Too hot to trot!

Although the drought in Spain has officially ended with most of the countries water reservoirs at above 50% of their capacity; our local reservoir in the Alt Emporda is only 31% full (or maybe that is 69% empty). Late spring had welcome rain showers and sometimes prolonged storms which refreshed the landscape and gave some hope for the gardening year ahead. Most of the rain clouds were drawn to the Pyrenees where the rain fell on the mountain slopes and though it did drive the reservoir level up from a recorded low of 24%, emergency water conservation measures are still in force. There remain prohibitions on watering gardens and with temperatures at 30˚ or more (Manańa will be 37˚) the plants are obviously suffering. Even tough shrubs are looking a little ragged. 

The golf courses remain remarkably green in the withering heat of the Spanish sun. 

 

The rainfall we had collected in the Chaca or small pool is down to about 12” and may last another week. I have bottled some of it in an attempt to thwart the mosquito population and eek out our meagre supply. We have been looking for suitable water containers for medium term storage of rainfall water; a house down the road has a cube made of plastic and is encased in a metal frame, the unit looks manoeuvrable though probably heavy when full. Pam down in the Costa de Luz managed to obtain a similar container from a paint shop; no such luck here though. I was quoted 230 -320€ for a polyester receptacle but declined the offer. Reclamation and salvage yards were unable to provide anything suitable. Grey water production is at a minimum given our careful water usage and we are resigned to survival tactics. Cuttings and seedlings will give some hope of continuance though I would not like to have to start over again.

Spring awakens

Balcony

We have both north and south facing balconies. Immediately below the north balcony is a young wisteria; a plant that was in flower when purchased so hopefully we will not have to wait twenty years for it to flower, as you may often find with a seed sown specimen. The pea like blue flowers will eventually be trained along the lower edge of the balcony, and their colour will restrict our choice of plants for placing on that north balcony in years to come. One of the best wisteria for miles around sprouts from a footpath outside a butchers shop in Figueres. I’ll photograph it for next spring’s blog page.

The north facing balcony gets hot early morning sunshine and almost as hot afternoon shade on a summer’s day. I was tempted to try a trailing fuchsia last year but the plant was unable to cope with the rapidly drying compost and conditions. Whichever plants we choose this year we will add a water retentive gel to the mix, in an attempt to even out the drying period.

Balcony flowers for next year will defiantly include the classic pelargoniums and geraniums for which Spanish balconies are famous. Planted en-mass they put on a fantastic show that is hard to match. The only disappointment is the lack of fragrance, though perfume from nearby jasmine flowers should compensate, and the lavenders will help too.

Underplanting potted specimens

Under planting potted specimens calls for restraint and balance, gaudy coloured annual planting would destroy the effect achieved here by the placing of the tree and it's soft foliage companion plants against the architectural features of the garden.

Timeless terracotta in Mediterranean gardens

The roads around the Costa Brava carry a steady stream of French people buying garden plants and containers to take home with them. Three and four metre specimen trees are loaded onto trailers for the journey, whilst the containers fill every available space in the vehicle. Prices in France they tell me can be nearly a third more expensive than here in Spain. So if they live within easy reach of the border they make a day of it; food, fuel, spirits and cigarettes are all cheap and when added together the savings are significant.

From the Bay of Roses until it reaches the border crossing to France the road is littered with retail outlets selling pottery originating in Spain. The locally produced pots come from La Bisbal which is easy to find from the N11 or A7 roads.

Though the potters are continually innovating in both design and in decoration a plain terracotta pot can steal the show. Some of the bigger establishments carry a stock of large wine and water coolers designed to be submerged or shaded. They are often seen decorating golf courses, restaurants or hotels.

Bulbs & corms

The 40 bulbs we planted are now sprouted. With the recent colder weather they have been slow starters but should soon catch up. No doubt the squirrel and rodent populations will feed on some. The wild boars may forage for them and the extreme weather may hinder them but we might just get a show.

Only fools and horses

Whilst looking around the local flea market, which is rather more flea than market; I came across my bargain of the season a Morrocan lady was offering 38 plant pots most of which were 10 litre pots for 50 cents each, I got the lot for 5 Euro´s 5 mins. before the market closed. That is 145 euros worth of pots for 5 euros, you know it makes sense