According to Almanac.com, “Astronomically speaking, the first day of spring is marked by the spring equinox, which falls on March 19, 20, or 21. The equinox happens at the exact moment worldwide, although our clock times reflect a different time zone.”
It doesn’t feel like Spring at the moment. Monday night, I was woken by heavy rain and strong winds and the glorious weather we’d enjoyed for several days prior was over and normal service had resumed. All the flowers are suffering and the beautiful freeisha and Osteospurmum flowers are now flattened.
As I write today’s Six on Saturday, dare I say the sun is shining, and there is not a cloud in sight. We will see.
Pelargonium or Geranium?
We went to Silves’ monthly market on Monday, and I bought this beautiful plant. for 5€. Not sure what it is but I love it and hopefully it will thrive in the wall pot.
Bare Root Strawberry Plants
Another bargain from Silves’ monthly market is a bundle of 24 bare-rooted strawberry plants at 6€. Once separated I trimmed back the roots and repotted 2 plants per pot in a compost mixture of soil, manure and general compost.
Herbs
Yet another bargain from Silves market was a selection of herbs. Namely Sage, oregano and mint. The sage and oregano need the same growing conditions. Namely, a warm, sunny position, free-draining soil mixed with up to 25% horticultural grit and a pot at least 12in wide and deep. And don’t allow the soil to become waterlogged!
Mint, on the other hand, needs moist soil and partial shade.
I was hoping to get these potted up but the rain set in and scuppered my plans.
Cyclamen
Another purchase from Silves market was two unusual cyclamen
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I wanted to replace this one, which is not a good look right by the front door especially as it had been struggling for some time. I repotted it, so fingers crossed. One thing I did notice is that for a plant over a year old, it did not have much of a root ball
Agave Attenuata
Wow, the Agave Attenuata just keeps on giving. First the huge flower spike in January and now mini flower spikes continue into March
Flowering plants in March
That’s my six things in the garden for this week folks. Happy gardening!
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I’m jealous of all your lovely new strawberries! I’ve been trying to grow alpine strawberries from seed, but they are incredibly slow and painful to germinate. I managed to get 2 plants last year, which are doing well, and it seems I have another 2-3 this year, but I might try and get some different varieties, too.
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People call pelargoniums geraniums because of a mistake in classifying them when they were first introduced from South Africa in the 17th and 18th centuries. I don’t know why the misnaming still goes on today. They are a different genera. Geraniums are hardy and look quite different. I am envious of your agave.
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Chloris, I don’t know why I keep misnaming them either. But I do think pelargoniums are far prettier compared to geraniums so maybe that is the clue. Yep, the agave is quite something.
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The Bromeliad is spectacular, Carole. It’s surviving the rain well. I think we’ll have turned the corner this week, but who knows? It’s usually better at our end. Do you have to feed the strawberry plants and do you expect fruit this summer? I’m completely ignorant of these things xx
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Hi Jo, I was hoping with the beautiful weather we had the prvious week we had already turned the corner. Sadly it was not the case. Yep, it is usually warmer down your end … but too warm for us :)
I do feed the strawberries with liquid manure. They seem to like it so hoping they will continue to produce into the summer.
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You are taking such great care of your garden! Best of luck with the strawberry plants! Strawberries are a treat. I am thinking of moving some of the plants I have at the allotment to my balcony, and perhaps some to our school garden.
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I try :) I call it a labour of love. I confess I do love strawberries but at the moment the rain is turning many of them to mush before they can ripen.
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I hope you’ll get more sunshine in the week to come!
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The herbs look nice and healthy. Is that a variegated sage? It’s rather striking.
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Hi Trowel, yep that is a variagated sage. I also meant to buy a purple sage but got distracted. Never mind. A good exuse to go next month
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Always so disappointing when rain flattens flowers. Happens to me every year with irises. Love that cyclamen. One of my favorite flowers.
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IT sure is, Laurie. I am glad I took pics last week. yes, I have only recently discovered cyclamen in the last year. Can’t plant directly in the garden so I have rightby the front door so I can enjoy them
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You got some great deals from this market! I’m trying herbs inside on the window sill, we will see if this works out. I hope the sun stays shining on you today.
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Hi Tracy, I was thinging about growing some herbs inside but I don’t seem to have much luck with indoor plants. AND… the sun did shine for the rest of the daylight hours!
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Hey, I am having problems posting a comment to your blog, Tracy
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Wonderful these agave attenuata flowers…I hope mine will have some one day.
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That one took years to flower. All the others, and I have several, are a no show!
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I like the sound of this market! And definitely a pelargonium. :D
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Yep the market sells everything from knickers, honey, cheese to plants and fruit trees.
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Perfect
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Beautiful, Carole! I’ve often considered an herb garden here in south Texas, but because we’re at home in Canada all summer, I’d be unable to tend it properly.
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Hi Terry, it must be tough split between two gardens! Fingers crossed my herb pots grow
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I don’t have a garden of any description in Canada, as we’ve been condo dwellers for many years. I’ll cheer for your herb pots.
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