0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:07 > 0:00:08- I'm Sioned Edwards.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12- Six months ago, - I moved to Plas Pont Y Twr...
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- ..with husband Iwan - and daughters Nanw and Malan.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22- It's my grandparents' old farm, at - the foot of Moel Famau near Ruthin.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25- The house is run-down.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29- Our home for the next year - is a rather cramped caravan.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33- It's quite a challenge - with two young children.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35- We must go in five minutes.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40- This year's main project is - to turn the field by the caravan...
0:00:41 > 0:00:44- ..into a vegetable, - fruit and flower garden...
0:00:44 > 0:00:47- ..with a play area, of course.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48- Hooray!
0:00:48 > 0:00:53- My dream is to grow my own flowers - for my work as a floral designer.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- With luck, next year - they'll come from my garden.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01- Iwan is passionate - about green and organic methods.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- I could go to the toilet - in the compost heap...
0:01:05 > 0:01:07- ..but Sioned vetoed that.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12- After months - of discussing and arguing...
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- ..we've finally agreed on a plan.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21- This is a story - about sweat, frustration...
0:01:21 > 0:01:22- Hang on!
0:01:22 > 0:01:27- ..arguing and celebrating, - as we try to realize the dream.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32- Let me sit. This is going - to take time, I can tell.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36- Not to mention headstrong chickens, - greedy pigs and a cheeky cat.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- It's a big challenge - and we may not succeed.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- Subtitles
0:02:04 > 0:02:09- I'm looking for climbers to plant - near the vegetable garden fence.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- Glyndwr Plants near Corwen - has a good range.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- I want to hide - the vegetable garden a little.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- The fence isn't - all that attractive.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27- The vegetable garden - will look messy half of the year.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33- Hopefully, the clematis will grow - on the fence and hide a lot of it.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38- Cuttings from clematis - can be put in water.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42- They will look marvellous - in my floral arrangements.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46- I don't think they likes oases, - but they're fine in water.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49- They've got quite long stems.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- They'd look pretty in old bottles.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- Clematis blooms - at different times of the year.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00- I want a selection...
0:03:01 > 0:03:06- ..that will bloom - from March to September.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- That would be marvellous.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12- Here's the first for the trolley.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- When choosing flowers...
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- ..I bear in mind what I can use - in my work as a floral designer.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23- Clematis is ideal - because of the unique flowers.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- I love the seed heads too.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- They have a lovely texture.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- The best time to buy - young clematis is mid-April.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44- It's June, so I have - to buy mature plants...
0:03:44 > 0:03:46- ..which cost from 10 to 15 each.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- Thanks.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15- Before planting, I soak the pots - in water to loosen the roots...
0:04:16 > 0:04:18- ..as I do with every plant.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23- I leave them for ten minutes, - so they have a good soak.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- I've made a frame with hazel poles.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- I'll plant them - at the foot of the poles...
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- ..so the clematis - climbs over this part...
0:04:38 > 0:04:40- ..and the fence.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- It will hide what's inside.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47- That's all Iwan's mess.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49- It will make a small window.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- If I have to shout at Iwan, - I'll see him but not the mess.
0:04:54 > 0:04:55- That's the plan.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- It also adds - another room to the garden.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- The plants are soaking. - Next, I need compost.
0:05:06 > 0:05:07- MEOWS
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- Clematis needs quite a deep hole.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- The base doesn't like - to be in the sun.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- Clematis is happier - growing with other plants.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40- Iwan has found just the plant, - this honeysuckle cutting.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- It would look nice on the fence.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44- Fantastic.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- The flowers go nicely - with the clematis.
0:05:47 > 0:05:48- And we got this for nothing.
0:05:48 > 0:05:49- And we got this for nothing.- - I know.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54- Herbs like mint, rosemary - and sage are perfect too.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11- We use strips of grass - round the trampoline.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- There's no time to sow seeds - and wait three months...
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- ..before the children can play here.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- While Sioned carries on planting, - I have to go to work.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- At the North Wales Wildlife Trust...
0:06:32 > 0:06:37- ..I run a wildlife conservation - project in Flintshire graveyards.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- This is Christ Church, Rhes-y-cae...
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- ..on Halkyn Mountain, - twelve miles from Ruthin.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48- The aim of the Living - Churchyard project...
0:06:49 > 0:06:53- ..is to promote conservation - in churches and graveyards.
0:06:53 > 0:06:58- The idea is to encourage - the community to participate...
0:06:58 > 0:07:03- ..and learn how to sustain - the environment and help wildlife.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- A church or chapel is perfect.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09- We offer lessons to local people...
0:07:10 > 0:07:15- ..for example, dry stone walling, - composting and planting shrubs.
0:07:15 > 0:07:20- Today, we're scything - and turning the hay to make bales.
0:07:21 > 0:07:22- It's warm!
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- This hay was cut three days ago.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- It looks ready to bale now.
0:07:29 > 0:07:36- We have a hay baler - which we designed.
0:07:36 > 0:07:41- It's based on a baler - built by a Texan to make pine bales.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- We've adapted it - so we can bale hay with it.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- It works very well.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51- That's it.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- Lovely job.
0:08:05 > 0:08:06- Hello.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07- Ieuan, how are you?
0:08:07 > 0:08:08- Ieuan, how are you?- - How are things?
0:08:08 > 0:08:09- Nice to see you again.
0:08:09 > 0:08:10- Nice to see you again.- - Hello.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- You've finished cutting the grass.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- We've finished this part.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- We've scythed this area.
0:08:17 > 0:08:18- Right.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- What about where the orchids grow, - in the top corner?
0:08:23 > 0:08:24- When do you want to cut it?
0:08:24 > 0:08:25- When do you want to cut it?- - When would be the best time?
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- Let's have a look and discuss it.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- Can you carry on here?
0:08:31 > 0:08:32- Can you carry on here?- - Right.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38- Ieuan ap Sion looks after the land - round Ebeneser chapel, next door.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- It's part of the project too and - an important corner for wildlife.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- The original - mountain plants grow here.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53- The walls protect the grassland - and the natural species.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55- Well!
0:08:56 > 0:09:01- I can see there's - no need to cut this at all.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- When would be the best - time to cut it?
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- Definitely not now.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- When everything - has finished, really.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- The flowers are still blooming.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- It looks marvellous, - especially from this level.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- You can see it - from the insects' level.
0:09:21 > 0:09:22- That's it.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27- It's full of bees, - small insects and butterflies.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- It's alive.
0:09:29 > 0:09:35- There's a marvellous - variety of flowers here.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37- What can we see?
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- There are ten different grasses...
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- ..one sedge and orchids too.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50- We have one of the hawkweed family - and quaking grass.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- These species are typical...
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- ..of this limestone area.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- In my job, - I try to persuade people...
0:10:01 > 0:10:05- ..that grassland like this - is important.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12- Grassland like this - and old meadows are getting rarer.
0:10:12 > 0:10:18- Statistics show we've lost - about 98% of them in some areas.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- Places like this aren't grazed.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- They're very important - for the plants...
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- ..and the insects - that depend on them.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- They're essential for pollination.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39- Without insects, many plants - and our foods aren't pollinated.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42- We depend on insects.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- In turn, they depend - on plants like these.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55- What can people do - to create a meadow like this?
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- This is an old meadow.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04- It has taken - perhaps 300 years to develop.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- The seeds have been - growing for centuries...
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- ..like the orchid, - of which we have two varieties.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- Some of them take 15 years - to bloom from seed.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- People don't want to wait that long.
0:11:19 > 0:11:24- But you can go to a garden centre - and buy a pack of wildflower seeds.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- They will bloom - the same year and sow seed.
0:11:29 > 0:11:34- Flowers like cornflowers - and red poppies look marvellous.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- All you have to do - is remove all the grass.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- Dig the soil - then scatter the seeds in April.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- By this time of year, - it will be a sea of flowers.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- Thanks for showing this to me.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- It was inspirational.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56- You're welcome.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- And in time, this is what - I hope to see in my orchard.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- I can't wait 300 years, - so I'll have to buy seeds.
0:12:14 > 0:12:15- Later...
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- ..I get to work - with a mallet and an axe.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- I'll hurt my hand.
0:12:22 > 0:12:22- .
0:12:26 > 0:12:26- Subtitles
0:12:26 > 0:12:28- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- I want to build a fence - round the children's play area.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- They can feel they're in a den.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- The hazel tree is native to the UK.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- It would suit the garden.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- I've come to Bodfari's - Woodland Skills Centre...
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- ..to learn how to make a fence.
0:12:50 > 0:12:56- You can learn all sorts of rural - crafts and woodland skills here.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- Alan Waterfield will teach me - the age-old craft...
0:13:00 > 0:13:02- ..of hazel tree weaving.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- What tools do we need?
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- I have a billhook for the job.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- These are sustainable trees.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- Though we're out of season...
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- ..some are ready - due to our changing climate.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- When is the best time to cut these?
0:13:20 > 0:13:25- Usually, we cut them - between autumn and spring.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- Wintertime.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28- Wintertime.- - Yes.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- How do you choose which ones to cut?
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- We look for the straightest twigs.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38- Like this one.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43- There are around twenty - coming out of this stool.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46- This is perfect.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- It's very tall.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- These are the tools we'll use.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- You go first!
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- The twigs are cut in the shade, - out of the wind.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- They are less pliable - once the sap dries.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07- You chop rather than saw it.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- And now pull it out.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- The quantity of twigs - depends on the size of the fence.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- A small gate needs about ten twigs.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- That's a fair amount! - Are we taking them back up?
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- We'll trim away the small twigs - and then cover the stool.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32- This will prevent rabbits - from eating the new growth.
0:14:33 > 0:14:34- OK.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- We trim in an upwards movement.
0:14:42 > 0:14:43- I need to strike it.
0:14:43 > 0:14:44- I need to strike it.- - Yes.
0:14:45 > 0:14:46- I'll hurt my hand!
0:14:47 > 0:14:48- Trim the twigs...
0:14:48 > 0:14:53- ..and cover the stool with leaves - to protect the new growth.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- Next, to the workshop.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59- This is what we're going to do.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- Hazel has been used to make fences - since the Neolithic Age.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20- Celts used the twigs - as divining rods to find water.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- It was believed - the nuts were a symbol of wisdom.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- Right on the end.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- Young hazel twigs are pliable.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- It doesn't have to be perfect.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- I'd prefer something - natural and organic in my garden.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- Let's take it - to the garden to see how it looks.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57- My working day isn't over yet. - I have one more church to visit.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03- Gwaenysgor Church is part - of the Living Churchyard project.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07- I've come to see a bee box.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12- I've been told that - the bees have been busy.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- I want to check if the box is full.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- Here's the bee box.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- We put this here - eight or nine weeks ago.
0:16:26 > 0:16:32- It's purpose built - for solitary bees.
0:16:32 > 0:16:38- There are 250 different species - of solitary bees.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- The Red Mason bee - has been busy here.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- They have been busy, too. Very busy!
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- The adults fly into the chamber...
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- ..and then walk backwards...
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- ..to the back of the chamber.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- They lay an egg in pollen.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19- The yellow stuff is the pollen - they've collected from flowers...
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- ..in the church's - conservation areas.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27- They lay an egg in the pollen - and seal it with mud.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30- The brown stuff is mud.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- We get a row - of pollen, egg and mud...
0:17:35 > 0:17:37- ..all the way along the chamber.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- There are a dozen or so - eggs in there.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45- When they reach the end...
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- ..they seal it with mud.
0:17:48 > 0:17:54- That makes sure that wasps - won't get in and eat the eggs.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- Once they've finished - they fly away and die.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- Their work is done.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- Once the eggs hatch...
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- ..small yellow larvae appears.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- This one is moving.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16- It'll eat the pollen...
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- ..and spin a cocoon - where it'll live over the winter.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- It matures into an adult.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- By May of next year...
0:18:27 > 0:18:31- ..the cocoons hatch - and the adults fly out.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- The cycle begins again.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39- We're waiting for the larvae - to spin their cocoons...
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- ..before I can remove the chamber.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45- Then I'll put a fresh one in.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- They're not quite ready - to come out of the box.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- I'll leave them alone - for a fortnight.
0:19:10 > 0:19:11- Come on!
0:19:17 > 0:19:19- Here it is.
0:19:21 > 0:19:22- Thanks.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- Come on!
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- He's happy now he's found a ball.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- I'm happy with the gate, too.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- Every gate needs a fence.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41- The fence will form a half-circle - round the play area.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- The first thing to do - is knock posts into the ground.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- I'll push the posts in...
0:19:50 > 0:19:52- ..a foot apart.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- I'm using the mallet Alan made.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57- They'll form a half-circle.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- How long with they last - in the ground?
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- Five years.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- OK.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- But...
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- ..if one of the posts - needs to be replaced...
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- ..you can always - swap it with a new one.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- That's always an option.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Good idea.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- We'll put these between the posts.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42- The weaving technique is the same - as the gate, but there's more work.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47- The secret is to weave each - layer in the opposite direction.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50- This strengthens the fence.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- Nanw arrives back from school...
0:20:57 > 0:21:01- ..in time to offer a word - of advice about the gate.
0:21:02 > 0:21:03- This way.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- Towards you. Which way should it be?
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- That way.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13- Hiya, Dad.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- You've arrived in time - to help us with the gate.
0:21:31 > 0:21:32- Very nice.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33- Very nice.- - Happy?
0:21:33 > 0:21:34- Yes.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- This is the best spot - in the garden.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- The wildest part!
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- I think we should keep hens.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- Do you fancy that?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- They poo everywhere.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19- You could make an egg tart...
0:22:20 > 0:22:22- ..from eggs our hens laid.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28- So long as they'd be fenced-in...
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- ..and can roam around - and not be in a coop all the time.
0:22:33 > 0:22:34- That would be fine.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- Can we have hens?
0:22:38 > 0:22:40- Can we have hens?- - I'll phone Aled.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43- Great.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- Next time, it hots up again.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- It's all in the detail.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- The Big Chill comes to the garden.
0:22:54 > 0:22:55- The Big Chill comes to the garden.- - Surprise!
0:23:14 > 0:23:16- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:16 > 0:23:17- .