We?ve all maintained gardens in the UK, but how do we keep our Spanish outdoor spaces looking good? Giles Brown digs around for ideas
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The Spanish have always been big on gardens, although not in an English, Inigo Jones, perfectly cropped lawn kind of way. The major influence in the Spanish garden came from the Moors, whose 700-year-reign in Spain, Al ? Andalus, had a profound impact on all aspects of life in southern Spain. The Moors loved the sight and sound of running water, which took the heat out of the hot Spanish summer air, and their gardens were impeccably irrigated. One trip to Granada?s magnificent Alhambra in full bloom is evidence enough, and several hundred years later, the same methods that the Moors used were in evidence to cool large areas of Seville?s Expo World Fair pavilions in 1992. Rather than go for acres of manicured lawns, the Spanish prefer interior patio (patio Andaluz) gardens, with an array of multicoloured plants in pots. Cordoba in May is a riot of colour with the Cordoba Patio Festival.? Private houses open up their terraces to the public and the best win prizes.
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Any garden needs special attention in certain areas, certainly out in the campo where the soil tends to be of poor quality and doesn?t suit every shrub, flower or vegetable. In some areas you can see fields that almost look a dark purple colour - this is due the iron content, while other areas appear a sandy colour and this soil tends to turn to a mud like consistency after rain. When the sun comes out it sets which can make life difficult for even the hardiest of plants.
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There are, however, plenty of fertilizers available from hardware stores and garden centres. Horse owners are always willing to sell you a bag of horse manure, which makes a significant difference to plant growth. Compost is also available in sacks, again from hardware stores, but by far the most economical way to buy good quality compost soil is to buy it from the garden centres, as the quality tends to be slightly better.
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The keen and environmentally friendly gardener may want to invest or build a composter. These can obviously vary in size and are ideal for the smaller or campo garden, the latter can be built out of stone and can be as large as you wish, either way a good compost heap serves a valuable purpose and is a good way to recycle.
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The next question is what to put in your garden. The plants, trees and flowers in stock in any garden centre will give you an idea of what will work. Honeysuckle is a fast grower as is ivy. Both will do well in slightly shaded areas. Watering is best done either early morning or late evening (or both), as the midday sun will scorch wet plants.
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Outside patio areas really can be regarded as an extra room in the summer, especially when entertaining in front of the BBQ.
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A bright lively garden really does finish off a house. Terracotta pots are amazingly cheap in Spain and come in a variety of sizes; you can also buy wall brackets for around a euro to add a splash of colour to the patio. Markets and hardware stores are also a good place to buy pots.
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If you want to grow your own vegetables there is also plenty of scope. Potatoes do particularly well as do peppers and courgettes, each of these can be grown from seed (collect them in the winter and dry them out ready for early spring, with potatoes simply cut one in half and leave it to root in a bright place before planting) Another good vegetable to keep the seeds from are pumpkins which are great for stews, soups or even baked. Tomatoes also grow well with plenty of water, as do beetroot, swede, broad and runner beans.
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Herbs do very well indeed and there is a huge range to choose from - mint, peppermint, rosemary, thyme, sage etc. Mint really can take over so it?s best to plant it in a medium size pot before putting the pot into the soil. A good way to start mint is to clip a sprig from an existing plant and put it into a jar of water; two weeks later it will have thin white roots and can be planted directly into the soil.
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There is a comprehensive assortment of bugs, butterflies, bats, birds and reptiles that will be attracted to your garden. Lizards are common; geckos enjoy patio lights of after dark when they come to catch moths. Snakes can be seen on occasion and can vary in size?none are life threatening! Beetles tend to be quite large and spiders come in varying colours and sizes, again none are lethal!
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A place to get some welcome relief from the midday sun is essential in the height of summer and can be created in such a way to create a very pleasant seating area. Lanterns can be hung underneath or garden candles dotted around, which is very pleasant on a late summer?s evening. Summer shade for siestas, sundowners, al fresco cooking eating and dining can provided by the shade of mature trees or a colourful naya ? covered arched terrace.
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Sheltered sunny warm winter corners are created by wind breaking boundary plant clad walls and internal hedges. Colourful and perfumed flowers create a sensual and sensuous environment in which to dine, paint, relax and maintain the garden. If you plan to build your own BBQ the design is really up to your own imagination. Stone can be used or simple rendered brickwork. Either way a BBQ is often the centrepiece of any garden. Chimneys can be built, storage for logs underneath, shelving or even a full outdoor kitchen can be incorporated.
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The possibilities are limitless. Outside patio areas really can be regarded as an extra room in the summer, especially when entertaining in front of the BBQ.
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Even with a small garden vegetables can be grown with relative ease, flowers planted to add colour and trees planted for shade. Raised beds can be built, pergolas, barbeques and even water features and plunge pools. Once again the possibilities are limitless.