*Gardening in Spain*
By fenclare
7 comments
I’m new to this site and blogging too – so here goes.
We have lived in Spain on the Costa Blanca for almost 6 years. I really missed my large UK garden at first but now I realise I would never be able to cope with it in this heat. We don’t have an awful lot of outdoor space. Raised tiled flowerbeds, a couple of Orange and Peach trees and lots of pots on the terraces. Can’t say I miss the lawn either – my husband is delighted (that was all he ever did)
I have encountered more problems this year than ever before – just keeping plants alive! We have had no rain to speak of since May and the constant heat has stressed both me and the plants.
I am fighting a battle with ants at the moment, they seem to be over running my climbers and trees. I have sprayed with an insecticide which helps for a while but doesn’t solve the problem.
A friend brought me over some Clematis plants from Morrisons, they have all taken and are growing well.
Enough for now, time for a swim!
Chris
31 Aug, 2009
5 likes
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Comments
Welcome to GoY.
Morrisons has good plants . I bought 2 clematis and some fuchsias there this year.
I don't like very hot weather. It gives me headaches lol
31 Aug, 2009
Silver leaved/grey leaved plants cope better with heat, likewise most herbs - and just think, you can grow aloes outside all year!
1 Sep, 2009
Aloes are the bane of most peoples lives out here. They grow all over the place wild (not the medicinal ones though?) The spikes on the ends of the leaves are lethal - I have 2 large ones which will be removed shortly when we extend our porch and move the steps.
Good riddence! sorry :-)
2 Sep, 2009
nOOOOOOO!!!
I love my aloes, have recently split them as they had 3 babies growing.
x x x
2 Sep, 2009
Hi Chris and a welcome from me too.
10 Sep, 2009
A great welcome to GoY,Chris! :-)
As I lived more than 20 years in the centre of Spain, I can understand your problems better than most on GoY.
I had an Aloe on my balcony till it got too big. I used to cut off the tips as I had small children who liked to go out on the balcony, much like my granddaughter does here! As we lived in a 5th floor flat we didn't have much room on the balcony.
I also found that the Fuchsias didn't grow well. They like the climate of the UK much more. Being cooler & more humid, it suits them perfectly!
like you I also had a lot of problems with the Geranium bug! As I had never seen it before I had no idea what was causing my geraniums to flag. Then I discovered a tiny hole in the stems just above soil level. I started to cut them below the holes & destroyed the infected stems but I lost a lot of plants.
24 Sep, 2009
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the heat here is a problem too, but obviously not as bad as with you
glad some things have come good in your garden
WELCOME TO GOY
X X X
31 Aug, 2009