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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...
0:00:12 > 0:00:17- ..with my 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 all come from the 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 > 0:01:11- After months - of discussing and arguing...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- ..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 > 0:01:37- 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
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- It's autumn in the Vale Of Clwyd - and there's an Indian summer.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56- The trees and shrubs - are laden with fruit.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13- Shoo!
0:02:20 > 0:02:21- Shoo!
0:02:25 > 0:02:27- It's early October...
0:02:27 > 0:02:29- ..the perfect time to pick these.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34- Some apples are ready in September - or October, others in November.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37- Some are even ready in December.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- I hope to make a little - apple juice and cider.
0:02:43 > 0:02:44- I've never made cider.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48- I've spoken to a friend, - who knows what to do.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- He's given me advice, so I'm - going to see if I can make cider.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57- To check if apples are ripe...
0:02:58 > 0:03:00- ..give them a quarter turn.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- If they come off easily, - they're ready.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- If I pull them too roughly...
0:03:09 > 0:03:10- ..I remove this part.
0:03:11 > 0:03:12- That's next year's fruit.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15- I don't want to lose that.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- If I master - the cider-making method...
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- ..I hope to make more next year.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23- Be careful when you pick them.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- Let's go to the next tree.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38- From what I've heard, - making cider is rather pot luck.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42- You might not know if the apple - is a cider-making variety.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- But any apple will produce cider.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49- They have sugar, juice - and natural yeast on the skin.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- So any apple will produce cider.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- Whether it's drinkable - is another matter.
0:03:58 > 0:04:04- I don't have enough apples - for even half a pint of cider.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- Simon, who helps with the garden...
0:04:08 > 0:04:13- ..and Richard said they have apples - in their gardens which I can use...
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- ..providing I share the cider!
0:04:16 > 0:04:20- So I go to Llandyrnog first, - where Richard lives.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24- These look beautiful.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- Mm!
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- I must admit, - I've been waiting for this month.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- I hate buying fruit - in a supermarket...
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- ..like apples from New Zealand.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- The apples we grow - in this country are marvellous.
0:04:42 > 0:04:47- We can pick them fresh from the - tree, they're free from pesticide.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51- This is so fresh, - it's marvellous to eat.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- And it doesn't cost a penny.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03- Richard says it's best to have - as many apple varieties as possible.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- So we go back towards Ruthin, - to Simon's garden.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- I don't think wasps - will get through the skin of these.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28- We have loads of damson plums. - I want to make the most of them.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33- My sister, Llinos, is coming. We're - going to try to make jam and gin.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- But we're not too sure what to do!
0:05:37 > 0:05:37- Hi, Llin, are you OK?
0:05:37 > 0:05:38- Hi, Llin, are you OK?- - Yes, and you?
0:05:39 > 0:05:40- I've brought jars.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42- Thanks. Aprons too.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44- You know I don't have any!
0:05:44 > 0:05:45- Yes, well!
0:05:47 > 0:05:49- I found a recipe on the internet.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51- Have a look.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- Let's see what we have to do.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- We need four and three quarter - pounds of damsons.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59- You've prepared them.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- Yes, I washed them.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02- Yes, I washed them.- - OK.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04- We need a pint of water.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- Right.
0:06:08 > 0:06:09- And sugar.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11- Six pounds!
0:06:12 > 0:06:14- It's a lot.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- It mentions pectin. What's that?
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- Apparently, there's - something in fruit...
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- ..which makes the jam set.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- It's called pectin.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35- If the skin is tough, - the fruit has more pectin.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- So you need less sugar.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- But fruit like strawberries - don't have much pectin...
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- ..because the skin is so soft.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49- Adding more sugar makes the fruit - keep its shape better in the jam.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- But I don't know!
0:06:52 > 0:06:57- We have to let this boil - for 45 minutes.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13- Up in the orchard, - the lads and I aren't much wiser.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- A friend lent us an apple press.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- It's possible to hire them - a day at a time.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38- The most time-consuming job - is chopping the apples...
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- ..in small pieces like this.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48- We've been very lucky - to have a loan of this gadget.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- It makes the job much easier.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59- After mashing the apples, - a heavy weight is put on the pulp...
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- ..to press out - as much juice as possible.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16- OK, that's Number One.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23- While the jam boils, we prick - the damsons, ready for the gin.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- The fruit's juice will mix - with the gin in the bottle.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- This is much easier than making jam.
0:08:34 > 0:08:35- Do I need to remove these?
0:08:36 > 0:08:38- No, we'll sieve it later.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46- That smells nice.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- It looks syrupy already.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- After boiling the fruit - for 45 minutes...
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- ..in goes the sugar.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- My goodness, I feel - we're overdoing the sugar!
0:09:00 > 0:09:02- Wow. What a lot of sugar.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- But hopefully, it'll taste - less sweet when it cools.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- Stir it for fifteen minutes, - until it boils.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- There shouldn't be - any sugar crystals in it...
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- ..or the recipe says - it'll set too hard.
0:09:26 > 0:09:32- This time I use fewer cooking apples - to see if there's a difference.
0:09:34 > 0:09:39- We estimate it takes - about fifty apples for a gallon.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45- This looks a different colour.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- You can see the difference.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- This one was made - with fewer cooking apples...
0:09:54 > 0:09:55- ..and this one, more.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- I'll experiment and then compare - the two methods of making cider.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- The dark juice will ferment - the sugar in the apples...
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- ..and turn into cider naturally.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- If there's more sugar, - the process takes longer...
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- ..and the cider is more alcoholic.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- I add a Campden tablet - to the other one.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- It kills the yeast in the juice.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- Once I've killed - the natural yeast...
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- ..I can add my own yeast.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- I'll add a fifth of the pack...
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- ..into this juice.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38- That's it.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- I'll leave it in the shed - for three or four months.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46- Cross fingers, we'll have cider - that's good to drink in spring.
0:10:50 > 0:10:51- Do you want to try it?
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- Do you want to try it?- - Yes.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55- It's lovely!
0:10:55 > 0:11:01- Nice. I'm looking forward to having - this on toast tomorrow morning.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07- It's time to add butter, - to get rid of the scum.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- How much, do you think? This much?
0:11:09 > 0:11:10- How much, do you think? This much?- - Yes.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- Then it's ready.
0:11:15 > 0:11:16- We can put it in jars.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- If we get this right...
0:11:39 > 0:11:41- ..it'd make a nice gift.
0:11:47 > 0:11:48- Mm!
0:11:51 > 0:11:57- Llinos pots the jam and decorates - the jars while I tackle the gin.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02- I have to add some sugar, - after filling a third of the jar.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- Just a little sugar.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- I pour this in. It's quite simple!
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- It's much easier than the jam.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- We have enough cider and gin - for quite a few parties!
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- But we have to be patient - for the time being.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- Coming up, Nanw plants cabbage.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- The spring bulbs go in.
0:12:44 > 0:12:49- And how does the garden look - exactly a year after we started?
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0:13:00 > 0:13:05- Nanw wants a corner so that she and - Malan can grow their own vegetables.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10- I've decided to dig - a deep bed by the shed.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- It's good, sandy soil.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- It doesn't retain moisture.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- When you raise - the level of the bed...
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- ..the drainage is even better.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- I have sandy soil...
0:13:28 > 0:13:33- ..and a raised bed - that will improve the drainage.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- The water will flow away.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- I don't want to waste time - constantly watering the bed.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- I'll be far too busy!
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- I'll use a technique - that's come from Germany...
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- ..where old wood is used.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- I start with a layer of wood.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- Rotted wood is perfect.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- The fungi will grow roots.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- The roots will grow into the bed.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- These very fine roots...
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- ..will get entwined - with the plant roots...
0:14:14 > 0:14:19- ..and help the plant - to absorb water.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- The fungi roots...
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- ..inhabit the plant roots.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32- For its trouble, the plant - gets water from the fungi roots.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- It's symbiotic, - they live together happily.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- On the wood, I'll place - anything that's organic...
0:14:44 > 0:14:46- ..that will rot in the soil.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- This straw - has been drying in the shed.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- These spare sleepers - will make up the sides.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- And now, fill it with soil.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01- Nanw can start planting.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06- Have you come to help, Nanw?
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- Have you come to help, Nanw?- - Yes.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13- We're planting - your favourite vegetable.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18- Your favourite vegetable is - cabbage, isn't it? You love cabbage.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19- No.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- We'll plant lots of cabbages.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28- We'll have plenty of greens - in springtime.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33- We'll plant them quickly before - it rains and then go in for tea.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- Shall I make a hole?
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- A little hole.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- Start at the end.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45- You dig the hole and I'll put it in.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46- You dig the hole and I'll put it in.- - Is that OK?
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- Push the soil back.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- That's it.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- That's one.
0:15:58 > 0:15:59- Has it stopped raining?
0:15:59 > 0:16:00- Has it stopped raining?- - Yes.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- We carried on planting - after the rain.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09- Nanw and Malan will have plates - laden with cabbage next spring!
0:16:32 > 0:16:34- The weather has turned this week.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39- I can't believe I'm in a fleece, - gloves and a woolly scarf.
0:16:39 > 0:16:45- It's so cold! But the weather - is ideal for planting bulbs.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48- We can look forward to spring.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- The flowers will be smiling at us - all over this area.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- It's time well spent, wrapping up - in warm clothes to plant.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- Muscari is my favourite flower.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- Its perfect blue flowers - will appear in the spring.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- Daffodil bulbs are larger.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- These are white daffodils, - for a change.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- There are many yellow ones here.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- Nain planted a lot of daffodils - round here.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- I wanted white ones - to go with them.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32- This rounder bulb - is the fritillaria.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39- Its flower hangs upside-down.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- It looks like snakeskin.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- That's a snake's head fritillaria.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- I have a small white one, too.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- We'll have a snake's head - fritillaria and a white one.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- I hope they'll look natural - along here.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03- We can appreciate them - when we take a walk along the path.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- I'd better get on with the planting.
0:18:09 > 0:18:15- The bulbs should be planted - two to three inches deep.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20- There are various measurements - on the tool Iwan made.
0:18:20 > 0:18:21- It's perfect.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- On the opposite side, I'll plant - my favourite spring flowers...
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- ..blue muscari as well as - yellow and white daffodils.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- Spring is my favourite season.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- I look forward - to seeing the bulbs flowering...
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- ..after winter in the earth.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- The sun is on its way.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53- Flowers bring hope.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- It's spring once again.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16- Exactly a year has passed - since we started the work...
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- ..of turning the Pont Y Twr field - into a garden.
0:19:41 > 0:19:47- Our plan was to have designated - areas for flowers, vegetables...
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- ..fruit as well as a play area.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- We stuck quite closely to the plan - through some miracle.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- And months of hard work.
0:20:00 > 0:20:05- Lwcus the dog, the newest member - of the family, loves the garden.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- I'm thrilled with the roses.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- They look lovely. The tulips - in their midst look brilliant.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24- They've grown much better - than the ones I grew in pots.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- Their stalks are stronger.
0:20:27 > 0:20:32- It'll be nice when the lavender - has grown along here.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34- This looks nice.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- This looks nice.- - I'm happy with the prairie.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42- I'm pleased - with how the wood turned out.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47- When I was burning them, I thought, - 'What are we doing?!'
0:20:47 > 0:20:53- It really works. They add height - and structure to the area.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58- The black contrasts nicely - with the Welsh poppies.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- I have to admit, Sions...
0:21:02 > 0:21:06- ..you were right - about the area by the trampoline.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- Of course!
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- The box really works.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- We were right not to move the tree. - It looks wonderful today.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20- It's fantastic.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- I'm very happy with that section. - I think the children are, too.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- We've invited family and neighbours - back to Pont Y Twr...
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- ..to celebrate our work.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- It's a good excuse - to taste the cider.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- I've been looking forward - to this day!
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- We tidied up round here.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- Who lives here?
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- I love having everyone here. - It makes the work worth it.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08- The children are playing on - the trampoline and in the trees.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- It's a family garden.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15- It's a fantastic garden - for children.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- And we can drink homemade cider - while they're on the trampoline!
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- They're far enough away!
0:22:25 > 0:22:27- Life is good.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- I remember coming here - to visit Nain and Taid...
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- ..and playing outside.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43- It's nice that Dad and Auntie - Rhiannon can enjoy the garden.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46- It's very nice!
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- And knowing they're happy - with what we've done.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55- I hope your Nain and Taid - would think we've done a good job.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- Going back to the plan...
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- ..we haven't quite finished.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- I know. There's still - a lot to do in the garden.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15- But it's a terrific start.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18- We've done a lot.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24- But there's a long list - of things that need to be done.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- We'll take a break - for a week or two.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31- We deserve a break. Cheers, Iws!
0:23:31 > 0:23:33- Come on. There's work to do.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:52 > 0:23:53- .