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JJJJJ: Rocking All Over The Algarve

The article provides gardening tips for the Algarve region of Portugal. It discusses using rocks and retaining walls to create landscaping features like terracing. Natural materials like limestone, sandstone and syenite rocks are recommended over concrete. Plants that thrive amongst rocks are mentioned, like ice plant and coral plant. The author aims to provide novice and experienced gardeners advice through a yearly imaginary garden project. Readers are invited to suggest topics.

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31 views

JJJJJ: Rocking All Over The Algarve

The article provides gardening tips for the Algarve region of Portugal. It discusses using rocks and retaining walls to create landscaping features like terracing. Natural materials like limestone, sandstone and syenite rocks are recommended over concrete. Plants that thrive amongst rocks are mentioned, like ice plant and coral plant. The author aims to provide novice and experienced gardeners advice through a yearly imaginary garden project. Readers are invited to suggest topics.

Uploaded by

api-151823287
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Portugal News 4 Feb 2011

Justin GARDENING with Justin Wride

21

Rocking All Over The Algarve J

Hello Readers, Well, hopefully by now you are fully tuned in to my fortnightly column on gardening and irrigation here on the Algarve. My experience is gleaned from nearly 20 years experience of running a landscaping and irrigation business here. Many of the lessons I have learnt have come through trial and error often thought as the best way learning to adapt and change to the specific climate the Algarve is famous for. Over the coming year I will be taking an imaginary garden through from start to finish, outlining ways to improve every part of your Portuguese garden using locally sourced plants and materials. My aim is to cover interesting advice for complete novices through to the more green fingered hobby gardeners, covering a whole host of different subjects such as types of landscaping, irrigation, organic gardening, plants, seeding, fertilizers, composting, the list goes on. Of course, if you feel there is a particular subject you want covered then please let me know and I will endeavour to fit it in.

TOP ALGARVE TIPS


1. When planting tender seedlings outside, stick a 5 litre old water bottle over it. This will stop bugs, act as a greenhouse and provide water from condensation until it has rooted. 2. If you are planting climbers against a wall, keep away from the foundations or masonry. Plant 20cm away and if necessary lean the climber back into the wall. The roots do not like to sit on cement and this part of the wall is always very dry. 3. Before you switch back on the irrigation, make sure you flush the system out, it will more than likely have calcium deposits inside the tube which will block all the heads and micro lines. Find the end stops of each zone (they should be exposed) undo them and switch the zone on - you will be surprised what you see.

n Januarys issues we dealt with topsoil and irrigation, this week we will discuss rocks and retaining walls that will help create scope and contrast within your garden. The geology of Algarve is made up of three different strata a composition of red and white limestone; sandstone which is found closer to the coastal cliffs; and syenite, a rock very similar to granite which is found in the concelho of Monchique. Used as either rough rocks or cut slabs, this beautiful natural resource can bring a wonderful rugged dimension to your garden that is not only functional but also architecturally interesting. Dry stone boundary walls often do not need planning permission if they packed with earth rather than concrete or cement. Built

properly they will last for decades and are virtually maintenance free. Contrast that with the costs of a rendered wall or fence needing planning permission, architects fees, bricks and mortar, reinforcing, painting and on-going maintenance. Many properties here are built on slopes, meaning the gradient in the garden is difficult to plant effectively as the run off from the rains make it challenging for plants to take root. Use the rocks to create terracing, filling each section with top soil to create perfect planting areas for lawns, shrubs or trees or you can lay a weed membrane and finish with a mulch of pine bark or gravel. Natural rockeries can be built to any desired height and used

as a screen or simply to add a decorative feature to the garden. You could also use them as steps within the garden to add a natural and rustic feel. There are some stunning plants that are so at home when planted amongst rock walls and rockeries. Lotus Bertheloti (Parrots Beak), Russelia Equisetiformis (Coral Plant), Lampranthus (Ice Plant) and Lantana Montividensis (Weaping Lantana) - all produce showers of flowers that will tumble down these beautiful rocks and bask in the Algarve sun. I will focus more on these plants in later editions. For the bigger stuff, you will need an experienced landscape gardener and JCB driver as the wall needs to be professionally

and securely built, but with a bit of common sense and patience, you can tackle the smaller stuff yourself. Visit your local quarries to see what they can provide. They quote and normally deliver per ton so you need to have planned in advance how much you will need, or speak to your local landscaper who will be able to advise and show you samples.

Justin Wride

For any questions or more information on any item discussed you can contact me on [email protected] Next edition we will move on to Hedging Plants for Borders and Boundaries

GARDENERS TO DO LIST JANUARY

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Pennesetum Rubrum
Watch these graceful pink and purple plumes sway in the Algarve breeze. Otherwise known as Fountain Grass they are very low maintenance and once established can tolerate high heat and low water requirements. Best planted in clumps and finished with a decorative gravel. They are pretty much available in all the Algarve garden centres.

1. Gauras should be clipped and cut back to approx.. 20-30cm high. 2. Veggies: Sow cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, onions and beetroot. 3. If you want to seed a lawn, you can start this month, as the seed will germinate quicker especially with this warm winter sun. 4. Apply needed nitrogen to citrus trees. Buy sulfato do ammonia from co-operative outlets, plus mix with a pelleted organic manure. Water in well and if possible cover with a mulch. The leaves of the citrus trees can turn yellow in the winter from cold soils so any mulch will help.

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