Once again, hot wind is gusting from the South and with temperatures in the thirties drying out the plants to shrivelled prunes… and us. Thankfully, cooler weather is on the way next week, and there is even the threat of a few spits and spots of rain. We will see.
Oregano or Marjoram?
When I bought these plants at Silves market, they were labelled as oregano, but I’m not so sure. I asked Google: https://gardenfocused.co.uk/herbs/marjoram-oregano-difference.php
Apparently, there are 50-plus varieties
It seems the key difference is taste. Marjarom is not as strong.
Seedlings -Basil and Apple Cucumber
The apple cucumber seeds offered by a friend have finally made an appearance and the basil seeds planted on the 6th of June are off to a great start. I’ve made a note to divide these before the seedlings get to big.
Bonsai Jade Plants
A local plant nursery is closing and selling off its stock at less than half price. I could not resist these succulents which the owner had pruned bonsai style, and proceeded to instruct me on where to prune to create an interesting and balanced shape. I need to remove some new leggy growth on the first plant.
Agapanthas
Another bargain from the plant sale is a couple of agapanthas. One (I’m assured) is purple and the other blue and white. One is in flower, so all will be revealed in the next week or so.
Growing Ginger in a Pot
These rhizomes(?) are left from a previous crop I harvested a few months ago. I plan to plant in a large pot. The problem I have right now is deciding on a suitable location in partial shade that is on the irrigation system. Time is running out.
A Lucky Find
Last week, we trawled several shops looking for a suitable parasol base. We didn’t want to spend a fortune, but anything heavy and ornate that was not just a chunk of concrete cost over 100€. Uninspired, we abandoned the search so you can imagine my delight when Mr P returned from the Lixo today with this!
All it needs is a lick of paint and TLC.
**
Finally, the Washingtonia. More on that next week.
That’s my Six for this Saturday, fellow gardeners and my thanks to Jim for hosting the Six on Saturday gardening Meme
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The Bonsai Jade looks fun to work on, relaxing. Oh, ginger – I’ve not been able to grow that with any success. I hope your agapanthus colors are just what you wanted. They are so nice in a vase!
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Hi TRacy, I think the ginger works best when grown in a wide pot and in partial shade. We will see how this batch fares. Fingers crossed with the agapantas x
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The parasol base was a good find. We have oregano or marjoram growing all over the place in the garden – I’m never sure which of the two it is either.
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Hi Trowel, it has taken some encourement to get it started but I hope once it gets establishes I will also have plenty
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Great set of photos, Carole! I especially love the bonsai-pruned succulents. I want to plant a bit of a container herb garden in Texas this fall, so will be closely following yours.
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can you buy established baby plants rather than planting from seed?
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Yes we can. There are many nurseries available in the Rio Grande Valley.
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Wait….you can grow ginger?? I am so envious! But doesn’t it need soil?
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Hi Bernie, yes the ginger needs soil I was just encouraging it to sprout before I planted in the pot. You could grow ginger providing you brought it inside during the winter… I am sure.
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Phew! No snakes in this post. Hope your plants can cope with the heat. We have an umbrella stand that looks very much like the one you have.
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No, no snakes, thank godness but I know they are watching me… lurking in the undergrowth…somewhere.
AS for the stand it has painted up beautifully. I still cant believe someone threw it out. as the quality stands such as theses are so expensive.
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I find the only way to know the difference is the smell of the dried herbs. Oregano is stronger and more masculine. Marjoram more perfumed.
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Thanks, PPS. Good idea. I have just bought another type of oregano at the market. This one is more upright and has flowers.
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I’ve been harvesting and drying oregano this week…
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Hi Pam, does the picture I feature look like oregano to you?
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Sort of! The leaves are very similar, but ours is ‘stalkier’…
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Hi Pam, I know what you mean. I bought another variety of oregano and yes, it is stalkier
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Right now, the oregano is berserk! I could cut bunches every day…
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:) The new variety of oregano I’ve just purchased seems more vigorous and enthusiastic. Fingers crossed!
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Please keep us posted!!!
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