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A perverse week of rain, wind and dark clouds has finally been replaced by brilliant sunshine, blue sky and temperatures getting back to normal.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.

FLAMING JUNE

14^th JUNE CENTRAL PORTUGAL

(pictures to follow later - when the head gardener has time!) Done it - see below

‘Flaming’ June has arrived with a vengeance. Afternoon temperatures are pushing 40 degrees and the nights in the high ‘20s’. After six months of  unpredictable  cold and wet weather, with the occasional burst of NOP (normal for Portugal) temperatures, it always comes as a delightful surprise when the traditional  weather pattern returns. So it’s ‘Water  Water  Water’ and ‘Spray Spray Spray’.

Startling burst of growth from everything in the ‘Vegetable’ department, sudden demise of Rose blooms (until next buds mature), Geraniums in their element (covered in flower rosettes), Fuchsias enjoying the warm shade a blooming profusely, Petunias flowering with abandon, Lilies majestic, Climbers of all varieties are rampageous, Lavender in full bloom with scent and Buddleias a mass of  ‘spire like’ blooms. Difficult to be any better really!!!!

 

Fuchsia with petunia alongside

 

Lots and lots of lovely lilies

and again!

wonderful show of Pink Delight Buddleia

Tomatoes in full swing but having to spray for ‘Blight’ after the recent damp  and unseasonally cold weather (if the first spray does not eradicate the brown patches on the leaves it is often best to remove and destroy the plant before the contagion spreads, high temperatures and lots of dry sunshine often beat ‘chemical’ to the cure).

Tomatoes of various varieties, so far holding out over the blight

 Courgettes are doing what they always do, producing a large daily supply of Courgettes. Cucumbers are on the move with the local ‘Pepino’ variety in the lead. Chilli and Peppers have finally decided to grow.  The plants that were ‘over-wintered’ are well in flower with the first embryo chillis forming. Climbing bean, both purple and green, nearly 3 metres tall and full of flower and small beans, the low growing ‘Haricot’ beans,  are also now in full flower so maybe still possibility of a good crop. Aubergines are still not happy but at least they are starting to grow after two months in the ground (maybe started too early with this   With a bad start some plants never recover during the growing season).  

our first round courgette of the season

very healthy courgette plants enjoying the sunshine

 

climbing beans galloping up the poles!

 ‘Sweet Corn’ not quite at the ‘Elephant Eye’ stage but progressing ( packet said 60days from planting to maturity, still 30 days to go). Winter Squashes are rampageous with the odd female flower forming (never feed as this produces ‘Male’ flowers only). Gooseberries about ready. Raspberries in production. Strawberries moderate but not abundant Lettuce and Radishes magnificent.

Just took 1.4 metre cuttings off the Yucca Plants as they had blocked the path. Not the best time to replant but have put them on a high water ration so we will see what happens (will be next spring before any sign of growth or totally deterioration). Had to reduce height of the  Catalpa (Indian Bean Tree) trees as they have become top- heavy, mainly due to being the ‘shade’ on the vegetable terrace and receiving daily water and weekly feed. Their flowers are beautiful and abundant but the trunks have not caught up with the tops.

 

Catalpa laden with blooms

The ‘Damascus’ Apricot tree that started to die –off has recovered after major surgery - top cut off at 2metres, new leaves and shoots forming so ‘may-be’ the correct action?? Peaches looking very good, Plums bit thin on the branches, apples similar, Olives, lot of flower just have to wait to see if it sets.

Just planting a few Tomato seeds in case the ‘Blight’ gets worse. Don’t want to upset the Head Gardener. Whoops there’s the ‘Bell’ must dash, see you soon.

Stuart.

 Addendum from Head Gardener:

Angels' Trumpets and Hydrangea (Hortensia) also compete for admiration now.

The first of many trumpets which will continue all summer - gorgeous

Shy Hortensia enjoying the shade of the orange tree

 More soon folks!