Garden Diary: Garden Chores and Challenges – August

This week’s Six on Saturday selection features a mixed six. This little ‘Piggy’ went to the market last Sunday to discover that the plant man selling the veggie plugs had not arrived. Some of his usual customers we see each month, like me, were also standing around feeling lost. What now? Blew a sigh. I had no choice but to grow the cucumber and courgettes from seed or risk losing the window of opportunity for a potential autumn harvest.

Courgettes (Zucchini) and Cucumbers

I would not have selected either variety by choice, but the shop I happened to choose offered a poor selection of seeds. As it was 35C outside and I was already pushing my luck, I asked Mr. P to drop by the hardware store (Drogeriea). I adopted the’ a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush’ philosophy. We will see.

The Weather

This week’s weather in our corner of the Western Algarve once again offered a mixed bag, from sea mist to an overnight shower of sandy rain that pebble-dashed the cars and veg.

Pruning the Bougainvillea

The stiff breeze and threat of wind prompted us to focus on the monster Bougainvillaea, which was spreading onto the roof and hanging precariously from a few supports along the facia. Bougainvillea blooms on new growth, so giving it a trim when it becomes too ‘leggy’ encourages new growth and a further prolific and denser display. The coloured pink tips are bracts, and the tiny white centres are the flowers. It’s a job we hate as the monster has thorns. Poor Mr. P gets the evil eye from me when he brings out the hedge trimmer… but needs must when it strays onto the roof. Elsewhere, we use long-handled secateurs and snip branch by branch.

Before

After

*

Olive Hedge and Hopbush

While Mr P was playing with his hedge cutter, he also shaved the olive hedge. The accidental hedge started as one twig purchased from the centre aisles at Lidyl. I also allowed him to tidy up the hop bush, which should be a hedge, but it has proved less than enthusiastic. At ten years of growth, I am underwhelmed. This is obviously the right plant but the wrong place.

Kale

Over the last few months, we have enjoyed an abundance of kale. Due to the extra high humidity, it is blighted with white mould and now beginning to die. Needs must to save water it is time to salvage what I can and freeze. I will definitely replace it when I next see plugs at the market.

Hydrangeas

I have been underwhelmed this year, but I take full responsibility for the Hydrangeas’ lack of care. Probably water and food. There are not enough walking hours in the day. The hydrangea in the black pot needs repotting, and the terracotta-coloured plastic pot on the terrace—who knows, but it isn’t a happy plant.

Previous years

That’s my six gardening offerings for this week, folks. For more Six on Saturday bloggers, check out Jim’s blog at Garden Ruminations.