Fruit trees and grape vines

A good place to start is probably your local Agriloja (that's a chain, and also often used as the generic name for that kind of shop), or a nearby weekly market. You could also try speaking to neighbours to find out where they get theirs.

Bear in mind that, for almost anything, you're probably too late for this year - you may find it best to get organised for the November to February period. Naturally, there are exceptions, but the direct sunlight, heat and dryness will not help things take now.

Hi EllieMay,

I totally agree with Thomas. Although you will find fruit trees and vines in a lot of the local agricultural shops (less so the markets at this time of year) it is the wrong time to successfully plant new saplings/vines in the Castelo Branco district. The high temperatures, full sun and need for water would make it tough going.

I would recommend November/December for fruit trees and February for vines.

What you can be doing now is starting to prepare the planting sites - chose the locations to plant, mark planting distances, add well rotted/organic compost to deep planting holes, consider what irrigation you may need (if any). Also think about how you will maintain the land around the trees post-planting.

Fyi, Good Morning Portugal have a Happy Homesteaders fb page and a you tube channel where they host a live Happy Homesteaders/Get Out & Grow show on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Monday of the month at 6:15pm.  Head Gardener, Lee McGrady, is very knowledgable.

Hope this assists,

Louise.

Thank you! xx