A Creative Spirit
There has been no rain again this week, and the water butts are nearly empty. We can't even backwash the pool into the water butts as we usually do, because the pool has mustard algae at the moment and we need to contain it. I really can't moan as we've had months of rain. For... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, some German friends who are keen gardeners came for dinner. Needless to say, the subject of my ailing vegetables was raised, and said guests were asked to inspect and pass judgment as to the cause. I gave them the list of suggestions already offered. The guy checked the pot drainage, watering, sunlight, leaves, etc.... Continue Reading →
Yellowing leaves: Too much water or not enough or lacking nutrients? I am useless when it comes to diagnosis. Last week, the Zucchini posed a major challenge when I was left with 29 shrivelled offerings. More on that in a few weeks. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who offered suggestions. For now, I am trying... Continue Reading →
Someone flicked a switch and we have wall-to-wall sunshine. Since we returned from England, the sun has shone daily, and it's HOT. Summer (dare I say) has arrived! But with temperatures rising to 30 °C, it is now too hot to work in the garden. Yeah, I know. We've had months of rain and cold... Continue Reading →
Any veg experts out there? I planted six Zucchini plants in large pots with quality soil, so it is not unreasonable to expect a bumper harvest. I had grand plans to make Zucchini and Tomato chutney, pickled Zucchini, etc. I rubbed my hands together in glee as every plant produced flowers and baby zucchini. I... Continue Reading →
Despite the unseasonable weather, our vegetables are putting their best foot forward, and the seed plugs I bought at the end of March continue to thrive. This week's six is an update on fruit and vegetable progress. https://pigletinportugal.com/2025/03/29/march-garden-diary-chores-and-challenges-seeds-or-vegetable-plugs/ Zucchini Growing in Containers The Zucchini plugs I bought at the monthly market at the end of... Continue Reading →
The weather continued much the same as the week before and the months before that. Cold, rain and windy interspersed with sunny intervals. The geraniums and pelargoniums continue to thrive although the pink and purple one above has now got a virus attacking the leaves. I´ve treated it. Fingers crossed it survives. The crown of... Continue Reading →
Last week, I shared an overview of the South garden and pool area in my post April Garden Diary – A Tour of My Garden (part 1). This week, I focus on the east, west and north gardens, which include a small terrace and vegetable area. We try to keep it tidy, but it is always... Continue Reading →
As we move into April, the unseasonal weather continues with heavy rain, squalls, high winds, showers, and periods of sunshine. Even when we wake up to sunshine and blue skies, there is no guarantee it won't be raining by lunchtime. Apart from a few days, it's been like this since the 2nd of January. Last... Continue Reading →
Looking back, this is the wettest January, February, and March I can remember, so we are way behind with our gardening endeavours. This week, we had a break in the weather. The rain stopped, and the sun shone. On Sunday, impatient because many of the seeds I'd planted at the beginning of March were slow... Continue Reading →
... in my opinion. Yes, that's right. They look great when small but grow way too quickly and ultimately to a height of 40-80ft. The tree in our small urban garden is now nearly twice the height of our single-story villa and still growing. When we planted the Washingtonia many years ago, we had no... Continue Reading →
For this week's Six on Saturday, I was torn between featuring my bedraggled vegetables or happy flowers. I chose the latter. We have enjoyed a mixed bag of weather, from strong winds to rain, thunderstorms, and night-time temperatures dropping to around 6C, far lower in the valley. Cyclamen I have been so delighted with the... Continue Reading →
For this week's Six on Saturday, I decided to focus on some plants growing in the bed on the east side of the house. The bed is a challenge because everything I attempt to grow has to compete with the thirsty roots of the melaleuca hedge. The hedge man also needs easy access to cut... Continue Reading →
For this week's Six on Saturday, I focused on my orchids and palms. Weather: We've not had any rain again this week, but the humidity is high, and areas of the back terrace that do not enjoy the sun remain wet all day. The nighttime temperatures have dipped to around 3C, and even in the... Continue Reading →
Olá, fellow gardeners, let's raise a glass to a productive 2025. I'm ashamed to say Ineglected my vegetable area and garden during November and December, and now I am paying the price with an abundance of weeds. I also discovered a few surprises, such as a yellow pepper that we used in the Christmas Day... Continue Reading →
At times, I want to throw up my hands in despair. Gardening is a constant challenge. If it's not munchers eating my succulents, Kale or cannas, it's sickly plants demanding my attention, roots breaking through a wall to access the raised vegetable area, and then there's lichen. Poorly Orchid - I ignored this outdoor orchid... Continue Reading →
For my Six on Saturday this week, I share my newly acquired passion for air plants and bromeliads. I've wanted to expand our collection of bromeliads and air plants (tillandsias) for some time so last Sunday, we went to the Autumn Mediterranean Garden Fair in Lagoa. I love these plants, and so does Mr P.... Continue Reading →
This is an overview of our vegetable garden as October moved into November. The local markets are selling plenty of winter vegetable plugs, so now is the time to get planting! The daytime temperature hovers just above 20C and at night (except for a cold snap) between 14C and 18C. It feels like summer—probably an... Continue Reading →
My six gardening pictures for this Saturday feature some of the plants flowering in my garden at the end of October, taken while dodging the showers. YaY! Rain, glorious rain. It seems one or more of my hibiscus plants are always in flower, and today was no exception. Flowering Hibiscus in October Flowering Hibiscus in... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 