0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:03 > 0:00:07- This time of year, the garden starts - to respond to all the hard work.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12- I love seeing - the young gooseberries appear.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18- I'm thrilled to see how quickly - the clematis has climbed...
0:00:18 > 0:00:21- ..with pale pink flowers everywhere.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24- Also this week...
0:00:25 > 0:00:29- ..Meinir Gwilym hears about - a project to revive the River Taff.
0:00:30 > 0:00:35- And Nia Jones shows us wildlife - we can enjoy along the seashore.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51- I don't want to throw cold water - on such a fine day...
0:00:51 > 0:00:54- ..but it's time - to think about autumn...
0:00:55 > 0:00:56- ..and even winter.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02- What are we going to eat - during those dark months?
0:01:02 > 0:01:04- The answer is brassicas.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- Brassicas are very useful...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- ..because they're biennial plants.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19- It means they grow in the first year - and bloom in the second year.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24- We're not interested in the flowers, - although they're pretty.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27- Sioned really likes them.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- We're more interested - in that first year.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34- At the end of the first year, - plants like cabbage...
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- ..store food in their leaves.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39- We're interested in that store.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45- We'll forget the leeks. They go out - when the potatoes are finished.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50- These red cabbages are ready - to go out in the garden.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- They need quite - a long growing season.
0:01:53 > 0:01:58- These are early purple sprouting - broccoli, a favourite of ours.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03- The cabbages are here. - They can be grown in Wales all year.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- But most people grow them - specifically for winter.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12- They're ready to go out, - once I have space in the garden.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- Here we have savoy and kale.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22- They'll keep us going - well into next spring.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26- They taste better - after a bit of frost.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31- The seeds I planted - are ready and doing well.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35- It's important to sow - regularly all season.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38- Now is the time to plant swedes.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- They take two or three months - to grow to full size.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- I'll plant them in this row.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- I also have turnips, - a favourite in our family.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56- I've chosen a fast growing variety. - They'll be ready in early autumn.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- I don't have to wait that long.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- I started these off - in the greenhouse.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- I like growing turnips in summer - because the leaves are edible.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14- They're full of nutrients - and are smashing in salads.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20- The garden looks full of life now.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26- But not everything does well here. - We're experimenting, after all.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- We planted a rowan a few years ago.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32- For some reason, it died suddenly.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37- The spot might have been too shady, - the soil too dry, or too wet.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- That has happened - to our rosemary too.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47- As you see, - some of the rosemary survived.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50- These look OK and these.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55- But as we go downhill towards the - stream, where the soil is wetter...
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- ..they're not happy, as you see.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02- They did well for two years. - But now, they look poorly.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- So I'm going to plant something - that will be much happier here.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- It's a hosta.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17- I'm very lucky, - a friend gave me all these hostas.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- I want to plant them - as soon as possible.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- This variety is called Barbara Ann.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28- It has a lovely cream - line round the leaf.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- A small flower will bloom, - but I grow it for the leaves.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- If you like flower - arranging like me...
0:04:35 > 0:04:40- ..cut the leaf and submerge - it in water overnight.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- It will be ready - to use the next day.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- I hope it will be - happier here than the rosemary.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- The soil is much moister here.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01- I'll add a little compost.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08- I'll mix it with the soil - in the bottom of the hole.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18- Hostas like fairly wet soil.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24- They don't like too much sun. - They're happy in a bit of shade.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- It's quite sheltered here. - They don't like wind either.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- This corner is perfect for them.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- The best time to water hostas - is in the morning, if you can.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- If it's a hot and sunny day, - the soil will be wet.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06- You can also put mulch round - the hostas to keep the soil moist.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- I'm going to put bark chip here.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- I'll plant the others along here.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- Let's join Meinir now.
0:06:25 > 0:06:30- She's looking at the health - of one of our best-known rivers.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- This is Pont Ar Daf - in the Brecon Beacons.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- The river's source...
0:06:46 > 0:06:48- ..is a mile that way.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- Thick fog is obscuring - the source today.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55- You can't see a metre ahead.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- But it's the moisture - and heavy rain in this area...
0:07:00 > 0:07:02- ..which creates this river.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- Today, it's hard to believe...
0:07:08 > 0:07:13- ..that for centuries, the River - Taff was extremely polluted.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- From fiery Industrial - Revolution iron furnaces...
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- ..to 20th century collieries...
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- ..heavy industry - left its mark on the river.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29- As recently as 2006, there was - a devastating case of pollution.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34- The Environment Agency are concerned - that over 1,000 fish died...
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- ..after three tonnes of aluminium - sulphate flowed into a river.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- Welsh Water apologized - after a chemical leak...
0:07:42 > 0:07:47- ..from Pontsticill water treatment - works into the River Taf Fechan.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- But after all the pollution...
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- ..the river is now recovering.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- A new project, The Living Taff...
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- ..tries to get people - who live on the river's banks...
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- ..to see the Taff as an integral - part of their communities.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- They want people to use it - and most of all, to appreciate it.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20- I've come to Bute Park in the centre - of Cardiff to meet Paul Barrett...
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- ..one of the project's founders.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- I worked at Visit Wales.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- No-one wanted to discuss the Taff.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- They wanted to talk about the - Rivers Wye, Teifi, Tawe and Conwy...
0:08:34 > 0:08:36- ..but not this river.
0:08:36 > 0:08:37- But now, it's cleaner.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- But now, it's cleaner.- - Isn't it fantastic? It's amazing.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- Fish, like dogfish, - come here and otters.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- It's amazing.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- It's hard to believe...
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- ..that in 40 years, - everything has changed in the river.
0:08:54 > 0:09:00- We decided to set up The Living Taff - to celebrate that this has happened.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- What kind of activities - have you held?
0:09:06 > 0:09:12- We have walks along the river, - there's a jazz festival...
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- ..and activities like wild swimming.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21- We want to hold a stand-up - event too, Laugh On The Taff.
0:09:21 > 0:09:22- MEINIR CHUCKLES
0:09:23 > 0:09:29- We've also built coracles, to show - that there are fish in the river.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- People use coracles to fish.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38- Chris Powell and Dylan Jones - are members of the Coracle Society.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- Dylan emphasized - that the Rivers Teifi and Tywi...
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- ..aren't the only ones - with a coracle fishing tradition.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52- Is there evidence that there - were coracles on the River Taff?
0:09:52 > 0:09:57- Yes, artist Julius Caesar Ibbetson - painted a very famous work...
0:09:57 > 0:10:02- ..depicting the west of Cardiff, - over two centuries ago.
0:10:03 > 0:10:09- It showed two coracles - on the bank and one on the river.
0:10:11 > 0:10:17- So there has been a tradition of - coracles on the Taff for centuries.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22- But there hasn't been - any fishing for over 200 years.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- What is special about it?
0:10:26 > 0:10:27- The laths?
0:10:28 > 0:10:30- This wood is willow.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- This is the way - they have been made for centuries.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40- All that's changed - in the last century is the canvas.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- Two hundred years ago...
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- ..the coracle would - be covered in animal skin.
0:10:48 > 0:10:49- What is this?
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- It's calico, painted with tar.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- That's how the coracle - can go on the river.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- Well, there's a coracle - on the River Taff again.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- I think I'll go down to the bay.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22- Bye!
0:11:22 > 0:11:23- LAUGHS
0:11:24 > 0:11:24- .
0:11:33 > 0:11:33- Subtitles
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:39 > 0:11:44- As you see, the garden really starts - to fill this time of the year.
0:11:46 > 0:11:52- To be honest, I slightly regret - dedicating a whole bed to potatoes.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58- But the end of next month, when I - eat a plate of early new potatoes...
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- ..with mint from the garden, - I'll be glad I did.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- But there are still - a few empty places in the garden.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- I'm going to plant - a few fast-growing crops...
0:12:11 > 0:12:12- ..like chard...
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- ..radish...
0:12:17 > 0:12:18- ..or even spinach.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- Spinach isn't one - of the fastest growing crops...
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- ..but it's great - for filling gaps, like this one...
0:12:28 > 0:12:29- ..near the beans.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- There are different - varieties, or course...
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- ..like New Zealand - and perpetual spinach.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- I'm going to plant ordinary spinach.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- I'm using this handy tool.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- It's a patio weeder.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- I find it very handy - to make a small trench for seeds.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02- That's it.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10- I tend to sow - this spinach regularly all summer...
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- ..about once a month.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- The seeds are quite large - and easy to see.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- You can sow ordinary spinach...
0:13:26 > 0:13:27- ..in winter.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- But if you sow them in winter...
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- ..plant them on a slope like this...
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- ..or on top of a ridge.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42- That's because spinach - doesn't like too much water.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48- The only problem - with ordinary spinach...
0:13:49 > 0:13:53- ..is that it tends - to flower quickly in dry weather.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- It's called bolting.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58- If it happens, don't worry.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03- Pull them up, put them - on the compost heap and start again.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- Perpetual spinach...
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- ..is a bit easier to grow.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- It doesn't bolt as easily.
0:14:19 > 0:14:24- It only has to be sown - once or twice a year.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27- I'll water these.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- Now, radish.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45- They're one of the easiest crops to - grow. You can plant them anywhere.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- They're brassicas.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- Don't worry about - diseases like clubroot.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- They're only in the soil - for three or four weeks.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- So they're great - to grow with children.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- I'd like you to plant them - in the soil now.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- Push them in the earth like this.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- Then cover them with a bit of soil.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- The main thing is not - to plant a whole row of radish.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- You don't want them - all ready the same time.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- We tend to plant two or three - a week, all summer. That's plenty.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- I won't use all this pack. - They last up to five years.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33- We've finished. Let's play.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37- If you want something else - to do with the children...
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- ..there's nowhere - better than the seaside.
0:15:41 > 0:15:46- Nia Jones from the Wildlife Trust - tells us what we can find there.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53- Today, I've come - to the small, rocky coves...
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- ..north of Trearddur Bay - on Holy Island.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03- Tide pools are - tough habitats to live in.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- They can be cold or hot, - they can dry up.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11- Salt water can become more salty, - or rain can turn it into freshwater.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- Animals living here - have to be very tough.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- We're all familiar with limpets.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29- But when they're alive on the sea - shore, they look like this.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33- It's very hard - to remove them from the rock...
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- ..because they don't - want to dry out.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- One interesting fact - about limpets...
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- ..is that they have - the hardest tongue in the world.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- When the tide comes in, they move - round the rock, licking it.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49- That's how they eat.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- As they move, they leave - a trail of mucus.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57- When the tide goes out, they follow - the trail back to where they live.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- It's very important that they - go back to exactly the same place.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- It will live there all its life.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09- It has grown its shell - to the shape of the rock.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- The place where animals - live on the shore...
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- ..depends on how long - they can cope out of the water.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28- There's a clear pattern - in the type of animal one can see.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41- One great way of finding animals - on the shore is to look under rocks.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- Lift a rock carefully - to see what's underneath.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- I can see something move.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- A green crab was hiding - under the rock.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- It's one of the most common - crabs on the sea shore.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- When searching in tide pools...
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- ..it's very important - to keep an eye on the tide.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20- It comes in very quickly. - You don't want to be caught out.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- There's a red crab - hiding under the sea lettuce.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- A lot of us recognize this crab.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- It can grow very large. - It's the type we eat.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- They're quite amazing, really.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- It's pretending it's dead, - in the hope I'll let it go.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- I'll put it back carefully, - with seaweed over it.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- We've found another crab.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- I won't hold this one.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- It's the velvet swimming crab.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- Its eyes are red.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- It's a feisty one.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08- They like to fight.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11- So I'll leave it in the tub.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- In this pot, I have something...
0:19:18 > 0:19:20- ..I like a lot.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- It's a type of fish - called a pipefish.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- I hope I can hold it.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- They're related to seahorses.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- There are many kinds of pipefish.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- I'll make sure - it has plenty of water.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45- The best thing about the seashore - is you never know what you'll find.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- Today, crabs were the stars.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51- Tomorrow, we might find - many more fish or starfish.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56- It's very important to put - these back where we found them.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- So that's what I'll do now.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- This is a member - of the primrose family.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- It's the cowslip.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- I love this flower - for its simplicity.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- It's often seen in natural gardens.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29- Sadly, it's seen less often - in the countryside these days.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- I'm lucky to have it in our garden.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- It has self-seeded - in the last three years.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- This is quite a big clump.
0:20:38 > 0:20:44- I'm going to divide it to help - the process of getting more.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51- I'm sure I needn't say this, but - don't do this in the countryside.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- If it's in your garden, - of course, you can lift it.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- I'll lift the whole plant first.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- I'll loosen the roots with a trowel.
0:21:19 > 0:21:20- That's it.
0:21:23 > 0:21:29- You can see how the plant - separates in individual parts.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- I'll put a small fork between them.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- I'll divide it carefully.
0:21:42 > 0:21:48- If it helps, use another - fork to prise them apart...
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- ..to divide the roots.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- The best time to do this is now.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02- The flowering season is over.
0:22:05 > 0:22:06- That's it.
0:22:10 > 0:22:11- One is ready to plant.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- I'm sure I can get - another one out of this.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- I'll plant one here, - to continue the colour.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- I'll plant the others by the stream.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- I hope this plant will be happy - in the shade of the tree.
0:22:39 > 0:22:45- The cowslip is a simple plant, but - here are a few interesting facts.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- In the past, it was used - a lot in herbal remedies...
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- ..for headaches, - insomnia, or anxiety.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- Another use, - if you have a lot of it...
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- ..is to make marvellous wine.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05- If you have a small clump, put - the small flowers on your salad.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20- That's it for another week.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26- If you have a spare hour or two this - week and if you have the patience...
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- ..which I'm not sure I do, paint - the shed or woodwork in the garden.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36- And if you have any lavender shrubs, - now is the time to take cuttings.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37- So until next time...
0:23:37 > 0:23:39- ..enjoy the gardening!
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:58 > 0:23:58- .