ROSES ALL THE WAY

21^st MAY 2016 - CENTRAL PORTUGAL

The sun continues to shine on the ‘Beiras’. Cool morning mist is quickly dispelled by the warming sun golden in a pale blue sky, and so it should be after all this is May in Portugal. Apart from the odd sneaky low pressure area slipping onto the Iberian Coast and disrupting the summer’s halcyon days, the only worry seems to be the possibility of drought by the end of July. Thus it will always be for the avid Gardener - it’s either too ‘Hot’ or too ‘Cold’ or too ‘Wet’ or too ‘Dry’. Then there is the continual threat of ‘Blight’. Some may ask ‘Why do we bother?’ Simply direct these doubters to the sight of multi coloured displays of flowers and the wondrous flavour of freshly picked vegetables and fruit; ample compensation for those strenuous moments on cold wet days in January or the daily watering ‘grind’ of the summer months.

In the ‘compensation stakes’ this week, roses are exceptionally rewarding. The garden is festooned with multi flowering ramblers in yellow, red and golden hues with the start of the pink and white climbers coming on track, the hybrid tea roses have all their towering stems in bloom, or ready to burst forth in the next few days of warmth. Even the cuttings planted after pruning last November are performing and enhancing the nursery beds. Fuchsia plants are full of colour.  It’s a good time to take cuttings from the tallest stems – this makes the plant bushy and increases the number of flowers – just stick around the edge of a 75mm pot of compost, water and a new plant will root in the next three weeks (the wonders of ‘costless’ propagation).

Lots of lovely roses - 

The re-potted Geranium plants are now well in bud and showing signs of flowering, and the seeds planted six weeks ago are now ‘potted-up’ and at the sixth leaf – so flowers in a month and till November. Zinnias, Cosmos, Tagetees and  Lobelia, seeded first week in April are  now all tall, strong and planted out. Iris are still in spectacular bloom , accompanied by the still rampant ‘Easter Lilies’ and Alliums ( the early unseasonal cold months of the year still dominating this year’s natural blooming cycle).

Head Gardener's favourite Iris

This on is a close second

Tomatoes are progressing. Fortunately had facilities for keeping plants under cover until climate improved so not very far behind; most already in flower at the first or second truss, some with fruits fruit forming. Spraying has commenced to mitigate the dreaded ‘Blight’. With a wide selection of Supermarket Tomatoes already down to 80 cents a Kg. the thought briefly forms as to the efficaciousness of the bother of cultivation, but then the memory of the true flavour when freshly picked falls into place. Money Maker, Cristal, Principe de Borghese, Red, Yellow and Black Cherry are the varieties of choice this season.

First trusses on tomatoes

Courgettes are planted in the ground, a limited number this year as the freezer’s still full of the 2013 vintage. ‘Eight Ball’(round and green),’Rugosa Friulana’(Yellow, Bent and Knobbly) and Green, Yellow and White ‘Patti Pans’(round and pork pie shaped) leading this year’s Charge in the Cucurbita Handicap. ‘California Wonder’ Sweet Peppers just in flower and last year’s Chillis coming into leaf. Cucumbers about to flower -  local variety ‘Pepino’ well ahead of the more exotic ‘Delikateb’, ‘Fem Spot’(self fertilising they say?- shall watch with interest) and ‘ Marketmore 76’(think the number represents the length). 

First courgette flower

French Beans all growing (no flowers yet), Climbing Beans in glorious vibrant red flower and Leeks are superb. Lots of Raspberry, Tayberry and Strawberry un-ripened fruit and masses of flower (one benefit of a cold wet spring – so it’s not all bad then).

The Head Gardener likes these beans just for the flowers!

Tayberries on the move!

Not long now for ripe strawberries

As the Orchids are back out on the terrace it must be early summer, just managing to eat breakfast outside each morning, and coffee being served in the sunshine, after the Bell at ‘Eleven’, by the smiling Head Gardener.

Must dash

See you Soon

Stuart

MAY IN THE RAIN

5^TH MAY 2016 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

The hiatus of ‘May Day’ passed in the first period of consistent good weather this year, (well six sunny and very warm days).  Alas, the meteorological metronome has again swung into the WET quadrant, and the forecast is for RAIN and more RAIN during the next fortnight. As it is now almost warm, except during the downpours, the horticultural inhabitants of the garden are enjoying a sudden bout of growth (as predicated). However, the insidious intentions of the various air-borne plagues of the vegetative world are already girding their loins for an all out attack on the soft a vulnerable new plant growth. Now is the time to start the counter attack with the various unctions available (be they eco-friendly and a balm to those of a ‘Green Persuasion’, or Chemical and highly effective).

Tomato plants are usually the first to befall the viral terrors – at least this year, with cold start to April there is little to blacken and wilt as yet. For some reason the abundance of caterpillars is most evident on anything that seems vulnerable and healthy, so the morning mantra is ‘Spray, Spray for yet another day’.

Pleased to report that everything so far planted is progressing with considerable vigour, put down to liberal feeding with the old blue ball, plus a new compost mix of 30% estrume, 30% new bagged compost and 40% of last year’s residual in the previously used tubs.  This, with constant application (every three or four days) of liquid fertilizer when watered has an amazing effect.

The new roof  garden on the Belvedere terrace seems to have the most potent position for container grown produce. (If the sun shines, each container receives up to 15 hours of beneficial rays per day, but requires watering morning and evening).  Currently, leeks are getting ready for picking, the pak choi has, as usual, bolted  before being picked . (The cropping period seems to be around thirty minutes long at around 3am twenty eight days after seeding – missed it again this year) . Tomatoes are growing well.  One variety,  Chucha, is already on its second truss of flower, with small fruit set on the first truss. (Presume these will be the first plants to get blight due to their precociousness). Cucumbers are showing early flower buds, green peppers, runner beans, courgettes doing well. Aubergines are struggling .

Flowering tomatoes, with "bolting" pak choi underplanted

General view of flourishing plants - in the rain!

Cosmos, tagetees, zinnias, lobelia seedlings  are now plants and puckering up to flower. Geranium cuttings growing well, and Dahlias looking promising. Roses are as always looking lovely. The yellow ‘Banksii’ is particularly prolific this year. Jasmine is truly ‘heavenly’ with its exotic aroma (cross between petrol and burning car tyres some say). Wisteria still in full ‘wistfulness’, Arum lilies now blooming to the size of Ariadne’s cornucopia, Fuchsias in full flower, the Begonias  showing initial signs of life and the orange trees are in full bloom(with accompanied blissful aroma). Even the holly trees are full of flower buds ( so looking forward to a green and red berry Christmas).

Last flowers of the wisteria - been beautiful this yer

Rosa Banksii - doing its thing

Flowering holly - promising berries for the Festive Season in December

Begonias beginning to appear

The orange blossom is competing for scent with the jasmine

Arum lilies - elegant as ever

 iris

Nameless climbing rose

Even the inclement weather cannot dampen the Gardener’s enthusiasm in May. Everything is poised for summer glory. Even the Head Gardener is preparing to enjoy the plaudits so liberal available when everything in the garden is ‘Rosy’.

And, lastly, one of the Head Gardener's favourites

The rain has stopped for a few minutes, must dash as masses to do before the coffee bell.

 See you soon –

 Stuart.

BUSY BUSY, WITH SO MUCH TO ANTICIPATE

22^nd APRIL 2016 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Coldest March in Portugal for the last forty years (Official – it was in the Portugal Times today).  Happy to agree, as there has been nothing but rain, more rain, wind and more wind, snow on the mountains (and even on the hills) accompanied by very cold nights and not so hot days. The result is that little has prospered in the garden so far this spring but all looks ‘latent’ like ‘Greyhounds in the Slips’ and awaiting the warming sunshine, which must be just around the corner. My Neighbours in the village put it all down to the ‘El Nino Effect’ and have decided to wait until May before venturing out into the planting fields.

Blossom is just emerging on the apple trees.  Cherries and pears just burst forth but the cold keeps the bees at home, so little chance of a good  ‘Fertilisation’. Lots of fruit formed and swelling on the almond tree as it blossomed early and caught the last warm days in February to be well serviced. Nectarines, apricots and plums seem to have struggled to produce embryonic fruit so far, whilst the peaches are trying very hard to please.

First apple blossom

Cherry blossom - from afar!

Masses of seedlings are well forward in the ‘Lidl’ green house , all awaiting pricking out. Tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, okra, courgettes, runner and French beans and sweet peppers (California Wonders) on the vegetable front are all bursting their seed pots.   The flower garden is going to be well supplied by the Cosmos, Zinnia, Lobelia, Impatiens, Tagetees, Nasturtiums from seed and Geranium, Fuchsia and Dianthus from cuttings that just need a little sun.

Seedlings in the little greenhouse

More seedlings

Even in the ‘cold’ there is always something going on somewhere in the garden. Five different varieties and colours of  lettuce, together with Mizuma (excellent and easily grown oriental leaf) and Pak Choi on the salad front; red and white onions, leeks and beetroot on the ‘veg’ patch. Strawberries are full of flower and forming fruit, which are also appearing on the Loganberries and early raspberries. Last year’s cut down Sweet Peppers and Chilli plants are now coming into leaf (this pruning in late November produces first Peppers by June – usually six weeks before the newly seeded plants).

Lots of flowers on the strawberries

Roses well in bud, should be in flower next week, with the benefit of a little sun-shine. Wisteria magnificent (enjoying the cold), Jasmine rampant and filling the terrace with exotic scent and the purple Iris, accompanied by white Arum Lilies, are quite a sight even under very grey sky.

Wisteria now twining in with the Rosa Banksii

Lovely elegant purple iris, and one yellow and purple just coming into bloom

Fuchsia never disappoints.  Been flowering all winter

 All the plants in tubs on the high terrace are growing (if not well) and the Cactus Cloche is keeping the day temperatures well into the ‘forties’ so the first signs of flowers are appearing on a number of the ‘Pricklies’(the seeds sown three weeks ago are stubbornly remaining dormant).

Cacti enjoying the sunshine while still in their "Winter Quarters"

Investigation under way concerning the overnight disappearance of a trough of ‘growing on’ Pak Choi, eight green Pepper plants and half a dozen Mizuma plants, all cleanly removed at soil level. No sign of slugs. snails or mice (not a dropping in sight). The H.G. suggests possibly an ‘Airborne’ attack by Pigeons or maybe the Hoopoe (which we hear but never see) or it may be due to some insidious ‘Drone’. The mystery continues.  However, the addition of a ‘Curry Plant’ and a few Piri Piri pods (from last season) ,on the growing on table , have certainly caused an immediate cessation of nocturnal ‘feasting’ for now.

At last the Bell, must have a coffee to revive the feeling in the frozen bodily extremities thank goodness for the H.G. 

Must dash before ‘rigour mortis’ sets in

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. 

AN ABUNDANCE OF TULIPS - AND SEED PLANTING GETS UNDERWAY

14^th MARCH 2016

Spring has certainly ‘sprung’ and the grass is definitely ‘on the rise’ (mainly in the form of vigorous weeds currently). The morning temperatures are still around zero, but the clear blue sky and brilliant sunshine ensure that the early frost has gone within the first hour of the day. Still not warm enough to plant out any frost tender plants, but no excuse not to have rows of onions, leeks, beetroot, cabbage and lettuce enriching the Kitchen Garden.

Seed sowing has progressed at an astonishing pace, with the services of the Lidl greenhouse ensuring the low morning temperatures are not felt within. As all the seeds are started in pots, enclosed within a plastic bag, which acts as Double Glazing, the high day temperatures in the full sun allow the pots to remain above freezing at all times. (Found this not to be the case with conventional flat seed trays, even when plastic covered, as the greater surface area dissipates the heat very quickly at night). 

The further advantage of plant pot sowing is the reduction in unwanted seedlings from larger seed pans on germination. (75mm diameter pot uses twenty seeds, giving ten to fifteen seedlings. Square seed tray, 150mm x 200mm, uses 100 plus seeds giving 50 to 75 seedlings, so most are given away unless you are growing to feed the ‘5000’).

Currently it is the minimum 15 degree germination seeds which are sown. Most should show through within 14  to 21 days (if not start again as most seeds rot if left longer in damp compost). The 20 degree minimum group should be left until April for the best results.

So, have seeded Cucumbers, Courgettes, Tomatoes, Peppers, Aubergines, Runners Beans ( but not French Beans – sow seed into ground in April for best results),Lettuce, Thyme, Basil and, for the flower garden, Lobelia and Petunias (might seem early but if not in now it will be summer before they bloom profusely). Have taken Spring cuttings just now from the over-wintered Geraniums. (Old plants now ready to for cut back. Replant in fresh compost and a good feed). Fuchsia cuttings also taken from those plants are now growing away strongly in the outside tubs. (Fuchsias are amazingly hardy and seem to stand the hardest of Portuguese frosts with impunity – but not the ‘Australian Giants’).

Last year’s Green pepper plants (California Wonder) have survived the winter and, having been cut back, are already growing strongly. This is also the case with a number of Chilli plants, Piri Piri, Paper Lantern, and Cherry Bomb, all of which  are looking very healthy. (The advantage is that Chilli and Pepper seed sown now will produce first crop in late July for peppers, and September for Chillis; last year’s Pepper plants will start producing a crop in June and the Chillis will be well formed by July). The second year’s crop is usually much larger when plants are over wintered as the root system is well formed and drives the plant forward.

Last year's pepper and chilli plants pruned and ready for the coming season

The blossom on the Nectarines is certainly trying for a special crop this year. Seems that the frost got the Damascus Apricot (so might say ‘good bye’ to the trees this year, after trying hard for last seven years without one Apricot). However, the Almond blossom seems to have ‘set’ so might have a small crop this year. First Plum blossom has appeared. It’s always the yellow plum, first followed by red, green and purple. Had a magnificent crop last year, so low expectations this season (plums tend to have a three year cycle between exceptional crops). Peach blossom in bud but no flowers yet (but this could change in the next few days if the sunshine continues). Cherry trees are poised for their spectacular display, but Pear and Apples playing it ‘Cool’.

Nectarine blossom is always stunning, especially against the clear blue sky!

The Jasmine is truly sensational. The flowers are prolific and the scent most exotic and very ‘heady’.

Wish you could smell the wonderful scent of the jasmine

 Hellebores are in flower. Whenever they bloom it always seems the wrong time of year. The Clematis Armandii "Apple Blossom" has surprised us early this year.

Shy little Hellebores - a favourite of the HG

Cleamatis Armandii "Apple Blossom"

 The tubs of Tulips are heralding a colourful spring on the ‘coffee’ terrace. (Much to the HG’s delight).

All the tulips - they speak for themselves!

Planted some red onion sets yesterday. Actually, much prefer seeded plants as often get the sets in upside down which does not impress the Head Gardener. Must have got them in correctly this time as there goes the Bell announcing ‘Coffee’

must dash  

see you soon.

Stuart.