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0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Welcome to Garddio A Mwy.
0:00:02 > 0:00:07- It may be May, but the month - got off to an unusually cold start.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10- We almost lost our early potatoes.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13- Hopefully, we'll have no more frost.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18- The soil is warm enough by now - for us to consider planting outside.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22- Iwan will do just that later, - planting interesting vegetables.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27- Meinir rolls up her sleeves - and sets about creating a rockery.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32- And I'll show you - how to create a mini version of one.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- All that and more on Garddio A Mwy.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54- Six months have now passed...
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- ..since we moved into the house - here at Pont y Twr.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- It's hard to believe...
0:01:00 > 0:01:04- ..that we spent - almost five years in that caravan.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- I don't miss it at all...
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- ..but one thing living in a caravan - did for us as a family...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- ..was to give us a feeling - that we lived in the garden.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19- One of the summer highlights - was eating outside in the garden.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23- I was afraid to lose that feeling - when we moved into the house.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- That inspired the idea - of having a kitchen in the garden.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32- The designated spot - is the untidiest corner.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35- It isn't suitable for planting...
0:01:35 > 0:01:40- ..because the stream tends to flood - occasionally during the winter.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- We have drawn up a rough plan.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51- A raised platform on metal stilts - to protect it from any water...
0:01:51 > 0:01:55- ..a cooking bench and four poles - supporting a ship's sail...
0:01:55 > 0:01:58- ..to protect us from the elements.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- But however important it is - to sketch a plan...
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- ..as it stands, - it is only a sketch.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07- But I will start work on it later.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12- You can see how the project develops - over the coming weeks.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17- Talking of projects, Meinir has - an interesting one on her hands.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21- Fashions come and go, - in clothes and in gardening.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- One showcase for new trends - is the Chelsea Flower Show.
0:02:25 > 0:02:31- In 2016, one of the biggest trends - was using stones.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32- Yes, stones...
0:02:34 > 0:02:39- ..from carved modernist stones - to ones in their natural state...
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- ..and more traditional designs.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45- Yes, the rockery is back.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- You needed a crane to lift - some of the stones at Chelsea...
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- ..but anyone can create - a small rockery.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55- I'm going to show you how.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- The garden I'm in today - has a nice lawn...
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- ..but could do with a feature - to create interest.
0:03:04 > 0:03:05- A rockery it is.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- All you need is this.
0:03:09 > 0:03:15- Bricks or rubble, large stones, - grit, topsoil and alpine plants.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18- Well, and a free day - to enjoy in the garden.
0:03:19 > 0:03:20- Off we go then.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- The first step - is to remove the grass.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38- Keep the turf to one side - because we'll need it later.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43- Next, put the bricks - and rubble in place.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48- These give the rockery form - and also ensure good drainage.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- Just throw them any which way.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04- Next, put the turf you removed - upside down on top of the rubble.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09- This will prevent any soil - falling through the cracks later.
0:04:10 > 0:04:16- Next, cover the turf and rubble - with six to nine inches of topsoil.
0:04:19 > 0:04:20- And that's it.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21- The soil's in place.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24- It doesn't look like much - at the moment...
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- ..but we can now think - about the stones.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33- The first step, before moving them, - is to just look at them.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38- After deciding, put them in place.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43- Take care not to hurt your back - when lifting heavy stones...
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- ..or you'll be unable to garden, - and that won't do!
0:04:47 > 0:04:52- Pack soil under the stones - to ensure they're securely in place.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- The structure of the rockery - should start to become clearer now.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- The next step is to add compost.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- The important thing to remember - with alpine plants...
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- ..is to make sure - that the soil has good drainage.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- I'll mix horticultural grit - with ordinary compost...
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- ..to make sure that no water - pools in the soil.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23- They grow naturally in thin soil - on mountainous terrain...
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- ..so they prefer poor soil.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30- There's an array of alpine plants - available, as Sioned explains.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- You can get hold of alpine plants - at most garden centres.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- But if you want - to understand them properly...
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- ..it's worth visiting - a specialist nursery like this one.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- Don't be tempted to buy only plants - that are in flower on the day.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- Choose a selection - to provide colour all year round.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03- Look for plants that provide variety - of leaf form and colour...
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- ..ones that provide height...
0:06:05 > 0:06:10- ..and ones that will spread over - the edge of pots or along a border.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14- I'd advise against - buying a dwarf conifer...
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- ..unless you're positive - that is it actually a dwarf variety.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- Here are a few plants to consider.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- These three are interesting.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- You'd usually think of them - as bigger plants...
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- ..especially the Penstemon - and the Dianthus.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- These are hybrids, of course.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- They're very happy - in a modern rockery.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- The Helianthemum, or rock rose...
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- ..is excellent at introducing colour - into a rockery or a small border.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- They're happy in strong sunlight - and grow into a small shrub form.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54- Another good plant - is the mossy Saxifrage.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- There's a wide choice of these.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- They form a tidy cushion, - and have pretty upstanding flowers.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- If you want something - that looks exotic...
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- ..consider the wide variety - of succulents available.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14- They store water in their foliage - and can survive very dry weather.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- Whatever your taste in plants...
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- ..a specialist alpine nursery...
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- ..will be able to show off - the huge range available.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Sioned had some lovely plants there.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- I got all these alpine plants - from an ordinary nursery.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- They'll provide - a variety of colours.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- This Viola is currently in bloom.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- The Aquilegia, - or columbine, is white.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50- Many of these plants will spread, - so we need space between them.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- That looks about right, I think.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- It'll look pretty.
0:07:56 > 0:07:57- Now to plant them!
0:08:04 > 0:08:09- I've already laid a layer - of the grit and compost mixture.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14- When the plants are in place, - add another layer of grit.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- All that's left to do - is to water them.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- Do it nightly - until the plants settle...
0:08:21 > 0:08:26- ..especially if we get a repeat - of the recent dry spell.
0:08:28 > 0:08:29- And that's it.
0:08:30 > 0:08:31- A rockery in a day.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- If I can do it, you can.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- Although that was a small rockery...
0:08:41 > 0:08:46- ..maybe you don't have room for - something similar in your garden.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- You might not even have a garden.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- But there is a way - to bring an alpine flavour...
0:08:52 > 0:08:53- ..to wherever you live.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57- That's just what I'll do - with the plants I chose earlier.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04- The first step is to put grit - in the bottom of the sink.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- It'll help with the drainage, - which is vital for these plants.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- They need plenty of water...
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- ..but that water - must be able to drain away freely.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- A deep sink is great - in that respect.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- Next, the compost.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- I'm using John Innes No 2.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30- What I'm doing is making sure...
0:09:30 > 0:09:35- ..that I have a mixture - of half compost, half grit.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- I'm adding plenty of grit...
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- ..to help with the drainage.
0:09:47 > 0:09:53- I'm leaving enough depth, - because once the plants are in...
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- ..I'll add - another layer of grit on top.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- I chose these plants - to provide interest all year round.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04- This is Hypericum.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- I chose this because of the leaves.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- They are covered in bumps.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- In summer, - it'll have a vivid yellow flower.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- I'm planting it slightly proud...
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- ..because I'll be adding grit.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- This is Saxifrage Alan Hayhurst.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- I love these delicate flowers.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- These will obviously wither - before too long.
0:10:35 > 0:10:41- But the delightful rosette - at the base is evergreen.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- That will provide visual interest - all year round.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- This is a kind of succulent.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- It's called Conwy Gem.
0:10:50 > 0:10:56- I'm planting it at the edge - so that this rosette droops over.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58- This is Achillea.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04- This does grow fairly quickly, - and it also spreads.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07- So, what I'm going to do...
0:11:08 > 0:11:12- ..is to put a piece of slate...
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- ..alongside it...
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- ..so that it stays in that spot.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- This is Canary Bird.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- As these flowers - reach the end of their life...
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- ..it's an idea to cut them off...
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- ..to promote the growth - of more flowers.
0:11:30 > 0:11:36- I've chosen these plants because - they mostly grow very slowly.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- Given that they're competing - with each other...
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- ..one plant could take over.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- But these will all stay compact.
0:11:47 > 0:11:48- There we are.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52- I'll just finish it off - with a layer of grit.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00- For a full list of the plants - I chose for the alpine trough...
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- ..visit the Garddio A Mwy website.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- They're pretty, aren't they?
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- I hope they'll be happy - in the sunshine.
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0:12:17 > 0:12:17- Subtitles
0:12:17 > 0:12:19- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- At the moment, - garden centres are jam-packed...
0:12:27 > 0:12:31- ..with colourful plants - for pots and hanging baskets.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36- It's said that gardeners - spend more on plants like this...
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- ..than on anything else.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- After all, they are usually annuals.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- But with so much choice...
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- ..how do you decide - which ones are right for you?
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- If, like me, you garden - for nature and wildlife...
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- ..as well as for colour, - it's worth remembering...
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- ..not to go for a flower - with a long trumpet.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- Bees find it very difficult - to get at the nectar.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- Sometimes, they've been bred so much - that there isn't any nectar at all.
0:13:10 > 0:13:15- Other plants to avoid - are flowers with a lot of petals.
0:13:15 > 0:13:21- Bees also find it hard to extract - pollen and nectar from those.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- It's worth choosing plants - that have open flowers...
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- ..to make it easy for the bees - to get at the good stuff.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- Herbs are also excellent.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- Lavender, sage and thyme are great.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- You could also go for Dahlias - and Alyssum.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44- So, you can get lots of colour - in your pots and hanging baskets...
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- ..and be kind to bees - at the same time.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- Since I started gardening here...
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- ..I've tended to grow - the same kind of things every year.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02- Potatoes, onions and carrots.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- But this year, - I've decided to experiment...
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- ..and grow some vegetables - you don't see in the supermarket.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19- I'm going to plant - lots of different vegetables...
0:14:19 > 0:14:21- ..and see what works.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- I'm starting with this, kohlrabi.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- It's a member of the turnip family.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- You can cook it - lots of different ways...
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- ..or eat it fresh from the garden, - either sliced or grated.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38- It's exceptionally good when grated, - so I'll be sure to try that.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42- I'll also try to grow chicory.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- This has been in the greenhouse, - but the slugs got to it, sadly.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- I'll plant another tray - to try and get a good crop.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- It's a very handy plant...
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- ..because you can eat the flower, - the leaves and the stem...
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- ..and apparently, - you can make coffee out of the root.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- I'll also be growing this.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09- I'm sure many of you - will have heard of it.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14- It's navona, a type of cauliflower - that's unlike any usual variety.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- I've never grown that before, - but I'll give it a go.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- I've also bought - a lot of different seeds.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26- Curly Scarlet kale, - which is new to me.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- I'm also going to try - these purple sprouts.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32- Rubine.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37- I'll also be trying - this radish variety, Red Meat...
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- ..which does resemble - a piece of ham.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43- It's sure to look interesting - in a salad.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- There's also - a wide range of lettuces.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- This one, Reine de Glace, - dates back to the 19th century.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- It'll be interesting - to see how that grows.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- If you're growing for the kitchen, - or as an experiment...
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- ..or to compete - at your local show...
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- ..there's a huge variety - of seeds available...
0:16:06 > 0:16:08- ..and now's the time to plant them.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14- As I look ahead to summer, - I'm going to plant some radicchio.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19- This one has a unique taste, and - it'll also add colour to any salad.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- This can go next to the lettuce.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31- From someone - who's experimenting in the garden...
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- ..to someone - who's an old hand at gardening.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39- Wil Gibbon, one of the gardeners - at the historic Aberglasney Gardens.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- I've been here since 1998.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- I've seen a lot of alterations here.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58- The gardens have come from nothing - to what you see here now.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00- I enjoy working here.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- It's a nice little place.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- Sometimes, you work in the rain, - so it's not as nice then!
0:17:07 > 0:17:12- But on a day like this, - it's lovely to be out in the garden.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- It beats being in an office.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- Today, I'm tying branches - to the fence...
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- ..to train them to go up the wire.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- They'll form diamond shapes.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- It's an old style of fence - known as a Belgian fence.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35- A lozenge effect.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39- They're apple trees.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- Old Welsh varieties.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- It's a bit of work to train them, - but it's worth it in the end.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- They do have names.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54- This one is Reverend Wilks.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- It's an old apple, very sweet.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05- A lot of them have been named - after the people who developed them.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- They've been here since 2000.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17- They were grafted to save them, - because they're old varieties.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- Can you see this point here?
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- They've been grafted at one time.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- This is the mother plant.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- This one, the Reverend Wilks...
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- ..has been grafted - onto the rootstock.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- That job's done for now.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09- One of the things I enjoy most - about gardening at Pont y Twr...
0:19:09 > 0:19:11- ..is nurturing young plants.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16- Last year, I took softwood cuttings - of this Penstemon Garnet.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21- It was pouring with rain outside - when I was doing the job.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- I cut the new lateral growth - that wouldn't flower that year...
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- ..and put them into a mixture - of compost and perlite.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- They've spent about six months, - over winter, in the polytunnel.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- They've turned out perfectly.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- This will be their new home, - right here in the border.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51- As you can see, - they're ready to be transplanted...
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- ..judging by the roots - on the base of the pot.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01- I've soaked the plants in water - to make it easier to get them out.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- In it goes, - and a bit of soil around it.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- It's very easy to take cuttings - from the Penstemon.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- It's important to take cuttings...
0:20:17 > 0:20:22- ..because not every variety - will withstand our winters.
0:20:22 > 0:20:28- I think I've been lucky - with the ones in this border...
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- ..but I have lost - one or two over there.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- I'm glad to have more this year.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- I'm sure to take cuttings again - in case the same happens next year.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42- In it goes.
0:20:45 > 0:20:46- There we are.
0:20:47 > 0:20:52- Those two will do there, - because they do grow to a fair size.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- But I have five healthy plants...
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- ..that would have cost - about 5 each in a garden centre...
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- ..so it really is - worth taking cuttings.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- One popular plant, - and a favourite of mine...
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- ..is the Scabious Butterfly Blue.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- It's a pretty little flower - that works so hard.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- It flowers from April to November - with no fuss at all.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- It thrives in full sun - or in a light shade.
0:21:32 > 0:21:37- To cap it all, - bees and butterflies love it.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- Solar lights are very popular now.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50- These pendant lights - are some of the latest ones.
0:21:50 > 0:21:56- They contain a filament that lights - when the solar panel is in sunlight.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- Solar lights provide - different effects in your garden.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- They make it look a bit better - when you sit out during the summer.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- Earlier, we mentioned our plan - to turn this untidy corner...
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- ..into a designated cooking area.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25- The first step - was to mark out a perfect circle...
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- ..and decide where the sail's - support poles would go.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33- After digging the holes, - I set them in concrete.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- Next, I dug holes for the stilts - that would support the platform...
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- ..and filled them - with concrete as well.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- Once the stilts were in place...
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- ..the last step for today - is to screw on the zinc panels.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09- That's one of the hardest jobs - I've done in the garden for a while.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- I'm glad it's summer - and not winter...
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- ..because I might be standing - in a pool of water.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17- Why? Because of that stream.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23- Having a stream nearby sounds - romantic, but it has its problems.
0:23:23 > 0:23:24- Haven't you finished yet?
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- Haven't you finished yet?- - No, I haven't.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29- That's all for this week.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- It would be lovely to have - your company again next week.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35- Until then, enjoy the gardening.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:57 > 0:23:58- .