0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:01 > 0:00:04- Welcome back - to the Pont y Twr garden.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06- It's the end of June.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09- The month started well.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13- But it rained quite a bit since - then, and the garden has responded.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17- I'm looking forward - to picking my first potatoes.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22- While I do that, Sioned - will be taking Verbena cuttings...
0:00:23 > 0:00:27- ..Meinir Gwilym marvels - at some interesting lichen...
0:00:27 > 0:00:32- ..and Daniel Jenkins-Jones visits - South Stack, Anglesey, for us.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53- June and July is the best time - of year to see roses in bloom.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57- They look glorious.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- But be on your guard.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02- There are many diseases around.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07- This bush has been established - for a few years.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- But there's blight on it.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13- Aphids are a problem for roses.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- But black spot - is the most damaging disease.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21- This bush has been badly affected.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26- Black spot on the leaves - have turned them yellow.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31- I treat black spot - by removing the leaves...
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- ..and burn them so they disappear - from the garden.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- It could affect the healthy roses.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41- So I'll remove these.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- They make the plant look ugly...
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- ..and prevent roses from growing.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56- This time of year, - it's important to deadhead roses...
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- ..to get more flowers.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02- Don't just cut off the heads.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- Cut them below two leaves - to encourage new growth.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- There's more work to do here, - but I'll do that later.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- This rose named Mary has been - in the garden for three years.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35- It's quite healthy - despite suffering from black spot.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37- It needs to be fed.
0:02:37 > 0:02:43- Just imagine the effort it takes - to produce such a lovely flower.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48- The feed I'm using - are these little pellets.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51- Each bush will have one scoop.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54- I put them around the edges.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00- Make sure they're not too close - to the tree.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- Cover the ground with fertilizer...
0:03:04 > 0:03:06- ..just a little around it.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12- Don't put it too close to the stump.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- One more.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20- I have one more job to do.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33- You may remember that I planted - the Super Fairy a little while ago.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- Unlike Mary, - I'm not giving it any feed.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- I only planted it fairly recently. - I need to tie it.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44- It's a climbing plant...
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- ..so I want to encourage it - to climb up the post.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50- Don't make it too tight...
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- ..just enough so it doesn't - blow too much in the wind.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56- It's a young plant.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59- The aphids are on it.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04- I'll spray it every fortnight - to ward them off.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- We'll leave the garden for a while.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- Meinir had a closer look...
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- ..at one of the planet's - most important organisms.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- You might think that something - as insignificant as lichen...
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- ..would be a boring subject.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- I don't think so.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37- When I was a child, I thought - lichen belonged to the fairies.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40- I won't go into that now.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45- However, I'd still argue - that lichen is magical.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- When the earth's complex processes - create new land...
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- ..through an earthquake - or volcano...
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- ..and leaves bare rock - on the surface...
0:04:55 > 0:04:59- ..the first thing to grow is lichen.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08- Ceunant Llennyrch - is managed by the Woodland Trust.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- I'm meeting Kylie Jones Mattock - from the Trust.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- The site is famous - for its diversity of lichen...
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- ..including very rare species.
0:05:20 > 0:05:26- There is something very special - on this tree.
0:05:26 > 0:05:32- It looks a little like leaves. Its - Latin name is Lobaria pulmonaria.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37- Its English name is tree lungwort.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- As you see, - it's quite similar to lungs.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47- This shows how ancient - these woods are.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- This oak tree is incredibly old.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- The bark of an oak is quite acidic.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- It becomes less acidic - as the tree matures.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04- That's the perfect condition - for Lobaria to grow.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- There are 15,000 - different types of lichen.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- In an ancient forest, like this - one, the diversity is amazing.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- There are lichen all around us.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- Look at this birch tree.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- It's hard to see.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- This is typical.
0:06:37 > 0:06:38- The white stuff?
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- The white stuff?- - With tiny barnacles.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- Look through the lens.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- I can't reach.
0:06:48 > 0:06:49- Oh, yes!
0:06:50 > 0:06:55- The Atlantic oak - is typical of this habitat.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- The barnacles are fruiting bodies.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- This proves lichen thrives here.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06- Isn't it fantastic?
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- Why is it such a special place - for lichen?
0:07:18 > 0:07:22- Coed Felenrhyd - and Ceunant Llennyrch...
0:07:22 > 0:07:27- ..is one of the best examples - in Europe of an Atlantic rainforest.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- It rains 200 days a year!
0:07:34 > 0:07:39- It's the remains of a habitat that - extended from Scotland to Portugal.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- There are many species of lichen.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- Atlantic lichen - needs plenty of light.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- There are sheep grazing here...
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- ..to keep the growth down.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- The rarer lichen...
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- ..thrive in the specific conditions - of the ancient forests.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08- We have to make sure these sites - are not destroyed.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- You're excited about - what you're showing me now.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- This doesn't look like much.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32- This is Blackberries In Custard, - or Pyrenula hibernica.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- It doesn't grow anywhere else - in Wales.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- It's one of the forest's - rarest lichen.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- What am I meant to see?
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- It has a green skin, - known as thallus...
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- ..and yellow spots.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- I can see yellow spots.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- They are the fruiting bodies.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- They are hidden under the skin.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02- As it matures, it produces - proper fruiting bodies...
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- ..which turn black - like blackberries.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- That's why it's called - Blackberries In Custard.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11- Brilliant!
0:09:13 > 0:09:17- From Wales's rarest variety...
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- ..to those on trees or walls, - all species of lichen vary a little.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- Didn't I say lichen was magical?
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- It's all getting very exciting - in the garden.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- One by one, - the crops are almost ready.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- We've eaten plenty - of lettuce and radish.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- We've tasted - purple sprouting broccoli.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- Unfortunately, we had - to share some of it...
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- ..with some sheep that came in - from the field next door.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- But never mind about that.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- I'm excited about harvesting - our early potatoes.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02- They're ready to dig up - because they've started to flower.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- Some have finished flowering.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- Harvest the potatoes - as they become ready.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- That's the best thing about earlies.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- They're delicious straight - from the soil to the plate.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- What sort of crop have I got?
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- It's a challenge every year...
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- ..to dig them up - without ruining the potatoes.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- I'm not overly worried.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- If it happens, I'll be - eating those ones tonight.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- Here we are.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45- The first potatoes of the year - are Accents.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50- It's a nice white potato. - I haven't tasted them before.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- I experiment with different - potatoes every year.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- That's one supper ingredient sorted.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- What about pudding?
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- Strawberries make the perfect - pudding this time of year.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- I have two varieties - of strawberries.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- Wild or Alpine strawberries - produce small fruit.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- Garden strawberries - are much bigger and tastier.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- It isn't the easiest crop to grow.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- I grow them here because - this is the nursery.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- I let the plants spread naturally.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41- They look for new soil, - full of nutrients, all the time.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- I pick the ones that have spread...
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- ..and plant them in any old pot.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52- That's the best way - to grow strawberries.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- What tends to happen is - they make contact with the soil...
0:11:57 > 0:12:01- ..and slugs and snails eat them - before you get your reward.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- This one has been eaten.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- It has begun to rot after coming - into contact with the soil.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- Try to avoid that. There - are various ways of doing this.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- You can buy a carpet.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17- This is coconut matting.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- It sits under the fruit and stops it - making contact with the soil.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- The old method...
0:12:25 > 0:12:27- ..was using straw.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32- When your plants - begin to bear fruit...
0:12:32 > 0:12:38- ..raise the fruit carefully - and put straw underneath them.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- Rest the fruit on the straw.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- This system works quite well.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- But slugs and snails - are still a problem.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55- They tend to hide under the straw - in the day and come out at night.
0:12:55 > 0:13:01- I'll use sheep wool - to ward off slugs and snails.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- I like coming out into the garden.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08- As a reward for all the hard work...
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- ..I'll pick - a couple of strawberries...
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- ..find a quiet corner - in the garden...
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- ..and enjoy the taste of summer.
0:13:22 > 0:13:22- .
0:13:26 > 0:13:26- Subtitles
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:13:32 > 0:13:36- I enjoy visiting garden centres - to choose plants for the garden.
0:13:36 > 0:13:42- But it's nice to grow your own, - either from seed or cuttings.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- It's the time of year - for Verbena cuttings.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- I have three different varieties - here.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54- It's the perfect garden flower - wherever you plant it.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- To make cuttings...
0:13:58 > 0:14:03- ..choose one that is growing on - an angle, away from the main stalk.
0:14:06 > 0:14:07- One.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09- Two.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- And I'll take a pink one.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- And now to pot them.
0:14:18 > 0:14:24- Start by cutting - under a pair of leaves.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30- Make a clean break, - and then remove the leaves.
0:14:31 > 0:14:36- I'll have a clean stalk - to go into the rooting gel...
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- ..and then into the pot.
0:14:40 > 0:14:46- The compost is specially made - for potting and rooting plants.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- And another one. - Cut below the leaves.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Remove the leaves.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- Dip into the rooting gel - and straight into the soil.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03- Water it a little.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- Put a bag over it.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- Put an elastic band - around the bottom...
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- ..to create - a glasshouse temperature.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- It retains the moisture.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- It's ready to go on a shelf.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45- Next, Daniel Jenkins-Jones - visits South Stack, Anglesey...
0:15:45 > 0:15:49- ..to look at the variety of birds - that nest there.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- This is the RSPB South Stack - Nature Reserve.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- It's famous for the lighthouse, - of course.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- There's heather and gorse - on the heath.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- And off the coastline...
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- ..and you might even spot - a porpoise or two.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- But I'm here to see the birds.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41- South Stack has - two important bird species...
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- ..the razorbill and guillemot.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49- There are around 9,000 here - at nesting time.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54- It's like a city of birds.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- Razorbills are less common here.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- They're blacker than guillemots.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- Guillemots - are more chocolate coloured.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10- They spend most of the year - beyond the horizon...
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- ..and return to South Stack to nest.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18- South Stack - is the only place in Wales...
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- ..to see them - with your feet on the ground.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27- They choose the cliffs because - they're a safe place to nest.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- People can't get close to them - and there are no foxes here.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- You wouldn't think they could live - so close together.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39- There is so little room here...
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- ..they have to live - in close-knit communities.
0:17:49 > 0:17:54- The other birds you'll see here - have amazing Welsh names.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- The Manx shearwater...
0:17:57 > 0:18:01- ..and the northern fulmar - that resembles a seagull.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05- But it is more closely related - to the Manx shearwater.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10- It nests on the edge of the cliffs.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- It's one of the Reserve's - most dramatic nests.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- There are seagulls here, - of course...
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- ..the lesser black-backed gull...
0:18:28 > 0:18:33- ..and the world's biggest seagull, - the great black-backed gull.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37- There is a good population - of herring gull.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- They nest everywhere in the Reserve.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- The bird below us is the chough.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- It's the rarest member - of the crow family...
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- ..not only in Wales but in Britain.
0:18:53 > 0:18:59- There are only 300 nesting pairs in - Britain. We have nine nesting here.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01- They're easy to recognize.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- Their call gave them - their English name "chough".
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- They have red legs - and a large orange beak.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- It's like a carrot sticking - out of their heads!
0:19:14 > 0:19:19- Unlike other crows, - the chough is very particular...
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- ..when it comes to finding food.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- The RSPB makes sure - the grass is kept short...
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- ..about two to three centimetres - high.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35- Crows can find - the insects and worms...
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- ..that live in the soil.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- In Wales, we should be proud - to have populations of seabirds...
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- ..that are - of international importance.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- They're growing in importance, too.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- The nesting birds - are increasing in numbers...
0:19:55 > 0:19:57- ..unlike the rest of Britain.
0:19:57 > 0:20:03- We should be proud we have - the birds nesting here in Wales.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08- Their future is in our hands. - We have a duty to protect them.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23- Traditionally...
0:20:23 > 0:20:28- ..the word lawn is associated - with perfect green stripes...
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- ..without moss or weeds in sight...
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- ..as you'll see in Wimbledon.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- But what would appear - if you stopped mowing the lawn?
0:20:40 > 0:20:44- That's exactly - what I decided to do in the orchard.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- I still mow a path, like this one...
0:20:49 > 0:20:54- ..so I can go around without getting - my feet wet and enjoy the views.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- It also helps create - a planned effect.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- The plants that would appear - if you allowed the lawn to grow...
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- ..depends on what is already there.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- That depends on the nutrients - in the soil.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- If it's full of nutrients, - the grass will grow strong.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- These are the schoolyard bullies.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22- They're strong and vigorous.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- Wild flowers can't compete - with them.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- There are different species - the other side.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39- They're smaller, lighter and - have spaces in between the grass.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- Wild flowers grow in the spaces.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48- Every year you allow - the lawn and flowers to grow...
0:21:49 > 0:21:50- ..they go to seed...
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- ..and then you remove them.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58- Doing that year in, year out - reduces the nutrients in the soil.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- In the orchard...
0:22:00 > 0:22:05- ..I've created a tapestry - of grasses of different ages.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- I cut some sections last week.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11- I haven't touched some parts - for three months.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15- Some areas haven't been cut - for two years.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- That creates - a variety of habitats...
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- ..to attract all sorts of wildlife.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- In the first season...
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- ..you might have plants - like yarrow...
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- ..or common sorrel...
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- ..which is a very common - garden plant...
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- ..and plantain.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- Moving towards the hedge, - we have the rosebay willowherb...
0:22:53 > 0:22:58- ..knapweed which sustains - the birds...
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- ..and over there, - the bees' favourite, foxgloves.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09- That's a glimpse of the different - plants you'll get in the garden...
0:23:09 > 0:23:11- ..if you stop mowing the lawn.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- I have a good reason - not to cut the grass, too.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- It's lovely in an arrangement...
0:23:21 > 0:23:26- ..or combined with garden flowers - for a different effect.
0:23:26 > 0:23:32- It's a good time to clear around - young fruit trees...
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- ..which is something - I have to do by next week!
0:23:37 > 0:23:39- Until then, enjoy the gardening!
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:57 > 0:23:58- .