Of course, the Algarve boasts colour year round, but April has the strongest punch of colour of any month. March was the first spring planting month, but if you did not get it all done, there is time to catch up in April. April can bring heavy rain interspersed with warm sunny days, speeding growth. Pests also benefit from the increased warmth, so one should pay attention to early control to avoid wreaking infestation later.
When the rain stops, this month will be a good time to plant most summer annuals and perennials, lawns from seeds, many vegetables, and most trees, shrubs, ground covers and vines. For tropical plants, however, it is better to wait until April or May as they will take off better when warmer.
After all the work required in January, it is nice to realise that February is more a time of waiting and patience. Some pruning can be done now, but wait for warmer weather before cutting back any frost-damaged branches.
The main tasks in the garden – pruning deciduous trees, pruning roses, bare-root planting – are projects which should be accomplished in January and not put off to February which will be too late.
December is a low-key month when it comes to work in the garden, particularly if you have already completed all the autumn tasks.
November is the time to finish off all the autumn projects, such as planting and clearing out. If the expected rains arrive, they will provide a bit of a natural clean-up but you should be prepared by having tidied up old beds.
Shrubs and young trees, if any are growing in the wrong places, from now through to January is the best time to relocate them.
Indoor herb gardens are not only a convenient source of fresh herbs, but also a beautiful addition to your home’s décor. Growing herbs indoors is a great solution if you don’t have a lot of outside space or just want to brighten up your house with a little bit of greenery.
Another month to relax and enjoy your garden, although there are some projects the keen gardener can undertake. As in July, the crucial task is providing sufficient water to plants. The neediest plants are lawns (but not Bermuda or zoysia), vegetables, some annuals and some perennial shade flowers. Many plants in containers are likely to need water daily.
