parts of the world; in South America it is called the ‘Devil’s Breath’, and being full of the drug Scapolamine, it is used as a ‘Truth Drug’ or a tool of the Assassin. Often best not to tell of the extensive array poison available in all our gardens.

So alluring - white Brugmansia (Angels' Trumpets)

There goes the HG’s bell for coffee, 

better dash and remain favour with all these toxic plants about – 

keeping in favour - picked this for the H G this morning!

See you soon

Stuart. 

LET'S JUST STICK WITH NATURE AND PORTUGUESE SUNSHINE!

24^TH JUNE 2016 CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Having enjoyed a number of years on the shady and wind free garden terrace, many plants, growing in both large tubs and planted directly into the ground, seem to be now much happier re-positioned on the higher and exposed Belvedere terrace. However, the previously contented Rose bushes planted in the double wall adjacent to the Belvedere, have suddenly decided that they no longer wish to be associated with recently introduced vegetable tubs and Cacti Theatre enjoying pride of place on the high terrace. After long and in depth consideration by those original tubs on the garden terrace and also by those in the courtyard, they have decided that they will not accept any variation of the original watering and feeding regime agreed when the garden was first formed. The expected outcome is that those plants on the Belvedere, deprived of water, will quickly wither away and cease to be a source of aggravation.

Roses in the wall

Cacti Theatre

Cactus in bloom

All this may sound totally ridiculous, but it is exactly the scenario which has just come to its conclusion in the non horticultural world of Europe. Thank goodness sanity can prevail in the garden by the action of the competent Head Gardner and a hose pipe - but then, horticultural fixes can be achieved in ‘hours’, whilst in that other world it can take generations.

Sunshine and warmth have returned in abundance to the Portuguese ‘Beiras’ in the last few days. Plants in a somnambulent state for weeks, have suddenly decided to make their way into the summer season. The frequently sprayed Tomatoes are free of blight following daily ministrations of the ‘magic elixir’ and are heavy with pale green well formed fruit. The Sweet Peppers (California Wonders) are covered in white flowers, with the first embryonic peppers formed. Aubergines are in glorious violet flower and look most attractive beside the deep purple and orange flowers of ‘Violette’ and ‘Streamline’ Runner Beans. Courgettes and Patti Pans are in full production and Cucumbers are rampant. Sweet Corn is reaching ‘Donkey’ eye height (hoping for ‘Elephant’ eye height in due course) and Onions, Leeks and Lettuce are being well cropped daily.

Portuguese Plum Tomatoes

Vibrant flowers of the runner beans

Flowers emerging on the peppers

leeks ready for the pot

The Raspberry bushes, replanted last year, are in full ‘Fruit’, producing around 300 grammes per day (can easily become ‘outfaced’ by too many ‘Rasps’) and the Strawberries (all grown in troughs) are well away and the fruit is now ‘large’.

Tagetees, Petunias, Cosmos, Fuchsias, Zinnias, Allysum, Lobelia and Nasturtiums are glorious in the newly arrived sun and heat. The rambling roses are just divine in both perfume and display. The Brugmansias are in musical mode with their multitude of perfectly formed ‘Trumpets’.

Lovely brugmansia trumpets

And again

Colourful tagetees and petunias

Lovely white rambling rose - possibly dear old Rambling Rector

Catalpa flowers close up - smell lovely

Stunning richly coloured Cosmos

The head Gardener has instructed that we should just ‘ sit and enjoy’ the scents and sights of the season on the terraces available in ‘peace and tranquillity’(Bell currently being rested) enjoying a little ‘Iced Coffee’ as appropriate.

 must dash slowly in the heat

see you soon

Stuart. 

HOPEFUL GROUNDWORK

3^RD APRIL 2016 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

April is here and it’s cold enough for snow. The tops of the Estrela Mountains viewed from the Belvedere terrace, and only twenty five kilometres away, are sparkling white in the weak morning sunshine. Night temperatures are down to two degrees, and even with clear blue skies and sunshine, the day temperatures are hovering around ten degrees (normal for late February on the ‘Beiras’).  However hard the April showers, we know that sunshine will soon be here.

Almost everything in the garden is on hold awaiting the sudden rush of heat which will almost certainly come in the next couple of weeks. The blossoms on the plums, peaches, nectarines and apricots are holding on in the cold, with the hope that some errant bee may come and enjoy a bit of fertilisation. Apple and pear blossoms have still to show themselves in the harsh conditions, but the Almond blossom that had an early display in February has become extremely fecund this year with lots of young fruit in evidence. Nothing weather wise seems to deter the orange, lemon and lime blossom which is burgeoning forth with floriferous abandon.

Hoping for lots of peaches this year

Almonds are already formed - so many more than last year's two!

Orange tree producing masses of buds

Masses of glorious Jasmine flowers are delivering their alluring aroma, and the Wisteria is producing its usual unsurpassed purple haze of spectacular blooms. These, together with ‘long Life’ Tulips (benefit of cold conditions, in flower for last four weeks and still going strong), Hellebores, Lilies and Alliums have kept the myth of ‘springtime’ alive, and all seem oblivious to cold (must be their Chinese genes).

Wonderful headily scented Jasmine

Wisteria just coming to its best

Spring alliums sharing the shade with a shy primrose

The leaf salad varieties, Mizuma, Pak Choi, Oak Leaf, Iceberg, Flame and flat Leaf Lettuce are thoroughly enjoying the cold sunny days and are growing forth with unmitigated abandon. Similar results are being achieved with Onions, both red (from sets) and white (from seed) and the Leaks have never looked healthier.

Onions well on their way

The various stages of lettuce

Misuma leaves - add a peppery flavour to salads

Nice healthy leaks

The numerous seeds sown in the last few weeks seem, in the main, to have enjoyed their sojourn in the well used ‘Lidl’ mini green house (now positioned in full all day sunshine, when available) in the new nursery garden on the Belvedere terrace. All seeds sown this year in 80mm dia. plastic plant pots and enshrined within a plastic bag (basic double glazing reduces overnight cold a little). Having sown around forty varieties of seed, can report considerable success so far, from minimal surface movement to 75mm tall burgeoning plants. Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Courgettes, Beans, Aubergines (yes, really), various Basils, Okra, Fennel all growing forward.

The mini greenhouse full of seedlings getting ready to be planted out

On the flower front, Geraniums, Zinnias, Tagetees, Petunia, Lobelia and Cosmos are all well away; so looking forward to a massive pricking out campaign in the next few weeks.

The Rose cuttings planted back in October have survived the winter and would all seem to be rooted as the majority (at least 80%) are in leaf and some are showing signs of first buds (still the least expensive way to extend the rose garden as the cost is zero).

One of last year's rose cuttings - accompanied by an early nasturtium!

In these current conditions the potting Shed fire has a late winter attraction but an extra jumper, pair of good gloves and a little enthusiastic ‘Strimming’ (why do weeds always grow whatever the climatic conditions offer) will keep the blood circulating on these sharp misty mornings. Thoughts of excessive heat, possible drought and the usual various ‘Blights’ in the months to come can be cast aside with the anticipation of those bountiful crops and glorious blooms which are surely just around the corner.

Just heard a Cuckoo and there goes that Hoopoe again, and that sounded like the Head Gardener’s bell. 

Must be time for a warming mug of fresh coffee –

must dash, see you soon.

Stuart.