Tuesday, June 09, 2026

In The Garden

  • Na Horta (The Veg Garden) October +

    Na Horta (The Veg Garden) October October in your Vegetable garden in Portugal Read More
  • Na Horta (In The Veg Garden) November +

    Na Horta (In The Veg Garden) November Things to do in November in your Veg Garden in Portugal. Read More
  • Na Horta (The Veg Garden) - March +

    Na Horta (The Veg Garden) - March March is a busy time down in the veg patch. Read More
  • Na Horta (In The Veg Garden) September +

    Na Horta (In The Veg Garden) September Things to do in September in your garden in Central Portugal. Read More
  • Na Horta (In The Veg Garden) July-August +

    Na Horta (In The Veg Garden) July-August Things to do in the Veg. garden in July and August. Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Days Out

  • Top 10 Beaches in Central Portugal +

    Top 10 Beaches in Central Portugal There are lots of beaches in central Portugal, we have picked out 10 of our favourites. They are a mix Read More
  • Obidos International Chocolate Festival +

    Obidos International Chocolate Festival Óbidos Chocolate Festival takes place around March/April each year.   Read More
  • Gois Bike Festival +

    Gois Bike Festival One of biggest Motorbike Festivals in Portual Read More
  • Festa dos Tabuleiros Part 3 +

    Festa dos Tabuleiros Part 3 Preparations for the Festa start early in Tomar. Read More
  • Festa dos Tabuleiros Part 2 +

    Festa dos Tabuleiros Part 2 In the second of Hey Portugal's series about “Festa dos Tabulerios” in Tomar Sylvia and Peter take a look at Read More
  • 1
  • 2

Something's Cooking

  • Meatballs with Endive and Potato Puree +

    Meatballs with Endive and Potato Puree Meatballs with Endive and Potato Puree Here a very easy recipe for a typical Dutch dish.  Read More
  • Courgette Fritters with Tzatziki +

    Courgette Fritters with Tzatziki A Greek recipe which is great for serving for a picnic, at a summer BBQ or as a starter.  Read More
  • Home Made Baked Beans +

    Home Made Baked Beans Here is the recipe you have all been waiting for.  For all of you who miss tinned baked beans read Read More
  • Milk Braised Pork +

    Milk Braised Pork Milk Braised Pork Great Sunday Lunch or Family gathering. Read More
  • Fish with Roast Peppers and Tomatoes +

    Fish with Roast Peppers and Tomatoes Fish with Pesto Roasted Peppers and Tomatoes This recipe is simple but very tasty and filling. Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

October in your Vegetable garden in Portugal

This month means three things to me: olives, walnuts and quinces. And in turn our own oil, endless walnut cakes, quince jelly and marmalada. Plus last year an attempt at quince wine which probably won't be repeated this year...

Meanwhile in the veg patch it's out with the old and in with the new. nahorta oct walnut

 Our veg patch is starting to look a little tidier now. The sprawling squash and melon plants have all been lifted, some of the tomato plants and the dead sweet corn stalks are soon to go. These will be thoroughly weeded and then covered with compost or well-rotted manure.

 If you're not going to be growing much of a winter crop think about the empty beds. Don't leave them unattended for weeds to take over and the goodness to disappear – either sow an over-wintering green manure (such as crimson clover) or cover with carpet or black plastic. The local markets though will soon be selling winter onions plus loads of other hardy stuff, including beetroot, and a few euros go a long way.

 Be prepared for the winter winds ahead. Is't a good idea to put in deep poles among your Brussels sprouts and purple sprouting broccoli and then you can tie up to 4 plants to each pole. Make sure any new cabbages etc are firmly bedded in and earthed up too.

 I'm starting a second round of seed sowing this month. Briad beens grow well  now with the rain and fast too, you will have them ready for Christmas. My pea packet says I can sow these all winter long, I hope so as all attempts to grow peas in the warmer weather haven't been too successful. I'm also hoping that the tomatoes, aubergines, peppers and courgettes will have stopped by the time the peas are big enough to be transplanted (plenty of ratatouille making ahead!).

 Weed around the strawberries and plant out the last of the 'babies' growing on runners. Put fresh straw around the plants to avoid mildew forming..

 Many 'autumn jobs' for the UK or more northern parts of Europe can be left until November when it really starts getting colder.

Enjoy the last of the 'summer' months!

 

This page is written by Jackie McAvoy, read her blog The Story of Casa Azul.