A Creative Spirit
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you my physio sessions are going well ... well, sort of. The painful tendinitis in my right hip had almost disappeared until I started driving our manual transmission car. A couple of journeys in, pressing the clutch aggravated the tendinitis, so it felt like two steps forward and... Continue Reading →
There is never a dull moment on Piglet's Plot. Despite temperatures still in the 20C, a stroll around the garden signals summer is over, and I really do need to get my butt into gear. Birds and the Bees This morning I was surprised by the number of bees on the nespera tree. It seemed... Continue Reading →
Another week and we continue to plod along, crossing jobs off our never-ending gardening To Do list. Early last week, the hedgeman finally arrived to cut our monster maleuca boundary hedge. Phew! It is a mammoth task, and one Mr P, after years of self-maintenance, was relieved to outsource. We enjoyed a brief spot of... Continue Reading →
No, not ours, at least. It is a creative space and an extension of our hobbies. Even our swimming pool is not the conventional, tiled, oblong or kidney-shaped pool plopped in the garden, surrounded by tiles and a manicured lawn. We tried to create a sunken oasis with a waterfall. Waterfall and Rockery * I... Continue Reading →
For this week's gardening post and coffee share, I decided to focus on how I use containers to create an inviting illusion, particularly when approaching our entrance door. I have been told that it feels like you're walking into a secret garden. I will add that, unlike the UK, we do not have a traditional... Continue Reading →
The temperatures this week have still been so intense that I've struggled with the fierce heat, and so have some of the plants. With temperatures regularly reaching the high thirties at times and indoor temperatures in the high twenties and no air conditioning, I've sadly not had the energy. I have given up on some... 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 →
A stall at our local market was selling organic liquid fertiliser and a 'so say' miracle cure for my ailing zucchini. We bought some. The jury is still out. Probably snake oil. Let's just say I'm not impressed. However, what did capture my attention and pique my interest was a small, rubbish bin-type container fitted... 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 →
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 →
This week, we have been giving the garden a Spring clean—but not too much so we do not disturb the wildlife that also call our garden home. When Mr Piglet moved a pot, he encountered an Iberian Psammodromus lizard the size of a small snake. He didn't scream, kept calm, and took a photo. I... 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 →
Today, as I walked around my vegetable garden during the lull between heavy showers and gale-force winds to inspect the damage inflicted by Storm Martinho, I wondered how many of us--if push came to shove--could grow our own fruit and vegetables. A random question. Maybe not. With the world teetering on the brink of war... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that the rest of the week was cancelled apart from Yoga. On Monday, I thought I was finally due to start in the charity shop but it didn't happen - cancelled. Tuesday, after Yoga, as the day progressed, my throat felt gravelly, and my 'get up and... Continue Reading →
My six for this Saturday includes a random selection as I dodge the showers and mosquitoes. Rain, glorious rain. I never thought as a Brit I'd be praying and then celebrating the heavy downpours we've experienced recently. Designed to retain moisture with slow drainage, my raised vegetable beds are flooded, but that's okay. First Seed... 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 →
Piglet in Portugal 