0:00:14 > 0:00:17Well, hello and welcome to the Beechgrove Garden,
0:00:17 > 0:00:20or should I say, the Scottish Riviera?
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Isn't this wonderful? Well, for gardeners
0:00:22 > 0:00:25it's all systems go from now on.
0:00:25 > 0:00:26And tatties... Look at that,
0:00:26 > 0:00:28they're just sprouting away nicely.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32They can stay in the cold greenhouse for another day or two.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33This is the plot all ready for them.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Put them to one side for the moment,
0:00:36 > 0:00:40because in fact we can get started sowing carrots.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43And we've been on this plot before during the winter
0:00:43 > 0:00:47and you saw how we dug in the green manuring and we left it rough.
0:00:47 > 0:00:52All four plots, of course, have been actually covered over
0:00:52 > 0:00:55just in the last month, so that the ground can be ripe for this time,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58when we get sowing and planting.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Tatties there, roots here, cabbages and cauliflower in there,
0:01:01 > 0:01:03and over there the gross feeders,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06the peas, the beans, the onions and all the rest of it.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09But I'm concentrating on the area which is for carrots,
0:01:09 > 0:01:10and you can see how it's been prepared.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Now how do you get from this...
0:01:13 > 0:01:14to that?
0:01:14 > 0:01:19It's a simple procedure and it works every time for me, that's for sure.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20You dig over the ground,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23slacken it up, knock down these lumps.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26And you can see because of the condition of the ground,
0:01:26 > 0:01:28they've been weathered, you see.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32And they just knock down. It's still a wee bit damp, but that's ideal.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34So, we do that.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Then we put on...
0:01:39 > 0:01:40..some fertiliser.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43This is Growmore granular fertiliser.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46It's a real starter for these young plants coming away,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48until they get going. OK.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50The next stage of the process
0:01:50 > 0:01:54is to tramp it all down.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Like that. So that the tilth is even.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02The size of the granules are even,
0:02:02 > 0:02:07and here we got down to that demonstration a little bit quick.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10But that's basically what's been done.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Right, now, we're ready to sow...
0:02:14 > 0:02:16..carrots.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Early Scarlet Horn, and as I have explained several times in the past
0:02:20 > 0:02:23I suppose, I stand on the line,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27and then, if you've prepared that ground evenly,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30that drill will be an even depth. Just look at that.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Just look at that. Precision stuff.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37About an inch deep, 2.5 centimetres, if you fancy.
0:02:37 > 0:02:38There we go.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40And I can tell you the temperature at the moment,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43on that thermometer over there, is 11,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46in the soil, about four inches down.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52There we go. Well, I'm about to get down on my knees to sow.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54So, for the rest of the programme...
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Tulips are red, daffodils are yellow.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Valentine's Day in the garden with Jim was...
0:03:04 > 0:03:05cold.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Meanwhile, our George has been trying his hand
0:03:12 > 0:03:15again at growing some prize-winning bulbs.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Well, here we are in the trials area,
0:03:20 > 0:03:22and it's an opportunity for us to review
0:03:22 > 0:03:24things that went on last year.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27First of all, we did these pots of bulbs,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29where we layered different bulbs.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31One, we kept in an open position,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33one, we tucked away so it's more sheltered.
0:03:33 > 0:03:34And it's a real success story,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37and it's interesting because the gardeners kept a record of the flowering.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41They have, and in flowering time, the sheltered one, the anemones,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44were two weeks earlier than in this one.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47And they started 27 February in the sheltered spot,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50so it's the period of flowering as well, isn't it?
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- So what about the daffodils?- A week difference. They were one week.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56So, over there they were starting to show,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58and then here it was a week later.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Now, I think with the weather, you agree as well, don't you?
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Yes, the tables are going to turn,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05because this one now, it's in a more open position, it's warm,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07it's sunny. I think it's going to catch up and maybe overtake.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09The other thing that I like about it
0:04:09 > 0:04:11is we are getting hyacinths this year.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Remember we tried it the year before, and it was so cold,
0:04:14 > 0:04:15they just rotted.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17But that is really good value.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20I mean, for flower ability out of one pot, is superb.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23OK, now, the story with the Garvineas,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26or I call them hardy gerberas, really.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Yes. We had two size of plants, we had small and large.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32This bed had all small ones put into the ground,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35and they are dead. So they haven't come through the winter.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Whether they will sprout, I'm not sure.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Then the larger ones, they were put in the boxes
0:04:39 > 0:04:42and then they were potted up in October,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45put into a cold greenhouse. That's the result.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48And I think there's a bit of varietal difference.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Some are maybe hardier than others.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52You had some that you put in the ground at home?
0:04:52 > 0:04:54I had three that I put in the ground.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56They haven't come through the winter.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- And they were large plants as well? - Yeah. And these are your two?
0:04:59 > 0:05:01Yeah. Now, these have both been in pots.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03This one, which is called Gilly,
0:05:03 > 0:05:07this is what was on Christmas Day, on my doorstep, still flowering.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09So I'm really pleased with that.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11We then had that cold weather which knocked it back hugely.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I put it in the greenhouse to join this one,
0:05:14 > 0:05:16which had been there the whole time. This is Orangina.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18And it's recovered,
0:05:18 > 0:05:22it's starting to show bud, and this one's got a flower on it.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24But we have to remember then, still they're not that hardy.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Maybe you have to give them a bit of protection.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Bigger plants are better and protection over the winter.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Then we've got a whole range of pansies.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34These again were planted in October.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37We've had slight weather problems with frost.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40They were heaved up a little bit, they had to be firmed in the ground.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Quite small plants, and then the deer nibbled at them.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- So that pinched the tops out for you.- Yes!
0:05:46 > 0:05:49I think we should come back, cos they are a little bit slow,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52and we can then have a look at one or two of the varieties.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53That one, Lesley...
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Baskets are stunning. That is a beautiful colour.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00That one's called yellow plentifall, F-A-L-L,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03and so it is a hanging basket variety.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05It doesn't need nipping out,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08it actually breaks quite naturally, and it is lovely.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Very successful, isn't it?
0:06:10 > 0:06:12The lavenders we were trialling at planting last year...
0:06:12 > 0:06:15This bears testament to how mild the winter was,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18because they've come through. The French one is looking superb,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20and I would have never predicted that.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- Well, I'm sure they wouldn't have done two years ago.- No, that's true.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25And isn't this an array of colour?
0:06:25 > 0:06:28This is looking fantastic. Now these are all dwarf bulbs,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Narcissi and tulips.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Nice and compact, so we thought they'd be good in pots.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34And when we planted them,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37we tried to plant them in the order of when they should flower,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40so Spring Dawn was the first one to flower.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- We've kept a record of that. - The gardeners have, yes.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45We actually mention that a little later
0:06:45 > 0:06:47in the programme with our Problem Corner.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51Now we repeated some of the ones we have in the beds. We actually put them into pots,
0:06:51 > 0:06:52and we put two layers of these.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54We put one at this height, one at this height.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Yeah, so the same variety.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58And it's giving us a good spread of flowering,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01because the ones at the shallower level are flowering now,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04the others are still in bud. They've got more growing...
0:07:04 > 0:07:06So it's a way of extending the flowering season.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Just the same bulb, but in different layers.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11What else have we got? Toto? Do you quite like that one?
0:07:11 > 0:07:13That's very pretty. That's very small, multi-headed.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- Ideal for a little pot, isn't it? - Mm.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Tweety Bird, I think that's lovely with the reflex petals.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- The wind's blowing its hair back. - And the colour of it.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Now, some of these, the tulips, I think, are a bit garish.
0:07:24 > 0:07:25You need sunglasses.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Well, they are very bright and cheerful for spring,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31so Gold Coin with that rich yellow, Show Winner with that red
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- and of course they're falling flower because it's so hot and sunny.- Yeah.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Now, going back to the planting in the bulbs,
0:07:39 > 0:07:40this is an interesting comparison.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Isn't it just, because this is praestans unicum,
0:07:43 > 0:07:44it's got very good foliage,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46so that's another bit of interest with it.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50But it's just starting to show a bit of bud and flower here.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Look at it in the pot, it's beautiful.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55So it shows that the warmth here is a big difference.
0:07:55 > 0:07:56The soil must be a little colder.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Size difference here as well...
0:07:58 > 0:08:00It's the same with the Heart's Delight,
0:08:00 > 0:08:01cos that really is quite compact.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04But, you know, I quite like the water lily one.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05That's really pretty.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07This is some of the trials from last year,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11but what about the trials for this year? Let's get on.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19The fruit blossom looked gorgeous in the glass houses,
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- cherry and the peach. - Lots of fruits to come.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- Now, you collected some of these seeds last year?- I did.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Now, from the sunflower Little Dorrit,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30that was just a nice compact one, but once you collect seed,
0:08:30 > 0:08:31you don't know what you'll get.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34So we're going to start these off now and then plant them out.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36We could get different colours, heights...
0:08:36 > 0:08:38We've got lupins as well.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41We could get some different colour breaks in there, some peas
0:08:41 > 0:08:44and then bits and bobs like the poppy heads, which I kept.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47- We're just going to direct sow those.- In May?- Yep.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Right, I'm going to be looking at a range of foliage plants,
0:08:50 > 0:08:52things like the Kochia burning bush,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54and at the moment,
0:08:54 > 0:08:57these just need potting on, so, you know, handle them by the leaves
0:08:57 > 0:09:00and get a nice good root system
0:09:00 > 0:09:03and we'll plant those out once the frost has gone.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06We are going to look at a range of gladiolas. Wonderful corms here.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11Starting them off early in a greenhouse so you just put the corms in the top there.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- Get a head start with them. - Get a head start.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18These little seedlings here are part of a trial of first year flowering perennials.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Apparently, they should flower in the first year.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24These were sown a little bit earlier so I want to take you back.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- What were you doing on Valentine's Day? - I'm not telling you.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30I know what I was doing. I was with Jim in the garden.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35It's quite nice to get out of hibernation
0:09:35 > 0:09:37because the garden is wakening up as well.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40It's Valentine's Day! Where's that bouquet of flowers?
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Is that why you were late this morning?
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Things are all starting now.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47The shoots are coming, spring is on the way.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- Lovely wee bits of snowdrops. - Snowdrops are one of my favourite.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54I think it is a sign that spring is on its way, isn't it?
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Catkins are coming out in the willow there
0:09:56 > 0:09:59and the witch-hazel is stunning.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04- It is.- That lemon shows up against the background.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- What about your daffies in the trial pot? - The trial with the dwarf daffodils.
0:10:08 > 0:10:14The variety Spring Dawn was meant to flower in February, well, I think it started on 31 January.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Even in the north east, we get daffodils. Isn't that wonderful?
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Let's get planting, I'm a bit cold!
0:10:26 > 0:10:31These are fine conditions for bare root planting, are they not Carole?
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Really perfect Jim, we're lucky, the ground's not frozen
0:10:34 > 0:10:37and this is the dormant season, isn't it?
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Yes. We've got our wild hedge there.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43But we've fallen for a nifty little bit of marketing idea.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48We're planting another wildlife hedge but it's marketing as an edible hedge.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Which is a great idea, isn't it?
0:10:50 > 0:10:52It's not that we are going to shred all this
0:10:52 > 0:10:55and put it in the breakfast cereal. All the subjects have fruit.
0:10:55 > 0:11:01- They do. We've got five different types.- That's the cherry plum. - What's that one you've got?
0:11:01 > 0:11:03This is a common pear.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06We've got elder, hazel,
0:11:06 > 0:11:08and we've got sloe or blackthorn.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11We'll mix them up. Land preparation is good.
0:11:11 > 0:11:18Yes, so the tares have been lifted, there's a bit of garden compost which has been added
0:11:18 > 0:11:20and well cultivated. It's good soil.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- We can compost the top as well. - Yes, we can.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24And a bit of root pruning.
0:11:24 > 0:11:29I don't like to see roots that have been twisted like that, so I'm going to take that off.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33Just to make life easy, I'm going to take that off there as well.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- It makes it easier for planting. - Precisely!
0:11:36 > 0:11:41Before we start planting, a little bit of organic fertiliser.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46Slow release and you need to mix that in because you don't want it to burn the roots.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51These are going in about 15 inches apart. You want to be metric or not?
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- I'm afraid I'm still in feet and inches.- Dear me.- Give it a shiggle.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- Oh, yes, a little bit of a shiggle. - OK, we need to firm that in.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- There you go.- Use the heel.
0:12:07 > 0:12:12These are planted about 15 inches apart and then pruning the top.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16I think we should. We've already proved that one and it helps.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- It stops the rocking. - And then it makes them nice and bushy at the base.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23I want to tidy that up. Are you going to tidy it up?
0:12:23 > 0:12:27I'll tidy that up. Then we will be on to the next one.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37You know Jim, another job we don't get to see at this time of year
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- is all the early seed sowing. - Exactly,
0:12:39 > 0:12:43it's a nice chance to get in from outside, out of that cold wind.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Isn't it just.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49We have got a very good example of the whole gamut of seed sowing
0:12:49 > 0:12:52because I am sowing sweet peas which are quite large
0:12:52 > 0:12:54and can be dealt with individually.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57You have got down to stuff that looks like dust.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Yes, take a look at this.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03This is Campanula and as you say, it's just like dust.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05There are 150 seeds in there.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09What I would do is add sand to that, give it a good shake,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12then you could sow it evenly across the pan.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15I've got a whole collection here of perennials,
0:13:15 > 0:13:20you've got to sow them early to ensure that you will get flowers.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22We want the sweet peas to be flowering early.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25We are sowing them individually in these things.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28They make up, we call it the open book system
0:13:28 > 0:13:31because when the plants are fully grown in here and you open that up,
0:13:31 > 0:13:36you find that the roots have all followed the lines.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39I love using them, I use them for sweet peas, peas.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42We've used them for years.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46The first thing a seed does when you put it in the soil is imbibe water
0:13:46 > 0:13:48because all the food inside is like soup.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- Concentrated soup, isn't it? - You're soaking these already.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Yes. They have been soaking
0:13:53 > 0:13:56for about three hours. I started with the water hand hot.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01That means it just softens that leathery skin
0:14:01 > 0:14:03and it means it will germinate more quickly.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06I can use tweezers, which is very handy.
0:14:06 > 0:14:12I am putting them into this multipurpose compost. They're going down just over a centimetre deep.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- That is slightly less than half an inch for you!- Yes.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19What about the temperature, Jim?
0:14:19 > 0:14:22These will go into a propagating frame
0:14:22 > 0:14:28- with a bottom heat temperature of 15C or 60F.- Old money.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33That is interesting because with these perennials you have to check the instructions.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37That little collection there, they need warm temperatures,
0:14:37 > 0:14:39around about 15-20C
0:14:39 > 0:14:43whereas the campanula or the salvia need cool conditions.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45- They could go into a cold frame. - Yes.
0:14:45 > 0:14:51I have already sown the Echinacea and again check
0:14:51 > 0:14:56but these just need to be lightly covered with a dusting of compost.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59What we're trying to do is match the particle size of the compost
0:14:59 > 0:15:01with the size of the seeds.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04So, when you put in your fine ones,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07you don't actually need to cover them at all.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Read the label.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15That is the important thing. That's where the best information is.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21I tell you what, it is a great joy to be able to show
0:15:21 > 0:15:26some of these winter jobs. Seasonal jobs.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31Here we are, about to start begonia tubers
0:15:31 > 0:15:33and dahlia tubers into growth
0:15:33 > 0:15:37so we can get some early growth and cuttings.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Here are the begonia tubers that have been in a box all winter.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43I'm taking the old stuff off there.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46They have been quite dry. They've been protected.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Look, still nice and green underneath, we know they are alive.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54People often say to us, "How do you know which is the right way up?"
0:15:54 > 0:15:58With these, it is rather easy because you can see the old stem there.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02I'm taking all the old stuff off, checking they are nice and firm,
0:16:02 > 0:16:08and I've discovered that one of them has rotted off, so we have to discard that.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Here we've got some multipurpose compost.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14All I want to do is bed them into the compost.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18I don't want them to break them at all. Where's the top? Here it is.
0:16:18 > 0:16:25Give them plenty of space because once they get a wee bit of light and heat and moisture,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28they will start to sprout.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31There we go. And we have got a new toy to use.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35Here, on the bench of the greenhouse, we have a heat mat.
0:16:35 > 0:16:41It is sitting on top of a block of polystyrene for insulation covered with black polythene.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46This then gets plugged into the system and we get lovely bottom heat.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51We apply the water on the top and they start to sprout straightaway.
0:16:57 > 0:17:03Two months later, here are our tuberous begonias sprouting nicely.
0:17:03 > 0:17:08They've been sitting in the greenhouse. Every now and again, we will give them a real shower
0:17:08 > 0:17:12just to keep that surface damp and help the buds come through.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15If we wanted to propagate and increase the stock,
0:17:15 > 0:17:19now that we see where the new growth is, look at an example here,
0:17:19 > 0:17:23we've got buds there, I could go down there with a sharp knife
0:17:23 > 0:17:27and make two plants out of one if I was pushed to do it.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29The cut surface I would cover with sulphur
0:17:29 > 0:17:32to get it dried up and so it wouldn't get diseased.
0:17:32 > 0:17:33Now to the sweet peas.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36There is an argument over whether or not to soak sweet peas.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39I soaked these for three hours.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42The temperature of the water when I started was hand hot,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45soaked the seeds and there you see the germination has been all right.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49Now what we have done is taken the growing tip
0:17:49 > 0:17:51out of each one of these shoots,
0:17:51 > 0:17:55and what does that do? It encourages new growth at the base.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Look, there are two fine shoots coming away there.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03If you are going to spread that out on a trellis, you are going to get these shoots coming up all the way
0:18:03 > 0:18:07and you've got a lovely plant to put out.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10We are going to grow them as single cordons.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13A little bit later on, we will choose the best one
0:18:13 > 0:18:15and remove all the other growths
0:18:15 > 0:18:18and get the strongest one up the cane for the single cordons.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21These are now in the cold frame being hardened off
0:18:21 > 0:18:23because they will be planted by the end of the month.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Oh my goodness, take a look at this.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32This is the result of forcing rhubarb.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37But I would like to take you back as to how we actually forced this.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Now you might remember that George
0:18:39 > 0:18:43lifted a crown of rhubarb back in September
0:18:43 > 0:18:47and this has been forced indoors since 11 January
0:18:47 > 0:18:50and we have got this beautiful early rhubarb.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54I want to continue that succession and this is quite easy.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57You are not lifting the crown at all.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00All you need is a dustbin and cover the crown.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I have insulated it with a bit of polythene
0:19:02 > 0:19:06because it can get rather cold, Remember this is 14 February.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10We will come back in early spring.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12This is a real success story.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16You leave the lid off now, you can pick this rhubarb
0:19:16 > 0:19:20and it would be lovely and tender and sweet but just remember,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23don't force it next year because the crown does tend to be weakened.
0:19:23 > 0:19:30One of the consequences of a very mild winter is that all the winter veggies have really come good.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32They are absolutely fantastic.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Last of the lettuce here, that is Valdor, an old-fashioned variety but very reliable.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Then, here we have cauliflower.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Not yet headed up, this is the variety, Mystique.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45To remind you, this side were brought in plants
0:19:45 > 0:19:49this side were the same varieties but seed bought and sown ourselves.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53These have always been slightly ahead but there is not much to choose.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57Now Mystique, then Spring Hero, a great spring cabbage
0:19:57 > 0:19:59and then look at these calabrese!
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Absolute magic. This is the variety Aquilles.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Just look at that, that is the second pick.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09We have already had the primary heads out of these.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13The primary heads are coming on that one. Look at the size of them! I'm salivating already!
0:20:13 > 0:20:19And then we have got another new cabbage, this is an FY Hybrid XL, doing exceptionally well.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24And, George planted some of them out there on that little raised bed.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27They were looking really sad in the winter but they have come away.
0:20:27 > 0:20:28And talking about him,
0:20:28 > 0:20:31he's away trying to win money at the flower show again.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34This is the weekend of the Flower Show
0:20:34 > 0:20:36here at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
0:20:36 > 0:20:38and I've put in quite a number of entries
0:20:38 > 0:20:42in different classes, tulips, hyacinths, daffodils.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46I am not allowed into the hall at the moment because the judging is going on.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59I was here all day yesterday,
0:20:59 > 0:21:03staging blooms that I'd brought in and pots of bulbs that I've got.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06And you know, this isn't where it all started.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08This is the penalty shootout.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11This is where the decisions are made but it started a long time ago.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17The whole process starts a year before the show.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20That's when the catalogues come through the door.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23You start looking at them and you have some great ideas
0:21:23 > 0:21:28because you think we'll grow better cultivars than what we had last year.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32And you look through them and then you find that the prices are just horrendous
0:21:32 > 0:21:34of the ones you really want.
0:21:34 > 0:21:40Some things in catalogues which can be £60 or £30 a bulb.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41£20 a bulb.
0:21:41 > 0:21:46You can't afford that so you cut back. You cut your cloth accordingly.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49The bulbs arrive, you are all excited,
0:21:49 > 0:21:51you plant them into the pots.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56I am using a deep pot like that and planting them on top of the pot.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Very often, we'll plant them at a depth in the soil
0:22:00 > 0:22:03but here right on the top so that we have all that depth
0:22:03 > 0:22:08for root growth and to give me decent flowers later on.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10That's the varieties. Make sure that goes in
0:22:10 > 0:22:13because they all look the same when they come out the plunge.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Then into the corner of the plunge.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18There we are.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22That's now going to get covered completely with soil,
0:22:22 > 0:22:24and compost.
0:22:26 > 0:22:27That will sit in there...
0:22:29 > 0:22:30..from October,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33through until January/February,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35by which time...
0:22:37 > 0:22:41..it will have made decent roots, and the shoots will be about that long.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51When the bulbs come out the plunge,
0:22:51 > 0:22:53they'll be this sort of height, but very yellow,
0:22:53 > 0:22:58and I bring them out into this tunnel area, here.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00What this is, is just some pieces of alkathene piping,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03and I put a thin polythene sheet over the top.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06That raises the temperature during the day.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08You've got to watch you don't move them on,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11or start to cook them too much.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13When things are growing too fast,
0:23:13 > 0:23:15then we bring them into the shade.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17This is on the north side of the fence.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19They get no sunlight here.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22The temperature is reduced slightly.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24That means we can hold them back.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28I'd bring them in when the flowers are about that stage, there.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Then, I can hold them for about ten days.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Now, daffodils are easy.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37I'll tell you what's difficult, and that is tulips. Look at those.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Nice and tight and closed, at the moment.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42These have been sitting here for a good seven/eight days.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45If I brought them into the full sun, they'd be in flower,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47wide open, in about five minutes.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50So, we can't do that, cos they never really close up again.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Fingers crossed, these will stay for a while yet.
0:23:53 > 0:23:54I've other ones,
0:23:54 > 0:23:57which are further back, and they'll come up and sit in this spot,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00and, hopefully, be just right for the show.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15When you don't have a glasshouse,
0:24:15 > 0:24:16this is what you have to do.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18They've been put against the French windows,
0:24:18 > 0:24:22and that way I can get about an inch of growth on these in a night.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24But I have to keep an eye on them,
0:24:24 > 0:24:25because if we move on too fast,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28they'll get drawn, and end up like sticks of celery.
0:24:28 > 0:24:29We don't want that.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32If they get too far advanced,
0:24:32 > 0:24:33they'll be back outside.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35It can be in one day, out the next.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38When I take them out, I'll put them somewhere cooler.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42That will slow them down, and then I can bring them in later on.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46So, it's a bit of fiddling. A bit of "jiggery-pokery", as they say.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48They go out, they come in. They go out, they come in.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51That way, we get them flowering for the right time.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Because there's only one time they should flower,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55and be at their best.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58The cut flowers should be at their best, ten o'clock
0:24:58 > 0:25:00on the first morning of the show,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03when the judges are going to look at them.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18This is a category I'd hoped to win.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20This is Uncle Duncan, it's the Scamp Challenge,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23and there are three blooms there,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25which really look almost exactly the same.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27But that one
0:25:27 > 0:25:29is much, much stronger.
0:25:29 > 0:25:30The petals are firmer.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33The stem is better. That got first.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Mine only got third,
0:25:35 > 0:25:36because it's a weaker flower,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38it doesn't have the good colour,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41and the consistency within it to impress.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43So, I'll have to try harder.
0:25:43 > 0:25:44This year,
0:25:44 > 0:25:48the quality of blooms in this show is extremely high.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51We've attracted a lot of growers from right across Scotland,
0:25:51 > 0:25:52and it's much, much better.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15I've done better in the hyacinths.
0:26:15 > 0:26:16Look, there's the first prize.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19The flowers are properly developed,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21right to the top of the stem. Nice, strong stem.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Good colour. Look at the second.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27That has flowers which are not fully opened, right to the top.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30The colour not fully developed there, either.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32So, that's why that's second.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34That's why that's first.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49- Hey, well done to George. He got a first.- He did indeed.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51He was getting a bit technical towards the end, wasn't he?
0:26:51 > 0:26:53He was, but he did very well.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Now, then. A new project, this?
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Yes. It should have been a project for last year,
0:26:57 > 0:26:59but the plants came really late.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00They overwintered well,
0:27:00 > 0:27:02so we are going to be growing some of the spray
0:27:02 > 0:27:04and perpetual carnations.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Absolutely gorgeous.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08I love the combinations of colour, and the perfume.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10The perfume is just like cloves.
0:27:10 > 0:27:11Delightful, isn't it?
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Absolutely lovely. And you're going to grow them in "them, thar bags"?
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Yes. We used these bags last year. A great success.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Five plants in each bag.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22I think we're going to have to put some kind of framework and netting,
0:27:22 > 0:27:24cos they get quite tall, don't they?
0:27:24 > 0:27:27They do. You take the flowers out of their leaf axles,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29and they just keep on going.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- The commercial growers get them up to six feet.- Really?
0:27:32 > 0:27:35They take them out after a couple of years and start again.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Start them over again with pluck.
0:27:37 > 0:27:38Sorry?
0:27:38 > 0:27:40- Pluck cuttings.- OK.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43And they need glass, just to keep the temperature up?
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Oh, yes. Dry heat is what they like.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Looking forward to some cut flowers, anyway.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51If you'd like any more information about this week's programme,
0:27:51 > 0:27:54lots of information about those trials from this year and last year,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56it's all in the factsheet.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59The easiest way to access that is online.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02And, don't forget, something new for us, as well.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06You can find out about Beechgrove on Twitter and Facebook.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09- Have we got any idea what she's talking about?- I really don't.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Next week, I'm going to be looking at some more garden design solutions.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17This time, for the garden everybody sees. That's your front garden.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19Absolutely. Well, more gardening next week.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22I shall be on the lawn with a plugger.
0:28:22 > 0:28:23THEY LAUGH
0:28:23 > 0:28:25- Till next week, bye.- BOTH: Bye!
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd