0:00:14 > 0:00:16Well, hello there.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Welcome to Beechgrove on a delightful day,
0:00:18 > 0:00:22and I'm definitely going to try and accentuate the positive
0:00:22 > 0:00:25by starting here in the fruit cage, looking to harvest some soft fruit.
0:00:25 > 0:00:31Let's start with the cordon gooseberries. You can see how well they've been trimmed.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33That exposes the fruit to the light
0:00:33 > 0:00:36and it colours up and it makes them a lot easier to spot and to pick.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39This variety, which turns red as it ripens,
0:00:39 > 0:00:42and it's hairless, it's bald, if you like,
0:00:42 > 0:00:46is martlet and it works so well in this fashion.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49The next variety I would talk about is invicta.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50Here it is, here,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53green, turning to yellow.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Again, it's been well pruned and therefore,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58you can see that the fruit are ripening up
0:00:58 > 0:01:01and they're beginning to soften now and ready to pick.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05Both of these are resistant to American Gooseberry Mildew,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08which can be a bit of a scourge. So, we're thankful for that.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10They've really done well. Then onto redcurrants.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Interesting story here.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15We've got some gorgeous fruits ready to pick.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17The variety's Jonkheer van Tets.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21You can see where the pruning again has been done early
0:01:21 > 0:01:24to expose the fruit and to get it ripened up,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27but with the kind of weather conditions we've had,
0:01:27 > 0:01:31we've had this great rush of growth all the way down to the bottom.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Hiding the fruit. And I can tell you what's going to happen to it,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36it's going to get chopped right back,
0:01:36 > 0:01:38right in there, like so. No messing.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40And then we'll get the picking done.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44I'm going to leave you to get on with other things as I start picking,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47and when we do the old redcurrants, we pick them
0:01:47 > 0:01:50on the sprig, so to speak. Like so.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53You don't try to pick them individually. Isn't that lovely?
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Aren't they gorgeous? Some people who are always in a rush,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00who are always looking for technology,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02want to use this Hoover thing.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04I find this is good for blackcurrants,
0:02:04 > 0:02:05but not to get into these.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09And, of course, you're supposed to do this like having a haircut.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Not for me! Meanwhile, get on with the rest of the programme.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21It's not every day of the week that you will find a Weeping Judas Tree.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Absolutely stunning, and I know it is because it's there on the label.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29Of course, we're in a botanic garden in the middle of Aberdeen.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36And I'm going to be turning this once productive vegetable plot
0:02:36 > 0:02:40into a low-maintenance ornamental border.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45You know, I'm delighted we've got some great results
0:02:45 > 0:02:48with our first year flowering perennial trial.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49I just want to take you back to tell you
0:02:49 > 0:02:53what we were doing here. It was February 14th,
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Valentine's Day, when we sowed these seeds
0:02:55 > 0:02:57and this is the results now.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00We want to see - are they flowering in that first year?
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Well, starting off with the delosperma
0:03:02 > 0:03:05and this came out as top for germination.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08We had 100% germination
0:03:08 > 0:03:10and the cost was a penny per plant.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13That's not taking into account things like compost and pots,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16but when we look at the number that germinated,
0:03:16 > 0:03:18one pence per plant.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21And here, we've got the flowers, they started flowering
0:03:21 > 0:03:23in the middle of July.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26They love the sunshine, because they really open up in the sun.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30The next one, prunella - that doesn't mind a bit of shade,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33that started flowering at the end of July
0:03:33 > 0:03:35and there's loads of buds to come.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37It's a good groundcover plant
0:03:37 > 0:03:39and it looks really healthy.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Now, how about this for brightness?
0:03:41 > 0:03:42The poppy.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Now, this one comes out top for flowering first.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48This started flowering at the end of June.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51And the insects, things like the hoverflies
0:03:51 > 0:03:53and the bees, really love this plant
0:03:53 > 0:03:56and the variety's called solar fire.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Lavender's a little bit disappointing,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02but that's not surprising, because we haven't had the sunshine
0:04:02 > 0:04:03and we've had so much moisture.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Lavender really thrives with good drainage.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10But the next plant, this is a salvia.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12This started flowering in the middle of July again,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14loads of buds to come
0:04:14 > 0:04:17and I think that will flower for several months.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19This one has to be my favourite, though.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Vesuvius, a lychnis,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25the variety called Vesuvius, well, that describes it really well,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28because look at these bright, fiery flowers,
0:04:28 > 0:04:30and a gorgeous contrast
0:04:30 > 0:04:32with this maroon foliage.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35But when it comes to buds on the plant,
0:04:35 > 0:04:37I think gaillardia has to be the top one.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39A really compact variety.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44Yes, it did start flowering towards the end of July,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47but again, I think this one's going to go right through to the autumn.
0:04:47 > 0:04:48And then achillea,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51this is summer berries, it's a good cut flower.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54I think this is later than usual, because of the weather,
0:04:54 > 0:04:56but this will continue.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58And I what I want to do is continue the trial,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01because I want to see if these perennials are hardy.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02We will leave them in the ground
0:05:02 > 0:05:05and see if they come through next winter.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Our garden visit this week is a bit of a home game.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11You find me in the leafy suburbs of old Aberdeen
0:05:11 > 0:05:14and I'm heading for the Cruickshank Botanic Garden,
0:05:14 > 0:05:18and there, I shall meet the new curator, Mark Patterson.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Well, you'll be the new man then, Mark. How long have you been here?
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- I've been here just over six months. - Beginning to find your way around?
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Having a lovely time, absolutely.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39That's jolly good. But how long has the garden been here?
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Garden's been here 114 years now, 1898 is when it started.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45I wonder how many people realise
0:05:45 > 0:05:48that you've got such a gem here in the centre of Aberdeen!
0:05:48 > 0:05:50- Fewer perhaps than one would like! - Yes.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52We're in a botanic garden,
0:05:52 > 0:05:54people think it's only for academics,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56students, and all the rest of it.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Behind these walls is not the world for me.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00That's not true, is it?
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Absolutely not, no. This garden,
0:06:02 > 0:06:06as with any botanic garden, is available for all to use.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10We have just walked through this fabulous border.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Fabulous in a year when most herbaceous
0:06:12 > 0:06:15has been flattened to the ground. This is a great credit to the staff.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17That's very kind of you to say so.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- No, but it's stunning. That's what people can see.- Yes.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22And if you've just moved to a new area, we get letters about this,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25what can I grow? If you've got a botanic garden like this
0:06:25 > 0:06:27anywhere near you, go and have a look.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29What else have you got to show me?
0:06:29 > 0:06:31My goodness! How much time do you have, Jim?
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Let's move on.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49- Here we are making our way into the sunken garden.- Absolutely, yeah.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51It's a sun-trap in its own right.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53It's quite a sight, isn't it?
0:06:53 > 0:06:55- It's beautiful, we've got some stunning colour here.- Yeah.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Some are seasonal, but plants
0:06:58 > 0:07:00that are from various parts of the world
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- and will look good throughout the year.- This is south-facing,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- and we find the old phygelius from South Africa.- Very much so.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Phygelius is looking lovely.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14We also have, in the foreground here, agopanthus. Soon to come into flower.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17I hate to mention it, but is the mower bust?
0:07:17 > 0:07:20You're looking down on our lawn at the bottom,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24deliberately looking like an unmown lawn. Grass has gone to seed...
0:07:24 > 0:07:26We had a wonderful range of bulbs underneath
0:07:26 > 0:07:29and, in the spring, species of daffodils,
0:07:29 > 0:07:31fritillaria coming through the grass. It looks beautiful.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33These rodgersias are stunning.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35The leaf cover there is super, isn't it?
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- Facing North and they're perfectly happy.- Doing very, very well,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41to the point where they're encroaching on the path on that side.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43We're going to push them back this winter.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Well, we're now, Jim, in the rock garden and pond area.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Completely different atmosphere.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- This rock garden was put in in the 1960s.- Yes.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00And you are now seeing many of the rocks
0:08:00 > 0:08:03being exposed once again
0:08:03 > 0:08:05and that's because the original planting
0:08:05 > 0:08:07involved so-called dwarf conifers.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Let him go for 40-odd years, they're no longer a dwarf!
0:08:10 > 0:08:12I'm glad you put in that bit about so-called,
0:08:12 > 0:08:14that's another story! But behind us here,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17what's this? A little primula. That's stonking!
0:08:17 > 0:08:20They are beautiful, these primulas, aren't they? And again, it's part of...
0:08:20 > 0:08:22you can see here that we've opened it up,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24it allows more light levels, new plantings
0:08:24 > 0:08:26to come in. Seasonal colour.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28And this is another gorgeous little corner.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31I've only ever seen that in a pot in a show-bench.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33It's a roscoea humeana.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35South-west China?
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- Indeed. And belonging to the ginger family.- Oh, really?
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Which is very special, to be able to grow outside at this stage.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44It's quite unusual, isn't it?
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Well, the flower is just so stunning, isn't it?
0:08:46 > 0:08:49They're like little handkerchiefs, just dangling there.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53I think you're absolutely right, and slightly creamy colour,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55a little bit of yellow tinge in there.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59Offsetting other plants in the bed, including the geranium.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Calm down, lad! We'll never see the whole place if you go on like that.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Well, Jim, here we are moving out of the rose garden
0:09:12 > 0:09:15which, again, is another lovely area of Cruickshank Botanic Garden.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17This was developed in the 1980s
0:09:17 > 0:09:21and some of the roses have been here ever since that time.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23What's the extent of the garden in total?
0:09:23 > 0:09:2611 acres. 4.6, 4.7 hectares.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27And how many staff do you have?
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Excluding myself, those in the grounds, doing the horticulture.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33four-and-a-half right now,
0:09:33 > 0:09:35because we have a summer student gardener.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39With our seasonal gardener, three-and-a-half, but in winter, that drops to two-and-a-half.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Wow! That's quite a drop.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Do you have a friends organisation that are able to help in some way?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47The Friends of Cruickshank Botanic Garden are very supportive.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50They've been running 30 years, and volunteers as well.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Plenty of volunteers, or enough to be able to meet the demands?
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Enough to help, enough to be very supportive
0:09:56 > 0:09:59and use it as a learning opportunity for themselves,
0:09:59 > 0:10:01but always open to have new volunteers, yes.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Well, this is fabulous!
0:10:09 > 0:10:12The arboretum - heaven!
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Trees! Isn't it stunning?
0:10:16 > 0:10:19This bit of the garden is the most recent purchase of land,
0:10:19 > 0:10:21in the 1960s.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25The vast majority of the trees we see here are 50-odd years old.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28You're making use of all the space,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30as I see a bit of an experiment going on here.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32From the top of the hill, it changes down
0:10:32 > 0:10:35to that cultivated area at the bottom. What's happening?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38As we look at the top slope sweeping down between us here,
0:10:38 > 0:10:43we have one, two and three different Scottish meadow mixes,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45with an open bed to be sown for next year.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47There will be four in total.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49As we come in through the gate at the top and look across,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52we see these lovely double spires of the old cathedral.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55It's been there longer than any of it at all.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56Walk into the arboretum, top end,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59you get that wonderful view of the double spires.
0:10:59 > 0:11:00I take it you'd like to
0:11:00 > 0:11:01open that up a wee bit?
0:11:01 > 0:11:04I would love to open up that vista a bit more,
0:11:04 > 0:11:07and that's part of the game, that of being a custodian here -
0:11:07 > 0:11:10having a legacy to come into, leaving a legacy as well.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13I made a reference there to the fact that
0:11:13 > 0:11:16this is even less well-known than the garden itself.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17I mean, it's hidden away here.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20A bit of a hidden gem, is it not?
0:11:20 > 0:11:23The arboretum is. The whole garden is.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25One of the most common phrases I've heard
0:11:25 > 0:11:28from people I've been able to introduce to the gardens,
0:11:28 > 0:11:30and all those who know it, is,
0:11:30 > 0:11:32"This is Aberdeen's best-kept secret."
0:11:32 > 0:11:33To which my response is,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35"Best kept, it will be. Less of a secret, it must be."
0:11:35 > 0:11:37That's a great motto for you.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48The Cruickshank Botanic Garden in Aberdeen is open seven days a week.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50It's free of charge, so well worth a visit.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53You know, we've had lots of letters in and we've even been
0:11:53 > 0:11:57stopped on the street about problems in the garden with this summer.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00You're not alone and the three of us want to share with you
0:12:00 > 0:12:03some of the problems we've got in the garden here.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05I'm going to major on the bedding.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09This was meant to be an absolutely gorgeous display by now,
0:12:09 > 0:12:10we're majoring on foliage,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13but look, for example, at that one there,
0:12:13 > 0:12:15which is very brown, pretty dead.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17It is Kochia, meant to be the burning bush.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19We should just call it a brown bush!
0:12:19 > 0:12:23Then we've got things like the millet. They've just sat there.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25The foliage has just got really, really poor
0:12:25 > 0:12:28and has just started to wither away.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32I suppose things like the castor oil plants, they're slightly better.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34But if you remember last year,
0:12:34 > 0:12:37we had an ornamental potager and I grew that plant,
0:12:37 > 0:12:41and at this time of year, it was probably twice the height.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44But at least the foliage has stayed nice and fresh.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46We've got rice. Rice, again, has sat there,
0:12:46 > 0:12:47almost started to disappear.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50You would have thought in the rain that it would thrive,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53but it obviously doesn't like those cold, wet temperatures.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58I think what's interesting is a lot of the silver foliage plants,
0:12:58 > 0:13:00the hairy plants, have done quite well.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05This one is a new one to me - Plectranthus "Silver Shield".
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Lovely big leaves on it, but I still reckon
0:13:08 > 0:13:11if we'd had better weather, that would be twice the size.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14However, the hanging baskets are pretty good.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17I think maybe because they are in baskets,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20they've got the good drainage, when we do get a bit of sunshine,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22they heat up quite quickly.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26And so the helichrysums are happy - again, it's a hairy-leaved plant.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31And things like the nepeta, beautiful trailing plant there.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34So, OK, some negatives and some positives.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Well, lots of positives here and lots of flowers.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40I'm in a bed which has got herbaceous perennials in it.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Those are things that die down, disappear each year,
0:13:43 > 0:13:44but come back reliably.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46They are flowering really, really well.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51This verbascum, with its tall yellow spires with yellow flowers.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Verbena bonariensis, adored by butterflies,
0:13:54 > 0:13:56and those pretty blue scabious,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58and lupins still in flower.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01So it really shows that these have been much less affected
0:14:01 > 0:14:04by the weather than maybe the annuals.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07But another problem that you probably will be having
0:14:07 > 0:14:09is the fact that we've had so much rain,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12it's really rinsed through all the nutrients in the soil.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14There's very little food left.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18Plants really need three basic nutrients.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Nitrogen - they use this to make leaves.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Phosphates - they make roots.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26And potassium - and this is for fruits and flowers.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30At this time of year, this is what you should be applying.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32It's called the sunshine fertiliser,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35so you need to have a look on anything that you put into the garden
0:14:35 > 0:14:38to make sure it's got high numbers of K.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41That will help ripen the plants and make sure that they flower
0:14:41 > 0:14:43and fruit really well next year.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48I suppose I'm doing a bit of a summing up,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50because I'm talking about perennial perennials.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53You don't get any more perennial than trees, do you?
0:14:53 > 0:14:56I've got a sheaf of letters here from Inverleith, Inverclyde,
0:14:56 > 0:15:00from Glasgow, from Dundee, from this area as well,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03all talking about premature leaf fall in trees,
0:15:03 > 0:15:05mature trees that have been there for years.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09Well, I honestly believe that it's not disease for the most part,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12it's the weather conditions that we've had.
0:15:12 > 0:15:13In the case of fruit trees,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15there might be a bit of additional disease has come in
0:15:15 > 0:15:17as a result of the damage,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20but over there, we've got a beautiful Prunus,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22the Tibetan Prunus,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25and there's quite a lot of dead wood in that and it's looking very sad.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28But the last thing I would be recommending is to go in with a saw
0:15:28 > 0:15:31and do anything drastic, because if it is weather,
0:15:31 > 0:15:33then they will recover in due time.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35If there's a little bit of pruning necessary,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38clean them up in the spring and give them a feed and away they come,
0:15:38 > 0:15:40but don't go hacking into them.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42I just think that they've had a message -
0:15:42 > 0:15:47very warm March, then we had an autumn in April/May,
0:15:47 > 0:15:49these guys thought it was time to shut up shop.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52I reckon that this is premature senescence,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55as we would call it botanically.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57They're dropping their leaves because they think it's autumn.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01So you just keep your trees and don't cut them down.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Here in the potager garden,
0:16:03 > 0:16:07it's all about growing things prettily and productively.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10We've got some gorgeous salad crops and edible flowers,
0:16:10 > 0:16:13and in little compartments, so they contrast with one another.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Over here, we've got this calendula - bright orange -
0:16:17 > 0:16:18next to...
0:16:18 > 0:16:20purple lettuce "Delicato".
0:16:20 > 0:16:22It's almost metallic,
0:16:22 > 0:16:24but beautiful together in a salad.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27But actually, I'm going to keep them for something else.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30We've also got some edible little violas here.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32I'm going to pick a few of those.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36The important thing is, we have got salad crops which are ready now,
0:16:36 > 0:16:38so we're going to be using those.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42You need to keep on planting. I'm going to put in some oriental leaves.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45It's best to do this after midsummer,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48then they're much less likely to bolt and go to seed.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52I've already got a row of Mizuna oriental leaf in,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55and I'm planting here red pak choi.
0:16:55 > 0:16:56I'm going to keep my hands clean
0:16:56 > 0:16:59because I want to show you something else.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02This is using some of the leaves
0:17:02 > 0:17:05and some of the flowers that we've picked here.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08I want to make an ice bowl. This is really, really easy to do.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12You just need two interlocking bowls like this.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15What I do is put some water in the bottom of this one, freeze it,
0:17:15 > 0:17:19and then the smaller one will sit on top
0:17:19 > 0:17:21and I can start to arrange it.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24However, I actually have a kit,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27and so you would freeze the bottom part
0:17:27 > 0:17:29and then just start to push in
0:17:29 > 0:17:31things like this lettuce "Delicato" -
0:17:31 > 0:17:34push it in, down the sides.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38You can maybe use a little barbecue stick like that.
0:17:38 > 0:17:39Then the calendula.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42And when you've got them all in -
0:17:42 > 0:17:43and take a little bit longer
0:17:43 > 0:17:44than this to arrange them -
0:17:44 > 0:17:46fill it up with water,
0:17:46 > 0:17:47pop it in the freezer,
0:17:47 > 0:17:51and then this will be the result.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Now, in this ice bowl,
0:17:53 > 0:17:57I've actually got some little violas,
0:17:57 > 0:18:00some purple lettuce, some lavender,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03and then I've picked some parsley seed heads.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05It's sitting in a sort of a top hat,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07because this will catch the water
0:18:07 > 0:18:09as it melts. It'll last for
0:18:09 > 0:18:10two or three hours.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12If you're using just the bowl system,
0:18:12 > 0:18:14you'd have to sit it on a plate or something.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16And you can use this as, I think,
0:18:16 > 0:18:18a stunning centrepiece for a supper party.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21You could put ice cream in here, shrimps,
0:18:21 > 0:18:23or even just float some candles
0:18:23 > 0:18:25and it would look beautiful.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26On a smaller scale,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29if you want to just make some very, very pretty ice cubes,
0:18:29 > 0:18:34then the secret with this is just half fill the tray with water,
0:18:34 > 0:18:38pop flowers on top - so I've got blue borage and the purple thyme -
0:18:38 > 0:18:41freeze them, so the flower is now
0:18:41 > 0:18:42glued where you want it,
0:18:42 > 0:18:45top that up with water and then pop it in the freezer.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48That makes a lovely addition to summer drinks,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51so you can sit back on the terrace in the sunshine.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56I'm just south of Aberdeen today, in the lovely coastal town of Cove.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01The sea is literally just a few hundred yards that way.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04You might think that I'm just going to be visiting this lovely garden.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08It belongs to Eleanor Patterson. She has a wee problem in the back.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Eleanor, your back garden is just as lovely as the front.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22You've obviously worked hard on it. How long have you been here?
0:19:22 > 0:19:2415 years in November.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27It was just a blank canvas when we came in -
0:19:27 > 0:19:31grass, and one or two bushes here and there.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34So my husband, being a very keen gardener,
0:19:34 > 0:19:35put up his greenhouse
0:19:35 > 0:19:42and then he allocated this patch of ground for vegetables.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46- Sadly, your husband passed away a few years ago, didn't he?- He did.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Yes, eight years ago.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51He managed to get seven years doing the garden here.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55I've been trying to keep the garden up in his memory.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57He thought that flowers are for the living...
0:19:58 > 0:20:01..and that was my philosophy as well -
0:20:01 > 0:20:04just to keep his memory alive in me.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09So this was his vegetable patch, which I am no longer fit to do.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12So, really, you wrote to Beechgrove because you want lower maintenance?
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Yes, yes.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Well, we're going to get our hands dirty together,
0:20:16 > 0:20:19and I think it should be fun making this low maintenance.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22- Well, I did say my prayers, so the sun has shone!- Brilliant.
0:20:30 > 0:20:31When I first met Eleanor,
0:20:31 > 0:20:35she was really keen to have this frame over the border removed.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38What's climbing over it is a vigorous clematis.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Clematis montana.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42It's flowered beautifully for her
0:20:42 > 0:20:44and this is the perfect time to be pruning it back.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49You can prune it back really hard, it will respond to that.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51I'm cutting it back just on the edge,
0:20:51 > 0:20:52and then when it starts to grow,
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Eleanor can train it along that frame there.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- Is that enough room for you to get the saw in?- That should be fine.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Oh, gosh, look at all the snails here!
0:21:09 > 0:21:11There's loads of them.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13The year of snails and slugs, I think.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- Right, I'm going to get my hand out of the way.- I would!
0:21:22 > 0:21:23Easy.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27Right, I'm going to leave you to it and find Eleanor at the end here.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30You're cutting my favourite cut flower - the Sweet William.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34- Yes.- A beautiful perfume.- Yeah.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37You've got a problem here, haven't you, with the eucalyptus?
0:21:37 > 0:21:39I noticed that the base is split,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42so what I tried to do is I put a bag of compost on it
0:21:42 > 0:21:47and I put these four bricks, thinking I would be able to save it.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51I can see what you mean. Really bad split there.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52As you say, the bricks,
0:21:52 > 0:21:54the compost, which I'm not particularly happy with,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57because if you put it round the neck,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00then the bark can get really soft.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04The other thing is, look how loose that is.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06That was the wild winds of Aberdeen.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- I think we should take that out. I hope you don't mind?- No, no.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- I've got a suitable replacement. - Oh, well!
0:22:12 > 0:22:16And this conifer is a juniper. It's called "Skyrocket".
0:22:16 > 0:22:17Gorgeous colour.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20It is a lovely colour. It's very similar to the eucalyptus, isn't it?
0:22:20 > 0:22:22But that will go up in height,
0:22:22 > 0:22:26but the width is only going to get about two feet, at the most.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- Much better for that space. - It's perfect, isn't it?
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Eleanor, I believe you're quite keen
0:22:42 > 0:22:44to put these blueberries into the border?
0:22:44 > 0:22:49Yes, I think, actually, they seem to grow better in the border.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51It's easier, absolutely easier.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53I mean, growing something in a container,
0:22:53 > 0:22:55you've got to always watch the watering.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59My only concern is that it's a vegetable plot.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01I'm assuming you've probably put some lime on it?
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Well, there has been in the past.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Yes, my husband was quite keen on doing the thing properly.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10Yes, because a vegetable patch needs a pH of around 6.5/7.
0:23:10 > 0:23:15Now, blueberries really like it acidic, down to about five.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18I want to add plenty of ericaceous compost when we plant them.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22The other thing I want to do is a bit of a belt-and-braces approach,
0:23:22 > 0:23:26but add some yellow sulphur as well, because that really helps.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28You've inspired me. I thought, right, ericaceous plants,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31that's going to go down that end because
0:23:31 > 0:23:34it's a little bit productive with your rhubarb and you've got herbs.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Well, why not add a few more things like the rhododendrons and heathers?
0:23:37 > 0:23:39That would be good.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Well, we've got all the acid-loving plants in
0:23:53 > 0:23:57and then quite a few other plants I've chosen here.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Partly, I was inspired by your blueberries,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02because they give you white flowers,
0:24:02 > 0:24:05so I've tried to go for a bit of a colour theme with white flowers.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09The other inspiration was yourself, because you said
0:24:09 > 0:24:12you like the shade of green, or the shades of green.
0:24:12 > 0:24:1640 shades of green is just exactly the thing for me.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20It is, isn't it? I mean, look at each of these plants, and what a variety of colours!
0:24:20 > 0:24:22We've got different shapes of leaves....
0:24:22 > 0:24:24We've got lime green, we've got dark greens
0:24:24 > 0:24:26and, as you say, different shapes of leaves.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30We've got things that are evergreen, so you've got 12 months of interest.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34And then, obviously, you want things flowering right through the season.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Yes, if we can.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39So, let's start off with things like the hellebores,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- because we have long winters, don't we?- Of course we do.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44What have we got in flower at the moment?
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Things like the Leucanthemum. That's called "Silver Princess".
0:24:47 > 0:24:49- I love the Astilbe. - Astilbe's lovely.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53"White Sensation". So a whole mixture.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56And at the end of the day, I think this is going to look really nice.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18So working with that soil, it was so easy to put in the plants.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22Of course, we cut back the clematis, we've given you a new tree.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24All those plants, hopefully, you're pleased with them!
0:25:24 > 0:25:26You've made a lovely choice.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Each one, as I saw them coming in, I thought,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31"I like that, I like this."
0:25:31 > 0:25:32Oh, that's great.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Well, if there's one class of vegetables that have
0:25:43 > 0:25:46really lapped up this weather, it's the brassicas.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48They're looking absolutely stunning.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Our calabrese is ready for harvesting.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52This is a variety - "Monterey".
0:25:52 > 0:25:56It's an F1 hybrid and the sooner I get that head out,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58the sooner the side shoots will start to grow
0:25:58 > 0:25:59and give us a second crop.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03If you look up the row, they're all the same. The important thing is to harvest them straightaway.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06They can go in the freezer and will keep for ages.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10One of the best vegetables to be growing is the calabrese.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Not quite the same as the cauliflower,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16this is one I've been using since I was knee-high to a daisy.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19This is a variety "All The Year Round".
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Quite small, got a wee bit to grow yet. The next one's the same.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24They're not so even as the calabrese.
0:26:24 > 0:26:25This is an open pollinated variety.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28I can't use them all on the same day.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30I can't get all the calabrese done
0:26:30 > 0:26:32and into the freezer, so what do I do?
0:26:32 > 0:26:35I bend this over - just break the leaf -
0:26:35 > 0:26:41bend it over like that, and it'll prevent it from shooting.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43We're in the white garden.
0:26:43 > 0:26:48This dianthus, looking gorgeous, and it smells beautiful.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50But sadly, with all the wet weather,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52some of the buds have actually rotted and aren't going to open.
0:26:52 > 0:26:58What I'm going to do is carefully pick through this in the sunshine,
0:26:58 > 0:27:01nip them off to make sure that all the buds that there are to come,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05so we'll have lots and lots more of these beautiful flowers.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10This is a lovely scented foliage geranium. It's a variegated form.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13However, if I look further down, look at this.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17You can see how it's reverted back to green.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19That's just going to take over from the plant.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23If I follow it right down, it's almost like a sucker.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27I'm going to have to cut all these branches off
0:27:27 > 0:27:29and trace that right down to the bottom.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38- This corner of the garden's fairly buzzing, is it not?- Isn't it just?
0:27:38 > 0:27:40This is the seaside garden and it is looking fantastic,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43and covered with bees and butterflies on this lovely sunny day.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46It's covered all the soil too, so it keeps down the weeds - brilliant.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Yes. And we're beginning to see the harvest
0:27:48 > 0:27:51after all that hard work, even in a bad season.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Those look gorgeous, and the vegetables look beautiful. Look!
0:27:53 > 0:27:56- Don't they look great?- It's shiny! - "Tokyo Cross" turnip.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59- Too good to eat! - The cauli and...
0:27:59 > 0:28:01The little cucumbers, which are brilliant, aren't they?
0:28:01 > 0:28:04If you'd like any more information about this week's programme,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07maybe about the harvest, it's all in the fact sheet.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10The easiest way to access that is online.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14Don't forget as well, you can find us on Twitter and Facebook.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16- Smell these, Lesley. - They are gorgeous!
0:28:16 > 0:28:17And next week,
0:28:17 > 0:28:20we're going to be having a further look at fragrant plants.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22The sweet peas are fabulous.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Yes, and Mr Anderson's back next week.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26He's going to be looking at his trials on grasses
0:28:26 > 0:28:29and green manuring and wildflower mixes.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31There's a lot in it. See you then.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33- Bye!- Bye-bye!- Bye!
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd