Comparing pictures of different areas of our garden, there have been no significant changes since my January review. The gale-force winds and heavy rains continued for the first couple of weeks, which stripped the bougainvillaea of most of its leaves, and several succulents were pitted with what I can only assume were hailstones. The leaves of the hibiscus were also damaged. The 20th of the month saw a turn in the weather, with temperatures reaching 21 °C for a few days, no rain or strong winds, and even a couple of still balmy days, prompting a visit to the beach. As February draws to a close, I hope we were not lulled into believing Spring had arrived!
Despite the weather and a hectic social month, we did manage to complete a few jobs in the garden, but we are still struggling to eat the gardening elephant. And today I learned we will be losing our gardening elf (aka helper with muscle) from about mid-April. Maybe it’s just as well we have decided not to continue with the vegetable plot as it is just too much to manage after last year’s frustrating poor return on time, effort and investment.
FRONT ENTRANCE AREA
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TOP TERRACE
and around the corner
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I was surprised to see this passion fruit plant in flower
POOL AREA FROM TOP TERRACES
Considering the weather, Mr Piglet is doing a sterling job keeping the pool clean. He is out there every day removing the bougainvillaea leaves that have been blown off in the wind and into the pool. Leave them, and they stain the bottom of the pool.
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FRONT ROCKERY and POOL AREA
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RH SIDE GARDEN
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LH SIDE GARDEN
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REAR GARDEN
The oranges this year were too sour to eat. Hopefully, the next harvest (if the flowers aren’t blown off in the wind) will be sweeter. And, no, I don’t want to make marmalade because I try not to eat bread. Although the strawberry plnts are producing lots of strawberries they are inedible. I really must take a moment to remove all the flowers so the plants conserve their energy for growth. The birds are enjoying the nesperas. What are left I will attempt to make a chutney.
NEW PLANTS
We welcomed several new plants, including a Camelia!
That’s my gardening SIX for this Saturday, folks! Now I’m off to Jim’s blog to check out other Six on Saturday gardener
January Review:
Piglet in Portugal 
So stunning, Carole! Your yard looks like a beautiful park! This year, for the first time since we bought this place (in 2022), our orange tree has zero blossoms. Otherwise, the leaves look healthy. Usually by this time it’s loaded with blossoms and the tiny fruits are forming. Maybe it’s resting. We’ll see what next year brings.
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Your garden is looking splendid. I really like the hard landscaping – the paving stone patterns and cobbles make it look really interesting.
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Absolutely stunning, I am so jealous!
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What lovely flowers in your garden diary ! You don’t eat the nesperas? Or do you only pick up and eat the ones that are left? And I see the strawberries have grown quite a bit since last time…! yum
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