0:00:15 > 0:00:18Well, hello and welcome to Beechgrove.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21And just as I come into the greenhouse, the sun comes out,
0:00:21 > 0:00:22so it gets nice and warm...
0:00:22 > 0:00:24and sticky.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Remember, we planted a whole lot of tomatoes in here.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29The same variety - Shirley.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31We took eight different kinds of grow-bags.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34We tipped the stuff out of the grow-bags and put them into pots,
0:00:34 > 0:00:38so there's a row of each grow-bag compost all the way through.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41And the idea is to compare the grow-bag compost.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44We've been overtaken by conditions which have led to the plants
0:00:44 > 0:00:47doing less than well, I could say.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Although, we've got a decent crop.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52The funny thing is, the ones that were slowest and thinnest
0:00:52 > 0:00:58from day one are the first to start producing ripe tomatoes.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00And I would suggest that it's because they're at the end,
0:01:00 > 0:01:01they've got plenty space -
0:01:01 > 0:01:03in other words, they're getting a lot more light
0:01:03 > 0:01:07than the body of the kirk here, which started off well.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09They were absolutely superb.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12It was like a lawn in here, but they've just gone backwards.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15And, of course, we've got the scourge of this sort of situation
0:01:15 > 0:01:16all over the plants,
0:01:16 > 0:01:20and we've left them so that you could see, just to be in no doubt,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23because I know that there's a lot of this about in the countryside.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26We've got this botrytis, and you've just got to keep going
0:01:26 > 0:01:29and keep cleaning and keep ventilating and so on.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31But the fact of the matter is,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34the plants are actually coming out of it and are still producing
0:01:34 > 0:01:37decent trusses, so we will still have a crop.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40But it's not a pretty sight at the moment, I'm afraid,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42and it's repeated all over the place.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44In the other house over there,
0:01:44 > 0:01:45the plastic house, where Carole is
0:01:45 > 0:01:48trying out the grafted and non-grafted,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50a different atmosphere altogether in there.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51And the crops are looking well.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56And, in fact, they're growing in a much bigger volume of compost.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Was that the idea? I'm not so sure if it was, because look at that.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02They're absolutely white roots all right through,
0:02:02 > 0:02:05having knocked this one out. There's nothing wrong with the roots.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08It's been the environment, I think, in general, that has caused this.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12Maybe these houses don't have as much ventilation as they should,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15not as much air circulation as they should, so you get the botrytis.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17The plans have gone off, but, as I say,
0:02:17 > 0:02:19they're coming away again quite well.
0:02:19 > 0:02:20Now, in the rest of the programme...
0:02:23 > 0:02:24Ten years ago,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27this garden was just full of trees and rosebay willowherb.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29What an amazing transformation.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34And my problem corner this week
0:02:34 > 0:02:37is all about somebody taking on their first garden
0:02:37 > 0:02:39and they'd like a little bit of help redesigning it.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Well, it's time for a spot of seasonal propagation,
0:02:46 > 0:02:50and I'm going to be looking at semi-ripe cuttings of pelargoniums.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Now, semi-ripe is a sort of in-between stage. In other words,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56you get the soft woods early on in the season, the early growth.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Later on, you get the hard woods.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Semi-ripe, it's in-between, and they root quite easily,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04but they retain some of the moisture as well.
0:03:04 > 0:03:05Now, were looking for cuttings about
0:03:05 > 0:03:07two to three inches in length.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12And I'm going to be taking off about half of the leaves.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14And also, you want to make sure that they're nice and healthy,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16no sign of pests and diseases.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20Very often, you want to look for a cutting
0:03:20 > 0:03:22that doesn't have any flowers on it,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24but with pelargoniums, it's very difficult.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28So here I've got a little bud - you can just take that off.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30And then I always like to cut against glass.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33I know Jim uses a knife towards his thumb, but I don't trust myself.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36And just cut underneath the node. Get a nice, clean cut with that.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39And then I'm going to be putting it into compost
0:03:39 > 0:03:42with a bit of perlite, about 50% perlite,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45and that'll give it good drainage.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47And with pelargoniums,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51you don't need to use any rooting hormone powder at all.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55And that'll then get watered in, and we will put it on to bottom heat.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58And hopefully, they will root within a few weeks,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01and that means, then, you can get rid of the stock plants.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Carrying on this vegetative propagation theme,
0:04:04 > 0:04:06plants do it in the wild, so to speak.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Think of strawberries -
0:04:08 > 0:04:10wild strawberries, ordinary strawberries -
0:04:10 > 0:04:12this is how they propagate themselves.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15They send out runners and then they produce a little plant.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17That roots into the ground,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20and then that tip keeps on going into the ground and so on.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23We make use of that if we want to increase our stock
0:04:23 > 0:04:24or replace our stock.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Get the little runners at this time of the year.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Pop them into a pot with a bit of compost.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Make sure they're nicely watered.
0:04:32 > 0:04:33That will root in.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36When it's rooted, it'll start to sprout some new leaves.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37That's the indication.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Then you can cut the umbilical cord, and it's on its own.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Lift that, and you can plant them out wherever you will.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46It's called layering. Well, one stage further...
0:04:46 > 0:04:48come and have a look at this.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52I wonder how many times, when you've been picking brambles,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55that you've been tripped up by loops of stems, because the bramble,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58and this is a cultivated bramble,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02has an ability to dip down into the ground
0:05:02 > 0:05:06and it gets covered over with trash and leaves and so on,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08and it will root all by itself.
0:05:08 > 0:05:09It's called tip layering,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12and we make use of it if we wish to propagate.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Here is a cultivated bramble.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17I've opened up a wee trench here, flat on the one side,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19sloping on the other,
0:05:19 > 0:05:23and I simply take this round like so...wearing gloves!
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Bury the top in the ground
0:05:26 > 0:05:28and then cover it over.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30And cover it in, like so.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33And leave it, forget it.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37One of these days, in a month or two's time, you'll come along
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and you'll notice some new shoots coming out of the ground.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Then, once again, cut the umbilical
0:05:42 > 0:05:44and you have a brand-new bramble, blackberry,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46whatever you like to call it.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51'This week, I've not ventured far from Beechgrove.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53'I'm problem-solving in Westhill near Aberdeen,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57'helping Rachel Rennie with her first-ever garden.'
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Tell us why you wrote in to us.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01I've been in this house a year now
0:06:01 > 0:06:05and I love being out in the garden, especially in the summer days,
0:06:05 > 0:06:07and I think the garden could just be improved.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09For one, it's the chucky path.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11That must be a nightmare to cut the grass.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Yeah, it's not very practical.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16And then there's also the edging around the grass as well.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19And just generally, the layout of the garden, I think, could be improved.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Straightaway, when I came into the garden, I thought,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24"Too many pink chuckies!"
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Yes, I agree. The sooner we get rid of them, the better.
0:06:26 > 0:06:27This is not a makeover,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29so we can't do everything for you,
0:06:29 > 0:06:31but a little bit of redesign to help you on your way.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37'First things first, let's get this whirly out of the way
0:06:37 > 0:06:39'and lift the chuckies.'
0:06:44 > 0:06:45'And draught in some help
0:06:45 > 0:06:48'from Rachel's Auntie Gladys and Uncle Ian.'
0:06:59 > 0:07:01'Next, we need to reposition the whirly,
0:07:01 > 0:07:03'as it's right in the middle of the lawn.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06'And whether you're sitting on the decking
0:07:06 > 0:07:08or in the opposite corner, it dominates the view.'
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- Pretty much in line.- OK. No, I think you're right, right where you are.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- I don't think you want to go too far that way.- OK.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- Yeah.- Happy with that? That marks the spot.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19LAUGHTER
0:07:19 > 0:07:21OK.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Now, are you sure that's the right place, Rachel?
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- Now I want it over there(!)- Did you see that look on Mike's face?
0:07:40 > 0:07:43'We're replacing the gravel path on the lawn with stepping stones,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45'to give a more informal look
0:07:45 > 0:07:50'and to create a route to both the shed and the whirly.'
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Now, I think that's too far apart.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55I know you're an athlete, but that's quite a lot...
0:07:55 > 0:07:58I've got quite long legs as well, but look! Come in a bit.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00No giant steps!
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Would you rather have more of a straight line?
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Are you one of these people that like very formal...
0:08:09 > 0:08:10I do like straight lines,
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- but I'm quite OK with having a slight curve.- Little curve.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16I think it's nicer, having a bit of a curve,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18- but, you know, it's your garden.- Yeah.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH
0:08:32 > 0:08:34It's like shopping, isn't it?
0:08:34 > 0:08:36You know, you go to the first shop, see a nice dress,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39go round the rest of the shops and then you go back to the first shop.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- That's what I do.- No, I agree with what you did the first time,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44so can we go back...?
0:08:44 > 0:08:46LAUGHTER
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- I'm happy with that.- Phew!
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Sorry! I'm sorry!
0:09:00 > 0:09:02I never knew it was so complicated!
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Whoops!
0:09:11 > 0:09:15'To make sure you can mow, you have to sink the stepping stones
0:09:15 > 0:09:17'slightly below the level of the grass.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20'We're bedding these on a base of sharp sand.'
0:09:24 > 0:09:26'And we're using the grass we've lifted to fill in the gaps
0:09:26 > 0:09:28'where the old gravel path used to be.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31'There isn't enough grass to fill in all the gaps,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34'but we have a cunning plan.'
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Now, do you ever sit in this corner?
0:09:36 > 0:09:38No, I don't sit in this corner as much as what I'd like to.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40It's normally over on the decking.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43It's a space I'd like to use, to be honest.
0:09:43 > 0:09:44Cos it will get quite a bit of sun here.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47It's lovely in the evening over in this corner.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51OK, what I don't like about it is it's very high up and,
0:09:51 > 0:09:56in a way, I feel you're seen by the neighbours.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57So if we took this further down,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59I think you'd feel like you're a little bit more secluded.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01This cunning plan gives us a bit more turf
0:10:01 > 0:10:04to fill in the gaps between the stepping stones.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- I like your thinking. - The other thing is
0:10:06 > 0:10:08you say you want to get rid of the wooden edging.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- Yeah.- So what I think we'll do is, we'll shape this round, like this.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13OK.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16And then that means we can take out that wood
0:10:16 > 0:10:20and just create a border for you.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34To help the replaced turf knit together,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38we're filling in any gaps with some top soil.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- What a difference clearing this border.- A bit of hard work.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- OK, we're going to be recycling these slabs.- OK.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02That's got to go lower down, but we'll stick them on the lawn,
0:11:02 > 0:11:04cos Mike's going to lay the slabs for us
0:11:04 > 0:11:06and then we can prep the border.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Because this is a seated area, we're planting this bed
0:11:34 > 0:11:38with a variety of scented plants, such as the Mexican orange blossom
0:11:38 > 0:11:42and Osmanthus, both of which give you perfume in the late spring.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43And they're evergreen,
0:11:43 > 0:11:46so it will eventually provide Rachel with some privacy.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51For fragrance in the summer, we have some lavender and cottage pinks.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54The moment of truth. Let's hope this fits.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- I'm sure it will.- And I think we should go right back.- OK.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Cos then our feet can be on the paving slabs
0:11:59 > 0:12:01- and not wear out the grass.- OK.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04So, that's great. We can relax now and, you know,
0:12:04 > 0:12:06I think it's amazing, just a few little things
0:12:06 > 0:12:08with the design of the garden's made a big difference.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10The first thing that I noticed was
0:12:10 > 0:12:12the position of the whirly.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Just moving it that little bit further back,
0:12:14 > 0:12:15it's made such a difference
0:12:15 > 0:12:19and then also, just the path is no longer dominant in the garden.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22I like the fact we've got rid of the edging and, you know,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25now you can see the soil, but if you want to keep down the weeds,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27I would suggest you put some bark there instead.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28All right.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30The stepping stones and the grass,
0:12:30 > 0:12:32if it does eventually go dry this summer,
0:12:32 > 0:12:34you might have to water that in.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- Right.- Keep an eye on that.- OK.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38But otherwise, has it inspired you to carry on
0:12:38 > 0:12:41and get rid of the rest of the edging and more of these pink chuckies?
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Yeah, it has inspired me and I can't wait to get started.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Well, what a difference to that garden
0:12:53 > 0:12:56and I really love that perfumed sitting area.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Here at Beechgrove, we have our own little bit of the garden
0:12:59 > 0:13:02which is dedicated to including fragrant plants.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06It was started quite a few years ago and I replanted it this April.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10And included here is one of my all-time favourite smellies,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12and that's honeysuckle.
0:13:12 > 0:13:17My other favourite fragrant plant is dianthus, or the border pinks,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20that have really good, blue glaucus foliage.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22That one's called Gran's Favourite.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24I have two grandchildren and they call me Gran,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27so I try and include that in every garden where I plant.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30And it has a lovely clove smell.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33It's quite important, when you decide that you are going
0:13:33 > 0:13:37to have a lot of fragrant plants, to site them in the right place.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Behind the conservatory here at Beechgrove, it's really sunny.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43It's south-facing and that is critical,
0:13:43 > 0:13:47because these flowers need to warm up and then the oils are released
0:13:47 > 0:13:48and you get the fragrance.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53The other significant thing is it must be sheltered, as we are here.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Because if it's really windy and it's blowing a gale,
0:13:55 > 0:13:59all the smell is just wafted past your nose too quickly.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01The other good thing about fragrant plants
0:14:01 > 0:14:04is that smell wasn't put there just to delight us.
0:14:04 > 0:14:05It's, in actual fact,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08there to attract wildlife and pollinating insects.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11And so these plants are also good for wildlife.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Got golden marjoram, the Erysimum Bowles' Mauve.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18Now, I wonder, what are Jim's favourite fragrances?
0:14:20 > 0:14:24Every time the subject of scent in the garden comes up,
0:14:24 > 0:14:26I think of two plants in particular.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Roses and sweet peas.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32Now, this rose is a sample from a shrub rose
0:14:32 > 0:14:35we have in the garden here called Munstead Wood,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38cushion centred and has a delightful perfume.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43Now, all cushion centred roses don't have perfume, but many of them do.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45The same applies to sweet peas,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48but you get to choose your varieties every year, don't you?
0:14:48 > 0:14:50And I wouldn't grow any that didn't have perfume.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52They have delightful colours.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Just look at Gwendoline, absolutely stunning.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58Look at it on the plant, wonderful and great perfume, they have.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03But getting away from that, just a wee quick piece of advice in garden planning.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05There are one or two lovely shrubs that flower in the winter
0:15:05 > 0:15:07and they have a delightful perfume.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10But it's, a sort, of light perfume, it's not heavy,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13so you're better to have them near the house,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15near the path to the front gate.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17I'm thinking of hamamelis, for example.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20I'm thinking of sarcococca. I'm thinking of viburnum.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Beautiful perfume, but in a sheltered space
0:15:23 > 0:15:25and where you're actually moving about in the garden,
0:15:25 > 0:15:26not way at the bottom.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30Well-made compost smells wonderful.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35It's actually almost got a scent, but raw compost really stinks.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38It's really, really pungent. And that, of course, attracts the flies.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42Now, flies are quite important to plants as well, so anything
0:15:42 > 0:15:44which has a fetid smell,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47smells like dead meat or smells like fresh compost
0:15:47 > 0:15:48is going to attract the flies
0:15:48 > 0:15:50and that's quite important for pollination.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53This one is helleborus foetidus,
0:15:53 > 0:15:55the stinking hellebore flowers in early spring,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58very few bees around, the flies are important.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02This one here is iris foetidissima.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Some people would say that when you crush the foliage
0:16:04 > 0:16:07it smells like roast beef, but, well, I wouldn't eat it.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09I'll leave you to make up your own mind about it.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13And then there's this fella. This is the one that reminds me of spring.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17This is the skunk cabbage. Lysochiton americanus.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21Horrible, skunk-like smell, it's not a scent.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Flies think it's a scent, they're attracted
0:16:24 > 0:16:27to the big, big flowers and they just love it.
0:16:27 > 0:16:28And, of course, they pollinate it.
0:16:28 > 0:16:33Well, if I was to pick a scent that brings back happy memories,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36I would go for the sweet William, a great cut flower.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40But this was grown in my garden at home when I was a child,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43big patches of it, and, well, we used to,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46sort of, bunch it together and sell it at the garden gate.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Anyway, it's not just about flowers for scent, it's also about foliage
0:16:50 > 0:16:53and there's a wonderful range of foliage plants,
0:16:53 > 0:16:55some maybe are rather smelly that you don't like
0:16:55 > 0:16:57and some are really attractive.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00And I think things like the eucalyptus,
0:17:00 > 0:17:01very strong oils come out of that,
0:17:01 > 0:17:03and I think that's there to deter pests.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07But, otherwise, you've got herbs and things like the thyme.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11This is a great example of how you can plant it in the paving.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14And then, when you brush it with your foot, the smells come up.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17And then if you want something indoors,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20which I think I should be indoors at the moment with all this rain,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22the scented Pelargoniums,
0:17:22 > 0:17:26lovely ones that smell of lemon, others chocolate, peppermint.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29And then, finally, slightly different, the Cercidophyllum.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32In the autumn time, or if we get a touch of frost in the spring,
0:17:32 > 0:17:36you get this wonderful smell of candyfloss.
0:17:36 > 0:17:37It really is delightful.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40SHE LAUGHS
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Well, welcome to wildflower heaven. Just look at this.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49When we sowed these plots back in the spring,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52we had no idea that this was what we were going to get.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55We selected a number of wild seed flower mixtures
0:17:55 > 0:17:58from a lot of different companies and we sowed them out.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02We hoped we would have got a lot difference, but we haven't, really.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05We've got things which are the same and repeating all the way through.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08We've got poppies, different stages and different levels of flowering.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11These are up above, others are down below.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15We've got the yellow chrysanthemum, we've got the white anthemis
0:18:15 > 0:18:16and the blue of the cornflower.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20Looks absolutely sparkling when it's like this,
0:18:20 > 0:18:22especially in this bright sunlight after rain.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Wonderful, wonderful thing to see.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26Eye candy just now.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28The proof of the pudding is going to be next year
0:18:28 > 0:18:31when we see what grows up as a perennial.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35There's plots down there which have more perennial nature in them,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38they've got lots of self-heal, they've got heartsease in them,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41the little pansy which you find in fields.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43And those are going to come away next year as well.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45There's bits of chicory in here, too.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48So, large things to come up next year.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Now, nature doesn't like vacuums at all.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54If you take out all the material from here and throw it away,
0:18:54 > 0:18:55something else will grow.
0:18:55 > 0:18:56So it has to be a crop that grows well
0:18:56 > 0:18:59that you plant in an empty space. And from here on up,
0:18:59 > 0:19:03what we decided to do earlier was to put in green manure crops.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07The green manure crop is anything which will cover the ground quickly
0:19:07 > 0:19:08and rots down well,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11something that will add nutrition to the soil,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13something which will add fibres to the soil,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16something which will intercept rainfall,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19because you don't want the soil being washed away,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22and will trap all the nutrients that are existing in the soil.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25So we've put down lupins, we've put down mustard,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28we've put down phacelia, which is the Californian shrimp plant.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32Lots of top growth on these and I'd be inclined to cut a lot of that down
0:19:32 > 0:19:35and put it on the compost heap.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Because what we're really interested in, as well as the top growth
0:19:38 > 0:19:42and the protection of the soil, is the fibre that's in underneath.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47And the root systems that you get, particularly on mustard.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51But also the root systems which we get on the likes of the lupin
0:19:51 > 0:19:53are so important.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55They burst up the soil.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58They capture nutrients and keep them in the soil.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00The lupin, for example, goes down to great depth
0:20:00 > 0:20:02and will burst up clay soils.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05That's quite important, cos you then get deep roots
0:20:05 > 0:20:07on your vegetables when you plant them thereafter.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11That's what I wanted when I planted the vegetables
0:20:11 > 0:20:13in the deep containers in the polytunnel.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16I'm going off to see what they're like now. Just stay with me.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21What's going on here?
0:20:21 > 0:20:24I'm just having a look.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- Take away the fleece. - Don't look too bad, do they?
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- That's Purple Haze. They look fantastic. - There's Sweet Candle in there.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32There's carrots. Is this to stop the carrot root fly?
0:20:32 > 0:20:34If it gets in this year, there's a problem,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36cos it's fleeced on the door as well.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Beetroot, which is just about ready to go on the show bench.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41It's about the size of a tennis ball,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43and that's what you want - look at that.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Anything that's too big,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49we can actually just eat, so that would be quite good.
0:20:49 > 0:20:50Wow, look at this!
0:20:50 > 0:20:53If these go right to the bottom, Lesley, we are doing well.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55That's the long black beat.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57This is the parsnip - Picador or something.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00We expect that to be really long. Same with the carrots.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Right down to the bottom, OK?
0:21:02 > 0:21:04So when are we going to reveal
0:21:04 > 0:21:06how long they are?
0:21:06 > 0:21:07Well, September.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09They've got about a month to grow, right?
0:21:09 > 0:21:11OK.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12Don't put the stew pot on yet.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15These have a wee while to go. Don't rubbish them yet.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17They should be OK. We'll get some length out of them, I think.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Well, maybe.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21HE LAUGHS
0:21:21 > 0:21:25Inverness - that way, Aviemore is that way.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29This is a spectacular garden that survives against the elements.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Caroline Smith, I have actually been to your garden before.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44because I've judged it.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47I know you absolutely adore colour in the garden.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Yes, I do. I like to have colour all the year round.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Well, as much as I can. You can't obviously have it in the winter
0:21:53 > 0:21:57when you have extreme snow, four foot, six foot on the ground -
0:21:57 > 0:21:59you can't see anything.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01We lost the polytunnel. The steel snapped.
0:22:01 > 0:22:02It was six foot of frozen snow
0:22:02 > 0:22:05and it froze as soon as it landed, so it's very difficult to get it off.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08What about the wind and the frosts?
0:22:08 > 0:22:11There was a frosty wind in May this year that finally killed the sequoia,
0:22:11 > 0:22:13which had endured two severe winters.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16But it couldn't cope any more.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21That's hardy things, in part of my garden that's not so cold.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- They just didn't last. - Where do you get your plants from?
0:22:24 > 0:22:27I go to the car boot sale and fetes and fairs and things,
0:22:27 > 0:22:30and look for cuttings from other people's gardens,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33who have maybe endured similar weather conditions.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36So you want to make sure they are hardy plants?
0:22:36 > 0:22:38We have to have hardy here.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41You can waste so much money buying things
0:22:41 > 0:22:44that you think are hardy but they're not.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45You spoke about car boot sales.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48You're always on the eye for a bargain, aren't you?
0:22:48 > 0:22:50- It's a big garden to fill. - I love a bargain.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52And you're lucky that Donald, your husband,
0:22:52 > 0:22:54he's very handy, so he built the bridge.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56He built the bridge.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00We just had to buy one knob. Everything else was from scraps that were kicking about
0:23:00 > 0:23:02somewhere over there.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- We just put everything to good use. - It really attracts the eye, I think.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07You have such a variety of habitats.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Water is lovely to have in the garden, isn't it?
0:23:10 > 0:23:11So you've made this pond.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Yes, it's lovely. It has the fish in it, as well.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15They've actually survived
0:23:15 > 0:23:18the last couple of winters. They've got bigger, as well.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20I think they've produced more,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22so it's good to have something like that.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42What was it like when you first came here?
0:23:42 > 0:23:43Full of trees.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Trees that are needing cut down,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47and some of them are already fallen down.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50You couldn't get your footing or anything on the ground.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53- It really was...- There must have been a hug amount of work.
0:23:53 > 0:23:54Presumably, you had to take out the roots?
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Yep, all from scratch. Once we got rid of the roots, the soil was really poor,
0:23:58 > 0:23:59cos the trees had taken it all.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03So it was building that up and getting the plants that would adjust.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05How long have you been here now?
0:24:05 > 0:24:08We started this, doing the garden, about then years ago.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10That's incredible - the size of the garden
0:24:10 > 0:24:12and what you've managed to do within that time,
0:24:12 > 0:24:15and here we are in an area that you're revamping already.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Yeah - it had become slightly overgrown,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21and we had some trees came down in the winter last year.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25The plants have adjusted quite well to more sunlight coming through,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28but we have planted more trees, as well.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30We're trying to make do with what we have now
0:24:30 > 0:24:33and get them accustomed to a little bit more light.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36There's a little bit more light but it's still a difficult environment.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39We're speaking really about some dry shade
0:24:39 > 0:24:41and finding plants that are adapted to that.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43You've obviously found loads here.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Yep, it's amazing what you can grow.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Even the hostas like it.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Obviously, one or two. You have a slightly raised bed there.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Alchemilla mollis is lovely on the boundary.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57It loves it too much. We'll invade the garden if we don't keep it under control.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02I think one of the best ways is, as soon as those flowers start to go a little brown,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05if you cut those off, you'll stop it from setting seed.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Your geraniums are very happy.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10The Johnson's Blue is doing particularly well over there,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12which we didn't expect it to - it's coming along.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15And then the lupins - you've obviously done a bit of cutting back there
0:25:15 > 0:25:17to get a second flush of flowers.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21I do believe that if you cut back before the longest day, you will get a second flush in the summer.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23I think I left this one a little bit late.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26But hopefully, we'll get colour in September.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28I think that's good as a ground cover - the persicaria.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31That grows all down the bank really easily,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33so you can leave it unattended.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35I know you obviously love all kinds of plants.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38Are there any particular groups you love?
0:25:38 > 0:25:39Yes, I like primulas.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43A very dear friend of mine gave me a beautiful red primula
0:25:43 > 0:25:45- with a little yellow bit in the middle.- Gorgeous.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Beautiful.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Here we are in the old dog pen
0:25:58 > 0:26:02that you saw the last time you were here.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05It was full of dog poo and bay Willowherb.
0:26:05 > 0:26:06Weeds and weeds and more weeds.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09How did you control the Rosebay Willowherb -
0:26:09 > 0:26:10did you use weed killers?
0:26:10 > 0:26:13No, not at all. I just wait till it gets slightly bigger
0:26:13 > 0:26:15and then pull it out by the roots.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18It's easier to do the bigger the plant is.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20OK. So you're totally organic?
0:26:20 > 0:26:22That is a lot of work.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26- But it works for you?- It does. I don't put any weedkiller in the garden - not even on the paths.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Did you have to condition the soil at all?
0:26:29 > 0:26:31I just took bits from other parts of the garden
0:26:31 > 0:26:34and also, if any friends had free topsoil on the go,
0:26:34 > 0:26:38but you have to be really careful you don't get their weeds as well.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43Obviously you've got an artistic eye, cos you've used a lot of boulders to create the beds.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46I can't believe how quickly you've packed it full of plants
0:26:46 > 0:26:48and that's going to keep down the weeds.
0:26:48 > 0:26:49That's what I attempted here.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51SHE LAUGHS
0:26:51 > 0:26:53I can't get over the hellebores. How healthy they are.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55They were just tiny little cuttings two years ago
0:26:55 > 0:26:58that I got from another garden.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02They've just come on in leaps and bounds. They love it here.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05They do, and I think that elder - that's one of my favourite plants -
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Black Lace. That looks like a fairly recent addition.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10It was a tiny, wee one, and it does like it here.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12If people want to come round the garden...
0:27:12 > 0:27:15I know you've just had an open day for Scotland's Gardens,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18but you do the occasional appointment, too?
0:27:18 > 0:27:22Yes, anyone who can't come on that date is more than welcome
0:27:22 > 0:27:23to come whenever it suits them.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25We'll put the details in the fact sheet.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28It's a real joy to have a look round. Thanks very much.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43I'll tell you what, guys.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Despite the weather this summer, these lavenders have done well.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49You have scent with the flowers and the foliage, haven't you?
0:27:49 > 0:27:51That's beautiful - that's Papillon in front of us.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54The product of the vegetable garden is quite good as well.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56This is the main veg plot, isn't it?
0:27:56 > 0:27:57A small sample.
0:27:57 > 0:28:02And here's the mini veg. These look absolutely splendid. I love the turnips.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- But where do the beans come in? - What about the beans, George? Not from Beechgrove?
0:28:05 > 0:28:08A wee problem about them, apparently.
0:28:08 > 0:28:09I think they've done marvellously.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11But just shows you the advantage of fleece.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15Yes, but you were supposed to do it in exactly the same conditions, so you've cheated.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17- I'm saying nothing. - You've made her very cross.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19Some would say I cheated.
0:28:19 > 0:28:20THEY LAUGH
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Aim behind your back.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24If you'd like more information - maybe about George's beans -
0:28:24 > 0:28:26it'll all be in the fact sheet.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29The easiest way to access that is on line.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Don't forget you can find us on Twitter and Facebook as well.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34That's your lot for this week. Until we see you again next time,
0:28:34 > 0:28:36bye-bye.
0:28:36 > 0:28:37ALL: Bye!
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd