A Creative Spirit
Agave attenuata is often called Foxtail Agave or Swan’s Neck Agave. Unlike most agaves, its leaves have no sharp tips or teeth, so it’s friendly to walk past and easy to live with, which is just as well, as it is beginning to tower over the cars on our drive. This is the second time... Continue Reading →
The temperatures over the last week have soared above 30 °C. We don't have air conditioning, so not only were some of our plants suffering, but we were as well. I barely had enough energy to refill the bird baths I had scattered around the garden yet alone hump extra water for the plants. The... Continue Reading →
If we were having a coffee, I would tell you this week temperatures ramped up from the low twenties with a cool ocean breeze to the mid-thirties to still and stifling with no air. Everyone was and still is moaning that it is too hot. Far too hot. In fact, it is too hot for... Continue Reading →
Yep, it's time to take stock of what's growing, or not. Water is scarce, and this week I've had to make some tough decisions. The water butts are empty and mains water is expensive. If you are on a water meter, you will understand. Last year, I saved every drop of grey water from the... 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 →
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 →
Rain, glorious rain, but not when you are tasked with producing a display for the In a Vase on Monday member organised by Rambling in the Garden. This morning, during a brief respite, I dashed into the garden and grabbed a handful of foliage, some Bermuda buttercups, three dead succulent flowers, and some bottle brush.... Continue Reading →
It's October, and with summer socialising, holidays, and houseguests behind us, it's time to knuckle down and undertake some serious work in the garden. Armed with a pen, clipboard, and critical eye, I made an extensive 'To Do' list. However, my enthusiasm soon ran out of steam. I'm sure you know the feeling when I... Continue Reading →
Thanks to the weather, I lost my momentum in the garden this week. I now understand how the UK gardeners struggle when they experience weeks of rain. The drought here continues, and I have just been alerted that we are in an area of maximum fire risk. In fact, there was a fire very close... Continue Reading →
This week, the weather in our corner of the Western Algarve has been mixed. There has been sea mist and temperatures varying from between 20 to 34C, but there has been no rain. It's only a quick six this week. Breakfast Patio Trying to revamp the back northeast-facing patio to catch the morning sun in... Continue Reading →
How was your week? Sigh… Let's start with the dreaded 'D' word. I hold my hands up in despair. I am a porker. I've put back on all the weight I've lost. Can food talk to us? The little voice that says, 'Eat me. You know how much you love cheesecake, tiramisu, pavlova, pastries and... Continue Reading →
For this week's Six on Saturday, I was going to write about vegetables, but when I strolled out into the garden to photograph my motley selection, I was struck by the array of flowers in bloom, basking in the May sunshine. Coleus Neochilus I love this plant! Apparently, it repels mosquitoes Coleus neochilus Coleus neochilus,... Continue Reading →
Another week and another Six on Saturday update. Seriously. I seem to spend every spare moment when I'm not writing in my garden, and just as I begin to relax, yet another plant demands my attention. Weather: We've had a mixed bag of weather this week. A couple of days of hot weather at the... Continue Reading →
Six things that are happening in my garden this week. Hence Six on Saturday hosted by Jim. Where has this week gone? It seems like only yesterday I was preparing last week's Six on Saturday gardening post. 1. Drought in the Algarve The heavens finally opened and we have been blessed with heavy rain for... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 