A Creative Spirit
This week my search for wildflowers growing in the Western Algarve resulted in finding this little beauty which I discovered purely by accident when I grabbed a wall for support because an owner failed to control her frisky dog. After they left I looked down and there was this beautiful flower! Bartsia trixago The Bartsia... Continue Reading →
It's been another busy and challenging week in the garden. We can't go anywhere, do anything or see anyone so the bugs, birds and plants have the pleasure of our undivided attention. 1. Beetroot Blues Only two seeds of the Hullahup beetroot I planted on Feb 22nd have finally germinated Over a month of twice... Continue Reading →
Either that or we have a phantom seed thief. I planted Hallahup beetroot seeds in the raised vegetable plot on the 22nd February and Lisbon spring onion seeds on 1st March. So far only three tiny beetroot leaves have germinated and no spring onions. I am suspicious because the spring onion seeds I planted on... Continue Reading →
or Goivinho-da-praia in Portuguese. Malcolmia Littirea grows on the west coast of Portugal and flowers from February to July. I never realised they were related to Virginia Stock which I use to grow in my garden in the UK until I conducted some research to identify them. I seem to remember they had an amazing... Continue Reading →
This has to be my favourite wildflower! A friend posted a picture of the wild orchid on our local gardening FB group so the next day I was out taking photographs. Lucky I was wearing trainers because unlike most of the photographs I take of flowers growing near the side of the road, these were... Continue Reading →
I've had a lot to smile about over the last week. The new raised vegetable beds are finished and almost filled with compost. The vegetable seeds are beginning to germinate and I have already replanted many of the tomato seedlings to their own pots to grow on. Who knew sitting in a car park by... Continue Reading →
I started writing my gardening post at seven this morning yet here we are nearly seven in the evening and I am only just finished. We have been extremely busy in the garden this week and the three raised veg beds are almost finished. I will create a separate post to review those later in... Continue Reading →
There is an abundance of the perennial Cravo-das-Areias also commonly known as 'Thrift' in our local area. The pretty pompom pink flowers can be enjoyed on the many coastal walks in the Western Algarve or where we live, growing on wild areas at the side of the road, or even on our roundabouts. It flowers... Continue Reading →
Another busy week in the garden. Sun, strong winds and showers kept me and the Gnome busy both inside and out. Lots more seeds planted and the cloches are full with pots of Hope and the construction of the raised vegetable beds are nearing completion. Over the weeks I have enjoyed photos shared by fellow... Continue Reading →
Lotus Creticus - Southern Bird's Foot Trefoil I have photographed the Southern Bird's Foot Trefoil, also known as the Trevo-de-Creta, in flower from November through to February and it is still flowering into March. It grows in gravel, in the crevices of pathways, and on the cliff tops near our house in the Western Algarve.... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 