Algarve Launch for new magazine at Estoi Palace

An exciting new journal in English has been prepared and will be launched at various events during May and June. The Journal will share Portuguese research on gardens and landscapes, relevant case studies and also highlight Portuguese garden history.

The Journal is an international publication which will be available in print and online. There are some of the worlds leading landscape and garden designers involved in the production and in the review of articles and submissions.

The first issue includes articles on Portuguese garden sculpture and contributions from  landscape architects from Portugal and the USA. The Algarve is represented by an article on the management of a native plant garden in a tourist resort. There is also an article on the gardens of  the Fronteira Palace in Lisbon by Gerald Luckhurst of Sintra. Gerald has kindly agreed to give an illustrated talk on the Historic Gardens of Portugal at the Algarve launch of the magazine on June 9^th at Estoi Palace.

The new magazine Gardens and Landscapes of Portugal is supported by The Centro de História da Arte e Investigação Artística (CHAIA) of the University of Évora, the Centro de História d’Além-Mar (CHAM) of the Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas of the New University of Lisbon (FCSH/UNL) and the Mediterranean Garden Society, Portugal branch.

The Algarve  launch event will take place on Sunday 9th June at 16.00 at the Pousada do Palaçio de Estói, Faro. The programme will include an illustrated talk on “Historic Gardens of Portugal” by Gerald Luckhurst, the new journal will be presented by its editor, Professora Ana Duarte Rodrigues of Evora & Lisbon Universities.  There will be the opportunity to buy the first edition and subscriptions for the new journal. There will also be events in Evora on May 22^nd and in Lisbon on May 23^rd.  There will also be the opportunity to visit the lower historic gardens at Estoi which are normally closed to the public. Light refreshments available and dinner can be booked in the pousada restaurant.

Please book your place with Rosie Peddle rosie@thebtf.net

With Spring well and truly here, just a few notes for your diary:

• The Organic Workshop at Carolina Leite’s has been moved to Saturday 15 June and Saturday 6 July 2013.

Please let her know by 8 June 2013 if you would like to join the two day course. She has passed on her bank transfer details so please contact Marion for more information and the timetables.

• The organic Farmers’ market in Barril de Alva will be as usual on  every 3^rd Saturday of the month near the Café down by the river Alva

• A private garden visit near Mortagua on Sunday 19 May, at 11.00 am. Details will follow.

With best gardening wishes,
Marion 

Tel.  235 721 193

email Arnold ter Horst arnold.terhorst@gmail.com

This link takes you to a list of wild flowers with photos for the Algarve – Some of the most enduring images of the Algarve for those who visit in spring and early summer (from January through to the end of May) are the displays of wildflowers. They are everywhere, from the clifftops which tower over the beaches, through the barrocal (the coastal strip behind the Algarve’s magnificent beaches), in the river valleys and right up into the mountain pastures and woodlands. Every little bit of uncondsidered roadside land is home to numerous species of these tough and opportunistic plants.

This site will help you identify plants, trees and shrubs. There is also information on good areas to view orchids and wild flowers walks.

The above article is taken from The Dry Gardening Handbook written by dry garden authority, Olivier Filippi. It is also available on the web site of  The Mediterranean Garden Society.  The book is one of many featured in Reading for Mediterranean Gardeners, in the right hand menu listing pages of information.

growing the in the garden of Burford Hurry, Loule, Algarve

 PLEASE  NOTE  THE   NEW   VENUE  FOR  THIS   EVENT !

Saturday 2^nd March at 10.00am – talks by Roy Lancaster & Jim Gardiner cost €15 per person (includes coffee break) at Sheraton Pine Cliffs Hotel, Praia de Falesia, Albufeira. Numbers limited.

 One of the great dilemmas facing those making a garden in the mediterranean climate is choosing the right plants.  We know this from the questions of many people who visit our events about “what will grow in my garden ?”  Unfortunately, what will grow in our gardens is not always available for us to buy, and many plants which will not grow in our gardens are available to buy !

We have all been seduced by the gorgeous and enormous flowering shrub/plant/tree in the garden centre, which, when we get it home and plant it, promptly dies on us. This is not necessarily the fault of the gardener, but it certainly does nothing for our self confidence. We aim to repair your confidence and provide some inspiration for informed plant choices with our programme of talks and visits in early March.

An opportunity to learn more about the plants of all the mediterranean zones of the world will be offered at our 2^nd Spring Conference weekend being held on the Algarve from Friday March 1^st.   A full programme includes talks on mediterranean plants, alien invasive plants in Portugal, and the global contribution of plants available to us from the mediterranean flora. Get to know your friends, and potential enemies, in the garden. All are welcome to join us for a very special weekend of horticultural delights organised by the Mediterranean Garden Society.  We have many visitors from other MGS branches coming to the Algarve and this is a great opportunity to meet and share gardening gossip with other experienced mediterranean gardeners. Come for one of the talks, have lunch or dinner and maybe stay overnight at our lovely conference venue.

We are very pleased to welcome Mr Roy Lancaster, OBE VMH, renowned plantsman, plant hunter and author. He will talk to us on “New Ones, Old Ones, Loved Ones, Neglected Ones”. A personal selection of plants suitable for Mediterranean gardens. This will include plants in gardens (including his own) and in the wild. A very rare opportunity to hear this world famous, popular and enthusiastic speaker with his personal selection of plants suitable for Mediterranean gardens. Roy is famous for growing rare plants from the seeds which stuck to his socks on plant hunting expeditions !   He is well known for his television and radio contributions and excellent articles on rare and unusual plants.

Other speakers include Mr Jim Gardiner, Director of Horticulture at the Royal Horticultural Society Mr John Fielding on mediterranean bulbs for the garden and Dr Elizabete Marchante from Coimbra University on “Invasive Plants in Portugal” a controversial but essential topic which is sure to spark a lively debate. There will also be seed sales from the MGS central scheme, Algarve natural history book sales, antiquarian books, maps and prints of Portugal. Information on MGS members gardens open over the weekend, local plant nurseries, walks and good locations to view wild flowers will be distributed at the conference.

Please note the new venue for this event. The conference and all talks will be at the Pine Cliffs Sheraton Algarve resort. The resort is a well known quality venue and makes lavish use of typical Portuguese tile panels and friezes. The buildings are all low rise with a strong Moorish design using white walls, small intimate courtyards and elegant arches. The gardens and grounds are maintained to a very high standard but we will be casting a critical eye over their maintenance methods during an afternoon guided walk. There is ample free on site car parking.  All are welcome to join us for some inspiration and encouragement in our mediterranean gardening.

Full programme, bookings and details from Rosie Peddle Tel 289791869 or email rosie@thebtf.net  Venue   http://www.sheratonalgarve.com/en

PROGRAMME Tuesday December 18^th  All Welcome

Joint event for The Mediterranean Garden Society/Os Jardineiros do Sotavento/Clube dos Bons Jardins Garden Groups

10.30am – 12.30pm    A visit to this Messines based company to learn how to turn your waste into compost. Special offers on Wormcompost, wormeries and worms.  Nelson Lourenço will take us through the science and the art of making wormcompost and worm tea from our own  kitchen and garden waste.  Web Site www.futuramb.com

MEET at Futuramb, Unidade de Valorização Orgânica, Messines de Cima, 8375-047 São B. Messines Directions available on request and some MGS signs out on the day. GPS coordinates   “37º 14? 34,96 N” / 8º 13? 41,89 O”

Please bring coffee/hot drink for a mid morning break. Lunch can be taken at any of the local restaurants in Messines and directions will be supplied on the day.

2.00 – 4.00pm           GARDEN VISITS – In the afternoon we will visit two private gardens of MGS members between Messines and Silves. Both gardens have removed lawns and replaced them with drought tolerant planting.  The first garden is owned by enthusiastic vegetable and fruit growers, Tamsin and Chris, and also has a worm composter. Nelson will be with us for this visit and will discuss the application of worm compost on organic crops and home vegetable production and be available to answer questions. The second garden is owned by Lou and Brenda and is a holiday home where they have removed large lawn areas and used many plants from the nursery of Olivier Filippi of France. This is a great example of how to make a waterwise garden when the owners are not permanently resident. Lou and Brenda have also kindly offered to provide some seasonal refreshments for us to round off the day.

Links to articles on these two gardens  Tamsin & Chris  http://www.algarveresident.com/41927-0/algarve/life-after-grass

Lou & Brenda    http://www.algarveresident.com/43224-0/algarve/a-farewell-to-grass

COST will be 20 euros per person for the workshop. There will be the opportunity to buy worm compost, worms and wormeries on the day. Futuramb also makes local deliveries for any larger purchases.

We are very grateful to Tamsin & Chris and Lou & Brenda for agreeing to our visits. Please book your place for this event with Rosie Peddle at rosie@thebtf.net or tel 289 791 869 by Wednesday December 12^th please. If you have any queries or would like any further information just let me know.

Facebook page public access, Mediterranean Gardeners – Portugal

Splendid but Soggy – a Grand Day Out at the Palace

A couple of days before this year’s Garden Fair we were consulting the weather forecast with increasing regularity, but our hopes for a small window of dry weather were not to be fulfilled.

We were, however, very lucky indeed that the weather did not break in the days before the garden fair. The big clean up needed in the gardens was accomplished in dry conditions. When a small group of us visited the gardens for the first time before the fair it was heartbreaking to see the utter neglect and lack of maintenance.  The desperate need to clean the large car park, all around the building, and to make the avenues fit for public access was a daunting prospect.  We could only make the call for helpers and speak to some professionals for the specialist work required. The response was immediate and unhesitating and we had our heroic work crew. It was very rewarding to see the obvious affection and respect that many have for this special site.

We are very grateful to the management of the Pousada de Palaçio de Estoi for generously giving unlimited access to these historic gardens. They have gained a car park and we pressed on with plans for our annual fund raising bash.

As the day itself approached garden brollies, gazebos and any kind of shelter were investigated, patched up and set up around the site ‘just in case’ ….. We had cancellations and last minute changes had to be made but, despite the sudden and sharp showers of rain predicted, most of those who had promised their participation did come along. Volunteers, nurseries and exhibitors all made huge efforts and deserve our very grateful thanks for all their hard work.

Our car parking and entrance volunteers in particular had to take whatever the weather threw at them, and came up smiling. It was so rewarding to see the cars arrive with everyone well prepared, brollies and wellies at the ready.  As one volunteer so accurately expressed it “You all succeeded in getting most of the Algarve and Alentejo gardeners – and perhaps even further afield – to come to the Fair DESPITE the weather ! They were all there – even the ones that usually look like models – under raincoats and umbrellas and hoods, hair-on-end  -  no make-up but all determined to buy plants and to be there.”

Highlights for many were discovering the nurseries new to this event, from as far afield as Lagos and Tavira. The chosen theme for this year seemed extremely popular, despite the wet day, and the talks and displays on succulents were very popular. We had a magnificent display of 50 different Aloes and a specialist collector brought along crates of his own plants to share with visitors. Nurseries had picked up the theme and brought wonderful plants for sale. On the members plants sales tables there were delights such as Sanseveira cylindrica, Plumeria rubra (Frangipani), fifteen different kinds of ornamental grasses and five different kinds of Kniphofias. The axe swinging lecturer demonstrating propagation by division was theatre at it´s best. Did anyone get a photo ?

This year we have used funds to pay for some professional help, alongside the wonderful volunteers, who have completed the extensive work required to get the site ready for our event. We certainly plan on holding other events at Estoi but, hopefully, in better weather. We also plan to help a young professional horticulturist coming to the Algarve to gain experience of Mediterranean gardening, and have funded the production of Mediterranean Garden Society gardening advice leaflets (now available in three languages) as well as supporting our events throughout the year. For example the Spring Conference in March 2013 with Roy Lancaster and Jim Gardiner as speakers. This will be held 1^st to 3^rd March and will look at the global contribution of plants from the Mediterranean climate zones of the world, including crop plants, garden cultivars and, of course, drought tolerant planting.

We have also been able to take the plunge into using the internet to share with everyone the impressive lecture on the Ecology of the Mediterranean by Dr Oliver Rackham at this years Spring Conference. This is now available to all on the web at https://vimeo.com/48385302

You can follow news of events on www.gardeninginportugal.com and also our new public access facebook page  Mediterranean Gardeners – Portugal, isn´t technology marvellous ….

Here is the link to the wonderful talk by Dr Oliver Rackham on the history and ecology of the Mediterranean. This talk was given at the first Spring Conference of the Portugal Branch of the Mediterranean Garden Society.

Prof. Oliver Rackham OBE is a Life Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He has studied and published extensively on the ecology of the Mediterranean and also the island of Crete. He is co-author of The Nature of Mediterranean Europe, an Ecological History. In 1998 he was awarded the OBE for “services to Nature Conservation”. In 2006 he was appointed Honorary Professor of Historical Ecology in the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge. We were delighted to welcome him for a rare visit to the Algarve.

https://vimeo.com/39414694   Here is the link to the short video introduction by Professor Oliver Rackham.

Mediterranean gardeners are custodians of some very fragile habitats. Management methods and the plant choices we make are critical for long term sustainability and give us the opportunity to recover what has been lost in recently damaged landscapes.

The Nature of Mediterranean Europe – southern Portugal and Spain, France, Italy, the Balkans, Greece and the Mediterranean islands – is often interpreted as a “Lost Eden”, once verdant and fertile, then progressively degraded and desertified by human mismanagement and the ignorance and folly of successive civilizations. In his talk Prof. Rackham will seek to challenge this pessimistic view.

This will be the first time we have been invited to visit a private garden in August ! Pedro and his Dutch wife Dini and their daughter Lysanne Dias dos Santos will be welcoming us to their garden near Penalva do Castelo.

Date:        Wednesday, 22 August 2012

Time:        10.30 a.m.

Where:      Quinta de Rebôtea,  see Directions

Bring:       Hats, sun protector and your own Picnic Lunch.

We will be welcomed with plenty of hot and/or cold drinks.  Dini will give us a short talk on the making and continuing development of the garden in a sloping area of granite. Various hedges, vines, water features, paths, a Catalpa Walk and supporting terrace walls were built first.  Rotating vegetable plots, a small potting shed and mini greenhouse plus a chicken run came next.  With only short spells at their Quinta from their busy working lives in Holland, it is quite remarkable what they have achieved over the past 10 years.  After lunch there is time to buy/swap plants and cuttings and seeds.  As September will be approaching fast, there will be a good selection of bulbs for sale.

After 14.30 p.m. we will be leaving for guided tours of the House and Garden of Hotel Casa da Insua (www.casadainsua.pt) only 15 minutes away (€ 4.00 per person).  This is an 18^th century Manor House with impressive formal and  “English” gardens belonging to the Albuquerque family who have leased the estate to the Visabeira Corporation.  Casa da Insua produces its own Serra cheese, honey, jams and of course its excellent wines that are for sale in the estate shop.

Please let me know if you can come by Wednesday 15 August 2012 as numbers are limited this time !

With best gardening wishes,

Marion ter Horst   Tel. 917 850 235  email   Arnold.terhorst@gmail.com

Directions to Quinta de Rebôtea

Take the IC 12 from Santa Comba Dão to Nelas/Magualde/Viseu

At end of IC12 follow the road , turn left at roundabout to Mangualde/Viseu

At a roundabout in Nelas with a metal sculpture continue straight on to Mangualde/Viseu

More new roundabouts, continue to Mangualde, but do not go to the centre.

Follow to IP3, Viseu and A25.

Go under the A25 on the N329-1 to  Penalva de Castelo/Casa da Insua

Follow road until sign Casal Diz / Pindo, then turn (sharp) left there

Go along river, see sign Moinho de Pepim

In Casal Diz follow sign Qta Reboteia / Qta Giestal

At end keep left and follow parking instructions.

We are promoting a new catalogue for ecotourism activities in Algarve. This region is mostly known for  sunny weather, beautiful beaches and golf courses, but it has much more to offer.
So, here is an example of different experiences that you can also enjoy  here, you can view or download the catalogue:

http://issuu.com/proactivetur/docs/120711134419-153152bb6bea49e3a922ec1ff1bf2d95