This week’s Six on Saturday will be brief. Photos are limited as balancing on crutches and standing on one leg is not conducive for taking the best shots. My OH gives me a daily update re what’s happening in the areas of garden I can’t access at the moment. Apparently, he’s been busy weeding!
1. Red Cabbage
The Seedling plugs I planted on the 19th November are making steady progress. So far I’ve had them covered with crates to stop the birds eating the dreaded blue pellets or the dead slugs and snails. One thing’s for sure Portuguese snails are fussy and they won’t touch Superoc as I’d previously mentioned. A gardener friend has provided an alternative solution.
2. Sowing some seeds
Sensing my frustration, the OH set up a workbench on the patio table so I could at least plant up some seeds.
I have now started pots of basil, chives, rocket, early flowering petunias (festival assortment) and some flowers (Iberis Nana in Miscuglio) You may recognise from the photo.
The project also highlighted the fact I am desperate for some new mini-cloches (hint hint). OH bought them for me about 12 years ago for Christmas and the plastic has deteriorated in the sun. Even though I like to make-do and mend, the Gaffa tape is struggling to keep these together.
This will be their last season.
3. Rhubarb
My rhubarb (Timperley Early is peeping through. This is its second season so fingers crossed I will at least crop enough for a small rhubarb crumble.
4. Freesias
The recycled Freesia bulbs from last year planted on the 13th October are now in bud.
5. Gazanias
I have a love hate relationship with Gazanias. They bloom from December right the way through but come the hot weather their foliage resembles bird nests and make the garden bed look untidy. Every year I resolve to dig them up but then my resolve weakens as I remember their wonderful colours during the winter months. They are meant to be drought tolerant but I seriously doubt that claim.
6. Views of my garden
On Monday we went to the local monthly market to buy red onion plugs, mixed lettuce and to see what else was on offer. You can imagine our surprise to find there was no market. We later discovered it had moved.
I leave you with some shots of my garden instead.
**
And finally another cacti in flower.
That’s it for this week.
Better late than never!
Piglet in Portugal 
The photos illustrate your dedications, Ms Piglet! Kudos.
Gazanias are from my part of the world and I have grown a number from seed and have them dotted about all over the garden.
The ones at our spot seem pretty drought tolerant, but they will go raggedy if not tended for a while.
Odd thing I’ve noticed: The hens peck all over the garden and this includes in and around the Gazanias, some of which have reacted to this avian pruning by growing more dense and projecting their flowers higher than those left alone by the birds.
Weird, but they look very healthy for the attention!
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The garden is looking great Carole. Hope all your plantings thrive and grow well. Haven’t had much luck with veggies here, either too hot or they get eaten by bugs.
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Hope you are on the mend! I imagine it is highly frustrating being unable to potter about in the garden.
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That’s dedication. I don’t think I would have done it on crutches.
Your garden looks so Californian.
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What have I missed? What have you done to yourself? ps fab garden 🙂
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The agaves looking good. I’ve got some seed to try but not sure how much success I’ll have in the cold North.
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Ah, that patio. Your photo makes me wonder if fall-planted freesias would do okay for me in the greenhouse. I’ll have t find out! Hope you’re healing nicely.
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Beautiful photos. I understand why you’re reluctant to tear out the Gazanias, gorgeous colour. Your patio reminds of the place we stayed in Portugal in 1993. Really stunning.
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It’s nice to see such pretty things — and sunshine! — on this gray winter day here. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, TAra. We’ve had our share of frey days this week. I ust struck lucky when I was taking the photographs
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A breathtaking view of the garden … I love your agaves! (and having gazania in bloom in January is a privilege which only people of southern Europe can enjoy …)
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Thanks Fred. I find the garden a restful space.And yes, those agaves grow like weeds.
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I love your garden views and I’m very envious of your Agave attenuata’s. It must be so frustrating not being able to do much, I know I’d live in a garden like that.
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I do, Jim. It was just a beach when we moved in and we created the garden from scratch. I am getting frustrated because I know the bugs are making the most of my absense
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Your garden looks fantastic. I always mean to try growing freesias as they have a lovely scent. I always forget. Maybe this year.
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Thank you. GArdening is my passion. Not all freesias of scent… I was caught out with a batch I bought.
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