0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:00 > 0:00:03- A warm welcome to Garddio A Mwy.
0:00:03 > 0:00:09- Coming up, how to ensure a healthy - crop of raspberries next year.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14- Meinir discovers remarkable - fossils in Brymbo.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19- Sioned creates an autumnal display.
0:00:19 > 0:00:24- Helen Scutt visits a - pioneering garden near Dolgellau...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26- ..on this week's Garddio A Mwy.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39- Although it isn't October yet...
0:00:39 > 0:00:43- ..I want to plant a pot - to welcome the new season...
0:00:43 > 0:00:45- ..when it comes.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55- I'll discuss the plants - in detail later.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57- This is my pot.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- I like the antiquated look.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05- It was half price - as it had a small crack.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10- It's worth looking out - for these things in garden centres.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14- When stocks run low - there are bargains to be found.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17- It's a big pot.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21- The plants will only be in it - for the season.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24- Then I'll plant them in the garden.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29- It'll be too heavy to move - if it's full of soil.
0:01:29 > 0:01:35- I'll fill this plastic pot - with soil.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37- It'll be easier to remove...
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- ..once they've flowered - and ready to go in the garden.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- I've put a few old pots - in the bottom.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49- This fits perfectly inside.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54- I've put stones in the bottom - to help drainage.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58- Compost next.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- I'm using multipurpose compost.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- The plants won't be in it for long.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10- A little more.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- I don't need a lot of compost.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- I'll fill it halfway up - so I have room for plants.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26- The plants I've chosen - are all different.
0:02:26 > 0:02:32- The Anenome seranade - has lovely smooth leaves.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34- It's a beautiful flower.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40- The Heuchera - has lovely purple leaves.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- These are Cuties Coco.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49- The contrast with the bright pink - heather is lovely this time of year.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- This is a variegated myrtle.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56- It provides more interest.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- I'll start with the Anenome.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- I tap the edges of the pot.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- I've soaked them well.
0:03:08 > 0:03:14- It comes out of the pot easily.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- The roots will spread - faster in the pot.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- I'll give it more room.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- This is in the back.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- The myrtle next.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- This time of year...
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- ..you can fill pots with plants.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- In spring, - they need plenty of room to grow.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41- I'll fill the pot well.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- The Heuchera can go this side.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- I'll make room for it.
0:03:54 > 0:04:00- The leaves appear - over the top of the pot.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- There's a little space - for the heather.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09- That can go there.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14- Now fill the gaps with compost.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- Press down to make sure - they're secure.
0:04:25 > 0:04:26- And that's it.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- I'll put it in place.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50- And that's the final touch - for this lovely corner.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- It'll provide colour - throughout autumn.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- This is the site - of the old Brymbo steelworks.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09- It's been an important - industrial area for 250 years.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14- It enables us to step back over - 300 million years botanically.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25- Brymbo's steel furnaces - shut down in 1990.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27- The 2004 redevelopment...
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- ..unearthed incredible fossils...
0:05:33 > 0:05:38- ..evidence of a 300 million - year old tropical rainforest.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43- Back then, Brymbo, - indeed all of Britain...
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- ..was situated - somewhere near the equator.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- This map shows how our modern world - looked back then.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- There was one massive continent.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- Britain was locked in the middle...
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- ..bordering Norway and only - a short distance from Greenland.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- Here, close to the equator, - the hot and humid climate...
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- ..was perfect - for huge primeval plants.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- Sites with such a variety - of botanical fossils are a rarity.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25- That's why this old steelworks - is important to geologists.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- Raymond Roberts - has worked here non-stop...
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- ..since the 2004 discovery.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- He took me to see fossils...
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- ..of creatures that lived - 300 million years ago.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- Can you see the holes?
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- Something burrowed here.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53- There are little circles everywhere.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55- There are little circles everywhere.- - I see.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- Were they similar to worms?
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- Were they similar to worms?- - Yes, millipedes and centipedes.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03- But no mammals.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- The millipedes - could be six foot long.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- We see footprints in places.
0:07:11 > 0:07:17- There would be huge, - two foot wide dragonflies.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- That's what we're looking for.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- We've found three or four - animal fossils...
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- ..but not large ones yet.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34- One of the biggest fossils uncovered - was a giant trunk and roots.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- It's in the National Museum - in Cardiff.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43- There are many trunk fossils.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- A pattern is visible.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- It's diamond shaped.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- Oh, yes. It continues down.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- We'd get to the roots - if we kept digging.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- The best examples - are now in Cardiff.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12- Raymond and his team continue - to excavate and find more fossils.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- That's what can be seen - in one of the old works' shed.
0:08:17 > 0:08:23- This is an example of a trunk.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- It was similar in size.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- This is the inner cast.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- The inside rotted.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- Sand filled the hole.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- There's a pattern inside the bark.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- We've found numerous - similar examples.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43- These are some of the smallest.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- The ones outside were almost - a metre wide and 40 metres tall.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- These are like Equisetum, - or horsetail.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- They are narrow nowadays.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- They were ten metres tall.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04- Brymbo Heritage Group...
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- ..looks after the fossils...
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- ..and the buildings.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- What is their aim?
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- To develop the site - into a visitor attraction...
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- ..with a cafe - and learning centre.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- We need to build a structure - to protect the site.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- What does it mean to the community?
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- The steelworks employed between - 1,500 and 2,000 people.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- Generation after generation - worked here.
0:09:38 > 0:09:44- Many of the former workers are - involved with the Heritage Group.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- They take pride in the fossils - and the industrial heritage.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- I enjoy gathering fruit - in the garden.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- What I enjoy most of all - is picking the raspberries.
0:10:16 > 0:10:17- Mmm.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18- Lovely.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- These are autumn raspberry bushes.
0:10:22 > 0:10:28- They'll continue to bear fruit - for two or three weeks.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30- Apart from harvesting...
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- ..I won't be touching - these bushes throughout winter.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- In February, - I'll cut them right back.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- Autumn fruiting raspberries - are annual plants.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- They grow, flower and bear fruit - in the same year.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- They can be left alone.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55- Summer raspberry bushes need - our attention this time of year.
0:10:58 > 0:11:04- Summer fruiting raspberries - bear fruit on two-year-old canes.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- These have been busy fruiting - through the season.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12- They're two years old.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- They grew last year, - and bore fruit this year.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- This is part of the same plant.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- We have fresh, new growth.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27- I'll start by getting rid of the old - growth and cutting them right back.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- We'll tie the new one to the wire.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33- They'll bear fruit in summer.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39- Down here, it isn't clear - which is this year's growth...
0:11:39 > 0:11:41- ..and which is two years old.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- If you look a bit closer, - it's obvious.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- The two-year-old - growth has been tied.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- These bore fruit this year - and are ready to come out.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- After removing last year's growth...
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- ..there's a bit more space.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- We can see what grew this year.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- It's time to decide which canes - to leave, to bear fruit.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- There's no room - for them all on the wire.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- You want five or six - growing on a line like this.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- These two are growing - a bit close together.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- Which shall I choose?
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- I'll go for the strongest - and get rid of the weaker one.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41- After removing it, - I'll tie this to the wire.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- It will fruit for us next summer.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- It's important to tie them...
0:12:52 > 0:12:58- ..so they don't get blown down - and damaged in winter.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- Now, I'll do the rest.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- After tying them in place...
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- ..you must decide - what to do with the top parts.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33- Some people bend them like this - and tie them to the top wire.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39- I usually cut them - about six inches above the top wire.
0:13:41 > 0:13:42- Find a tidy leaf...
0:13:44 > 0:13:45- ..a small snip...
0:13:46 > 0:13:47- ..and that's it.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- These are ready for winter.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- I'm sure you agree...
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- ..it looks much tidier now.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09- One more thing to remember is that - raspberries are very hungry plants.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- Give them plenty of fertilizer - and compost, or even potash.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- Then you'll have - healthy, strong plants...
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- ..and plenty of summer raspberries.
0:14:20 > 0:14:20- .
0:14:24 > 0:14:24- Subtitles
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:14:28 > 0:14:33- Today, I've brought you - to Plas Dolmelynllyn in Ganllwyd.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- It's about six miles - north of Dolgellau.
0:14:39 > 0:14:40- It's a hotel now...
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- ..but the building has seen - many changes over the centuries.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50- The original house is quite small, - almost the size of a cottage.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55- William Alexander Madocks, - who built Porthmadog's Cob...
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- ..moved here in 1798.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- He played to those strengths.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06- He turned the place - into a sort of cottage orne...
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- ..which was very trendy at the time.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22- It was the Romantic era.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- Rich people like Madocks...
0:15:25 > 0:15:30- ..liked the idea of going back to - a more simplistic, natural life...
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- ..leaving behind - the formal architecture...
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- ..of the Baroque - and Neoclassical era.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44- This aspect was seen in buildings, - and in gardens too.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53- It's hard to say how exactly - the garden looked in Madocks's day.
0:15:53 > 0:15:59- These levels, steps and fountain - were added in the Victorian age.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- A garden like this - wouldn't have appealed to him.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13- He wanted to echo - the naturalism of the landscape...
0:16:13 > 0:16:19- ..with the forest's wilderness - coming almost to his doorstep.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- Before becoming a respectable MP...
0:16:28 > 0:16:33- ..Madocks was one of the Chaotics, - a fashionable group of Romantics.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39- They loved alcohol as much as - North-West Wales's wild landscape.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- Madocks invited them - to Dolmelynllyn...
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- ..to walk and admire - the landscape's grandeur...
0:16:47 > 0:16:50- ..then return - to the cottage to sing ditties...
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- ..and drink gallons of Madeira.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- This forest doesn't look - like a conventional garden.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02- The fact that Madocks's handiwork - can still be traced today...
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- ..justifies calling it a garden now.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- We're used to gardens - with woodland walks.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14- But Dolmelynllyn was one of the - earliest woodland walks in Britain.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18- It was a totally - pioneering idea in 1798.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32- Many of the paths were created - by the house's owner in the 1860s.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- But many are old paths, - laid by Madocks.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- It feels wild, but Madocks - himself takes us for a walk...
0:17:43 > 0:17:49- ..directing where we go and leading - walkers from place to place.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58- He allows us to enjoy the wild - landscape and the walk...
0:17:58 > 0:18:03- ..without tripping over fallen - trees or getting our feet wet.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13- The main path from the house, - linking to the system...
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- ..dates back to his time.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20- Following the paths, - the walker reaches Rhaeadr Du...
0:18:20 > 0:18:24- ..a view that would - have pleased any Chaotic.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35- Looking at Madocks's later work, - the Cob in Porthmadog...
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- ..and building - the town of Tremadog...
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- ..without a doubt, - this garden in Dolmelynllyn...
0:18:42 > 0:18:44- ..and the changes he made...
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- ..represented a kind of starting - point to his greatest project.
0:18:55 > 0:19:00- This time of year, it's worth - considering taking cuttings.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- You can walk round the garden...
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- ..and see which plants - you'd like more of next year.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- It's an easy process - and you could save a lot of money.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- This is Penstemon Garnet.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- A friend gave me - a cutting a few years ago.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- You can see how much it's grown.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- It's a very popular plant.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26- It's obvious why.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- The vivid pink flower is striking.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- Bees love it.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- I'm going to take cuttings - because I want to see more of it.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43- I'll cut off - some leaves from the side.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- It's just started to rain, - so I'm going to the shed.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01- You can hear the rain on the roof!
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- It's the perfect job - for weather like this.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06- This is compost.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- I've filled two of these pots...
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- ..to make sure I have - the same amount of perlite.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- I'll add two of these to this.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25- Perlite helps with drainage.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31- We'll get healthy roots, - just what we need for cuttings.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- Mix it together.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40- I'll fill a pot - and press it down a bit.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- We're ready for the cuttings.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51- I need one stem. I'll cut that off.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- I want it to be - about twelve centimetres tall.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- I'll cut under a pair of leaves...
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- ..with a sharp knife.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- Take off the bottom leaves.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11- Dip it in rooting powder.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- There's a small triangle on the lid.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- It helps to make a hole in the soil.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- I'll push it in.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- Now, another one.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26- Do the same thing again.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- You want four or five in each pot.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- When you see roots - growing out of the bottom...
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- ..you can transplant them - into individual pots.
0:21:37 > 0:21:43- You can do this with some perennial - plants this time of the year.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49- It's worth looking around to see - what you have in the garden.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54- I'm quite new to taking cuttings, - but I enjoy learning.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59- I've taken cuttings of lupins and - pinks, which are in the greenhouse.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- I'll water them.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- Give them plenty of water.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- Now, the plastic bag goes on top.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- I have an elastic band - to put round the bottom.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- It helps retain moisture.
0:22:27 > 0:22:32- It's ready to join - the others in the greenhouse.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- That's it for this week.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50- When you join us next week...
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- ..I hope the weather is better.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- Until then, enjoy the gardening.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:17 > 0:23:18- .