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0:00:01 > 0:00:03- Welcome back to Pont y Twr.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05- I'm getting rid of this ragwort...
0:00:05 > 0:00:09- ..because when I cut the grass - in the orchard to make hay...
0:00:09 > 0:00:12- ..I want it to be free - from poisonous weeds.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- It's one of those countless jobs - that come up at this time of year.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20- While I'm busy doing them...
0:00:21 > 0:00:24- ..Sioned rejuvenates - a garden in Caernarfon.
0:00:24 > 0:00:29- Meinir joins designer Helen Scutt - in a striking garden near Harlech.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35- And plants with unlikely virtues - in Eirlys Rhiannon's garden.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38- All this and more on Garddio A Mwy.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53- I don't know about you, - but I find this time of year...
0:00:53 > 0:00:57- ..after the remarkable growth - of the last few weeks...
0:00:57 > 0:01:02- ..that list of five-minute jobs...
0:01:02 > 0:01:04- ..increases at a rate of knots.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10- But if you feel as if you're losing - control of the garden, fear not.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14- The secret, for any good gardener, - is little and often.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- Take this apple tree, for example.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- It has been growing full pelt - over this past month.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30- It needs a bit of attention...
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- ..to ensure - good-quality fruit this year...
0:01:33 > 0:01:36- ..and a good shape - for the tree next year.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- A lot of the new growth - has taken place here...
0:01:49 > 0:01:52- ..at the top of the tree, - where I can't reach the apples...
0:01:53 > 0:01:57- ..and where it hides the sunlight - from the heart of the tree.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59- To ensure healthy fruit...
0:01:59 > 0:02:01- ..you need good air circulation...
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- ..and plenty of light - reaching the fruit as well.
0:02:05 > 0:02:11- I'm going to prune a lot - of this young, new, vertical growth.
0:02:11 > 0:02:12- It isn't needed.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14- Growth like this...
0:02:15 > 0:02:17- ..is going to go.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24- I pruned this tree back - fairly hard...
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- ..when we moved here - four or five years ago.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- Since then, - the tree has responded well.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33- Too well, almost.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36- If I continue - to prune it in winter...
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- ..when most people - prune their fruit trees...
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- ..it will continue with this - fresh new growth year on year.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- But I don't want that, - which is why I'm pruning in summer.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53- This ensures that all the energy...
0:02:53 > 0:02:56- ..goes into those branches - that produce fruit...
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- ..and to the correct part - of the tree.
0:03:13 > 0:03:19- Strawberries are among - the greediest plants in the garden.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- They sap nutrients - from the soil...
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- ..and to get over that problem, - they tend to go walkabout.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31- Plants clearly can't walk, - but they throw out these runners.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36- As these runners grow, - and look for fresh new soil...
0:03:38 > 0:03:40- ..they start to form roots.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- This is a natural process, - but we can help...
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- ..by making sure that they take root - where we want them to.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- To make things easier - for myself next year...
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- ..I'll anchor it into this pot.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57- It's a simple process.
0:04:06 > 0:04:12- I sink this pot into the soil.
0:04:13 > 0:04:19- Terracotta pots are better - because they conduct the moisture.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- The runner sits on top of the pot, - like so.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- I'll just insert a tent peg...
0:04:29 > 0:04:31- ..to hold it in place...
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- ..over the coming weeks.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37- Once it has taken root...
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- ..I'll cut the runner - closer to where it has come from...
0:04:43 > 0:04:45- ..and I'll have a new plant...
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- ..ready to plant out next year.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55- Even though they're so nice, - all the soft fruit I have here...
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- ..are fairly run of the mill.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- But that isn't true of Eirlys - Rhiannon's garden in Cardiff.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- She practises permaculture.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- This is a collection - of ground plants.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- I've chosen them in order to reflect - the principles of permaculture.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- I want to fill this spot - with ground-covering plants...
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- ..so that, in the long term, - there won't be any visible soil.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- Secondly, all of the plants - produce a crop of some sort.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- That's another pillar - of permaculture.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40- That every plant produces something.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- They must suit where they are grown.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- Every element has more than one use.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49- These are ideal examples.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- The first one I'm planting...
0:05:53 > 0:05:55- ..is sweet cicely.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- I chose this one - because the leaves...
0:06:00 > 0:06:04- ..taste of anise, like liquorice.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- If you add the leaves to rhubarb...
0:06:07 > 0:06:12- ..you only have to use - half the amount of sugar.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- Another good thing about it...
0:06:15 > 0:06:20- ..is that pollinating insects are - very fond of its flowers in spring.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- I chose the Hosta...
0:06:24 > 0:06:29- ..because it produces - a small crop in the spring.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34- You harvest the new shoots, - which aren't unlike asparagus.
0:06:36 > 0:06:37- There we are.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- Hostas are renowned...
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- ..as a favourite - for slugs and snails.
0:06:46 > 0:06:52- That's why I'm planting my Hosta - right by the back door.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56- I can come out every night...
0:06:56 > 0:07:02- ..and make sure that I remove any - from these lovely leaves.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08- The next plant - is this Japanese celery.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- I've never had much success - growing parsley...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- ..so, instead, - I'm trying this plant.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- It's a perennial plant.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- That means I only have - to do the planting once...
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- ..but I'll get a crop - over and over again.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- That's another principle - of permaculture.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- The least work - for the greatest effect.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43- This is known as Japanese ginger.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- It's hardy, - and should survive any cold winter.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- Here it comes now.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- Oh! That looks so interesting.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- What we have here - is a rhizome root system.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- It was hard to get out - because it filled the entire pot.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- It's so dense that I'll have - to loosen some of the roots...
0:08:08 > 0:08:13- ..to ensure that the plant - starts to grow out of this clump.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- I'm sure now that this will grow - across the soil as I want it to.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- Right, that's it.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- I've done the work this year.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- Now, I'll have crops - for years to come.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- Town centre gardens - don't mean the same to everyone.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- There are no lawns and borders.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- Just a few pots, perhaps, or a chair - to sit on by the front door.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01- Or a backyard, - which is where I'm headed today.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- The Georgian houses - near the harbour in Caernarfon...
0:09:07 > 0:09:12- ..are an important part of the - town's architectural character.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- They may be attractive and large, - but the gardens are quite small.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- My challenge today is to make - the most of those limitations.
0:09:22 > 0:09:23- It's pretty, Nia.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27- You've got a lot of plants and pots.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- What do you feel it needs?
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- It's a nice place, - especially in summer.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35- It's a sheltered spot.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- People who visit say - I should do something with it.
0:09:40 > 0:09:46- When it comes to gardening, - I have no imagination.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- I just need someone - to set me on the right path...
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- ..then I can follow on from that.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- I did plant rosemary - behind this monstrosity here.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- That's the only gardening I do.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- Pruning that blinking thing - every fortnight.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04- I don't know what it is.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- A bit of rain and it explodes.
0:10:06 > 0:10:07- Do you want to keep it?
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- Do you want to keep it?- - That big thing? No, not at all.
0:10:10 > 0:10:11- That can go.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- Maybe you can save the rosemary...
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- ..unless it's given up - on trying to live with that.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- You need - as much light as possible...
0:10:20 > 0:10:25- ..in any small space that doesn't - see any sun for much of the day.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- So, this ivy has to go.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- Next, a coat of white paint...
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- ..and hiding the bare concrete - around the borders.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39- I can see a difference already.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40- Do you like it?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- Yes, it's so much lighter.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45- It's made a big difference.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- I'm glad you came out.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- Will you help me put this in place?
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- It's amazing what you can do - with an old pallet.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- All I've done - is paint it and install shelves.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06- They're perfect to hold herbs - that can be used in the kitchen.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- I thought that an olive tree - would look nice there.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17- It's lovely.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- It's fairly simple to care for.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22- It just needs plenty of water.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- Don't let the soil dry out.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26- Lots of water.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- I know they usually grow - in a warm climate...
0:11:30 > 0:11:32- ..but don't let the soil dry out.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40- After the break, more plants - will join the olive tree...
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- ..to complete the transformation - of Nia's garden.
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0:11:50 > 0:11:50- Subtitles
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:55 > 0:12:00- I've begun to transform Nia Davies - Williams' garden in Caernarfon...
0:12:00 > 0:12:04- ..by clearing, painting, - installing a new timber border...
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- ..and two wall trellises.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08- Now for the planting.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- I'll start at this end - with this Achillea.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- I really like - this lemony yellow colour.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24- What's nice about it, if you like - having flowers in the house...
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- ..you can cut them and dry them - and the flowers will stay yellow...
0:12:29 > 0:12:30- ..which is nice.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- This will die down - and grow back again next year.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- Next, the catmint, - which is a lovely colour.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- As these flowers die, - they'll turn brown.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- The leaves will also turn brown.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- You cut this back...
0:12:47 > 0:12:52- ..but you might see a second flush - of flowers this year.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- As you see the plant - getting increasingly bigger...
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- ..you can literally - divide it in two with a spade.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07- Give it to someone as a gift - or fill more pots in your garden.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- Then there's the Clematis as well.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- This is dying off now...
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- ..but you can see the shape - and colour of the flower.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23- I like the combination of yellow - and purple against the white wall.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25- Yes, it's nice and fresh.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- And that's tied in place.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- It looks nice, doesn't it?
0:13:53 > 0:13:54- It looks nice, doesn't it?- - Yes, fantastic.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- I can't believe - who much you've done.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- Your job now is to water them.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02- Lots of watering.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- They're new plants - and it has been so warm...
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- ..so, they'll be really thirsty.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- I'll let you get on with it.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- Thank you very much.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- I'm very happy - with the transformation.
0:14:24 > 0:14:25- It looks fresh and modern...
0:14:26 > 0:14:28- ..and has been given - a new lease of life.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33- I hope I've given you some ideas - if you have a similar space.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38- For more details about the design - or the plants I used...
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- ..visit our website.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55- I'm still doing those little jobs - that must be done in the garden.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- Pottering, you could say.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- One of the tricks with gardening...
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- ..is ensuring a continuous supply - of produce through the season.
0:15:08 > 0:15:14- With fast-growing crops like lettuce - and some herbs like basil...
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- ..you need to sow seeds - every two weeks or so.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24- I'll cover this in cling film - just to retain that moisture.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- I'll keep this - in the greenhouse at night.
0:15:29 > 0:15:34- ..but it can go out - with the ones I sowed two weeks ago.
0:15:50 > 0:15:56- It's the end of the season - for beans here at Pont y Twr.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- These were planted last autumn.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- They've given me a good crop.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- I haven't picked them - as often as I should have.
0:16:06 > 0:16:12- If you pick them regularly, - they'll produce more and more beans.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- But if you don't, - the plants start to wither...
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- ..and the leaves turn yellow.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- I won't get much more - out of these now.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- I've got plenty of plants - waiting to take up this space...
0:16:25 > 0:16:28- ..in the sunshine, on centre stage.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- I'll create a space today...
0:16:31 > 0:16:37- ..and move the brassicas - from the preparatory beds next week.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- They'll grow here - for the rest of the season.
0:16:47 > 0:16:52- Now, the reason I'm cutting these - rather than uprooting them...
0:16:52 > 0:16:58- ..is that beans - are leguminous plants.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- That means that they draw nitrogen - out of the air around us...
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- ..and feed it into the soil.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09- Not many plants can do that, - so it's a very special trick.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- I'll show you what I mean.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- These little white nodules - we see on the roots...
0:17:20 > 0:17:24- ..draw the nitrogen out of the air - and feed it into the soil.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- Those nodules - contain special bacteria.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29- If I leave them in the soil...
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- ..the nitrogen and bacteria - will work a bit longer...
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- ..which will benefit the brassicas.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- I'm now ready - to plant the brassicas next week.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- Tips From The Nursery
0:18:01 > 0:18:05- This is Trinidad Scorpion, - one of the world's hottest chillies.
0:18:05 > 0:18:06- These are the buds.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- These are extremely hot, - 2 million Scovilles.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16- Grow it in the greenhouse - in well-drained soil.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- Don't let it stand in water.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- Feed it fertilizer once a week.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- One containing potash, - to encourage flowers.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- Over the summer, - hundreds of gardens across Wales...
0:18:33 > 0:18:36- ..will open their doors, - or rather their gates...
0:18:37 > 0:18:38- ..for public open days.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- It's always a pleasure - to walk around a pretty garden.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45- But they're also great places...
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- ..to find inspiration - for your own garden.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54- Today, I'm at Llyn Rhaeadr garden - in Harlech...
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- ..which is on a slope, - and on a rock face in places.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- It's full of variety, - with wooded wild corners...
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- ..more formal beds, a waterfall...
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- ..and a pond - that lots of birds call home.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- Garden designer - Helen Scutt joins me...
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- ..to explain - some of the design ideas.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- Helen, what's your first impression - of this garden?
0:19:19 > 0:19:24- Everything I'd expect to see - near water, and on a slope, is here.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- Pieris, Camellias, - Acers, Rhododendrons.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34- But there are enough wild plants - that it all looks natural.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- If you went to the Himalayas - to see Rhododendrons in the wild...
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- ..they'd look like this, - with other wild flowers mixed in.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47- I like how they've let things seed, - like foxgloves and Erigeron.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- It isn't just wild flowers.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55- There are other flowers as well, - like geraniums and Erigeron.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01- The Erigeron is a very useful plant, - Erigeron karvinskianus.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- What makes it a useful plant?
0:20:04 > 0:20:06- It'll grow anywhere.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- If you plant it in one place, - it'll seed itself everywhere.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- It'll also flower - from the middle of May...
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- ..through until the frosts come, - in November.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20- What about the geraniums?
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- They're useful as well, - because they spread in the same way.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- Plants like that are handy.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- If there's space, - they'll seed and grow there...
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- ..which then means - that weeds won't grow there.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- Plants grow where they want to grow - rather than where you plant them.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- I think you have to let them do so.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- We're almost - at the top of the garden.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- This rock facing us is lovely.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- That's as pretty - as anything else in the garden.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02- And the bench.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- I've never seen one like that.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- Nor me.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12- Gosh, that's a real case - of using what you have to hand.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15- Is that an idea you could use?
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- Maybe, if there were spare stones...
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- ..but there aren't many - in the Tywi valley!
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- This garden is all about water.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34- Yes, and even though - that isn't natural...
0:21:34 > 0:21:35- ..it looks fantastic.
0:21:45 > 0:21:46- Isn't this nice?
0:21:48 > 0:21:49- Lovely.
0:21:49 > 0:21:50- Lovely.- - Aren't we lucky?
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- What will you take home with you - from this garden?
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- The fact that nature - can work so well...
0:21:57 > 0:22:02- ..with plants that you buy - from a garden centre.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04- And how nice water is.
0:22:05 > 0:22:06- You forget, don't you?
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- I also noticed - all the different Rhododendrons.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- They're something I always think - about not planting, but some are OK.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- I'm forever planting Rhododendrons.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- You just need to choose - the right ones for your garden.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- Rhododendron Ponticum - has had a lot of bad press...
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- ..because it has taken over - large swathes of Wales.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- But Rhododendron Yakushimanum - stays small...
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- ..and there are evergreen Azaleas.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41- Even large Rhododendrons can be OK, - but not too big for a small garden.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- You have to do the research - before buying a Rhododendron.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- With a view like this, - do you know what we need?
0:22:50 > 0:22:51- A cuppa.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- A cuppa.- - A cuppa would be lovely now.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09- Helen had some fine ideas there.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- We'll have to invite her - to Pont y Twr sometime.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14- That's it for another week.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- I hope you can join us - again next week.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20- Until then, enjoy the gardening.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:45 > 0:23:45- .