Pennod 3 Garddio a Mwy

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-A warm welcome to Garddio A Mwy.

-It was nice to see some rain

-last week after such a dry period.

-This garden definitely needed it.

-It's incredible how the plants

-and flowers reacted...

-..to what little rain came.

-This week, I wander once more...

-..to help out

-in a garden in Caerphilly.

-Meinir enjoys

-a visual feast in Trefriw.

-And Sioned gets expert help

-to create a seasonal hanging basket.

-All that and more on Garddio A Mwy.

-With the Chelsea Flower Show

-starting tomorrow...

-..I've been inspired

-to take on an annual task...

-..named after

-the iconic flower show.

-The Chelsea chop.

-But what exactly

-is the Chelsea chop?

-If I come over to the phlox,

-it's a fairly simple process.

-It's a technique...

-..that controls the flowering

-of perennial plants.

-What I do

-is cut them down by a third or so...

-..and then leave a few to flower.

-When they have finished,

-these will then continue to grow.

-Some people prune them down

-by about half...

-..but I haven't got the heart

-to do that.

-I want them to flower

-and to make use of them.

-But rather than have them

-flower at the same time...

-..and result in long, tall stems...

-..that will probably require

-some form of support...

-..I prefer cutting a few stems...

-..which the other stems

-will then protect.

-I'll start with these.

-I make the cut

-just above a pair of leaves.

-What will happen,

-by cutting in a spot like that...

-..the lateral stems will grow...

-..and give me more flowers.

-The shrub will also grow

-so I'll have even more flowers.

-They may be a bit smaller,

-but they'll also last longer.

-And that's it.

-Try the Chelsea chop.

-Next, Meinir visits a nursery...

-..that is used to exhibiting

-at all these major shows...

-..including Chelsea.

-I remember thinking

-how pretty I was...

-..when I held these to my ears

-as a child.

-But these aren't earrings

-for little girls...

-..but that classic garden flower,

-the fuchsia.

-Fuchsias come

-in an array of colours.

-To give you some idea...

-..Roualeyn Nursery in Trefriw

-grows a spectacular range.

-Today, I'm being given a tour

-by nursery owner Gwyneth Jones.

-How did you get started

-with fuschias?

-I'm going back many years now.

-I won't say how many.

-My husband started

-with half a dozen small plants.

-He had a very small greenhouse

-on the land.

-He did well, and they grew.

-He'd give some away

-to friends and relatives.

-We gave up our old milk round

-to focus on the fuchsias.

-It all grew from there.

-The old greenhouse is long gone,

-and has been replaced by these.

-From starting with a few plants,

-as a hobby, to all intents...

-..the business

-is now very successful.

-Roualeyn is well-known

-as a creator of new cultivars.

-They have won numerous awards,

-including several golds at Chelsea.

-You're very busy as a business

-at shows too.

-From April onwards,

-there's a show almost every weekend.

-It gets easier

-when you've done it for a while.

-But we weren't sure when we started.

-We didn't start with major shows.

-We went to small local shows.

-We'd go to Llanrwst,

-Denbigh and Anglesey.

-We were so delighted when we got

-our first gold at a major show.

-We weren't going to stop after that.

-Most fuschias are native

-to Central and South America.

-Crossing the 97 natural species...

-..has yielded over 6,000 varieties

-in Britain alone.

-Over 400 of those

-can be seen at Roualeyn today.

-In order to create new cultivars...

-..plants are chosen carefully

-and sent off to be cross-pollinated.

-They then make cuttings

-to grow more of that variety.

-That's how the process works.

-You have hybrids here

-but so many different ones.

-The standard types,

-and ones for hanging baskets.

-If you had to choose one...

-..which one would be your favourite?

-My favourite type is the species.

-The original

-that grows in all its glory...

-..especially one called Procumbens,

-which comes from New Zealand.

-It flowers vertically...

-..and I can't begin

-to describe the colours.

-It's so pretty.

-A new variety of fuchsia

-is being launched at Chelsea...

-..the Sarcoma UK.

-Sarcoma is a type of cancer.

-The fuchsia has been named after

-the charity that supports sufferers.

-Money from the sales

-will go to the Sarcoma UK charity.

-By the first Monday at Chelsea...

-..the fuschia will have gone

-from Trefriw to London.

-Fingers crossed, it'll look good.

-The very best of luck to you.

-It's a very nice idea.

-We tend to take our health

-for granted sometimes.

-That stepping out

-into the garden...

-..is one of the most natural,

-and easiest, things to do.

-But what if making a trellis

-to support beans...

-..or picking up a fork,

-or even standing up...

-..were too painful to even consider?

-For years now, that's been

-the challenge facing the owner...

-..of a garden in Caerphilly

-that I visited last week.

-Meet Joe and Iona Coles.

-In 2012, Iona was diagnosed

-with fibromyalgia.

-It's a long-term condition

-causing widespread chronic pain...

-..and also affects her mobility.

-My challenge today

-is to enable Iona...

-..to take up something that's been

-missing from her life for years.

-That's gardening.

-With her husband Joe's help...

-..I hope to rekindle

-the gardening flame in Iona's life.

-Good morning, Iona!

-Good morning!

-It's very nice to meet you.

-Thanks very much.

-This is a nice place.

-This is a nice place.

-

-Isn't it lovely?

-Your afternoon sanctuary.

-We'll light the fire later.

-Joe has been busy.

-Joe has been busy.

-

-Getting the place ready!

-Yes, very busy.

-You did garden here in the past.

-You did garden here in the past.

-

-Yes, I did.

-We moved here five years ago.

-Joe built beds to grow vegetables.

-I loved it,

-growing everything from seed.

-I started them off in the bedroom.

-I started them off in the bedroom.

-

-On the window shelf.

-Because it was so warm.

-Then into the greenhouse,

-and out into the beds.

-But the beds were low,

-and my health is deteriorating.

-It's hard for me

-to physically get down to them...

-..to dig and plant and so on.

-That's gone out of the window.

-We've got rid of the beds

-and planted clover instead of grass.

-That's why we asked...

-That's why we asked...

-

-..me to come here.

-To offer us suggestions.

-I'd gathered that you had problems

-coming out of the house...

-..and accessing the garden

-and the greenhouse easily.

-I've got a raised bed

-that's been created specifically...

-..for people

-who have problems bending down.

-I've also got a few other things

-that might be of interest to you.

-But I need Joe's help.

-Can I borrow him for a bit?

-Can I borrow him for a bit?

-

-No problem.

-You could visit a local timber yard

-and make your own raised bed...

-..but there's a lot to be said

-for buying a flat-pack.

-For one thing...

-..it takes the stress

-out of the whole process.

-Well, that's the idea, at least.

-The holes are all pre-drilled.

-You've chosen the size.

-You don't need a saw

-because it's all pre-cut.

-We'll see

-how long it takes to assemble.

-There we are, it's up.

-That took 37 minutes.

-A bit longer than I expected,

-but it's up now...

-..and ready for the membrane,

-the soil and the compost.

-After laying the membrane,

-you need to add grit...

-..then topsoil.

-The reason we're using topsoil,

-and not filling it with compost...

-..is that compost tends to dry out.

-Topsoil tends to retain moisture...

-..and it contains

-a lot of nutrients.

-But it doesn't contain stones,

-so we'll mix it with the grit.

-There we are.

-The hard work is done

-and we're ready to plant it up.

-I hope Iona will come out

-to help me after the break.

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-Welcome back.

-The bed's ready, the soil's in

-and we're ready to plant.

-But to make it easier for Iona,

-who finds it hard to move about...

-..I've brought

-an interesting item with me.

-This is a one-legged stool.

-It was designed in Denmark...

-..by someone

-who had back and knee problems.

-They created this stool...

-..to allow you to get

-your knees under a raised bed...

-..and to bend down.

-Apparently, they come

-in different heights.

-Lower ones for working on borders...

-..and higher ones

-for beds like this.

-I think it's convenient,

-and, hopefully, Iona will agree.

-Hello, Iona. Have you seen this?

-Hello, Iona. Have you seen this?

-

-No, I hadn't noticed it.

-I mentioned earlier that I had

-something to make gardening easier.

-We'll see what you think.

-We'll see what you think.

-

-Are you ready to catch me if I fall?

-Put your stick there,

-sit down and I'll sit next to you.

-Maybe you should be behind me!

-It's remarkably comfortable.

-It is nice.

-I thought it was comfy too.

-It keeps your back straight.

-It keeps your back straight.

-

-And my soles are flat.

-It's comfy.

-Will you be happy to use it?

-Will you be happy to use it?

-

-Definitely.

-We've also got these tools...

-..designed specifically

-to make gardening easier.

-We'll see what you think.

-We've got a lot of things to plant.

-I've got a bush tomato plant.

-That won't grow too high.

-We've got another type as well.

-It's a tumbler,

-drooping over the edge.

-That'll be pretty.

-That'll be pretty.

-

-We'll plant those at the front.

-What else have I got?

-Courgettes.

-Courgettes.

-

-Those can go at the front too.

-They'll droop over the edge as well.

-Then I've got chard, Swiss chard.

-I've never grown chard before.

-I grew this last year.

-It's good stuff.

-It's colourful, if nothing else!

-I left it a bit late

-and it was rather tough.

-Eat it at the right time.

-We'll plant these as we go...

-..and see

-what these ergonomic tools are like.

-Tools with curved handles

-put less strain on the ankle.

-As we looked into ways to help Iona,

-it soon became apparent...

-..is that there are many more tools

-for gardeners with disabilities...

-..than five years ago, say.

-From here, you seem comfortable.

-Yes, I must say I am.

-Gardening is hard work.

-When you have a physical disability

-or, in my case, fibromyalgia...

-..doing work like this

-can cause muscular discomfort.

-Because of the seat...

-..I feel that I have enough support.

-The bed is narrow,

-so I'm not stretching.

-Better still, using this

-doesn't hurt my wrist.

-Hopefully, it means

-I'll be able to garden for longer.

-Great. Thank you.

-Great. Thank you.

-

-You're welcome.

-It's nice to see you gardening.

-My name is Carys.

-After retiring,

-I thought I'd like an allotment.

-My garden is a bit small.

-I retired

-five and a half years ago...

-..and I've had the allotment

-for four years.

-I've enjoyed it,

-but it is hard work.

-Nothing beats growing your own food.

-There's no taste like it.

-I've had great strawberry crops,

-without paying a penny for a plant.

-They've all spread from next door.

-Every one of them.

-I'm going to cut the leaves,

-because some are yellow...

-..and some have spots.

-I don't want any diseases,

-so I'll remove the yellow leaves.

-I haven't put straw down before,

-but it was very wet last year.

-I'll try to keep the strawberries

-off the ground this year...

-..in case it's wet when they fruit.

-Hopefully, the straw

-will do the job.

-This is the final job, picking.

-I try to leave it

-until the last minute, actually...

-..so that the leaves

-are as fresh as possible.

-So, this is the last job

-before going home.

-At this time of year...

-..garden centres are full

-of colourful hanging baskets.

-Buying one ready-made

-may be convenient...

-..but it could cost you about 25.

-It's worth considering

-creating your own...

-..and not just to save money.

-It's a very relaxing experience...

-..especially if you make one

-with a friend.

-I've known Myfanwy Stubbs for years.

-I regularly visit

-the nursery near Corwen...

-..that she runs

-with her husband, John.

-Given that she's made hundreds...

-..who better to ask for advice

-about the ideal hanging basket?

-I've looked forward

-to having you here.

-I've created

-hanging baskets before...

-..but having a personal lesson

-from you will be very useful.

-It's that time of year.

-We aim to have hanging baskets

-out by May.

-This is the liner.

-The fuzziest side faces outwards.

-It has a plastic lining

-that prevents the basket drying out.

-It can look a bit like moss.

-It can look a bit like moss.

-

-Yes, it can do.

-Gathering moss isn't allowed now,

-so we use this liner instead.

-I'll put some compost in first.

-Which one do you use?

-Any multi-purpose compost,

-as long as it's good quality.

-First...

-First...

-

-Yes, where do you start?

-I'll start with this lobelia.

-It'll go through the small holes.

-These are various pinks and whites.

-These are various pinks and whites.

-

-Yes, Fountain Mix.

-Plant from the inside

-and push them through.

-I'm afraid to break them.

-This is the hardest part.

-One left.

-So, all these plants

-will go into this?

-Yes, about 20 in all.

-It's important to use that much,

-so that the basket does look full.

-This is Mexica Ruby.

-I'll just put that here.

-Between the lobelias?

-Between the lobelias?

-

-Yes, that's right.

-Then this plant, million bells.

-Then this plant, million bells.

-

-It's called Violet Glint.

-Remember to put the labels in.

-We always do that.

-If you do like a certain plant,

-you'll remember it next year.

-The base is level

-with the edge of the basket.

-This is a Begonia, Apricot Shade.

-Oh, that's pretty.

-Just place it in,

-and don't press too hard.

-The roots don't have room

-to spread out and grow.

-This is a verbena.

-This is a verbena.

-

-That's a nice colour.

-This is a bright pink Aztec.

-Are there some plants that are

-particularly popular this year?

-Lilac and orange

-are the popular colours this year.

-I've got a nepeta,

-one of my favourite foliage plants.

-It hangs low over the basket.

-The variegated colour

-complements the other plants.

-Yes, it brings the colours out.

-Another little geranium.

-Another little geranium.

-

-I like that lilac colour.

-My grandmother had a shelf here

-that was full of geraniums.

-This is another

-very attractive plant, the bacopa.

-We can't grow enough

-of the white one.

-It goes nicely with the nepeta.

-It goes nicely with the nepeta.

-

-Yes, it does.

-That leaves a gap in the centre.

-That leaves a gap in the centre.

-

-That's right.

-Room for three more plants.

-I like this one.

-I like this one.

-

-Another type of million bells.

-It's a three-coloured variety.

-I'll plant two of these

-in the middle.

-It fills the centre nicely.

-There's one plant left,

-which you can put in, Sioned.

-Begonia Rose Petticoat.

-It's a Nonstop begonia,

-upstanding rather than trailing.

-It won't hang down like the others.

-It's nice to get height

-in the middle.

-It's a lovely shape.

-Then a bit of compost

-to fill it in.

-Give it a week to ten days

-before you hang it...

-..so that it fills out a little.

-Remember to water it,

-even if it rains.

-Thanks very much, Myfanwy.

-I can't wait to see it

-in a fortnight...

-..filled out,

-with the lobelia starting to hang.

-You've got more work to do

-at the garden centre now.

-Yes, lots more hanging baskets

-before the end of May.

-Thanks very much for your time.

-This will be its new home,

-and it looks good.

-But as Myfanwy said, I must

-keep it inside for a fortnight...

-..and let it settle properly

-before I bring it back out.

-That's all for this week.

-The outdoor kitchen

-is coming along.

-You might remember our joint plan...

-..to cook outside in the garden.

-Last week, I built the circle

-to support the whole structure.

-I've lost count of how many times

-I've carried rubble to fill this in.

-If you had another wheelbarrow,

-I could have helped.

-Hmm.

-Why not join us again next week

-when I'll be installing the kitchen?

-Until then, enjoy the gardening.

-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.

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