In the book “Messias das Plantas” Carlos Magdalena, from Kew Gardens, defends plants at risk of extinction. Kew Gardens, close to London, is a key space of botanical diversity.
We have few botanical gardens in Portugal, the best in Lisbon, the one in Coimbra not well kept. In the Algarve we have only one.
Having a garden is not only visually appealing, but it also can be an investment if you are into growing your own food. As farmers move further from the natural ways of growing crops, many people are becoming increasingly concerned about what they are putting in their bodies. You definitely do not want to feed your family fruits and vegetables full of chemicals or, worse, genetically mutated food.
Artificial grass is the sign of a modern backyard. It is there to help you maintain a perfect looking lawn that is low maintenance at the same time. Let’s face it; people don’t have enough time to take proper care of every plant that they have, growing in their small gardens, especially when they are exposed to heat all the time. So, the artificial lawn is an excellent alternative to natural grass, as it also helps with reducing water waste.
Find out all about forthcoming Gardening Events in the Algarve, and of course the eagerly awaited Mediterranean Garden Fair 2019 coming up in October. You can read the Summer Newsletter HERE.
W: www.mediterraneangardeningportugal.org
Another month to relax and enjoy your garden, although there are some projects the keen gardener can undertake.
As in July, the crucial task is providing sufficient water to plants. The neediest plants are lawns (but not Bermuda or zoysia), vegetables, some annuals and some perennial shade flowers.
Many plants in containers are likely to need water daily.
June is the ideal month to simply enjoy your garden as most of the spring planting should have already been done but the hottest days yet to arrive. With so much in bloom, there should be plenty of colour now but if not you can head for your local garden centre for a quick remedy.
Consider such June-flowering plants as Fushcias, Hydrangeas, Lantana, Jacaranda trees, Agapanthus and Mandevilla.
Fuchsias need regular watering, but don’t let the soil get soggy. Feed often with fertiliser high in nitrogen. Deadhead the seedpods. All fuchsias need partial shade with white and pastel colours requiring a bit more shade than reds and purples.
May is the time to finalise all the spring planting, as the increased heat boosts all plants to really take off.
From now until November one key to success is to water deeply but appropriately for each plant.
Of course, the Algarve boasts colour year round, but April has the strongest punch of colour of any month. March was the first spring planting month, but if you did not get it all done, there is time to catch up in April. April can bring heavy rain interspersed with warm sunny days, speeding growth. Pests also benefit from the increased warmth, so one should pay attention to early control to avoid wreaking infestation later.
