0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Welcome to Pont y Twr's garden.
0:00:02 > 0:00:06- It's good to see - the honeysuckle getting stronger...
0:00:07 > 0:00:09- ..as the season progresses.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12- Climbers have grown - a lot in the past fortnight.
0:00:14 > 0:00:19- I'm glad I had a chance to feed - the soil with chicken manure...
0:00:19 > 0:00:22- ..ready for the growing season.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25- Also this week...
0:00:25 > 0:00:30- ..Twm Elias tells us about the - importance of woodland mosses.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34- And Meinir Gwilym gets - her feet wet in the River Usk.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36- Good luck!
0:00:49 > 0:00:51- It's mid May.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56- It's not too late to do something - about patches in the lawn.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02- The children go back and forth - all the time to the trampoline...
0:01:03 > 0:01:04- ..causing this.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07- There are two ways to tackle it.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10- We could buy turf or reseed.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13- I'm going to reseed.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- I've raked this four or five times.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26- I picked up large stones.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29- Don't worry about pebbles.
0:01:30 > 0:01:35- The idea is to lighten the soil - and make a nice bed for seeds.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- You can sow straight onto the soil.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46- I'm going one step further.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51- I'm adding compost - made especially for seeds.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59- I'll rake it once more.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- Then press the soil down - by walking on it.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08- It creates a bed for the seeds.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- We're ready to start sowing.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- I've chosen fast-growing seeds.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- I want this area covered - as soon as possible.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- When sowing grass seeds, - density is important.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- I'll cover the seeds - with a very thin layer of soil.
0:02:32 > 0:02:37- Then I'll put mesh over it to - protect the seeds from the children.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- Malan... oh!
0:03:14 > 0:03:15- LAUGHTER
0:03:16 > 0:03:18- A lot of things worry me.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20- But moss isn't one of them.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- Mind you, for many people, - it's an enemy.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- In Japan, they produce moss...
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- ..to create moss lawns.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33- Twm Elias would be - in his element there.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- Early spring is - a marvellous time of year.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- Leaves haven't started - to grow on trees...
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- ..so a lot of light - reaches the forest floor.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49- Flowers make the most of that.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54- Lichens and mosses are - at their best and easy to see.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59- They tend to be overlooked, - but they're very interesting.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- This is Coed Felenrhyd...
0:04:12 > 0:04:17- ..although Coed Cadw have - incorrectly named it Felinrhyd.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23- But in any case, it's - a marvellously damp, enclosed gorge.
0:04:23 > 0:04:28- This helps all kinds of things, - like moss and lichen.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- The trees almost meet above us.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33- It's dark and damp.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39- The river splashes over rocks, - so moisture is in the air.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44- Humidity is - about 90% to 100% all the time.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50- It's a perfect habitat - for mosses and lichens.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- Mosses are very varied.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- Here are a few favourites, - especially this one.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- It's star moss.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09- The star-shaped tips - are like stars shining at night.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12- This is very interesting.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- It's pipecleaner moss.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- It's like the coated wires - used to clean smoking pipes.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29- Maybe we don't see much purpose - or appreciate mosses and lichens.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35- But they created - the habitat we enjoy today.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42- At the end of the Ice Age, there was - nothing here but rocks and gravel.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47- There was no organic matter - where things could grow.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49- First to arrive were lichens.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52- They covered the rocks.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57- That rotted, creating a small - amount of primitive soil...
0:05:57 > 0:05:59- ..where mosses could grow.
0:06:00 > 0:06:06- As a result, more humus - and peat were created.
0:06:06 > 0:06:12- Then primitive plants grew, followed - by more developed ones, then trees.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- So it's an important - part of the succession.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- There are about 600 or 700 - types of mosses in Wales.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- Some are very rare, - others very common.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- But each one is perfectly adapted - to its own microenvironment.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- Some have even created - a new environment...
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- ..where other things follow.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- Here are two more mosses.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47- This is feather moss.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- Its Latin name - is Thuidium tamariscinum...
0:06:51 > 0:06:56- ..because it looks - like tamarisk leaves.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- There's "migwyn", bog moss, - here too.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06- Interestingly, it's one - of the few mosses with a name.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- That's because it was useful.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- I'll take my glove off.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- It absorbs water very well.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18- If I squeeze some of it...
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- ..water drips out.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- At times, for example - in World War 1...
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- ..it was picked on the Migneint.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- It was named after - the "migwyn" that grew there.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37- The moss was dried, baled - and sent to the trenches.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41- When it became impossible - to import cotton from the USA...
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- ..to make dressings for wounds...
0:07:44 > 0:07:49- ..this absorbed blood - and all kinds of bodily fluids...
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- ..from soldiers' wounds.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- This made a marvellous dressing.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07- Mosses haven't received - a lot of attention from botanists.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- But you don't have - to know a lot about them.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- Look at the patterns - and different colours...
0:08:15 > 0:08:21- ..the variety and the remarkably - beautiful patterns they create...
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- ..wherever you go.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- We call this the pampas area.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- It has taught me - a lot about gardening.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42- Believe it or not, it's at its best - in September and early October.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47- The Rudbeckia, Heleniums, - Echinacea and Achilleas...
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- ..form a sea of colour.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- Then birds and insects - can eat the seeds.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- Moths come here at night.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- It looks superb in the morning dew.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11- One tricky aspect - of designing a garden like this...
0:09:12 > 0:09:14- ..is that we walk round it.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19- You need smaller plants round the - edge and tall ones in the middle.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22- But we also want - to see between them...
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- ..just as they'd grow naturally - on the American pampas.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31- There, buffaloes - would eat the grass...
0:09:32 > 0:09:37- ..or natural fires would burn it - before new growth appeared.
0:09:37 > 0:09:42- We've used burnt sticks - to create a pampas atmosphere.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- I don't have buffaloes...
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- ..and I'm not confident - enough to burn this.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- So I'll use these to prune them.
0:10:04 > 0:10:10- It's very important to wear - gloves when you prune pampas grass.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- The edges are very sharp.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- They could rip your hands terribly.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- So you must wear gloves.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- I've seen people cutting these - with a chainsaw. It's quite a job.
0:10:26 > 0:10:27- They can grow huge.
0:10:27 > 0:10:28- .
0:10:39 > 0:10:39- Subtitles
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- We're not too fussy - in Pont y Twr's garden.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- It isn't perfectly - pruned and weeded.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54- It certainly wouldn't win - any of the prizes at Chelsea.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- But that's what - Sioned and I like about it.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- We let some corners grow wild.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- But I would like a bit more colour.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- So I'm going to sow - some wildflowers seeds.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- If you're keen to plant - wildflowers in your garden...
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- ..success depends on preparation.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26- As you see, - I've weeded and tilled the soil.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27- Before sowing...
0:11:28 > 0:11:30- ..I have one more small job.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- I don't have a garden roller.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- I'm going to use boards - to press the soil down.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43- You have to press it down...
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- ..especially after tilling - the soil, before sowing seeds.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- Put the board down...
0:11:51 > 0:11:52- ..and stamp on it.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05- It's hard work!
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- Maybe you could get - the children to do it.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17- We've finished the hard work.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- Let's turn our attention - to the seeds.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- I have two mixtures here.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- These are annual wildflowers.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- They grow, bloom - and seed in the same year.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40- They grow quickly and give us - a lot of colour in the first year.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43- They will look marvellous.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48- Here, I have a mixture of grass - seeds and perennial flowers.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55- I'll sow them this year, but - they won't bloom until next year.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57- I'll let them grow all summer.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02- In autumn, I'll cut and clear them, - then leave them over winter.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- These seeds will create a more - traditional wildflower meadow.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09- Here's a tip.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Mix your seeds with a little sand.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- It makes sowing easier.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20- There's dry sand in this box. - It's clean and has no salt in it.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24- I'll put everything...
0:13:27 > 0:13:28- ..in the bucket...
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- ..and mix it all together.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- After all the preparation...
0:13:41 > 0:13:43- ..we're finally ready to start.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52- Using sand is a help - when you scatter seeds.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- You don't need too many seeds.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- You can see where you've sown.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05- Directions about how much - to sow are on the packet.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- It's important to follow them.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- Don't worry about - trampling the seeds.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- It helps them.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21- I'll keep that job for the children - when they come back from school.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26- That's it.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30- Now, all the seeds need - is plenty of water...
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- ..just like - the creatures Meinir found.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- The Atlantic stream crayfish...
0:14:42 > 0:14:44- ..is one of our rarest species.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- It's Britain's only - native freshwater crayfish.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54- The small creatures have had a tough - time since the early 1980s...
0:14:55 > 0:15:00- ..when the signal crayfish arrived - in Britain from North America.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05- They're more aggressive - and tougher than our crayfish.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09- They also carry a disease - that killed whole communities...
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- ..of Atlantic stream crayfish.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16- But that's not all - they had to contend with.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- This is the River Ennig - in Talgarth, near Brecon.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- In 2012, there was a serious - case of pollution here.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- Agricultural pesticide - was spilled in the river.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31- All the crayfish along two - kilometres of the river died.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- What could be done after - such a catastrophic incident?
0:15:36 > 0:15:41- As it happens, the answer was - found about twelve miles from here.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45- At Cynrig, outside Brecon...
0:15:45 > 0:15:49- ..there's a Natural Resources - Wales fish hatchery.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54- Since 2009, a conservation strategy - is underway to rear crayfish...
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- ..and release them - in certain South Wales rivers.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- Oliver Brown is - a Fish Culture Officer in Cynrig.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- He leads this vital project.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13- I asked him how many Atlantic - stream crayfish from the unit...
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- ..have been released.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20- Since we started, - we've come to about 4,000.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- We're rearing on average now...
0:16:23 > 0:16:25- ..pushing 1,500 annually.
0:16:26 > 0:16:27- How much trouble are they in?
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- How much trouble are they in?- - Serious trouble.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34- You're looking at potential total - eradication of native crayfish...
0:16:34 > 0:16:40- ..from mainland UK within the next - 20-30 years, unless we can step in.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44- In this project, how are - the ones you've released settling?
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- The first time we went back - and looked this year...
0:16:48 > 0:16:52- ..we found crayfish 15 months - and 24 months post release.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56- Fingers crossed, - it's looking quite encouraging.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01- As well as the Cynrig - hatchery's commendable work...
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- ..it's vital to ensure...
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- ..that the environment - where the crayfish are released...
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- ..is ready for them.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15- Hywel Griffiths is Senior - Lecturer in Physical Geography...
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- ..at Aberystwyth University.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22- He understands the close - relationship between our rivers...
0:17:22 > 0:17:24- ..and their inhabitants.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29- We know about pesticides - killing creatures in rivers.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- That's a direct result - of man's actions.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- What else affects rivers?
0:17:35 > 0:17:41- Some of the main things affecting - crayfish and wildlife in rivers...
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- ..are materials carried in them.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- Sediment, gravel, sand, clay, - dead trees that fall in rivers...
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- ..are all carried in rivers.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- They create a varied - environment for wildlife.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00- Unfortunately, in the second - half of the 20th century...
0:18:00 > 0:18:02- ..in Wales's rivers...
0:18:02 > 0:18:07- ..in an attempt to prevent flooding, - people cleared this detritus...
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- ..to help water flow.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- It created an uniform riverbed...
0:18:12 > 0:18:16- ..rather than the varied riverbed - that wildlife likes.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21- In the River Usk, Oliver - and I are releasing crayfish...
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- ..that are ready for a new home.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- The big moment has arrived.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- These little crayfish - are going into the river.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33- Is here OK?
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- Is here OK?- - Yes, fine.
0:18:38 > 0:18:39- Good luck.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50- Well, that's it.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- The tiny, one-year-old crayfish...
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- ..have all been - released in the river.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- It will take a few years to see - if this plan has succeeded.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- But with luck, - they'll thrive in this river.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15- As well as lawn repairs, another job - you could do this time of year...
0:19:15 > 0:19:20- ..is planting a tree - before the soil dries too much.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- We've chosen this hawthorn, - Paul's Scarlet.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28- It's a garden version - of the native tree.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- We also thought - it would suit this area...
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- ..with a country hedge backdrop.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40- It has lovely, pink flowers - in late spring and early summer.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45- People often choose - cherry blossom trees for gardens.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- But this tree's flowers - last much longer.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- Let's plant.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02- It's very important to till - the soil well before making a hole.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08- That looks nice and light now.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- I'll add some compost...
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- ..and dig it in.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25- Now, bonemeal, which helps - the roots to establish well.
0:20:29 > 0:20:30- I'll mix it in.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- Now, I'll make the hole.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- The hole should be...
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- ..about twice - the diameter of the pot.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53- That's it.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- I picked this one - in the garden centre.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02- You could buy them in winter - with bare, loose roots.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- They're a little cheaper.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- In garden centres, - they're in pots like this.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- You can plant these - any time of the year.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- If you plant them in summer, - they need lots of water.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- Now is the time to plant them.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- As you see, the soil - is very loose in this pot.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- The tree hasn't been in it for long.
0:21:33 > 0:21:34- That's it.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- Make sure there's plenty - of room for the roots to spread.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- I'm going to put a stake in.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- I'm doing it now - because I can see the roots.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56- I can make sure - it won't harm the tree.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Put it in and hold - them close together.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03- Then put the soil in.
0:22:10 > 0:22:11- Keep going.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- I'd better take my glove - off to do this.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- It's important - to attach this properly...
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- ..so the tree isn't blown over.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46- In order to retain the moisture - and stop weeds growing...
0:22:46 > 0:22:51- ..I'll put cardboard round it, - then lots of bark chip.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17- That's it for now.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- If you have half an hour - in the garden this week...
0:23:21 > 0:23:23- ..weed between plants.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26- In midsummer, - you'll be glad you did.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- I'm sure your daffodils - look a bit ugly now.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31- But don't be tempted to cut them.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- Let the nutrients get to the bulbs - for a much better show next year.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- Until the next time, - enjoy the gardening!
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:57 > 0:23:57- .