0:00:08 > 0:00:10Hello, welcome to Gardeners' World.
0:00:10 > 0:00:16Well, I got back from Chelsea with my head so crammed full of
0:00:16 > 0:00:21horticultural distillation that it's very nice just to let go.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24To come back to Longmeadow and try not to think about
0:00:24 > 0:00:27anything at all, just take it in.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30Just let the garden wrap itself around me.
0:00:30 > 0:00:31And, boy, it's grown.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35It's grown a lot. And that's, I suppose, inevitable.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38But it's always a surprise, even after 26 years.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42The speed and the rate of growth is something extraordinary.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45It sort of creeps up on you and then just explodes out.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48And all spring, I said, "It's coming," you know.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51"Hang on in there. The blossom's coming, the flowers are coming."
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Well, let me tell you, it's arrived.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00This week, as part of the BBC's campaign Do Something Great,
0:01:00 > 0:01:03we visit Bodnant Garden in North Wales
0:01:03 > 0:01:06to celebrate the volunteers who keep
0:01:06 > 0:01:08our historic gardens going...
0:01:08 > 0:01:11The thing about working here is to work
0:01:11 > 0:01:13with pleasant people in a pleasant garden,
0:01:13 > 0:01:17in a pleasant atmosphere and to see this garden grow.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23..Frances Tophill continues her veg trial at RHS Rosemoor,
0:01:23 > 0:01:25to find out which varieties work best
0:01:25 > 0:01:28in different soils and different conditions.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30Whilst we've been growing our plants here in Devon,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32up in Yorkshire at RHS Harlow Carr,
0:01:32 > 0:01:34they've been growing exactly the same ones.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38And, as you would expect, everything is a little bit behind.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55There was a time when dahlias were pretty in for a dig.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59They were seen as a bit vulgar.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01Well, not in my garden they're not.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04I love them. I love the way that they give you powerful colour...
0:02:05 > 0:02:10..from middle of June right through till November.
0:02:10 > 0:02:11And I grow lots.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13This is the Bishop of Llandaff.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15It started flowering at the end of May.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18I could keep this going by deadheading
0:02:18 > 0:02:20at least until November.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24But what I can't do is keep them outside in the garden.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27I like to have plenty here in the Jewel garden but, if I left them,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31the combination of wet and cold would rot them.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33If you've got good drainage
0:02:33 > 0:02:36and, ideally, if it doesn't get too cold in your garden -
0:02:36 > 0:02:38ie not much below -5 -
0:02:38 > 0:02:42then mulch them in winter and they should survive perfectly well.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44If you've got any doubts, do as I do,
0:02:44 > 0:02:49which is you lift them after the first frost, dry them off,
0:02:49 > 0:02:54put them in old compost or sand in trays or pots, store them in a cool,
0:02:54 > 0:02:56dark place, bring them out in March,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59pot them, up like I have here, and, then,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02after the last risk of frost has gone, they can be planted.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07They don't need to be planted particularly deeply.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10Just as long as the tubers are covered.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15And they respond really well to a rich, free-draining soil.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20And the more food you give them, the better they will flower.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Now, shall we put the Bishop in here?
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Yes, why not?
0:03:28 > 0:03:29There we are.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38When you're raising a dahlia, think of it as nurturing the tubers
0:03:38 > 0:03:42because, the bigger the tubers, as long as they're healthy,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44the better the plant you'll have.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46That's what you want to be looking after.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54This is a dahlia called Grenadier,
0:03:54 > 0:03:58which has got dark foliage but it's got much more green in it.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00It's got these intense red flowers.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05And I shall be planting dahlias in the cutting garden this year,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08which means that I can pick them freely
0:04:08 > 0:04:10without destroying the display in
0:04:10 > 0:04:14the borders. They will go in the cottage garden, in the orchard beds.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17There are dahlias that will suit almost every location.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28There we are, that's perfect.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Nice root system. Big, healthy plant.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34This is probably about six or seven years old now.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46I'll water these in well.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48They'll grow in most soils.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51They like sun but they don't have to be in full sun.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55And if you keep deadheading them, they just keep repeat flowering.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57And a tip that's quite useful
0:04:57 > 0:05:00is you can cut them back at this time of year quite hard.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02You can reduce them by half.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04That will encourage side shoots,
0:05:04 > 0:05:06which will have a lot more flowers,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09although they will start about three or four weeks later
0:05:09 > 0:05:11than if they were left uncut.
0:05:18 > 0:05:24Well, hopefully, these will bloom for months and months to come.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Now, our great gardens, the ones that we all visit in our
0:05:27 > 0:05:30tens of thousands, take a small team,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33often of extraordinarily skilful gardeners, to look after,
0:05:33 > 0:05:38but also a much larger team of volunteers.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41And I know that, for example, at Sissinghurst,
0:05:41 > 0:05:45they have scores of them who will help in the primping
0:05:45 > 0:05:47and tidying and tending of the garden.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50And the head gardener of Sissinghurst, Troy Scott Smith,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53who we've seen in this process of revamping it,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56agreed to go to Bodnant in North Wales for us
0:05:56 > 0:06:00to meet some of their dedicated volunteer team.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Bodnant is very special to me, for all sorts of reasons,
0:06:09 > 0:06:13not least that I was head gardener here for seven years.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Right now, it's looking probably at its best.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22I don't think I've ever seen it looking quite as good.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25I was really keen when I arrived at Bodnant in 2006 to really
0:06:25 > 0:06:26bring in volunteers.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29They'd never been used before in the garden.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31And as well as really having a lot of work to do
0:06:31 > 0:06:33and needing that extra help,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36I really wanted to engage a lot more, really,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39with the local community.
0:06:39 > 0:06:40They do it because they love it.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42They love coming to the garden.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44They love having a sense of ownership
0:06:44 > 0:06:47with a particular area of the garden or a group of plants that they
0:06:47 > 0:06:49start to look after and become very familiar with.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51And, you know, they're very much part of a team.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55It's gardeners and volunteers really working as one team.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03- Nice to see you again, Troy! - How long have you been volunteering?
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Oh, nearly ten years.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06Some of the volunteers that started
0:07:06 > 0:07:10when I began the programme back in 2006 are still here today.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12So it was a big change for you, wasn't it, Graham,
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- when you came from your work? - Oh, big change.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17I used to sit behind a desk in an office.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Four walls, occasionally walk out into a factory,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- but now, obviously, my factory is here.- Wow.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28The thing about working here is to work with pleasant people
0:07:28 > 0:07:31in a pleasant garden and a pleasant atmosphere,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34and to see this garden grow.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38'What's nice about some of the volunteers as well is that actually
0:07:38 > 0:07:40'they go on and become gardeners.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42'And it's that idea that, for some people,
0:07:42 > 0:07:44'it is about learning a new skill,
0:07:44 > 0:07:48'and then taking it on and making it into a career.' Julie.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50Hello, I'm Troy. I used to be head gardener here.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54- I'm studying the RHS Level 2, so... - OK.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56And here I can learn about all the plants
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- and stuff like that, so...- Yeah.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01So what sort of things have you been doing when you've been working here?
0:08:01 > 0:08:07Doing raking, weeding. I've done hazel...hazel cages.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08- OK.- So...
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- So a range of things, then. - Yeah. Yeah.- Yeah?
0:08:11 > 0:08:13And what have you enjoyed best about it?
0:08:13 > 0:08:17Just the learning and just the whole thing about it.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19It's learning. It's meeting the people.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- It's just...- You never stop learning in gardening.- No, no.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25That's what's... That's what's great about it.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32The main feature of Bodnant at this time of year, without a doubt,
0:08:32 > 0:08:33has to be the Laburnum Arch -
0:08:33 > 0:08:38one of the seven wonders of the horticultural world.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40It's this amazing spectacle which, in a few weeks,
0:08:40 > 0:08:44will be just illuminated with these wondrous racemes of flowers -
0:08:44 > 0:08:46probably about 10,000 blooms.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51So you can just walk along, smell that fragrance
0:08:51 > 0:08:57and just capture that beauty of this amazing spectacle.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00I think, for many people, it's got that magical setting,
0:09:00 > 0:09:04really, for proposing, for enjoying with children.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08For me, personally, here in the Arch, I met my wife.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13It's just a thing which, you can see here, is just a pleasurable thing
0:09:13 > 0:09:16to walk down and experience, just once-in-a-lifetime.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20About 45-50,000 visitors,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Bodnant can expect to come through the garden,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26all, really, with the expectation of seeing this amazing feature
0:09:26 > 0:09:29at its absolute floral best.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37In the three weeks of flowering, it's really quite difficult
0:09:37 > 0:09:41to be able to actually meet everybody's needs,
0:09:41 > 0:09:43and so it's really nice that Bodnant have brought in
0:09:43 > 0:09:47this new team of volunteers called the Laburnum Archers.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49And it just shows you that, actually,
0:09:49 > 0:09:51there's volunteering opportunities at all kinds of levels,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54in all kinds of areas as well.
0:09:54 > 0:09:55The Laburnum Archers meet and greet
0:09:55 > 0:09:59and make everybody's visit that little bit more special.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Dave, you've been here a couple of weeks now as a Laburnum Archer.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Tell me how you're finding volunteering here.
0:10:06 > 0:10:07Very nice.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Enjoyable. I couldn't be more enthusiastic about it.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14I mean, I'm not a gardener, not by any means,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16but I like a nice garden.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18I like to see it like this.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22What's the best thing about your volunteering so far?
0:10:22 > 0:10:23Meeting people.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Talking to people.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Passing on what I know to people when they've asked.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32When they tell me that they've enjoyed themselves,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34then that's making me happy,
0:10:34 > 0:10:39because I know I've done my part as a volunteer.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40Thank you, love.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43If there's somebody out there who's thinking they've got
0:10:43 > 0:10:47a small interest in plants, in gardens, or in people,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50because, you know, it's as much about people,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53go to your local property, enquire, and give it a go.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55I think you'll be surprised how much scope
0:10:55 > 0:10:58and opportunities there are for all sorts of skill sets,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01and, you know, certainly we would welcome you.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13The BBC is running a campaign called Do Something Great,
0:11:13 > 0:11:15celebrating all the various types of volunteering
0:11:15 > 0:11:17that you can get involved in.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19So, if you do feel inspired,
0:11:19 > 0:11:21go to our website or the BBC's general website,
0:11:21 > 0:11:25follow the links and you'll find all the information you need.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43Anybody who grows grass of any kind whatsoever, sooner or later,
0:11:43 > 0:11:46has to deal with bare patches.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48It could be where you've scuffed the ground
0:11:48 > 0:11:51or taken out a dandelion, or as in the case of this grass here,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54where it got really wet in winter and we were working on the borders,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57and we've simply worn away the grass.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Now, you can replace it by digging out a whole area and putting
0:12:00 > 0:12:04a piece of turf in, or you can sow grass seed, and that will work,
0:12:04 > 0:12:08but I've got another method which is just brilliant for small areas.
0:12:11 > 0:12:18If you sow grass seed, as though you were sowing veg, into plugs,
0:12:18 > 0:12:23you can plant little individual pieces of turf,
0:12:23 > 0:12:25and because they've got a good root system already,
0:12:25 > 0:12:29they'll grow away very quickly and establish.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31And I like to think of it like a hair transplant.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34You can dot them around and they will join up.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37And, if you've used the same seed that you sowed it with
0:12:37 > 0:12:38in the first place,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41it'll match in perfectly.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46Grass must have good drainage to flourish,
0:12:46 > 0:12:50and I get loads of letters from people saying,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52"What can I do about moss?"
0:12:52 > 0:12:57And moss always comes when you have poor drainage and shade,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01so nothing is more important than loosening the soil up a bit.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03If it looks like I'm making a big mess, don't worry about it
0:13:03 > 0:13:05because it's going to improve things.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08And, if you notice, I'm going right down there,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11and really working the fork in.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13And what I think I'll do
0:13:13 > 0:13:17is add a little bit of good potting compost,
0:13:17 > 0:13:19mixed in with a bit of grit,
0:13:19 > 0:13:23a bit of leaf mould, and actually a bit of sieved garden compost.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26And the idea being is to give the grass a good start in life.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Just because it's grass, it doesn't mean to say it doesn't
0:13:28 > 0:13:30need good growing conditions.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32So, add that in.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37Work that in a bit, like that.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39These were sown at the beginning of March,
0:13:39 > 0:13:41but you could sow them now, they would germinate quickly
0:13:41 > 0:13:44and they'd be ready to plant out probably in August,
0:13:44 > 0:13:46which is a good time to put grass in, anyway.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49And just pop that in, like that.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Put another one there.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58And probably another one there and those will grow together.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09I can just top-dress that with a little bit of compost.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Don't cut it initially. Then, when it starts to grow strongly,
0:14:15 > 0:14:17and you know the roots are taking and it's all going well,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19then you can cut it.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21And you don't have to worry about not treading on it.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24You don't have to worry about the dogs running over it
0:14:24 > 0:14:27or all the other problems you have with the sowing of grass seed.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Very simple but very effective.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00I am particularly delighted with these meconopsis -
0:15:00 > 0:15:02this blue Himalayan poppy.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Conventional horticultural wisdom is that meconopsis
0:15:05 > 0:15:08need ericaceous soil, they're not hardy,
0:15:08 > 0:15:12and they need cool, moist summers and cold winters.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Well, they're a little bit more adaptable than that,
0:15:15 > 0:15:19but what they absolutely hate are hot, dry summers.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21They do need moist air, so they're quite tricky.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23But I grew these from seed.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26They took a couple of years to develop into little plants.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28Planted them out, and here they are flowering.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30So, not only are they beautiful,
0:15:30 > 0:15:34but they're making me feel quite pleased with myself, too.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38Now, Frances Tophill isn't growing meconopsis, but she is growing
0:15:38 > 0:15:40lots of vegetables and trialling them for us,
0:15:40 > 0:15:41both down at RHS Rosemoor,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45and also in very different conditions in the north
0:15:45 > 0:15:46at Harlow Carr.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49And we go back down to Devon, to Rosemoor,
0:15:49 > 0:15:50to see how she's getting on.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01The cucumber, sweetcorn and tomato seeds I sowed in April
0:16:01 > 0:16:03have all got off to a flying start,
0:16:03 > 0:16:07and today all the plants are ready to be moved on to the next stage.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09I'm just planting out my sweetcorn.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13This one here is Swift and looking really quite healthy.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16We also have Northern Extra Sweet, which is looking good, too,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19and Mirai Picnic, which is not looking quite as good
0:16:19 > 0:16:20as it could be,
0:16:20 > 0:16:22and I'm not sure if that's because it's a smaller variety
0:16:22 > 0:16:25and will be beautiful when we harvest it.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Now, for these sweetcorn, I'm planting them in blocks of 16.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31That's four by four. You have to plant sweetcorn in blocks.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34If you put it in a row, the wind can't pollinate it properly,
0:16:34 > 0:16:36and you'll find that the cobs won't form.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39And I'm spacing these about 40cm apart,
0:16:39 > 0:16:44which will give it plenty of room to grow and become quite vigorous.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49The soil, ideally, should be quite fertile,
0:16:49 > 0:16:50so I've added lots of organic matter
0:16:50 > 0:16:53and some fish blood and bone to this.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58And, if possible, not too dry with some good drainage, too.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59Now, I've grown these from seed,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02brought them on in the polytunnel and then hardened them off
0:17:02 > 0:17:04before I've planted them in the ground here,
0:17:04 > 0:17:05which you will need to do,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08especially if you live in a cold area of the country.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10So, that's one row planted - many more to go.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12And when they're all done, I'll water them in
0:17:12 > 0:17:16and make sure that they stay moist throughout the growing season.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Over 40 more sweetcorn to go.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Then it's the cucumbers.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26The cucumber seeds were sown directly into pots,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29and now they're also ready to be planted outside.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31They need full sun,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34and because they're hungry plants, dig in plenty of organic matter
0:17:34 > 0:17:37before they're planted into the ground.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Now the danger of frost has passed,
0:17:40 > 0:17:44it's a lovely job on a sunny afternoon to sow the French beans.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46These couldn't be easier to grow.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48They just go straight into the ground
0:17:48 > 0:17:50and all they need is a support to climb up.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52I'm putting two seeds per pole.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55For spacing and planting depth,
0:17:55 > 0:17:58always read the packet for instructions.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03I'm planting Helda, Cobra and Violet Podded.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06And it's a good idea to plant them just inside the frame -
0:18:06 > 0:18:10this means there's less chance of damaging them when you weed.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14Finally, the last plant in our trial, tomatoes.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19Our three varieties are Tumbler, Tumbling Tom Yellow,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21and this one, which is Hundreds And Thousands.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23And, just to make a change,
0:18:23 > 0:18:25I'm going to put them in a hanging basket.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28For this basket, I'm using a coir liner,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30and there are loads of different alternatives.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33You can get plastic ones, you can get biodegradable ones...
0:18:33 > 0:18:34This is obviously biodegradable.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38The compost I'm using is peat-free,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41with a slow-release fertiliser, which just basically means that it
0:18:41 > 0:18:46will slowly, over about three or four months, release its nutrients,
0:18:46 > 0:18:50and save you having to feed the plants regularly.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Generally speaking, when you're planting in a container,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55especially if you're really cramming it full, you'd half-fill it,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58put all your plants in, and then back-fill with compost,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00but because I'm only going to put three small plants in,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I'm just going to fill the whole container up
0:19:02 > 0:19:05and dig little holes with my hands.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08This Hundreds And Thousands claims to be
0:19:08 > 0:19:11the world's most prolific fruiter.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13We'll see.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15And this is a lovely tomato for a hanging basket,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17because it will cascade downwards.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20The tomatoes themselves are about the same size as a grape
0:19:20 > 0:19:23and form in lovely hanging bunches,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26which makes them quite nice if you're growing these with kids.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Whilst we've been growing our plants here in Devon,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30up in Yorkshire at RHS Harlow Carr,
0:19:30 > 0:19:32they've been growing exactly the same ones,
0:19:32 > 0:19:34and, as you would expect, everything is a little bit behind,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37so two or three weeks. The tomato plants are smaller
0:19:37 > 0:19:39and the sweetcorn plants are also smaller.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42And, unfortunately, the Mirai Picnic sweetcorn didn't germinate
0:19:42 > 0:19:44so had to be re-sown.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45But, generally speaking,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48I think everything is pretty much what you would expect.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50These couldn't be easier to look after.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52They don't need staking.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54They don't need picking out all the side shoots.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56You just leave them, let them do their thing
0:19:56 > 0:19:59and they will hopefully produce very prolific fruit.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Make sure you always keep the tomatoes nice and moist,
0:20:10 > 0:20:13especially when they're in a hanging basket.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17And, once a week, once the first tress of flowers appears,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20start feeding it with a tomato feed or any high-potash feed,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23which you can just dilute in your water as normal.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27And, if you think it's too late to grow vegetables, it's not.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Go to your local nursery or garden centre and buy seedlings
0:20:30 > 0:20:32and plant them out wherever you can.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45As Frances said, it's really not too late to start sowing.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48In fact, remember, Rosemoor is in sunny Devon,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51and certainly it's a good week, if not two weeks, ahead of us here
0:20:51 > 0:20:53at Longmeadow, so don't be put off.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56If there's anything you'd like to grow,
0:20:56 > 0:20:59from seed as well as from plants, start now, give it a go
0:20:59 > 0:21:01and the chances are it'll be absolutely fine.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Remember, we go on harvesting vegetables well into November.
0:21:05 > 0:21:10Now, I'll tell you what I almost don't want to harvest,
0:21:10 > 0:21:12because it's so resplendent, is this rhubarb.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14It's the latest rhubarb we've grown
0:21:14 > 0:21:16and, boy, has it made up for it with vigour.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20One stem is enough to feed a family of five for a week,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22and have seconds.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31All winter, this greenhouse is filled with as many
0:21:31 > 0:21:33salad crops as I can grow.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36But it's getting warm and it's time to start growing tomatoes,
0:21:36 > 0:21:41and, from June onwards, this is a tomato greenhouse.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Now, I've planted the ones at the back,
0:21:44 > 0:21:45which are cordon tomatoes,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48and what that means is they grow straight, up a support.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52And the problem with just putting in one bamboo cane is,
0:21:52 > 0:21:54by the time you get to September or October
0:21:54 > 0:21:59and you've got a large plant loaded with glorious tomatoes,
0:21:59 > 0:22:03the bamboo is as wobbly as a drunk in the wind,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06so you do need to have a decent structure.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09And when I've got that up, I'll then show you how to plant them
0:22:09 > 0:22:11so they grow as well as possible.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20I'm going to space these in two rows, 15 inches apart.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24So, the sort of gap I'm looking for is about like that.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31OK, that's the basic structure.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36If I left that like that, it just wouldn't support the plants,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38so I now need to strut it.
0:22:43 > 0:22:49At this time of year, good twine and a good sharp penknife
0:22:49 > 0:22:53are as important to the gardener as a spade and a fork.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02If you've watched me working in the garden,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05you will have guessed by now that I really like
0:23:05 > 0:23:07these temporary structures.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10To me, they are part of the beauty of the garden.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12I genuinely think that they can look really nice,
0:23:12 > 0:23:16and it's important that, even though they're completely practical,
0:23:16 > 0:23:18they should look beautiful, too.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24These are the longest canes I've got because I'm going to
0:23:24 > 0:23:26tie it together longways.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34What I shall do is weave them along the back.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Everything is being supported pretty much by everything else,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45except for in this dimension,
0:23:45 > 0:23:48so, just in case the whole thing comes over,
0:23:48 > 0:23:52I'm going to tie it in across...
0:23:52 > 0:23:53like that.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09I've grown lots of tomatoes in my time,
0:24:09 > 0:24:11and I like experimenting with new ones,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14but there are two that I keep coming back to.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17One is Gardener's Delight and the other is Shirley.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21And if you're an organic grower, then Shirley is really useful
0:24:21 > 0:24:24because although not absolutely blight-resistant,
0:24:24 > 0:24:25pretty blight-resistant,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28and a good tomato.
0:24:28 > 0:24:29It's one of those that,
0:24:29 > 0:24:32if you're going to grow one type, I would highly recommend it.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34And when I plant it,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37I want to go at least to the level of the bottom leaf,
0:24:37 > 0:24:39and that will do two things -
0:24:39 > 0:24:42it'll anchor the plant so there's just simply more of it underground,
0:24:42 > 0:24:45but also roots will grow from the stem,
0:24:45 > 0:24:48and this will give it more food and moisture.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50So, make a decent hole.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55And I've prepared the soil with lots of fresh compost.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58So that's good and deep.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Fill round it and firm it in.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04When you've planted the whole bed, give them a really good soak.
0:25:04 > 0:25:05And, particularly in June,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08when the nights can be cold and the days very warm,
0:25:08 > 0:25:12keep the water levels steady and the temperature as steady as you can.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14And the best way to do that, or at least the simplest,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17is to give them lots of ventilation during the day,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20but close them up a little bit earlier than you might at night,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23so you keep the warmth inside.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27And I water two, maybe three times a week at most
0:25:27 > 0:25:30but give them a really good soak.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Now, I'm going to be busy with my tomatoes,
0:25:33 > 0:25:37but here are some other jobs you can do this weekend.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Raspberry suckers should be removed
0:25:39 > 0:25:41because they'll weaken the parent plant,
0:25:41 > 0:25:42as well as being untidy.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45But don't cut them, as they'll simply grow back stronger.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Pull them up, taking as much root as possible,
0:25:48 > 0:25:51and, if you do get a really good section of root,
0:25:51 > 0:25:53rather than putting it on the compost heap,
0:25:53 > 0:25:57you could pot it up and replant it as a healthy new plant.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Now the days are warming up, it's time to plant out squashes,
0:26:00 > 0:26:02but start with courgettes,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04as the nights can still be a bit chilly
0:26:04 > 0:26:07and they're hardier than pumpkins.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09They like really rich soil and lots of water,
0:26:09 > 0:26:13so plant them in a slight saucer, so that when you water them,
0:26:13 > 0:26:17it will all flow back in towards the roots.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20And don't forget, they grow into large plants
0:26:20 > 0:26:25so give them at least a metre's room in each direction.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29If you've grown annuals from seed, like these cosmos,
0:26:29 > 0:26:31you can either plant them out as they are
0:26:31 > 0:26:35and they'll tend to be tall plants with a few large flowers,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38or you can pinch out the tops, which will encourage them
0:26:38 > 0:26:43to be bushy with side shoots that will have masses of smaller flowers.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47If you're wondering where is the best place to cut,
0:26:47 > 0:26:51the first rule is always just above a pair of leaves.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Now, this is Cosmos Purity.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Lovely white flowers.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58I could take it down to there, which is actually my preferred place.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02And it is possible to go right to there,
0:27:02 > 0:27:05but, of course, the lower I cut it, the later the flowers will come.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08That will become a strong, bushy plant in about
0:27:08 > 0:27:10three or four weeks' time,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13but I'll have an absolute mass of them on a really healthy plant.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30I know this is a busy time of the year in the garden.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32I know the weather's lovely - there's nothing nicer -
0:27:32 > 0:27:37but sometimes inspiration can trump perspiration.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39And this is the NGS Festival Weekend
0:27:39 > 0:27:44and that means there are over 400 private gardens open to
0:27:44 > 0:27:47be visited right across the country,
0:27:47 > 0:27:49and if you go to our website, you'll get the details.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52So, if you get the chance, go and visit some gardens,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56get ideas for yours, and also a lot of pleasure.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04When I was at Chelsea last week, I overheard someone say that
0:28:04 > 0:28:09anyone who let that weed cow parsley into their garden was an idiot.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Well, then I am a joyful idiot
0:28:12 > 0:28:15because I love this chaos of cow parsley.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18To me, this is the plant of the season.
0:28:18 > 0:28:23Nothing that I can carefully grow in this garden is as beautiful
0:28:23 > 0:28:27as the froth of cow parsley at the end of May and early June,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30and, while it lasts, all you can do is revel in it.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32That's it for today.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Have a lovely weekend,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37and while I revel in my cow parsley,
0:28:37 > 0:28:41I shall see you back here at Longmeadow same time next week.
0:28:41 > 0:28:42'Til then, bye-bye.