Almond Blossom Time

[Phemie]

The Almonds are flowering here in Tarragona.

[charlie]

You don't see many in the UK but I remember them as a child in Turkey and other places.

Are you starting to get used to what must be a completely different climate for gardening? nice for people but tricky for gardeners I would think.

[Chrisg]

As Charlie said, it must be interesting getting to know a new climate and finding out what works for you now.

[Phemie]

This gardening climate could not be more different from that of West Cork. Instead of rain and constant humidity, we have dry weather and sunshine almost every day with temperatures over the past few days reaching 18C in the shade. Apart from the lack of rain the downside is the wind. We have discovered that at certain times we have really strong drying winds, however the plants that I grew from seed in Ireland and transported here (hundreds of them!) most of which are now planted out, seem to be coping well so far. I thought that plants from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico would do well here, too early to tell whether I was right or wrong!. We have only had 4 days when there was some rain, in the 5 months we have been here. There is heavy dew at night at the moment which is keeping the plants going. I also have a large studio (part of the house) in which I have tree ferns and bananas in pots as well as Babanias and Gladiolus tristis which will be planted out as I have been told that South African bulbs grow well here. Now is the time for attacking the weeds as the ground gets rock hard during the hot months. It certainly is a new challenge.

[Chrisg]

Sounds like you are going to have great fund with those conditions :lol: There are so many great south African bulbs to explore, but I am guessing even those may need some help if you don't have a specific rain period. I would imagine it would be the larger plants you are going to struggle to find, although you will be able to use the tree aloes and some of the other desert trees which are spectacular but require little water.

I'm not sure I fancy your luck with the tree ferns outside though