Re: Mediterranean is a Big Word

Ola Pamela
 
....from down the road in Portugal - where we have just had our first serious rain shower in 4 months.
 
I am really just writing to express my sympathy. It must be quite depressing to see so many plants fail, including quite a few toughies.
 
I am still on a steep learning curve with my garden and lose quite a few plants - so I am definitely no expert. I too have an alkaline (~pH7.8) clay soil that is like concrete for 8 months of the year.
 
I have three thoughts for you based on my own disasters.
 
1. Some plants I have bought (from nurseries getting most of their plants from the Netherlands) have been grown too soft and just cannot handle poor soils, reduced water and blazing sun. They look great when bought, but often do not thrive. A particular problem is they are often reluctant to put out roots beyond their original root ball. I think I need to tease the roots out more when planting and sometimes root prune to encourage new roots.
 
2. I tend to dig too small a planting hole - often too shallow I think. It is so hard to dig the ground that I give up too soon. I am sure that I have lost some plants in the winter from water pooling in too small a hole.When planting, I add compost and I used to plant into compost + some of the original soil. Now I use much less compost and just use it to open up the planting soil a bit - often with a bit of grit added. I think I am getting better results with this.
 
3. I have been too "kind" to the plants - too much water and too much fertilizer - especially when they are getting established.
 
I just wish you better luck in the future.
 
Boa Sorte!
BrianO
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