Episode 24

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0:00:07 > 0:00:10Hello. Welcome to Gardeners' World.

0:00:10 > 0:00:15This week, we are coming from two Royal Horticultural Society gardens,

0:00:15 > 0:00:17at Wisley and Harlow Carr.

0:00:17 > 0:00:23Carol and I will be enjoying all the excellence and the expertise to be found here.

0:00:23 > 0:00:26In fact, we will be tapping into that expertise to directly answer

0:00:26 > 0:00:28some of the questions that you have sent to us.

0:00:28 > 0:00:32I shall be based here, at Wisley, in Surrey.

0:00:33 > 0:00:38And I'm here in Yorkshire, at RHS Harlow Carr,

0:00:38 > 0:00:40looking at some of the plants

0:00:40 > 0:00:43that thrive in the much harsher climate.

0:00:43 > 0:00:48Harlow Carr sits on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

0:00:48 > 0:00:52It's the most northerly RHS garden.

0:00:52 > 0:00:53And while I'm here,

0:00:53 > 0:00:57with the help of gardening experts who are actually on site,

0:00:57 > 0:01:02we're going to try to answer some of the dilemmas that have been sent in

0:01:02 > 0:01:05by viewers gardening under similar harsh conditions.

0:01:07 > 0:01:11I shall be looking at fruit and vegetables.

0:01:11 > 0:01:14I'll be seeing how the growing year has been at Wisley,

0:01:14 > 0:01:19and also getting some tips and hints, and also getting ideas

0:01:19 > 0:01:23for a fruit that I don't grow at Longmeadow but I certainly plan to.

0:01:36 > 0:01:40Wisley's plant collection is one of the largest in the world

0:01:40 > 0:01:42and is made up of 172 acres of gardens,

0:01:42 > 0:01:46with half an acre devoted to growing vegetables.

0:01:48 > 0:01:51Many of the plants here in the vegetable garden,

0:01:51 > 0:01:55in fact right across Wisley, had been awarded an AGM.

0:01:55 > 0:01:59This is a result of the trials that are going on here all the time,

0:01:59 > 0:02:03looking at the garden worthiness of plants.

0:02:03 > 0:02:06Now, AGM stands for an Award of Garden Merit,

0:02:06 > 0:02:09and the criteria include its disease resistance,

0:02:09 > 0:02:14its ability to cope with drought or different soil conditions,

0:02:14 > 0:02:19and above all, that the plant does what it says it's going to do,

0:02:19 > 0:02:22that it is reliable and consistent and can be trusted.

0:02:22 > 0:02:25Of course, vegetables are grown to eat,

0:02:25 > 0:02:28and AGMs only look at the way the plant grows.

0:02:28 > 0:02:32It doesn't give any opinion or judgment on the taste, which is essential.

0:02:32 > 0:02:35And the man here at Wisley in charge of the vegetables

0:02:35 > 0:02:38is also passionate about taste.

0:02:38 > 0:02:44Mario De Pace used to be a chef before he turned to horticulture,

0:02:44 > 0:02:48and he works hard to ensure that the vegetables grown here have the best flavour possible.

0:02:51 > 0:02:53Mario, for a lot of us growing vegetables,

0:02:53 > 0:02:56we've struggled this year. It's been difficult.

0:02:56 > 0:02:58So what has gone well for you?

0:02:58 > 0:03:01The cucumbers have been quite a success,

0:03:01 > 0:03:04as you can see.

0:03:04 > 0:03:06How do you get cucumbers looking as healthy

0:03:06 > 0:03:09and as fresh with so many fruit at the end of September?

0:03:09 > 0:03:16Well, the secret, my secret, is that I do two plantings of cucumbers.

0:03:16 > 0:03:20The first one, until the end of July, and then come mid-July,

0:03:20 > 0:03:26I sow fresh seeds to be ready for planting at the beginning of August.

0:03:26 > 0:03:32- And they are so productive.- Yes, indeed, especially the little one.

0:03:32 > 0:03:35- If you would like to taste this. - Of course!

0:03:35 > 0:03:41Cucumbers are ready when the top is roughly the same size as the bottom.

0:03:41 > 0:03:47That's a good tip, to know that. So we'll take it off there.

0:03:47 > 0:03:49Eat the end. And you don't need to peel this one at all?

0:03:49 > 0:03:52No, definitely not.

0:03:52 > 0:03:56- That's delicious. - And you can see the seeds,

0:03:56 > 0:03:58they haven't formed at all.

0:03:58 > 0:04:03It's seedless, it's tasty, it's fresh.

0:04:03 > 0:04:05- Go on, you have some. - Thank you very much.

0:04:09 > 0:04:13- That's fabulous, isn't it? A taste of summer.- Ideal for lunch.- Hmm.

0:04:13 > 0:04:18They are growing in grow bags. Do you have to water them a lot?

0:04:18 > 0:04:21Yes, that's the secret of growing good cucumbers.

0:04:21 > 0:04:25Keep up with the watering, and feeding as well.

0:04:25 > 0:04:27- It's very important.- How often?

0:04:27 > 0:04:31I feed them with high-nitrogen fertiliser almost on a daily basis.

0:04:31 > 0:04:33- Really?- Yes.

0:04:44 > 0:04:47I love tomatoes and I love growing them

0:04:47 > 0:04:51but the truth is, the very best British tomato

0:04:51 > 0:04:56is not often as good as the average Italian tomato!

0:04:56 > 0:04:58You're an Italian, you know about tomatoes.

0:04:58 > 0:05:03Do you think there is a good all-round variety?

0:05:03 > 0:05:07Yes, this one, "Cristal", is one of the most reliable varieties.

0:05:07 > 0:05:12It's quite well resistant to pests and diseases

0:05:12 > 0:05:14and it's a good cropper.

0:05:14 > 0:05:19- Is that an AGM plant? - It is an AGM variety, yes.

0:05:19 > 0:05:22This is a good all-rounder but I want to know about you.

0:05:22 > 0:05:23- What's your favourite?- OK, OK.

0:05:27 > 0:05:32- So...now, what variety is this? - Try this.

0:05:32 > 0:05:34This is called "Red Pear".

0:05:34 > 0:05:36I don't know this one.

0:05:36 > 0:05:41It's got a nice thin skin. You feel it. It's...yeah.

0:05:41 > 0:05:45Again, I like it in a salad, this one,

0:05:45 > 0:05:48just a bit of mint, salt, pepper.

0:05:48 > 0:05:51It's nice and meaty, isn't it?

0:05:51 > 0:05:54Yes, but if you make a tomato sauce with this one,

0:05:54 > 0:05:57you get the creamiest tomato sauce that you can think of.

0:05:57 > 0:06:01- Really?- Yes.- I love that. "Red Pear"?- Yes.

0:06:01 > 0:06:05To avoid blight, what do you do about that?

0:06:05 > 0:06:11I'm but very careful with hygiene, you know,

0:06:11 > 0:06:14because the spores will attach to your clothes

0:06:14 > 0:06:18and if you then go and get in contact with the leaves,

0:06:18 > 0:06:20then you transmit the blight.

0:06:20 > 0:06:25And I'm very careful that I do my tomatoes first thing in the morning,

0:06:25 > 0:06:27and then close the door.

0:06:38 > 0:06:41Now, tomatoes, same family, you've got potatoes.

0:06:41 > 0:06:44- You cut all the horns off. - Yes.- Why is that?

0:06:44 > 0:06:49Because they were... We had the same problem as everybody else, blight.

0:06:49 > 0:06:51They were affected by blight,

0:06:51 > 0:06:56so in order to do a damage-limitation exercise,

0:06:56 > 0:07:00I cut off the tops as soon as I spotted the blight,

0:07:00 > 0:07:04so that the blight didn't have time to go down the stem

0:07:04 > 0:07:06and affect the tubers.

0:07:06 > 0:07:08Now this is a variety called "Mayan Gold".

0:07:08 > 0:07:11Yes, yes, this is one of my favourite varieties.

0:07:11 > 0:07:16- In my opinion, it's the best one for chips.- For chips?- For chips.

0:07:16 > 0:07:21Oh, it's not hard to... They've got a nice gold colour, there.

0:07:24 > 0:07:29- They're beautiful potatoes. - And they taste fantastic.

0:07:29 > 0:07:34- Look at the colour of the flesh - golden.- It is, too. How lovely.

0:07:34 > 0:07:38I will definitely grow these next year. They look really good.

0:07:38 > 0:07:40Thank you so much. I could spend all day with you!

0:07:40 > 0:07:43You probably wouldn't want to spend all day with me, but it's...!

0:07:43 > 0:07:46I wouldn't mind some help digging out the potatoes.

0:07:46 > 0:07:49THEY CHUCKLE

0:07:52 > 0:07:56Of course, it's not just vegetables that get trialled here.

0:07:56 > 0:07:59A lot of our familiar border plants go through the same process

0:07:59 > 0:08:02and receive the AGM.

0:08:02 > 0:08:05Now, Carol is up at Harlow Carr

0:08:05 > 0:08:07and she's doing what she's been doing all year -

0:08:07 > 0:08:11looking at plants growing in the wild and seeing how Harlow Carr

0:08:11 > 0:08:14incorporates them into their overall planting schemes.

0:08:26 > 0:08:32On this gently sloping but exposed site lies an ancient meadow

0:08:32 > 0:08:35that long pre-dates the gardens here.

0:08:35 > 0:08:40It's packed full of all manner of perennial wildflowers

0:08:40 > 0:08:41and beautiful grasses.

0:08:43 > 0:08:48Earlier in the year, the whole place would have been a sea of scintillating colour,

0:08:48 > 0:08:52with wild orchids, yellow rattle.

0:08:52 > 0:08:56Now everything's bronze and soft browns

0:08:56 > 0:08:59and those flowers have been replaced by seed heads.

0:08:59 > 0:09:01It's harvest time.

0:09:06 > 0:09:09The closer you look, the more you see.

0:09:09 > 0:09:13There's such an amazing diversity of beautiful seed heads in here.

0:09:13 > 0:09:15This is yellow rattle,

0:09:15 > 0:09:19so-called because its seeds really do rattle around

0:09:19 > 0:09:22in those dry, papery sheaths.

0:09:22 > 0:09:25Its roots feed on the roots of grasses,

0:09:25 > 0:09:29and that means that it's a very important constituent

0:09:29 > 0:09:32in hay meadows and wildflower plantings

0:09:32 > 0:09:35because it actually suppresses the growth of those grasses,

0:09:35 > 0:09:39enabling wildflowers to really thrive and flourish.

0:09:39 > 0:09:43So, too, things like this centaurea, this knapweed.

0:09:43 > 0:09:46Really tough as old boots.

0:09:46 > 0:09:48It'll grow absolutely anywhere.

0:09:48 > 0:09:53And up here, in North Yorkshire, that really is an issue.

0:09:53 > 0:09:58Suzanne and Lance Cunningham have been in touch with us.

0:09:58 > 0:10:02They garden at Darwin in Lancashire, on the edge of the Pennines.

0:10:02 > 0:10:05You don't get much more exposed than that.

0:10:07 > 0:10:11We live on top of a hill. We're about 880ft above sea level.

0:10:11 > 0:10:14And some of the plants, it really affects them badly.

0:10:14 > 0:10:17Our dilemma is that we buy a lot of plants, put them in the front,

0:10:17 > 0:10:19they seem to last for about one season and then die.

0:10:19 > 0:10:24The problem at the moment is, we have ornamental grasses that don't seem to want to grow.

0:10:24 > 0:10:26They were a green-blue colour

0:10:26 > 0:10:29and now they've turned out to be a grey colour and just look dead.

0:10:29 > 0:10:31They start off really healthy,

0:10:31 > 0:10:33then they start to deteriorate, they start to shrink,

0:10:33 > 0:10:36they start to get brittle and horrible

0:10:36 > 0:10:38and they just end up like this, with clumps coming out.

0:10:38 > 0:10:42We don't know what to do. We've tried all sorts of feed and spoke to different people

0:10:42 > 0:10:44and it just doesn't seem to help at all.

0:10:50 > 0:10:54Don't you think this would be just ideal for Lance and Suzanne?

0:10:54 > 0:10:58- It's blue moor grass, isn't it? - Yes, I think it's absolutely lovely.

0:10:58 > 0:11:00It's beautifully erect, it's got a lovely purple tinge.

0:11:00 > 0:11:03And it lives on the moors, so it'd be ideal in Darwin.

0:11:03 > 0:11:07I mean, that festuca would make a good wig, but...!

0:11:09 > 0:11:11We have real problems with the festuca.

0:11:11 > 0:11:13We have given up on growing that

0:11:13 > 0:11:15because it doesn't like the conditions here.

0:11:15 > 0:11:18We're far too exposed and we're quite wet here, too,

0:11:18 > 0:11:21so, no, this is absolutely perfect for what they want.

0:11:21 > 0:11:23- Right plant, right place, yeah?- Yeah.

0:11:25 > 0:11:29That molinia provides so much texture and structure, doesn't it?

0:11:29 > 0:11:33But they could do with colour too. How about that?

0:11:33 > 0:11:37It's amazing, isn't it? It actually looks like it's on fire.

0:11:37 > 0:11:40Crocosmias are unbeatable at this time of year, aren't they?

0:11:40 > 0:11:43And that orange one just looks so brilliant.

0:11:43 > 0:11:47That's ordinary montbretia, isn't it, coming through this blue geranium.

0:11:47 > 0:11:50- Which one is it? - It's Rozanne - "Gerwat" -

0:11:50 > 0:11:53but it's an amazing blue, isn't it?

0:11:53 > 0:11:56And it'd be perfect in that sort of place, too,

0:11:56 > 0:12:00because it scrambles. It could come down the front of the wall.

0:12:00 > 0:12:03It's working its way through the crocosmia, the montbretia,

0:12:03 > 0:12:06really delivering on colour, particularly in this environment,

0:12:06 > 0:12:08in challenging conditions.

0:12:08 > 0:12:12You probably wouldn't find it anywhere else on a plant at this time of year.

0:12:12 > 0:12:16I think there are a few ideas there, don't you, for Lance and Suzanne.

0:12:16 > 0:12:21But I tell you what, they couldn't do better than risking coming over the border and taking a look themselves.

0:12:21 > 0:12:23Well, they'd be more than welcome here any time.

0:12:33 > 0:12:36People come to gardens like this for inspiration

0:12:36 > 0:12:40and to answer all sorts of questions.

0:12:40 > 0:12:42We've had an e-mail from Christine in Bradford.

0:12:44 > 0:12:48This is my mum and dad's garden.

0:12:48 > 0:12:52They've passed on now, so we are selling the house,

0:12:52 > 0:12:56and what I'd really like to do is take some cuttings

0:12:56 > 0:12:59of some of the bushes and the plants that are here,

0:12:59 > 0:13:03that Mum and Dad got such pleasure from.

0:13:03 > 0:13:08In particular, there's this magnolia, "Stellata",

0:13:08 > 0:13:10and there's also a wisteria.

0:13:10 > 0:13:14I'd really like to know how to take cuttings,

0:13:14 > 0:13:17the best way to plant them up

0:13:17 > 0:13:20so that I can recreate some of the sights

0:13:20 > 0:13:25that Mum and Dad used to see in their garden.

0:13:27 > 0:13:30Well, Christine, I'd love to tell you to go ahead

0:13:30 > 0:13:34and take cuttings of your wisteria and your magnolia right now,

0:13:34 > 0:13:39but, A, it's very, very late in the year to try cuttings of those two

0:13:39 > 0:13:43and B, they are both really difficult subjects to root.

0:13:43 > 0:13:47But there is one method you can use - layering.

0:13:47 > 0:13:52The trouble is, it takes time for these layers to put on roots,

0:13:52 > 0:13:56so you'll have to have the co-operation of whoever is moving into the house.

0:13:56 > 0:14:01So here on this little Magnolia stellata, I've got a suitable branch.

0:14:01 > 0:14:06It's one that is nearly touching the ground, and which is quite flexible.

0:14:06 > 0:14:12I'm going to slit the stem just a few inches along its length.

0:14:12 > 0:14:17And I'm going to keep that open by taking a little piece of twig,

0:14:17 > 0:14:21so that will always keep that cambium layer exposed

0:14:21 > 0:14:24and that's the layer where those new roots are going to be formed.

0:14:24 > 0:14:28And then I can make a little trench down here.

0:14:28 > 0:14:31In the bottom of it, I want to put some grit.

0:14:32 > 0:14:35Just right the way down through there.

0:14:35 > 0:14:37Now, into the trench...

0:14:37 > 0:14:42And I'm just going to secure it with a couple of tent pegs.

0:14:42 > 0:14:47I think, as a final measure, I'm going to put this bamboo cane in.

0:14:47 > 0:14:51And that means that this new tree, cos that's what it's going to become,

0:14:51 > 0:14:56is going to stand up straight, rather than just lying along the ground.

0:14:56 > 0:14:59That's it, Christine. It's going to take about a year to root,

0:14:59 > 0:15:02but I really hope that you can have a try

0:15:02 > 0:15:06and that it's successful, because it would be really lovely

0:15:06 > 0:15:10to take a part of your parents' tree back into your own garden.

0:15:15 > 0:15:22Well, there's no question that if you want to get into the rhythms of a garden, patience is a virtue.

0:15:22 > 0:15:24Mind you, that doesn't stop us trying things out,

0:15:24 > 0:15:26even if they don't always work.

0:15:26 > 0:15:29However, most of us are quite limited with what we can do

0:15:29 > 0:15:31by the size of our gardens or our facilities,

0:15:31 > 0:15:35whereas here at Wisley, they can try almost anything.

0:15:35 > 0:15:39And by coming here, we get the benefits of their experiments.

0:15:39 > 0:15:42I've always wanted to grow vines at Longmeadow,

0:15:42 > 0:15:48and here at Wisley they have a wonderful collection of dessert grapes grown indoors.

0:15:48 > 0:15:50Rebecca Bevan is responsible for their cultivation

0:15:50 > 0:15:53and maintenance and has agreed to show me around.

0:15:55 > 0:16:01- Mmm. They're beautiful.- Aren't they just? And in their prime.

0:16:01 > 0:16:04Absolutely heavenly.

0:16:04 > 0:16:09This sounds a very simple question, but I've never been really clear,

0:16:09 > 0:16:12the difference between a dessert grape and a wine grape.

0:16:12 > 0:16:15OK, well, there are lots of grapes that are dual purpose

0:16:15 > 0:16:16but these dessert grapes

0:16:16 > 0:16:20have been especially selected for their quality for eating,

0:16:20 > 0:16:25so they've got thin skins, really good flavour, they reach a big size,

0:16:25 > 0:16:27whereas wine grapes are often higher in acidity,

0:16:27 > 0:16:29very thick-skinned, quite small.

0:16:29 > 0:16:32You've only got one row against the window,

0:16:32 > 0:16:36whereas outside, you would fit two more rows here.

0:16:36 > 0:16:39We want the maximum amount of space to train the rod over the roof.

0:16:39 > 0:16:41We have a big space in the middle

0:16:41 > 0:16:45because good air circulation is really, really important.

0:16:45 > 0:16:49Grapes under glass can get a bit prone to powdery mildew,

0:16:49 > 0:16:52so it's all about opening up the vents, getting the air circulating.

0:16:52 > 0:16:57I've seen grapes planted outside. Is that a viable thing to do,

0:16:57 > 0:17:00to plant them outside and then train them inside?

0:17:00 > 0:17:03Yes, absolutely. In fact, that has lots of advantages

0:17:03 > 0:17:06because by being planted outside, it's getting all the rainfall,

0:17:06 > 0:17:08it's getting endless root space,

0:17:08 > 0:17:12but the important thing is that the rod inside is getting all the sun

0:17:12 > 0:17:15and protection to bring it into growth and get the grapes to ripen.

0:17:15 > 0:17:18And what sort of age are these plants?

0:17:18 > 0:17:20These have been in six or seven years.

0:17:20 > 0:17:22And what about the soil?

0:17:22 > 0:17:26Is it a standard soil or have you carefully sorted it out?

0:17:26 > 0:17:31This is our normal greenhouse border soil, so we have quite a light,

0:17:31 > 0:17:34sandy, free-draining soil. We've improved it a lot.

0:17:34 > 0:17:38And what we actually do every winter is scrape off the straw

0:17:38 > 0:17:41and also the layer of mulch, and expose that.

0:17:41 > 0:17:44That way, we're getting rid of all the red spider mite

0:17:44 > 0:17:47and any bits of pest and disease that might be around.

0:17:47 > 0:17:50We then put a fresh layer of mulch down over the top of the roots.

0:17:50 > 0:17:54Now, the fruit are exceptionally big and uniform.

0:17:54 > 0:17:57- That's not accidental, is it? - It's not, no.

0:17:57 > 0:18:01When the bunches are forming, we actually remove 50% of the grapes,

0:18:01 > 0:18:03so we go through thinning out the bunch

0:18:03 > 0:18:05so there is space for them to develop.

0:18:05 > 0:18:08This is a bunch where we didn't do that

0:18:08 > 0:18:12and you can see some of the grapes are really small and packed in.

0:18:12 > 0:18:14That can lead to fungal problems.

0:18:14 > 0:18:19Now, you can't tantalise me with this fruit dangling inches from my mouth

0:18:19 > 0:18:25- without offering me one to taste. - OK.- Which one do you recommend? - This one is "Muscat of Alexandria",

0:18:25 > 0:18:28which is obviously a muscat grape.

0:18:28 > 0:18:30Said to be one of the best flavour grapes.

0:18:30 > 0:18:35Now, this is a vine that really needs a decent amount of sun.

0:18:35 > 0:18:38I thought we were going to lose the whole lot. I'll drop it!

0:18:38 > 0:18:40Can I take one?

0:18:40 > 0:18:43How lovely, to hold a bunch like that.

0:18:46 > 0:18:48Oh...

0:18:48 > 0:18:51Heaven, really heavenly. Mmm.

0:18:53 > 0:18:57It really is worth going to the trouble, just to have that.

0:18:57 > 0:18:59That's special. It's a treat.

0:18:59 > 0:19:01Now, we've had lots of letters about growing grapes

0:19:01 > 0:19:05and I do hope that this has answered some of your queries.

0:19:05 > 0:19:09And more answers now from Carol at Harlow Carr.

0:19:11 > 0:19:13Up here at Harlow Carr, I'm trying,

0:19:13 > 0:19:18with the help of the RHS experts, to answer some gardening queries

0:19:18 > 0:19:22sent to us from people who garden in a similar climate.

0:19:22 > 0:19:26I have a couple of viewers' queries for gardener Russell Watkins

0:19:26 > 0:19:31about how they can keep their lawns looking as immaculate as these.

0:19:31 > 0:19:33And it looks brilliant,

0:19:33 > 0:19:36especially considering how many people walk all over it.

0:19:36 > 0:19:38- Yeah.- What's your secret?

0:19:38 > 0:19:41Well, if I'm completely honest, we don't to a huge amount.

0:19:41 > 0:19:44We try and keep it to the bare minimum, so in localised areas,

0:19:44 > 0:19:47we'll do a bit of scarifying, a bit of aerating,

0:19:47 > 0:19:50but other than that, we don't do a huge amount.

0:19:50 > 0:19:53I suppose you've got everything going for you. You've got good soil,

0:19:53 > 0:19:56obviously a smashing grass mixture,

0:19:56 > 0:19:59and you're on the slope, so drainage isn't usually a problem.

0:19:59 > 0:20:01No, certainly not in this area.

0:20:01 > 0:20:06Some of our viewers have lawns that aren't in quite such good condition.

0:20:06 > 0:20:08Jason from Blackburn has written to us

0:20:08 > 0:20:13and told us that he's got worm casts on his lawn and he doesn't like it.

0:20:13 > 0:20:15Actually, it's a really good sign of a healthy lawn.

0:20:15 > 0:20:18It shows that you've got worms present,

0:20:18 > 0:20:22which, in a way, are kind of naturally aerating the soil.

0:20:22 > 0:20:26Think yourself lucky that you've got all those worms doing all that work!

0:20:26 > 0:20:29We've had another query from Kerry Byres in Warrington,

0:20:29 > 0:20:33who's got two small lawns that are in shade most of the time

0:20:33 > 0:20:36because of the house, I think. And quite damp.

0:20:36 > 0:20:39And she's having huge problems with liverwort.

0:20:39 > 0:20:43It's sort of taken the place over and she's at her wits' end.

0:20:43 > 0:20:47OK. Well, that is absolutely the perfect conditions that liverworts like to grow in.

0:20:47 > 0:20:50If it becomes such a huge problem, it might be worth starting again

0:20:50 > 0:20:55with a new lawn and then keeping up with a real good maintenance regime,

0:20:55 > 0:20:57but also really sorting out the drainage

0:20:57 > 0:20:59because that's key to the problem, really.

0:20:59 > 0:21:03She could think about introducing paved areas, couldn't she?

0:21:03 > 0:21:06- Absolutely.- And grow some wonderful shade-loving plants

0:21:06 > 0:21:08that'd just love to live there.

0:21:10 > 0:21:16So, Russell, you look after flowerbeds and lawns and trees too.

0:21:16 > 0:21:18And one of our viewers has got a particular problem with

0:21:18 > 0:21:21a specific tree in their garden.

0:21:23 > 0:21:28We planted a Robinia "Frisia" pseudoacacia about 16 years ago,

0:21:28 > 0:21:32and it matured into a beautiful tree.

0:21:32 > 0:21:35The leaves are almost luminous, and it was a very nice shape.

0:21:35 > 0:21:39It was just beautiful to look at in the garden

0:21:39 > 0:21:42until this problem set in.

0:21:42 > 0:21:45A couple of years ago, the leaves started to die back,

0:21:45 > 0:21:49branches started to die also, and drop off.

0:21:49 > 0:21:52Whether it's a disease or just something that they do, we're not sure.

0:21:52 > 0:21:55So we'd be very interested in the correct advice,

0:21:55 > 0:21:58and try and save the tree.

0:21:58 > 0:22:01Well, I think Jane and Joe have got a bit of a problem there, haven't they?

0:22:01 > 0:22:05- It does look like it. - Normally, you'd suggest that they

0:22:05 > 0:22:06just cut off the offending boughs,

0:22:06 > 0:22:09- but it's gone past that stage, hasn't it?- I think so.

0:22:09 > 0:22:12It's looking like it is a fungal problem.

0:22:12 > 0:22:14How about this as an alternative?

0:22:14 > 0:22:16This is exactly what I would suggest.

0:22:16 > 0:22:20It's a perfect tree, really. It's got a very similar habit,

0:22:20 > 0:22:21the same-coloured leaf.

0:22:21 > 0:22:24- And this is a gleditsia. - That's right. Gleditsia "Sunburst".

0:22:24 > 0:22:28And you can see that in the colour of the new fresh foliage.

0:22:28 > 0:22:32- Yes, they just sort of burst forward, don't they?- Indeed.

0:22:32 > 0:22:34I think the thing about trees is,

0:22:34 > 0:22:38they get to become part of the family, don't they?

0:22:38 > 0:22:40You see them year in, year out and watch them grow.

0:22:40 > 0:22:44I mean, there are so many small trees they could choose.

0:22:44 > 0:22:46- Oh, yeah, absolutely. - It's always sad to lose a friend

0:22:46 > 0:22:49- but on the other hand...- It's always good to have a new plant.

0:22:49 > 0:22:51Yeah, it is, isn't it?

0:22:57 > 0:23:00Now, if you've got any questions, please contact us

0:23:00 > 0:23:03and we'll see what we can do to help.

0:23:03 > 0:23:05It's very distressing losing a beautiful tree,

0:23:05 > 0:23:08but at least it is just one plant.

0:23:08 > 0:23:10But if you find you've got box blight, as I have in my garden,

0:23:10 > 0:23:14and lots of you have contacted me to say that you have, too,

0:23:14 > 0:23:17then the possibilities for catastrophe

0:23:17 > 0:23:20are staring you in the eye. Peter Smith in Hampshire

0:23:20 > 0:23:22is facing that problem.

0:23:26 > 0:23:28I suppose it was about 15 years ago,

0:23:28 > 0:23:31we visited a lot of formal gardens and I thought...

0:23:31 > 0:23:33I was really inspired by them,

0:23:33 > 0:23:36so I set out to create a knot garden of my own.

0:23:37 > 0:23:41But, unfortunately, in more recent years,

0:23:41 > 0:23:44it been affected by blight, and I have to say,

0:23:44 > 0:23:46it's pretty distressing

0:23:46 > 0:23:50to know that actually, in the end, I fear I'm going to lose it.

0:23:50 > 0:23:54Is there anything that I could do to try and save the garden?

0:23:54 > 0:23:59Maybe, if not, is it possible that you could advise me

0:23:59 > 0:24:01on other plants I could use to give me the same effect?

0:24:03 > 0:24:07Well, I do think Peter's garden looks simply amazing,

0:24:07 > 0:24:09so it would be a tragedy to lose it.

0:24:09 > 0:24:11While I'm here at Wisley, I want to find out what they're doing

0:24:11 > 0:24:14about controlling and stopping the spread of blight,

0:24:14 > 0:24:18and what alternatives that they suggest that he might use.

0:24:19 > 0:24:22Colin Crosbie is the curator here at Wisley

0:24:22 > 0:24:25and he knows every square inch of the garden.

0:24:27 > 0:24:31Now, Colin, do you have box blight here at Wisley?

0:24:31 > 0:24:33We've had box blight in the garden.

0:24:33 > 0:24:37We've had to remove areas of box hedging and dispose of it.

0:24:37 > 0:24:40We've had it, we don't have it at the present moment.

0:24:40 > 0:24:43And if you have it - say you removed it and disposed of it -

0:24:43 > 0:24:45is it controllable? Can you contain its spread?

0:24:45 > 0:24:48There is nothing that's available for the gardener at home

0:24:48 > 0:24:51that can treat box blight, so if you've got it,

0:24:51 > 0:24:54what we recommend is to lift it, remove it, dispose of it.

0:24:54 > 0:24:58If you've got a mature plant and you've got a little bit coming out,

0:24:58 > 0:25:02then cut that bit of branch out, clear up the leaves that are on the ground and, if you can,

0:25:02 > 0:25:05re-soil it, but it's a long-term job to keep doing that.

0:25:05 > 0:25:09That does seem to be a disaster,

0:25:09 > 0:25:12particularly if you're someone like Peter,

0:25:12 > 0:25:15where his whole garden was based around a beautiful knot he had made.

0:25:15 > 0:25:17Is there anything else that we can use?

0:25:17 > 0:25:20There's a lot of wonderful alternatives.

0:25:20 > 0:25:23My favourite is the Japanese holly, Ilex crenata,

0:25:23 > 0:25:27very similar in appearance to box. Small leaves, and can be trimmed.

0:25:27 > 0:25:29And my other one I'd go for is yew hedging,

0:25:29 > 0:25:34you know, Taxus baccata, the common yew, an evergreen hedge.

0:25:34 > 0:25:36It can be trimmed. Absolutely wonderful.

0:25:36 > 0:25:41So, what you're saying is, this is a disaster

0:25:41 > 0:25:44- but maybe it's an opportunity? - There are many opportunities.

0:25:44 > 0:25:47It's a case of experimenting. There are other plants too.

0:25:47 > 0:25:50You could use berberis, some of the small berberises, or euonymus.

0:25:50 > 0:25:54So, yeah, experiment and have fun and don't be put off.

0:26:03 > 0:26:04Now, even a garden like this,

0:26:04 > 0:26:08which is devoted to horticultural excellence and perfect plants,

0:26:08 > 0:26:13still is based upon everyday tiny gardening jobs.

0:26:13 > 0:26:16And here are some things that you can be getting on with at home

0:26:16 > 0:26:18this weekend that they're doing at Wisley now.

0:26:19 > 0:26:23Now is a good time to prune bamboos.

0:26:23 > 0:26:27Cut out any old, tired stems and this will keep the plant healthy

0:26:27 > 0:26:30and stimulate new growth in spring.

0:26:30 > 0:26:34Select the stems that have lost their leaves at the top

0:26:34 > 0:26:37and cut them away right at the base with a sharp saw or loppers.

0:26:37 > 0:26:41And to contain the bamboo's spread, fork around the base of the plant

0:26:41 > 0:26:44to expose any underground runners and then cut them back, too.

0:26:46 > 0:26:51As we move into autumn, the foliage on many alpine plants is dying back.

0:26:51 > 0:26:55And as the moisture levels increase, it's really important

0:26:55 > 0:26:58to remove this dead and dying material

0:26:58 > 0:27:00from around the base of plants,

0:27:00 > 0:27:02which will reduce the risk of botrytis, or rot.

0:27:02 > 0:27:05Clearing away old plant material

0:27:05 > 0:27:09will also improve air circulation through and around the plant.

0:27:11 > 0:27:14Vine weevil larvae become active at this time of year

0:27:14 > 0:27:16and can do a lot of damage to the roots of plants,

0:27:16 > 0:27:18especially those growing in containers.

0:27:18 > 0:27:20They can be controlled by nematodes,

0:27:20 > 0:27:25which are microscopic worms that destroy the larvae from within.

0:27:25 > 0:27:27Nematodes need moisture to be mobile

0:27:27 > 0:27:30so pre-wetting the soil will give the best results.

0:27:30 > 0:27:33Mix the contents of the packet with water as instructed

0:27:33 > 0:27:35and pour onto the soil.

0:27:41 > 0:27:44Of course, it's always good to get tips

0:27:44 > 0:27:46and techniques from the experts,

0:27:46 > 0:27:51but you also come to Wisley, or any of the RHS gardens, for inspiration, too.

0:27:51 > 0:27:53And I love the long mixed borders

0:27:53 > 0:27:56which are staggering in their scale but also the details.

0:27:56 > 0:27:59There's always something you're going to find at any time of year

0:27:59 > 0:28:01that you can take back home.

0:28:01 > 0:28:06Now, if you want to come and visit Wisley or any of the RHS gardens,

0:28:06 > 0:28:09you can get in for free on Friday October 5th.

0:28:09 > 0:28:12That's a free Friday on October 5th.

0:28:12 > 0:28:14I shall be back in my own garden next week,

0:28:14 > 0:28:20and I hope you'll join me there. So, until next Friday, bye-bye.

0:28:41 > 0:28:45Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd