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0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Welcome to the Pont y Twr garden.
0:00:03 > 0:00:07- The sun is out and it's nice - to see hanging baskets everywhere.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09- I'll show you how to make one.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- The end of May is fast approaching.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- The threat of frost - has almost certainly passed.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22- I can discard the cloche cover - that protected my potatoes.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25- Remember to keep - earthing up your potatoes.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28- They'll be ready to eat late June.
0:00:30 > 0:00:35- Also this week, Meinir Gwilym - on the trail of aquatic newts.
0:00:36 > 0:00:41- Awen Jones has advice on plants - that attract wildlife.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05- At this time of the year, - especially sunny days like today...
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- ..garden plants wake up - and start to grow.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12- Water them well...
0:01:13 > 0:01:17- ..especially flowers - in pots or troughs.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20- They grow in a few inches of soil.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24- They could suffer from - what's known as water stress.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29- As you can see...
0:01:29 > 0:01:34- ..lack of water has a negative - effect on plant physiology...
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- ..especially - its ability to photosynthesize.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39- In spring....
0:01:39 > 0:01:43- ..plants wake up and begin - the transpiration process.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49- Water comes via the roots, up the - plant, and out through the leaves.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51- Without enough water...
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- ..scorched leaves - fall off the branch.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- The branches eventually die.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03- It doesn't look good for this Buxus.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08- Sioned will show you healthier ones - later in the programme.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- This time of the year...
0:02:10 > 0:02:13- ..I also suffer from water stress...
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- ..running round the garden, - watering daily.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- To avoid this happening again...
0:02:20 > 0:02:25- ..I've placed water containers - all over the garden...
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- ..ready for the hot summer ahead.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- According to the Met Office...
0:02:33 > 0:02:37- ..we had average rainfall in April.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40- It was 20% higher in Denbighshire.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- There shouldn't be any water stress - in the Pont y Twr garden.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- After all that rain...
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- ..these water containers - should be overflowing.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- That's good, - especially if it's a hot summer.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00- They'll soon empty.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03- Put them wherever you can - in your garden.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- If you have a shed or greenhouse...
0:03:07 > 0:03:13- ..put up some guttering - to collect rainfall.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17- There are many reasons - for using rainfall...
0:03:18 > 0:03:19- ..and not tap water.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22- It's better for your plants.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- There are chemicals like - fluoride and lime in tap water.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- But the main thing is, it's free.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32- On the subject of water...
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- ..the creature Meinir - has been looking for...
0:03:36 > 0:03:38- ..is in its element in water.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50- I'd normally go out to look - at wildlife during the day.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52- But not this time.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57- I'm on the trail of a creature - that likes darkness and dampness.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- I've come armed with a torch.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- This is Loggerheads Country Park, - near Mold.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- Helen Mrowiec from - Denbighshire Countryside Service...
0:04:12 > 0:04:17- ..is introducing me to the secret - world of the aquatic newt.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- The rare species is under threat.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- There is a significant number - here...
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- ..in North-East Wales.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33- Yes, it's a stronghold - for aquatic newts.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39- The great crested newt - can be found all over Wales...
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- ..except for Ceredigion and Powys.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- They are in greater numbers - in North East Wales.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- This is one of their main areas.
0:04:52 > 0:04:52- You're lucky.
0:04:52 > 0:04:53- You're lucky.- - Yes!
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- It has an orange belly.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- With black spots.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07- The male has a high spiked crest - along its back...
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- ..and a flash of silvery blue - on its tail.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- Those are the characteristics - we're looking for.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- The great crested newt - is the largest.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- At 15cm long, it's quite big.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- It's bigger than the other newts.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- Rhun Jones is a Denbighshire - Countryside Service warden.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39- Part of his work involves - counting the newts at night.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- Hello, Rhun!
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- Hiya. How are you?
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- You're looking for newts.
0:05:46 > 0:05:47- Yes.
0:05:48 > 0:05:49- I've come to see what's here.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- I've come to see what's here.- - What's the best way of seeing them?
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- We usually use torches.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02- We walk slowly - along the side of the pool...
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- ..and see what we can count.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- There's one there.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- That's a female palmate newt.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13- OK.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- There's another one.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- There's another one.- - Why do you like newts so much?
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- It's nice to come out - on an evening like this.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28- They are rare now - in Britain and across Europe.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33- It's important to know - they're still here...
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- ..in this area...
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- ..Flintshire, - Denbighshire and even Cheshire.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- There are clusters of these pools.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- It's perfect for their needs.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- What are their needs?
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- What they really need...
0:06:53 > 0:06:57- ..is this sort of habitat.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- It's sheltered and hidden.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02- They feed here.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- They don't live in the pool - through the year.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- They come here in March or April...
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- ..through to August or September.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- They spend a lot of time on land.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19- There's a lot of gorse, - grass and bracken here.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- Everything they need is here.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- The great crested newt...
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- ..is rather special.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- The male has a unique dance.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32- Yes.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- In nature, - a lot of animals do this.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41- It's a display to woo the female.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- It's a bit like Mold - on Friday night!
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- They lay eggs in the pool.
0:07:51 > 0:07:52- Yes.
0:07:52 > 0:07:53- Where? On leaves?
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- Where? On leaves?- - Yes.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- There are plenty of leaves here.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01- They lay eggs under leaves.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07- These young ones hatched last year.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- It's a good sign - that they're safe here.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18- Areas have been - created especially for them.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- Their numbers are increasing, - and that's a good thing.
0:08:22 > 0:08:23- That's a positive.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- That's a positive.- - Yes.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- It's a local success story...
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- ..that their numbers are safe.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- When the sun is shining, - we think of sitting in the garden.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- I'm making a hanging basket...
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- ..to brighten up - a rather dull corner.
0:08:50 > 0:08:55- You can buy a hanging basket kit - in a garden centre.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- But why not recycle - a household item?
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- An old sieve or water can will do.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- Cages are very popular - at the moment.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- People put candles in them - at weddings...
0:09:09 > 0:09:11- ..or surround them with flowers.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- They're great for a hanging basket.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- I'll start by lining it with moss.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- You could always buy a coco mat.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- Moss is cheap and - in plentiful supply in our gardens.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- It's better at retaining water.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- I'll bring it up the sides.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- Now add compost.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- When it comes to plants...
0:09:44 > 0:09:45- ..for the centre...
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- ..choose a tall one for height, - add a trailing plant...
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- ..and flowers to fill it.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58- I'm starting with Diascia - Little Tango for the middle.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- It'll fill with lovely orange - flowers.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- It flowers throughout the season.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08- There's a door on the cage.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- The Nepeta can go in.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22- It's two-tone for added interest.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- This Lobelia is wonderful.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- It has small blue flowers - and a white centre.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32- It'll flower and flower - and trail down.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- This can go in the side, too.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- I'll make sure they're secure.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- Now more moss.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- That should keep it in place.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- These flowers are like petunia.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- The petals are velvety - and fantastic.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- I'll put this in carefully.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- I'll weave it...
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- ..around the sides.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12- When it grows and fills out...
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- ..it'll cover - the outside of the cage.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- Now, the Senecio.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- It will trail down the side too.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- I'll put one in the back.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- I'll add more soil - to hold it all together.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- I'll finish with more moss.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58- You could add hydrated - crystals at this stage.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- They help retain water.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- They need to be watered very often.
0:12:08 > 0:12:09- That's it.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- It might not look much now.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17- But by midsummer, I hope - the plants will fill the basket.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19- It's ready to hang.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30- Having more than one is nice - and adds to the impact.
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0:12:36 > 0:12:36- Subtitles
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- This week, I had time to plant - tomatoes in the greenhouse.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- In midsummer, - they'll need a lot of food...
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- ..so that they bloom - and bear fruit successfully.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- They need potassium.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- You can buy chemicals - in garden centres.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02- But you can make something similar - from plants in your garden.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- Comfrey is an excellent plant.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- It's at its best now.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- It's like a cafe - for bees this time of year.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- I won't cut this.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19- But I have plenty of one plant - in Pont y Twr's garden.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- Nettles are common plants - in your garden too.
0:14:03 > 0:14:04- That's it.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06- You need a good amount of nettles.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- Don't worry if you don't - have enough in your garden.
0:14:10 > 0:14:15- You can have a mix of leaves, fern, - rhubarb, strawberry or comfrey.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31- There are several ways of making - a special tea for your flowers.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- You could put them - in a bucket of water with a lid...
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- ..and leave for three or four weeks.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- I'm going to use a water barrel.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- I've made a cylinder of wire.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45- I'll fold the top like this...
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- ..and close it.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- I turn it upside-down.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- I'll use this like a teabag.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01- Push the nettles in.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- This will go in the water barrel.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10- Push as much in as you can.
0:15:11 > 0:15:16- Don't worry, you can always - add more as the season progresses.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- I'll put the lid on.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- This stuff stinks.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- When your tomatoes start to bloom...
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- ..use one part of the nettle tea - to ten parts of water.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- Your tomatoes will be superb.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- There is another kind of tea - you can make with nettles.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- Nettles grow naturally - in the garden.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03- But you can buy some plants - especially to attract wildlife.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- Awen Jones tells us more.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22- It's the time of year, especially - after a fine start to May...
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- ..when people start to think - about buying bedding plants...
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- ..for pots and baskets.
0:16:28 > 0:16:33- To be honest, bedding plants aren't - all that helpful for wildlife.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39- I thought I'd plant a pot just as - attractive as a bedding plant pot...
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- ..but which helps wildlife - in the garden.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- First, we need plenty of compost.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- That's it.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- Fill it until it's about half full.
0:16:59 > 0:17:00- That's it.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06- I've chosen these plants.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- They're really good for wildlife.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- This Geum, Totally - Tangerine, is quite new.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- I love the fiery orange colour.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21- It will bloom all summer.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- Turn it out.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- Make sure plants are well - watered before planting...
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- ..to give them a good start.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- I'll put that on the side.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- As a contrast to the orange...
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- ..I've chosen this - marvellous, purple scabious.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48- In fine weather, it teems - with bees and all sorts of insects.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- They're very similar...
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- ..to their wildflower - relatives in the countryside.
0:17:55 > 0:17:56- That's it.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- I'll put these close to each other.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- This pot will probably - be placed near a wall.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06- I want something - taller at the back...
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- ..which won't detract - attention from the flowers.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- I've chosen this bronze fennel.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16- This goes in the back.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27- I'll put marjoram, one - of my favourite herbs, in the front.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- It's not blooming now.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- But in June, - it will be full of flowers.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36- It will make a pretty - and tidy cushion in the front.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- Some of it will trail over - the side and look very attractive.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45- I'll lift that towards the front.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- I'm going to fill - between the plants a little.
0:18:49 > 0:18:50- Don't be too fussy.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- Just tip it in.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01- We want to attract wildlife, - bees and insects to the garden...
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- ..because bees help - pollinate flowers.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- If you grow fruit, you need bees.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11- All kinds of other insects, - like ladybirds...
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- ..help keep the garden healthy.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- Ladybirds eat greenfly, - that make leaves curl.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- Attracting insects - to the garden...
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- ..helps the food chain.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- Plants are food for greenfly.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29- Other insects eat greenfly.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- In turn, they're food - for birds like tits.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- Because you use plants - that are fairly wild...
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- ..it means you don't have - to work too hard.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- Just give them some - water and food in summer.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- The little alyssum is marvellous.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49- It doesn't get a lot of attention.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- But if it's in a pot, - on a fine summer evening...
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- ..the honey smell - wafting up is gorgeous.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01- It's quite a shock when you - realize where the smell comes from.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- So I'll put a few bedding - plants in the pot.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- That's it, a simple pot.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28- It will give us and wildlife - pleasure all summer...
0:20:28 > 0:20:32- ..and will continue - to do so for years.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47- I really like informal gardens, - with flowers growing everywhere.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51- But I must say I like - the formality of box shrubs too...
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- ..and the way they create - rooms in a garden.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- They're very popular - in garden centres now.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- You can buy them in all shapes, - round, triangular, spiral...
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- ..or even in animal shapes.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- But they need a lot of clipping.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13- The traditional day to do this - was the first Saturday in June.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- That's Derby Day, when the gentry - watched the horseracing...
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- ..leaving the staff and gardeners - working hard at home...
0:21:22 > 0:21:24- ..clipping box hedges.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29- Maybe they wanted the staff - to stay at home rather than bet!
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- I'm not one of the gentry, - with a lot of gardening staff.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35- So I have a lot of clipping to do!
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- I planted these three years ago.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49- The aim is to have one hedge, - not individual plants.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- They grow 15 centimetres a year.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59- I want to clip them - to encourage sideways growth...
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- ..and make one full hedge.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- I'm watering them, so that - when I cut the small leaves...
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- ..they'll heal much faster.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17- It helps stop small insects - from destroying them.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- You only have - to do this once a year.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- This will probably - be the eventual height...
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- ..but without gaps in-between.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- Of course, you don't have - to wait until Derby Day.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43- But it's not far from the truth.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48- Make sure all threat - of frost has passed.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- The start of June is perfect.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- That's it for another year.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17- As the sun gets hotter, keep an eye - on the greenhouse's temperature.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- You don't want to lose plants - after all your hard work.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23- And as the weather gets warmer...
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- ..take some plants - out during the day.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29- Until next week, - enjoy the gardening!
0:23:45 > 0:23:47- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:47 > 0:23:47- .