Not sure if this should be under the gardens heading, but it's really a question about where to buy?

In pictures the south looks more arid, the north more lush and green, so my questions relate to water supply and fertility in part. Are properties with wells as common in the south, do they dry up in the summer - in either location? Are there plenty of springs everywhere or only in specific areas?

Is the summer sun so hot in the south that soil dries up too quickly (for say, cabbages) without constant irrigation? I've seen pictures of market stalls in the south full of peppers and aubergines but not celery or lettuce. I like to grow as wide a variety of fruits and vegetables as I'm able, so I don't want to choose the wrong spot. That said, can I grow peaches and almonds in the north? Where do members consider to be the best districts for soil fertility and all round good growing conditions?

I think you've answered this one yourself!

In the middle of the country is the very best growing conditions (both for soil fertility and weather conditions).

That's why the Valley of the Roses (rose oil is one of Bulgaria's biggest exports) and the majority of vineyards, orchards, etc., are situated around Sliven, Stara Zagora and places like that.

Go out on the road from Sliven towards Bourgas in summer and the sides of the roads are littered with stalls selling the most amazing fresh fruit and vegetables straight out of the fields. Really tasty and much cheaper than the supermarkets.

However, with a bit of good management of your garden and watering, it's pretty much possible to grow anything.

Anybody live in or know anything about villages of Snop, or Krasen, near the Romanian border in Dobrich regeon?

fruitlover wrote:

Anybody live in or know anything about villages of Snop, or Krasen, near the Romanian border in Dobrich regeon?

Now I'm confused!

Neither Krasen or Snop are near Dobrich?

Dobrich is a coastal town just north of Varna.

Krasen and Snop are miles inland, nearer to Veliko Turnovo, Shumen and Targovishte than the coast.

Even if you're talking 'regions' these two are either in Razgrad or Targovishte regions, certainly not Dobrich.

Who told you these places were in 'Dobrich Region'?

Well that was either my mistake or misleading descriptions by estate agents (they give the mileage from Dobrich &
Varna) Just wondered what kind of area it is really, for living in?

There may be more villages of the same name - I am asking about the ones near General Toshevo.

your in the right area for growing anything, the route between balchik and dobrich is farmers fields all the way. and i have peaches every year.

Fruitlover I have been following your posts about coming to Bulgaria to live. You wanted near the coast with mountains but not up them and you have asked about fruit and veg growing. I think that your best bet for all that, would be the Veliko Turnovo area which you seem to have overlooked. ~When agents say an area it can be very large and therefore not necessarily what you are looking for! Central Bulgaria has just about everything including growing fruit and veg although other areas might specialise in certain types. The Bulgarian climate and soil in general, means some crops do better than others everywhere so you might not get 100% success in some. Don't forget that Veliko Turnovo is only about 3 hours to the coast or to the capital Sofia with excellent coach services passing through both ways and to several villages in between. The main Varna-Sofia road passes straight through VT. Gorna, Elena and Sliven are also on a bus or coach route. The very hot summers mean that salad crops like lettuce, are rarely seen then which is a pity but tomatoes, cucumbers and every kind of pepper make up for it. Nearly all fruit and veg sold is seasonal wherever you live. Just thought I'd mention it to widen your search
At the moment our potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, runner beans and corn are doing well. I have just put in some leeks and onions which I bought young in the bazaar but bear in mind we are not ace gardeners and others grow lots more so you shouldn't have too much of a problem with growing things although water will be a necessity in summer. You don't necessarily need a well for this. Our village has a river and its tributary streams running around and through the village fed from the surrounding mountains and so we are never without water although we have to be economical where possible for summer. Hope this helps.

Thankyou again, this is helpful. Velico Turnovo area is where I had been focusing on before discovering this forum because it looks green and fetile! I still think I will love it there, only we have family who will visit so I was just trying to find out if it wold be possible for me with my tiny budget to buy nearer to beaches &
airports. So far that's a no, but if you don't ask you don't find out! Our family in the UK mostly live in attractive green countryside with nature on their doorstep, so a rural village will be less of a holiday for them than for city dwellers. That said, some of them ski so if I want to tempt them over for Christmas I'm looking at a diferent area altogether! If the budget was bigger I'd have a main home near VT, a winter spot in the mountains and a holiday pad by the coast. I reckon that would cover it!

our bulgarian neighbours grow almost everything, they give us plenty of samples too, bless them as he is now 80 years of age, the only ones they dont grow are beetroot and brussel sprouts, maybe they dont like them as i have grown beetroot and my friend has grown brussels, but i have not seen rhubarb over here.

Should I bring a rhubarb crown in my travel bag then?

We brought a couple of crowns of rhubarb when we travelled over by car in April.
Planted out straight away, they seem to be thriving! We also brought out a blackcurrant bush.
Seems ok too, but only time will tell!

An estate agent mentioned various 'unidentified berries' in a garden, saying the locals use them to make potent drinks to 'keep you warm in winter'! Anyone seen any different ones from those grown in the UK? Jams &
desserts are more my thing but always up for new flavours &
health properties!

There is a bright red berry about the size and shape of a small plum which is called a Drenki berry. It makes a nice jelly or bottled and used for stomach complaints. They can't be eaten raw. Not seen in Britain as far as I know. My other half was given a jar of the jelly for his stomach problem last year.

I think wherever you plant anything in Bulgaria it will grow the soil is so fertile I've seen people plant twigs in the ground and then with in days there is life. I do wonder if the old septic tanks that soak way into the ground play any part in this or is it something else? but whatever it is it works.