WHAT'S HAPPENED TO WINTER?

27^th JANUARY 2016 - CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Cold, misty mornings and mild sunny days, interrupted by the odd heavy shower, are easing winter January into an early February spring. The cold nights are keeping the ‘bud’ and plant growth back. However,  quite a few of the supposedly deciduous varieties are still in full leaf, Brugmansia and Plumbago in particular, and the first flowers are appearing on the strawberries and the clematis armandii.

Brugmansia still in full leaf

Clematis Armandii coming into flower very early

Winter Pansies are now enjoying their preferred growing conditions, damp, cold and sunny, and have been joined by a trough of Iris Katherine Hodgkin  (always find these bulbs hold so much promise when the first appear with expectations of tall spectacular leaves, stems and flowers which are dashed by the rather unspectacular short stemmed washed out flowers – HG likes them so will continue to plant, grow and put-up with annual disappointment to ensure ‘Coffee’ supplies).

Happy smiling pansies

Iris Katherine Hodgkin (thank you Lidl)

The orchard is currently saturated, having been under 100mm of water for two weeks following the emergence of the annual ‘Two-weekly’ appearance of the stream after the torrential rains in the first weeks of January. (This initially fills the ‘Next Door Neighbours’ deep well to capacity before creating the ‘Winter Water Garden’ on the orchard floor). The top soil in the valley bottom, where the orchard grows, is at least 2 metres deep, this having been washed down from the now semi-fertile terraces on the adjacent slopes. The overburden of residual earth just manages to keep the fruit trees reasonably watered until the autumnal rains commence next November. Last year’s drought conditions are amazingly quickly superseded by nature’s winter bounty and balance once again restored (such is the way of long term gardening, a ‘Philosophical Attitude’ should always prevail for horticultural serenity to triumph).

The ‘Settling in’ of our ‘Christmas Foundling’ is ensuring that the theory of ‘Survival of the Fittest’ prevails amongst the numerous tubs and pots of cuttings in the ‘Nursery Yard’. Fortunately ‘Rudi’ (the Foundling) has a most loving nature and beautiful ‘Face’ so most indiscretions are quickly forgiven by the HG and the detritus of over-enthusiastic ‘romping’ quickly dispensed with a water hose. 

Rudi is progressing well - looking much healthier now

Due to the vagaries of the new incumbent, this year’s horticultural efforts are being relocated to the ‘Belvedere Terrace’. The small (Lidl) greenhouse being erected in this the sunniest position in the garden augers well for the early promotion of seedlings for both the vegetable and flower sectors. The Cacti collection is also being moved to this new place in the sun (these plants are yet not been eaten due to their natural protection, but seemed easier than continually removing ‘Spines’ from a curious young dog’s nose.(Never know, the enhanced sunlight might be the catalyst for profuse flowering  succulents this summer).

As the ground is still ‘heavy’ to work attention is being given to early season pruning and winter wind damage tidying-up. Cutting back the Fig trees (even though this greatly reduces the crop of Figs) as they have grown five to six metres since the last cut back in March ’15. The diosperos  are also for the chop - never understand why they are tolerated as the fruit tastes awful (the Israelis have it right with their ‘Sharon’ fruit) and the mess and alcoholic smell when it ‘falls’ is awful), so could be ‘Farewell’ this year.

Disperos in need of a very severe prune

 The jasmine  is just about ready to fill the air with its wonderful fragrance long before it should.

Lots of buds on the Jasmine - another one flowering far too early

The quandary of the last week in January - what to do first? Must say the warm draw of the potting shed stove has much to recommend. A little more external heat and sunshine may be required to stir the ‘Winter Stiffened’ sinews into manual exertion. Liberal supplies of hot coffee from the HG’s pot just might help.  Fortunately there goes the summoning ‘Bell’ –

must dash, 

See you soon

Stuart

BRIGHT SKIES AND COLD NIGHTS

16TH JANUARY - CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Gin clear air, brilliant azure blue skies, radiant golden sunshine (but temperatures in low single figures overnight), the torrential rain has departed (600 mm in 10 days), this is the way to enjoy a Portuguese January. Winter passes very quickly when the sun shines.

These meteorological conditions not only suit the gardener, they are titillating the burgeoning buds on the fruit trees in the orchard to greater effort to be the first blossom of spring (all bets are on the Damascus Apricot, always early to flower but usually short of fruit; could do better this year as my Amazingly Talented next door neighbour’s bees are also enjoying the sun’s stimulating rays.

The small almond tree is budding up nicely

Picking wonderfully flavoured, and well ripened, oranges, tangerines and lemons (grapefruit are all well formed but need a few more months to maturity), in great quantities. There are only so many that can be eaten fresh, so searching out the ‘forgotten’ recipes for all forms of preservation. Jam, Marmalade and Curd are all too easy, bottling is an awful fuss and freezing usually fails - there must be another route to follow for efficient storage?.

Juicy and huge - ornages

Picked and consumed some excellent  sprouting broccoli and a number of very tasty baby leeks from the ‘Veg’ terrace.

Baby leeks well on the way

 Looks as if the beetroot may be ready in next couple of weeks and the piri piri plants are still covered in ripe and ripening ‘Birdseye’ Chillis. The chilli plants being over wintered this year, ‘Paper Lantern’, ’Hotscotch’ and ‘Celia’ are all surviving the night chill and remaining sturdy and in leaf (always an earlier and larger crop in the second and third year). Now debating whether to re-seed or keep fingers crossed that these existing plants will suffice (HG says freezer now overflowing with the fruits of the chilli bed).

Piri piri - in January?

Small portable green house about to be erected on the Belvedere (highest terrace and maximum sunshine) to accommodate the first seed trays of the season. End of January is a good time to start tomatoes. This gives the sturdiest plants for potting out in late April and early cropping at the end of June ( blink and the gardening year is nearly over). The beginning of February is a good time to get Aubergine, Cucumber, Chilli and Sweet Pepper seeds ‘in’ as they all like a slow lazy start for maximum production in the summer.

Good time to give a winter feed to apple, peach, nectarine, plum and cherry trees and all flowering shrubs and plants (particularly roses). A nutritional boost just now maximises the bud and flower production for the coming season. Raspberry plants can be transplanted with ease just now. Any good looking prunings can be planted to a depth of one spade ‘spit’ and ignored until April, by which time they will be rooted and ready to flower and crop this summer.

                                                                                                                                                                       

The pure white of the Arum Lily trumpets is reminiscent of the ‘Snow Fields’ of the North Yorkshire Moors in the grip of the ‘ever freezing’ mid-winter. Such a relief to be enjoying mid day temperatures in the high ‘teens’, even if there is a morning chill. Just the boost needed for an ‘Ageing Ex-Pat’.

The always beautiful Arum Lily

Is that the tintinnabulation of the Head Gardener’s bell that skips over the glittering orange tree leaves?  Coffee would be most welcome – 

must dash – 

see you soon.

Stuart.

For those of you who are wondering - Rudi is making excellent progress

WELCOME TO 2016

7^TH JANUARY -  CENTRAL PORTUGAL.

Rain, rain, and even more rain, accompanied by strong winds, means the ‘drought’ is over in Portugal. Last December has been the driest month since records began (wonderful journalistic ‘cliche’ meaning ‘ Since the ‘Journo’ could remember and as he/she is possibly still in late ‘teens’ around the turn of the century). So during the deluge, currently of ‘Biblical’ proportions, the potting shed stove is being well stoked and the majority of the garden left to its own devices (amazing how it usually survives a wet winter without a great deal of horticultural interference).

Whilst in the process of tabulating the various remedial seeds plus the newly acquired varieties for next season, a list was produced entitled ‘2016 Seeds Available’, the HG happened to drop in on the Potting Shed (suitably armed with mug of coffee) looked at the list in wonderment and asked the question ‘You haven’t counted them all individually have you’ (response – wry smile from the tabulator – causing swift exit with pink cheeks by the HG).

So what is in the running for cultivation in 2016? Must concentrate in the ‘Veg Patch’ on Blight resistant strains where possible. With hindsight, the tomato that triumphed was ‘Cristal F1’. Good crop, started early and continued until late October, and remarkably free from ‘Blight’ and other problems. ‘Sweet Baby’ was very prolific but fruit too small, ‘Principe Borghese’ cropped well with few problems, and good old ‘Money Maker’ plodded on with heavy production but undistinguished flavour. ‘California Wonder’ is still the best all round sweet pepper, early starter, long season, constant supply of large firm peppers. Having promised to reduce the Hot Chilli production last season , the five varieties planted (down from fourteen the previous year) all had fun producing bumper crops from Piri Piri, Hotschotch, Paper Lantern, Jalapeno and Celia (own cross between Cayenne and Scotch Bonnet).

Courgettes were moderate, season seemed very short this year with the heat of June and July forcing the growing season and the inevitable ‘Mildew’ on many varieties arriving early. Patty Pans, all colours, were poor, however, the ‘F1 Hybrid’ Soleil (Short Golden Yellow) was outstanding and profuse. Cucumbers were slow in starting to fruit but made up for this deficiency in late June and July with their fecundity. Aubergines (all grown in tubs last summer) were splendid in their quantity, size and magnificent rich colour.

Beans, climbing and ‘French’, were very miserable, lots of flower then little fruit (still asking ‘Why’ must investigate, maybe shortage of insects?). Sweet Corn, planted forty seeds got sixty deliciously sweet large cobs, enough said. Of the other assorted vegetables and ‘Salads’ planted nothing stood out except the various Lettuces (around six different colours and shapes) which seemed to avoid ‘Bolting’ for longer than usual, still picking now.

The flower garden soldiers on through the miasma of winter weather. The stoic Cyclamen carry on regardless, Roses still budding, bulbs (both Tulip and Iris) showing on all their pots, Knifophia and Fuchsias still flowering completely out of season. Inside the Orchids are in full splendour to accompany the blatant ‘blousiness’ of the Amarylis trumpets.

Lovely indoor show of exotic looking blooms

Phaleonopsis orchid

and another

Amarylis (Hippeastrum) boldly scarlet

Oranges and Tangerines taste terrific, Lemons on the perpetual tree are ripening to a beautiful ‘Lemon’ yellow (what else could they do) and the Diosperos (not quite the ‘Sharon Fruit of Israel’, these are basically inedible!!!!) are about to split the tree in half with the over laden branches.

Diosperos tree groaning under the weight of fruit

Plentiful supply of tangerines

The military precision of percussive rain hammering the potting Shed window has so far dissuaded further hot coffee supply from the HG’s warm and cosy lair,

 must dash -  still might be a chance between the claps of thunder.

See you soon,

Stuart.  

Rudi feeling "at home" with his old slipper

PS. Our little ‘Christmas Miracle’, Rudi, is settling in to regular diet of four meals a day (little and often after the weeks of starvation)) which has had an astonishing effect, as can be seen from the picture. Feeding, together with a little love and companionship from ‘Ferdy’, are making for a much improved life for our ‘Christmas Eve Foundling’.

RUDI - OUR LITTLE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

30^TH DECEMBER 2015 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

It was just after lunch on Christmas Eve that our long term (seven years) resident canine (named ‘Ferdy’ and a ‘Melange au Portuguaise’ mongrel himself) alerted the Head Gardener to the presence of a very emaciated stray dog which had been abandoned near the village (the locals said that it had been around for a few days) and was obviously starving and very dehydrated.

Our dear Ferdy

First day for our Foundling

All skin and bone

Food and water were immediately supplied at the garden gate (which were instantly consumed).  Close inspection showed no sign of fleas or other ‘visitors’ so, after an on the spot consultation with the HG’s helper (Me) and visiting younger Daughter, it was decided that a ‘Health Check’ by the Vet was required prior to introduction to the ‘House’ and ‘Ferdy’. All was found to be in good order, no extraneous passengers or infections, only very hungry and in need of care. He’s around one year old, we think.

Lots of food

and lots of love - make for a happier dog

Now sporting a collar and getting to know Ferdy

So, with dusk falling on Christmas Eve, our ‘Little Christmas Present’ became part of the ‘Clan’. Food, water, a warm bed, lots of love have been reciprocated by ‘Rudi’(  short for Rudolf - he does not have red nose but it was Christmas). Six days have had an unbelievable effect on our ‘Foundling’. The prominent hip bones and ribs are already disappearing, the brindle coat has started to shine and the affection is non-stop. So you see it’s still possible to have a miracle at Christmas. However, the HG is staying clear of ‘Regal Gentlemen’ on Camels and ‘Bearded Shepherds’ with flocks of sheep, as there is very little room left at the ‘Inn’.

During this "Not a dry eye in the house saga", the garden and plants have not been forgotten. The Amarylis opened for Christmas Day, the Orchids (all varieties) are looking good, with the expectation of continuous flowers for the next four to five months (now that really is value for money for so little horticultural effort).

Orchids, amarylis etc. on display for Christmas

Tulips (planted in tubs last October) are poking through with considerable vigour. The first spike has arrived on the Kniphofia, still accompanied by prolifically blooming Fuchsias,  and utterly indomitable miniature Cyclamens. Oranges and Tangerines are very plumptious and sweet and there is still plenty of fire-wood in the shed.

Poker - not quite a red hot one yet!

Mini cyclamen and ophiopogon

Dependable fuchsia

tons of tangerines!

So have a Merry Hogmanay and a very Happy New Year, must dash

 will see you in 2016.

Stuart.

FEELING FESTIVE - MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS

17^th DECEMBER, CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Bit of rain, bit of sun, mist in mornings, cold at 8 o’clock (5 degrees) and 15 degrees by Noon, now enjoying the start of a typical ‘Beiras’ winter. Weeds cleared from the ‘veg’ beds, everything that needs pruning has been pruned, paths weeded and cleared, terrace and courtyard power-washed as starting to go green (penalty of having a dog).

New use for nectarine prunings

Re-cycled the dead half of a nectarine tree into the current fashion for bare branched Christmas Trees. Lights and glitter look good in the dark, but rather ‘Nepalese’ during daylight hours. To make up for this leap forward from the previous norm, three (yes three!!!!) traditional trees have been lit and dressed with ornaments for the Sitting Room, Kitchen and Studio (anticipating guest occupation over the Festive Season).

Festive Kitchen

Sitting Room Tree

Ready for the "Guest of Honour" - and this one's real!

 Even managed a wreath  for the back door. So with the completion of an ‘impressionist’ mobile by the wood burning stove, the refurbishment of numerous candlesticks with new candles, and the careful placement of Christmas Cards (strict protocol for positioning of those from family members) the garden and house are about ready for the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ and  a bit of ‘Wassailing’.

Front Door wreath

Another use for the excess branches of the nectarine tree

Orchids are either in flower or budded ready to burst forth. Dark aubergine and speckled white Spider Orchid has four spikes each with around twelve flowers or plumptious buds. The first ‘Ghost Orchid’ is in full glorious flower soon to be joined by a two spiked multi budded Cymbidiums. The Amarylis, although progressing well, will not bloom by Christmas Day, but just might appear for ‘Hogmanay’ (New Years Eve for the ‘Sassenachs’ – translated as ‘those not enjoying the benefit of Scottish Ancestry’).

Little Spider Orchid coming into bloom

Amazingly the Fuchsia on the terrace are in full bloom, their many shades of pale pink complimenting the deeper carmine hues of the miniature Cyclamens. The laden Tangerine trees are now giving forth of their much anticipated bounty of super sweet, but multi ‘pipped’, fruit. The one fruiting orange tree this year (after major pruning last autumn of the others) has out shone all expectations with the size, juiciness and quantity of its crop, and would seem to have encouraged the adjacent ‘Lisbon’ Lemon to equal effort.

Fuchsia still in full swing

Mini cyclamen will give colour all winter

Plenty of Tangerines 

Sage, parsley, rosemary and thyme duly picked according to the Head Gardeners instructions (in writing this year for some unfathomable reason – maybe it’s an age thing – quickly adding ‘Mine’ not ‘Hers’).

There goes the ever welcome bell- 

must dash for seasonal  Mulled Wine –

Final festive decoration

Very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a wonderfully fruitful ‘Gardening’ New Year.

Stuart.

BLUE SKIES AND COLD NIGHTS

5^TH DECEMBER 2015 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Blue skies, brilliant sunshine, cold nights and very cold mornings - Autumn is fast morphing into winter in the ‘Beiras’. No real rain for the last fortnight but misty mornings producing heavy dew. The orchard is still free of dawn frost (even minus one degree frost, the lowest experienced here is burnt- off  by late morning) so there are still the odd signs of life from enthusiastic weeds which are much encouraged by the midday temperatures in the unrelenting sunshine being in the ‘mid- teens’. Strangely, a number of plants seem to be suffering from lack of water due to the absent rain showers.

The Angels' Trumpet (Brugmansia) is still defying the lateness of the season, and blooming as well as ever in the wonderful sunshine.

Brugmansia enjoying a final trump   of the season - has had a splendid year

Pruning progressing aggressively on all terraces; fruit trees complete in the orchard (decided on a partial ‘branchectomy’ of the non performing apricot tree). Olive trees look as if they are in a war zone and the catalpas now look most ‘ordered’. Loins being girded to tackle the climbing and rambling roses , the size of each branch now precludes secateurs  and requires the ‘Big Pruning Saw’(will be making ‘Rose Wood’ furniture next). The burning of the ‘Prunings’ is not going well. Whilst there is no rain, the morning dew is ensuring the bonfire remains very wet and even the incentive of large quantities of  petrol has not persuaded the soggy mass into flame ( other than the massive explosion  when the match reaches the evaporated fumes – keeps the Head Gardner on her toes), so must keep trying and hoping – ever the Gardener’s prerogative to do so.

Orchids and Amarylis are all doing amazing things in readiness for the Festive Season. The sojourn of the Cymbidiums on the terraces, and subsequent re-potting and feeding, have encouraged the majority of the collection to produce flowering spikes (up to three  on some pots) full of potential exotic blooms. The Amarylis range from those with budding stems to others with a profusion of leaves, so awaiting the arrival of ‘stately spires’ of majestic blooms with anticipation.

Amarylis - hoping for more blooms like this very soon!

Cymbidiums  should be blooming soon 

Banana and avocado trees (in pots) are about to enjoy their winter quarters. They both can stand a short burst of down to 5 degrees, but tend to go into terminal decline if temperatures below this level are sustained for any length of time (so its fleece and a hot water bottle for the duration of the winter months).

Miniature Cyclamen (survive down to minus 10 degrees as they come from Montenegro and the hilly areas of the Balkans) are in full glorious flower with a sustained production of new ‘buds’ in a broad spectrum of delicate pinks. Their larger relation is an entirely different ‘kettle of fish’. They do not thrive below 10 degrees and tend to wilt and die in temperatures above 20 degrees (sitting room death syndrome which keeps the garden centres busy at Christmas as they always look so attractive before being plunged into cold temperatures for the journey home to Mother-in-Law).

Miniature cyclamen with black ophiopogums happily settled under the orange tree on the patio and oblivious to the cold

So, back to sweeping leaves, washing terrace tiles (consequence of pale grey tiles, wood burning stove, tangerine trees and morning mist – smoke from stove, heavy with resin from wood blown into trees above patio drips from the leaves in the damp morning air leaving black marks all over the tiles- much frowned upon by ‘HG’) with power washer. Result - clean tiles, cold hands, wet feet but rewarded by happy Head Gardener bearing large mug of hot coffee, an excellent ‘Gardening’ result.

Colourful autumn leaves from the diosperos tree before being swept from the terrace

Must dash to drink coffee before it freezes over,

 see you soon.

Stuart.

PRUNING TIME IS HERE!

18th NOVEMBER, CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Two weeks of rain has brought with it the cold nights of autumn (temperatures down to 5 degrees so the very large horrible hornets have gone from the old kitchen chimney). Sunny with blue sky today but thermometer struggling to get above 10 degrees at noon, most of the summer flowering plants now going into ‘Winter Mode’, except the ‘Tea’ roses; they are putting on a spectacular show (the ‘Ramblers’ and ‘Climbers’ having given up and gone to sleep weeks ago).

Roses still blooming on the terrace

More roses, picked today

Pruning time is here again. The annual pruning and shaping of all fruit and flowering trees promotes the best results next year, giving more compact growth even though a few flowering and fruiting ‘Whips’ may be lost.  The crop on the remaining structure always benefits by giving larger sized fruit, if less bounty. This is also the thoughtful time of year regarding the ‘None Performers’ last season.  The Damascus apricots have never really done much in their last seven years.  They blossom early (late February- possibly their down fall as still cold with few bees about) and produce  a very few miserable fruits, so this would seem the last chance saloon. Perhaps give them a major cut back and one more season? Important to keep a good shape on all apple trees; cut away everything over 2.5 metres (impossible to pick otherwise) and remove the centre of the tree leaving a ‘Tulip’ shape, feed, mulch and hope. Similar work on the plum trees; never let them get above three metres as they will suddenly be eight metres high and totally out of control and very difficult to harvest.  Last year was exceptional for most plums so expect a poor crop this year. They tend to have a two or three year cropping cycle.

Orchard pruning well under way

Peach trees can be problem if not kept in good order and shape.  The new varieties are very heavy croppers on the most insubstantial of  branches which, if not carefully monitored, results in the branch breaking off when very full of nearly ripe luscious fruit – extremely frustrating always. Keep the trees ‘tight’, two metres radius and three metres high, removing the weak branches now for the best results next June.

Tangerines are going to be ‘good’ for Christmas.  The trees are full of large ripening fruit, so full ‘Stockings’ on the festive eve. Oranges and Lemon trees are in full blossom with good ripening fruit from last year ready to start picking in January with Mandarins following February.

Tangerines getting ready for the Festive Season

 Strange phenomenon this year - some of the orange trees are in bloom as well as having ripening fruit.  Think it must be something to do with the very dry summer.  The bees are happy and the air is full of wonderful scent. The perpetual lemon tree is as always amazing -  never stops flowering and fruiting throughout the ‘Gin and Tonic’ season (which, of course,  lasts for all twelve months – which pleases the Head Gardner).

Orange blossom and new fruit on the same tree - strange

The ‘Spider’ Orchids have flowers forming and the ‘Cymbidiums’ should have flowering spikes by the middle of December. There are slight signs of life on the ‘Phaleanopsis’ which were cut back to the third bud on the flowering stem last summer before their holiday on the sunny terrace.

Amarylis are awakening from their enforced hibernation in September and October and the first signs of life are appearing. The bulbs have fattened up well this summer so looking for a magnificent display of multi-coloured ‘spires’ in the near future.

Spider orchid well in bud, with the first of the Amarylis (Hippeastrum) starting to shoot

Having trouble lighting off the bonfire of prunings as they are all still very green.  Local practice in Portugal is to burn everything as soon as possible as the rain in the first three months of the new year and the bonfire ban after the 1^st April can leave a massive pile of kindling until the following November – much frowned upon by the HG. (Looks as if another can of petrol will be required).

 Ah! there goes the Bell, Coffee Time is here again,

 must dash.

See you soon.

Stuart.