After last year’s drought, which meant we had to drastically reduce our overall water consumption and turn off the irrigation systems, I decided not to grow any fruit and veg this year. To save water, we harvested tap-run-offs while waiting for the water to heat when taking a shower, collected the shower water, saved all the swimming pool backwash, etc., then watered all our pots and most of the veg by hand. I even tried to save the washing machine’s grey water until I flooded the garage when the drainage pipe became detached. For those familiar with Piglet’s Plot, our fruit and veg and most of our decorative plants, etc., grow in pots. As you can imagine, it was a mammoth task!
However, with the escalating price of fruit and veg, I’ve had to backtrack and decided to utilise the perimeter pots and two of the raised beds.
Weeding!
But what a task! The soil is like blocks of concrete, and the weeds have bedded in deep!
Mr Piglet to the rescue, and after an hour, both raised beds and a few of the pots were turned over, weeds loosened, ready for me to remove the weeds and make good the soil and plant up the more mature plugs
Cucumbers and Yellow Peppers
As we were away last weekend and missed the Rogil monthly market, where we buy all our veg plugs, I asked a friend to buy six cucumber plugs and six yellow pepper plugs, which I have planted into small pots so the roots can develop
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The yellow peppers look rather scrawny…. I hope they survive.
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Mixed Lettuce, Aubergines and Red Peppers
We bought these plugs at Silves Market on the 18th May. Potted on and in less than two weeks, they are doing well. Fingers crossed.
At least I managed to get the lettuce planted today
Herb Roundup
The pots of thyme from Silves Market are also still healthy and show no signs of distress, so I’m just biding my time while I tackle more pressing jobs before I pot them on.
The sage and oregano I bought back in March seem (dare I say) to have settled into their new home.
As does the mint. I keep the mint well watered in a shady location
The chives are suffering because they were not watered for several days while we were away on holiday. Hopefully, all the flowers will continue to develop into seed heads, and I’ll start again.
The lemon thyme, which decided to make itself at home in my Madagascar Cactus Palm pot, continues to prosper.
Strawberry Tower
A few weeks ago, I added some new plants to the tower. I am amazed, considering the hot southerly winds and temperatures well into the thirties, most have taken root and bedded in.
Orange Tree Update
I was convinced the orange tree was dying, so I am surprised to say that after Mr P gave it a good hair cut and cut off all the dead wood, it seems to have found a new lease of life. I tried to take pictures of the new shoots, but my useless phone camera refused to cooperate.
Well, folks, that’s my gardening update for this Saturday! Please do join us over at Jim’s blog to catch up with other gardening bloggers
Piglet in Portugal 
Lots of work and tender loving care. Kudos to you and Mr. P, Carole. As we were leaving for the summer, I was fearful that our orange tree in south Texas was in its last days. A haircut it is when we return! Your processes are always so very helpful, so thanks again for another fab post!
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