Monthly Archives: May 2024

Apricots 2024

Apricots / Damascos, Zephyrinus do Campozinho, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
Apricots / Damascos

Apricots kept us in fruit for three quarters of May. They are all but gone. I did have over 50% loss due to the small black fly. At least I can claim that they are 100% organic even if the conserve in not 100% vegetarian. I really couldn't be bothered to try and scoop out every tiny white maggot. I think there are some who want us to move our dietary intake to insects. This should please them 🙂 . I have also managed to make some juice out of them.

Damascos consevada / Apricot conserve, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
Damascos consevado / Apricot conserve

My favas (broadbeans) were planted late but came through. The damp weather in April helped.

Struggling a bit to grow my vegetables, especially the tomatoes and peppers. Trying a few different things which I hope will show better results in a month. The lettuce is growing well in pots.

Zephyrinus do campozinho, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
the meadow / o campozinho

Finally managed to clear my land with my small machines. "the meadow" was the last area to be done. Bosch rocks! Not to be confused with Wrox who also make decent tools 🙂 I went completely electric.

My middle plums have come early, just a few while my early plums are delayed. One of the two early has almost no fruit this year. It's probably due to the unsettled winter conditions that were had.

Ameixa, plum , Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
Ameixa - penso rosa. / plum

Bonji at the Ria Formosa, Arroteia Baixa

That's all for now. Thanks for reading!

Update 03/06/2024

Primeira batata plantazinha levanta hoje! Sortinho! ** My first potato plant popped up today. I have planted very late but looks like we will have some potatoes. ** Restante de blog aqui https://www.bright-work.co.uk/apricots-2024/

Measly Peas and Steaming Rice

ervilhas, peas, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
Peas /ervilhas

I managed to grow some measly peas, but they are helping to keep us in the veg. The dog sleeping on them did not help. They go well mixed with rice. This variety looks like the UK “Sugar Snap†but they are not sweet. They are of the “Carouby de Maussane†variety. I got them from Madeira e Madeira Lda., Alfandanga. I will try potting a few under some shade.

evening walk, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
caminho / evening walk

This is our usual walk. This was one was taken one late evening towards the end of April. I found the view at picturesque. It varies with the atmospheric conditions.

Managed some favas (broadbeans). I have discovered it is best to eat them young before they fully develop and the testa (skin) hardens. That way they simply melt in your mouth.

Lost my cove galega (Portuguese cabbage) which forms part of our staple diet. I managed to get by on wild fennel (funcho selvagem) for greens. It’s better now. We have a bit of cabbage, leeks, lettuce, portuguese basil and the previous mentioned measly peas.

I got a decent amounts of loquats this year from my trees. The two I grew from seed turned out to have grown true. They are the “Americana†variety and produce large tasty easy to peel fruit. I have kept some in the freezer to make jam.

terrano limpo, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
terreno limpo / clear for the summer

In order to comply with the local fire hazard regulations I have been keeping my grass and weeds short. I am doing a second pass which I hope to finish in May. It is looking decent. It just requires a lot of man hours as I am working with only a strimmer and a lawnmower. Outstanding Bosch!

Leaving “The meadow†for last. It looks amazing when the miniature dandelions bloom during the day. The bees seem a bit thin on the ground. I haven’t seen the bee keepers on the property across the road for awhile.

It looks like a very good year for almonds. The spring rain whilst not heavy really helped with growth and fruit development.

My olives are growing , albeit slowly. I am trying to hurry some of them along with better irrigation.

Cultivo as laranjeiras enquanto espero por meu girrasol Jéssica - Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal. Do it like a Bosch.
young orange trees / laranjeiras jovens / espero por meu girrasol

I am growing a few orange trees this year. Hopefully I will grow them better than my failed attempt in 2015. I am more experienced now.

The grass I collect with the Bosch “rota-tek speedy cut†lawnmover makes very good compost. It is ready in about three weeks. I just add some ash, urine and vegetable kitchen waste into the mix. And of'course some water now.

That’s hope it went in April. 🙂 Thank you for reading.