0:00:11 > 0:00:17Well, hello and welcome to Beechgrove Garden on a summer's day.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19- Summer in September. - Yes.- At last.- Absolutely.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21You know, I had a touch of ground frost in the garden,
0:00:21 > 0:00:22that was at the end of August.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26Yes, yes. Well, it's maybe as well now that we've got a decent spell
0:00:26 > 0:00:30that we can assess the bedding plants for the last time.
0:00:30 > 0:00:31Not a year for bedding
0:00:31 > 0:00:34but perhaps we should say the point of this trial was looking
0:00:34 > 0:00:36at alternatives to the busy lizzie
0:00:36 > 0:00:38because of the problems with downy mildew.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Yes, yes. Well, shall we look and go on round in kind of methodical way?
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Yeah, let's start with the begonia, which is a tuberous begonia.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48That's "Go-go Pink Shades" and it's done pretty well, hasn't it?
0:00:48 > 0:00:50For me, these have been the stars.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Throughout the country this year, even on dull days,
0:00:53 > 0:00:54they kind of leap out at you.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56It's not surprising, is it, that it's the number one bedder?
0:00:56 > 0:00:58I think, even when you get the sunshine
0:00:58 > 0:01:02and when you get to the rain and the cold, they seem to do really well.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- They still perform. You can't say so for this one. - This is the New Guinea impatiens.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09That's the alternative to your straightforward busy lizzie
0:01:09 > 0:01:11and, although it doesn't get the downy mildew,
0:01:11 > 0:01:14it's not liked that cold weather, has it, and the rain?
0:01:14 > 0:01:16The thing about a bedding plant is it should cover the soil.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18You shouldn't be able to see the soil.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20They're alive but that's about all you can say for it.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23I think they might do better in a pot to get a bit of heat.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27The name gives you a clue. New Guinea, for goodness sake.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- We're talking tropics.- OK, that's New Guinea but this one's Tuscany.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- Verbena "Tuscany".- Yes. - It's stunning.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Absolutely. I'm so chuffed.
0:01:34 > 0:01:35I've always associated that
0:01:35 > 0:01:38with a lot of sunshine and, less sunshine, less flowers.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41But that one has been stunningly good for weeks.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- It's been going for weeks or even months.- That's another surprise.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Now, I'm really surprised by the dianthus.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48I would have thought, if we'd had a really hot summer,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51I think that would've gone over a lot quicker.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53But maybe that's preferred the cooler conditions.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55That's what surprises me cos I always associate them
0:01:55 > 0:01:58with drier, warmer conditions but there you've got
0:01:58 > 0:02:02a complete groundcover and you've got flower all the time. Fantastic.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04And then we've got the semperflorens begonia.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06That's not as good as the tuberous, is it?
0:02:06 > 0:02:08No, I'm not a great fan of semperflorens, really.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12But they've been shredded at home. Ours have not done well at all.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- But, over here, your foliage... - Yes, the foliage.
0:02:15 > 0:02:16Well, the things that have done well,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19I'm quite pleased with their progress now.
0:02:19 > 0:02:20- For example...- They're a bit late.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22I know, it's really, really sad
0:02:22 > 0:02:24but the castor oil plant's starting to grow up
0:02:24 > 0:02:26and that lovely plectranthus at the back,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28you can start to see now the big leaves on it.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31You can mark these up for another time as dot plants.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34It's similar with the cineraria, the "Silver Dust" and so on.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38They're absolutely stunning. It wasn't the year for millet and rice.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40- Or the kochia, it didn't like it. - You've got plenty of water.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42I tell you, I think it was the year
0:02:42 > 0:02:44for the first year flowering perennials.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- Yes, yes.- Now, we sowed those... - Explain that again.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Well, packets of seed, we sowed them on Valentine's Day, remember that?
0:02:51 > 0:02:54- We came in to the garden. - How could I forget?
0:02:54 > 0:02:58And, just from a packet of seeds, we got loads of germination and,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01yes, they have performed, they have flowered in the first year.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05In particular, I think the achillea, at the moment, is looking good
0:03:05 > 0:03:08and that gaillardia has still got plenty of buds to come.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10And we're going to keep those over the winter.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12- Is that a salvia as well? - There's a little salvia,
0:03:12 > 0:03:16there's prunella with the bees on it at the moment, really enjoying it.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19We'll keep them over the winter and see if they come through the winter.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21So, if there's any time left,
0:03:21 > 0:03:23this is what's going to happen in the rest of the programme.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28I'm in Kilmacolm, helping to take the mystery out of building a pond
0:03:28 > 0:03:31with our own step-by-step guide.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Welcome to the Scottish Borders.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37This is reiver country where, of course,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39there have been many battles in the past.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40Battles are still going on but,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43in the world of gardening and horticulture,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46they're much more friendly, but still as competitive.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Well, the tattie story this year is a bit mixed, isn't it?
0:03:51 > 0:03:55We had blight early and a lot of crops have been damaged by it.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Others have survived and here you see a blighted shaw there.
0:03:58 > 0:03:59Couple of them there.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03They would be cut down and we'd take what crop is underneath, regardless.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05There's nothing wrong with the potatoes.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07The rest of the green foliage
0:04:07 > 0:04:09are varieties that are resistant to blight.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11All the Sarpo varieties, for example.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14But it's not actually about that that I want to speak today.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17It's about the harvesting and maybe saving some potatoes for seed.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21So, here we are, we're about to harvest a shaw of Maris,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23one of the Maris varieties.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27Look at that. Isn't that nice? Really lovely potatoes.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31The story is, the big ones go in the pot
0:04:31 > 0:04:35and the medium-sized ones are saved for seed if you want to.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37And I'm saying
0:04:37 > 0:04:40tatties about that sort of size
0:04:40 > 0:04:43make ideal seed potatoes.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47Now, there's a phrase that puzzles people - "seed potatoes."
0:04:47 > 0:04:49I'm not saying potato seed
0:04:49 > 0:04:52because potato seed you'll get there,
0:04:52 > 0:04:56from that little tomato-like fruit on the top of the plant.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00And I have to say to you, these are intensely poisonous
0:05:00 > 0:05:02and that's not where our new potato crops will come from.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05And for parents of small children,
0:05:05 > 0:05:08beware, because they're just like tomatoes when they start to ripen.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12No, no, we're talking about seed potatoes.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15In other words, keeping some for next year to plant again,
0:05:15 > 0:05:19so long as your crop has been healthy and is in good order.
0:05:19 > 0:05:20Why bother?
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Well, it's cheaper.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25The only reason for buying new ones
0:05:25 > 0:05:27would be to try out some new varieties
0:05:27 > 0:05:28and where do they come from?
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Well, from time to time,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33we get shown or get sent varieties which have...
0:05:33 > 0:05:36This one's only got a number, so far.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39It's a bit of a piebald.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Isn't that quite nice? How it tastes, I don't know yet.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45It was grown in a pot. That is the entire crop.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47This one, TerraRosa.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49And it looks like it too. Isn't it gorgeous?
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Now, it might be gorgeous, but how does it taste?
0:05:52 > 0:05:54We've yet to try that out.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57But these are a lovely size for seed potatoes
0:05:57 > 0:06:01and that's the job I'm looking at today. How do you keep them?
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Well, you leave them out in the light so that the skin toughens
0:06:04 > 0:06:07and they stop losing moisture
0:06:07 > 0:06:09and then you find a nice dark place.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12The old-fashioned cellar below houses was ideal because
0:06:12 > 0:06:14it was a constant low temperature
0:06:14 > 0:06:17and ever so slightly moist to keep them from shrivelling up
0:06:17 > 0:06:20and then you bring them out to start them all over again.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Now then, our Georgie boy has been having a go
0:06:24 > 0:06:26at growing show vegetables.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Well, he's been down to Kelso
0:06:28 > 0:06:30to see the National Vegetable Society Show
0:06:30 > 0:06:32to get a few hints and tips.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34A trifle too late, I think.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51So, welcome to the Tait Hall in Kelso.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53This is where the modern battles take place,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56all the competition between friends and acquaintances.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Colour, shape, form, fruit, vegetables - the whole lot are here.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04You think this is good? Wait till you see what's upstairs.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Look at this. This is the hallowed hall.
0:07:25 > 0:07:26This is where it's all happening.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31This isn't the end result of a whole year, possibly 15 months' work.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Now, when you're presenting things on a show bench,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37the thing which you are looking for is consistency.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39It's not just about size, it's about quality
0:07:39 > 0:07:41and it's about consistency of product.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Look at these onions. Look at the leeks.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46You know, they're things which have taken a long time to grow
0:07:46 > 0:07:48and, really, until you lift those,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52you got no idea what they're going to be like.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54One of the competitors which we've been following,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56didn't know until yesterday
0:07:56 > 0:08:00exactly what his things were going to look like.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05Ian Stocks grows his vegetables on an allotment in Larbert.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08OK, we're now in my long carrot tunnel.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12These carrots were planted around about 7 April this year
0:08:12 > 0:08:15and they're planted into 45 gallon drums
0:08:15 > 0:08:17which are filled with coarse sand
0:08:17 > 0:08:18and they're sitting on a bed,
0:08:18 > 0:08:21probably about another two, two and a half foot of sand
0:08:21 > 0:08:24to give me a length of about 5 ft, 5 ft 6.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29And they're sown into a borehole made by a long pinch bar
0:08:29 > 0:08:33and it's filled with a mixture of some commercial compost
0:08:33 > 0:08:35and various fertilisers in it.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37The big problem with long carrots is, once they've grown
0:08:37 > 0:08:39to this stage and I'm now lifting them
0:08:39 > 0:08:42for the National Vegetable Society show at Kelso,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44is how do you actually get them out?
0:08:44 > 0:08:48I've devised a method where the barrels sit on top of raised beds
0:08:48 > 0:08:51and it allows me to scrape away the sand
0:08:51 > 0:08:54from the bottom of the beds.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56OK, so I've exposed the taproot now.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58It is a very, very fine hair-like root
0:08:58 > 0:09:01and is subject to breaking fairly easy.
0:09:01 > 0:09:02So, it's now been released.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05What I'll now do is just expose the shoulder and that gives me
0:09:05 > 0:09:08an indication of the size of the carrot
0:09:08 > 0:09:12because I'm trying to match three for size, shape, uniformity.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14So, I've now exposed that.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19I'll take the foliage off, some six inches or so above,
0:09:19 > 0:09:23and then, what I'll do is, gently,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25just apply some pressure on the carrot
0:09:25 > 0:09:28and with the taproot already being released
0:09:28 > 0:09:30it, hopefully, should come out.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33However it is a lucky dip because I can see the top,
0:09:33 > 0:09:34I can see the bottom
0:09:34 > 0:09:38but we need to sure that the whole carrot is reasonably good.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41You can see it's now coming out
0:09:41 > 0:09:44so that means that the taproot has been released.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47The carrot is coming out.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51I think the lucky dip has paid off for this one
0:09:51 > 0:09:54because we've got the length in the carrot
0:09:54 > 0:09:56and it looks a reasonable shape.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59So, what I now do is I'll give it a quick wash outside
0:09:59 > 0:10:03just to make sure there's no blemishes, marks, pest disease, etc.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05And then we'll try and match up another two
0:10:05 > 0:10:09to give us a set of three for the show at Kelso.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Now it's time to lift the parsnips.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17This probably will be more of a struggle than the long carrots
0:10:17 > 0:10:19because they are bigger, they're longer roots
0:10:19 > 0:10:20and they're thicker roots.
0:10:20 > 0:10:25Again, like the long carrots, this is a bit of a lucky dip
0:10:25 > 0:10:29because you don't know what's coming out and they have a fair grip.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32What I want to do is to remove the sand,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34probably about six inches or so,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38in order that I can get both hands around the parsnip
0:10:38 > 0:10:42because it does become, sometimes, a bit of a struggle.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Almost like a wrestling match.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46The bonus is, if it's a wrestling match,
0:10:46 > 0:10:49you know that they're right down.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55OK, it's now loosening.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59So, I'll see what comes out.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Again, we're looking for that length.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Looks good, so far.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14And that's the parsnip out.
0:11:24 > 0:11:25Now, as you know,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28I'm growing carrots for the show bench at Beechgrove
0:11:28 > 0:11:31and who better to come and ask for some hints and wrinkles
0:11:31 > 0:11:34than Jim Williams, who's the president
0:11:34 > 0:11:37of the Scottish branch of the National Vegetable Society.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Jim, I'm growing "Sweet Candle" and that's what this is.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43What should I be looking for when I lift mine?
0:11:43 > 0:11:46As you say, George, "Sweet Candle" is an excellent show variety
0:11:46 > 0:11:48and it's also an excellent eating variety.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50It's got a good name, "Sweet Candle."
0:11:50 > 0:11:53When you're looking at these, the striking thing is the colour and appearance.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55They've got to be mouth-watering
0:11:55 > 0:11:57and that's what you go for when you're looking at carrots.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- So, colour is really important? - Nice bright orange colour.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02They have got to be pest free,
0:12:02 > 0:12:05no holes from slugs or beasties or anything like that.
0:12:05 > 0:12:06No carrot fly, then.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08No. And no green tops on them.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11And, at the end of the day, they must have a true stump.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Stump carrots take 20 weeks to grow and they must have a good stump.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17You can see here that these haven't stumped up properly.
0:12:17 > 0:12:18So, these are still immature?
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Immature. Could do with another two or three weeks growing.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Then, lastly, you've got to have them alike
0:12:23 > 0:12:25in size, shape and colour.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27- Uniformity is very important. - We've got three here.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30How many do we have to lift to get three?
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Well, on a good day,
0:12:32 > 0:12:36you'll probably have to lift about 25 to 30 carrots to get three.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39I think I'm maybe struggling then.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- Well, Ian, congratulations. - Thanks, George.- First prize.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Yeah, I'm absolutely delighted.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54First prize at the Scottish Championships is always a bonus.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57I have had four or five second prizes in this over the years
0:12:57 > 0:12:59so I've finally managed to win it, which is
0:12:59 > 0:13:00a personal achievement for me.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- So, I'm absolutely delighted, George.- Well done. That's superb.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- Second with the carrots though, so...- Upset?- No, not at all.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09I'm happy because it's a good exhibit I've put on the bench
0:13:09 > 0:13:12and the chap that won it, Joe Proudlock, is a very good friend
0:13:12 > 0:13:14and his stuff was better on the day.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16So, there's always next year.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18I have to say that they're an awful lot better looking
0:13:18 > 0:13:20than mine will possibly be at Beechgrove
0:13:20 > 0:13:22but I've still got to lift them.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Well, as we said, it's a lucky dip when you lift it
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- so you may just hit the jackpot. - Might!
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Well, George, I think that's quite a challenge you've been set.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49It's now mid-September, so it's an ideal time to start trimming hedges.
0:13:49 > 0:13:50Here, in the Garden for Life,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53this hedge has been designed to encourage wildlife.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54But it's safe to trim it now.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57What I mean by safe is, all risk of nesting has now completed
0:13:57 > 0:13:59and so we're absolutely fine to go in here.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02We're not come to disturb any birds at all.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06This is a mixed hedge - it's some deciduous plants and some evergreen.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09This is the well-known one, this is privet or ligustrum.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12But, what you maybe don't realise is, it has these gorgeous white flowers
0:14:12 > 0:14:15which have a really heady fragrance.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17A very, very good nectar source.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20And what I'm doing is just trimming back to the shape which it was.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24It's actually providing the division between these two gardens.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28One of the other plants he got in here this cotoneaster.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30The use for that with wildlife is it has berries
0:14:30 > 0:14:32in the autumn and winter, for the birds.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35The deciduous plant in here is the dog rose.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Very prickly, it's had its flowers and, again,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41it's got lovely hips there which the birds will eat.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43And also there is green beech.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Now, this isn't technically deciduous but although the green leaves
0:14:46 > 0:14:50go a sort of coppery colour, they stay on right through to spring
0:14:50 > 0:14:54so it's a really good roosting and nesting place for next spring.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56I'm trimming up just back to where berries and flowers are,
0:14:56 > 0:14:58keeping a nice straight edge.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Maybe a bit wider at the bottom, if I can.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04The other challenge for this hedge is, it's gone far too tall.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06I really want to maintain it just above the level of the pergola.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09So that's going to be a little bit of a difficult task there.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13That's going to involve ladders and a little bit of a palaver.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15No, I'm going to be looking at our evergreen hedging.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19It's all about conifers and this is Thuja occidentalis
0:15:19 > 0:15:22and it's in its fourth season and I'm really pleased with the result.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26You can start to see now it's starting to knit together.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29A fairly slow-growing conifer, though.
0:15:29 > 0:15:30However, I'm, sadly,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33rather disappointed with the Lawson's cypress
0:15:33 > 0:15:36It's a variety called "Grayswood Feather"
0:15:36 > 0:15:38and over the years we keep replacing the odd one
0:15:38 > 0:15:41and there's another one there, dying out.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44So, what I want to do is take the whole of it out
0:15:44 > 0:15:46and try a different variety because, I'm sorry,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49I don't know why those ones have died out.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Then we've got the yew, Taxus baccata
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Again, fairly slow-growing but it's doing it's stuff,
0:15:54 > 0:15:56it's starting to knit together.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Maybe what we need to do is trim the sides a little bit.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03That one, again, is fairly slow growing.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06However, western hemlock. Isn't this absolutely great?
0:16:06 > 0:16:08And if you want something that's fairly vigorous,
0:16:08 > 0:16:11this is definitely one that you could choose.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Now, I want to start taking out the tops.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17I don't want to use a ladder like Lesley was speaking about
0:16:17 > 0:16:19with her wildlife hedge.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22So, you let it grow about a foot above the height you want
0:16:22 > 0:16:26and I'm going to go for that height.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29I can take that one out and, if I wanted to,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31I could take that one out as well.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35I'm also looking at the sides because we want it to bush out.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37And you want to shape that's like a sort of A frame
0:16:37 > 0:16:41so that if it does snow, you can knock the snow off.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43So, little bit of trimming to do.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52And finally, to a landscape feature
0:16:52 > 0:16:55which I think is under-utilised in suburbia.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58It's a suspended hedge or a hedge on stilts or a flying hedge.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Basically, you plant standard trees.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05These are silver lime for the Silver Garden, of course.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Standard trees, and create the hedge at the top of the stem.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12You can walk underneath, you can utilise all the ground underneath.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15So, where space is short, this might be the answer.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18It needs pruning once a year.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21The point is, it maybe gives you a bit of privacy from nosy neighbours.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26Well, I'm still in the Garden for Life.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30You may remember, this spring it had a really brutal pruning.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32The shrubs have recovered so well
0:17:32 > 0:17:35and the herbaceous is looking fantastic.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37This ligularia is glorious.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40It was also overgrown. In fact, we had lost sight of this patio.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42So, we've regained a lot of space
0:17:42 > 0:17:45and one of the joys of doing that planting
0:17:45 > 0:17:47was that we actually now have some open ground
0:17:47 > 0:17:49in some of the borders where we cleared.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51This is looking lovely.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55This lythrum is gorgeous and now it's time to be planting bulbs.
0:17:55 > 0:17:56They will flower in the spring.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Now, what bulbs like is sunshine and good drainage.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02So, anywhere there's a space, I'm going to pop in some bulbs.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05In the middle of the bed here, it needs some height.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08So, I'm going to put in allium purple sensation.
0:18:08 > 0:18:09I'm not going to do this in rows,
0:18:09 > 0:18:12just going to toss them so they're nice and random.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Wherever they land I shall plant them later.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Now, I have had a little bit of trouble
0:18:18 > 0:18:20with wildlife, in the past, and bulbs.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23And that is, mice have eaten the crocuses very badly.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26So, I'm also going to do some pots where I'm going to
0:18:26 > 0:18:28pop the crocuses out of their reach.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31In this pot, I've already got some wallflowers.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35At this time of year, if you're planting for autumn and winter,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38you need to make sure you're using a pot which is completely frost proof.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41And the other thing, which is very significant, is a drainage hole
0:18:41 > 0:18:45in the bottom so they don't get too soggy and crock it.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46Using a multipurpose compost -
0:18:46 > 0:18:49you don't need to use bulb fibre in this situation
0:18:49 > 0:18:52if you're using it outside and as long as it has got the drainage.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Wallflowers are also a really good early nectar source
0:18:56 > 0:18:59and this one is a gorgeous bronze colour.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02And through that, I'm going to team it up with an allium.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Now, this is caeruleum -
0:19:04 > 0:19:06bright, bright blue.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08And I think that is going to look startling together.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11What's also starting to happen, very helpfully,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13a lot of the bulb suppliers are starting
0:19:13 > 0:19:17to put a little logo on the packet saying if it's friendly for bees.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20What I'm going to do, I've got the wallflowers in already,
0:19:20 > 0:19:24and then, in the little spaces, I'm going to pop in the allium
0:19:24 > 0:19:26so I can see where they're going to go.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29The other bulbs I'm putting in here is a crocus.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33And this one is "Pickwick" - it's got that nice purple stripe.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36In the second pot I'm using myosotis or forget-me-not.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Blue flowers in the spring, again, good for wildlife.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42I'm going to have Muscari "White Magic"
0:19:42 > 0:19:44coming through the top of that
0:19:44 > 0:19:46and, again, another crocus.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48This one is really pretty.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50It's a lemon one, slightly purple barred.
0:19:50 > 0:19:51This is called "Gipsy Girls".
0:19:51 > 0:19:55This is going to be a real super source of nectar in the spring.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03I'm here in Kilmacolm
0:20:03 > 0:20:06beside this magnificent stretch of water behind me
0:20:06 > 0:20:09and I've come here to help local gardener Karen Perry
0:20:09 > 0:20:13create a miniature version of this in her own back garden.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18So, now, I can see that you've already started to dig a pond.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Tell me about it. - We have, yes.- What happened?
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Well, I started to dig it out.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25We thought we'd got to the right depth and we got stuck.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29I knew about the liners, I knew about the ledges
0:20:29 > 0:20:31and it had to be so deep
0:20:31 > 0:20:34and then little bits for pond life and stuff to get in and out,
0:20:34 > 0:20:35but I just stopped.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38You've already done the hardest part, digging it out,
0:20:38 > 0:20:39so for that I'm very grateful.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42What do you actually want from a pond? Why do you want a pond?
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Well this is my private area in the garden.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48I love sitting on that little bench over there with my cup of coffee
0:20:48 > 0:20:49or my glass of wine in the evening.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53It's just relaxing - I read a book, a magazine or just think
0:20:53 > 0:20:56and I like my little water feature there
0:20:56 > 0:20:59and I just thought this would really lend itself to a pond.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01What we'll do is, we'll take that edge back a bit,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03make a ledge, put some rock underneath and put soil back in
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- so you've actually got a border under the water.- Fantastic.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08So it holds the plants and they grow better.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Then we'll put rocks round about it
0:21:10 > 0:21:11so the wildlife can get in and out
0:21:11 > 0:21:13without falling in and not being able to get out.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15So, that's what we're going to do.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- Amazing.- But first, we need to dig a bigger hole.- OK, I'll help.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Very nice!
0:21:28 > 0:21:31This week, I'm ably assisted by pond expert Fraser Barry.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44What we've done so far is
0:21:44 > 0:21:47taken this block edging off the side of the pond,
0:21:47 > 0:21:48pushed the gravel back,
0:21:48 > 0:21:50we're going to dig another eight inches or so deeper
0:21:50 > 0:21:53and here we're going to make a shelf.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55This will make the pond a bit wider
0:21:55 > 0:21:57and give us space for an underwater border.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Even if you haven't got fancy equipment like this,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05it's really important to make sure that your pond is level.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08But he can do that with a spirit level and a length of wood
0:22:08 > 0:22:09just as easily.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21All this topsoil that came out of the top layer of the pond
0:22:21 > 0:22:22is actually good soil.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25So, that, we will use back round about the edge of the rocks
0:22:25 > 0:22:26and in the deep water margins.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28The bit at the bottom is very stony
0:22:28 > 0:22:31so Karen is just finishing digging that out
0:22:31 > 0:22:33to get us down to our two feet deep
0:22:33 > 0:22:35but the water keeps coming back in again!
0:22:46 > 0:22:49This is the fleece that we put down underneath the liner.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52You need this because it stops any stones coming through your liner.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54The last thing you want is to do all this
0:22:54 > 0:22:57and then end up with a hole in your liner and a leak.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00You just need to measure it so that it fits the size of the pond
0:23:00 > 0:23:02and a little bit excess round the edge.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13This is a really good quality one millimetre thick rubber liner
0:23:13 > 0:23:15with a lifetime guarantee, so it'll last you forever
0:23:15 > 0:23:18but not if you put a fork through it by mistake.
0:23:22 > 0:23:23I feel like a weightlifter.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43So, we've put the felt down, we've put the liner on top.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Now, the construction of the internals of the pond.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48So, we've got raised areas round the edge
0:23:48 > 0:23:51to give us margins for planting round the edges there.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55At the side there's parts where the liner goes underneath,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58behind the stones and gives us a boggy planting area behind that.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01At the back, we've brought the liner up in front of these plants.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05So, this is actually going to be dry plants at the back of here.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09- Right.- So, in the middle, this is the deepest part of the pond,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12so we've got deep water plants and this is a water lily.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15So, that's going to sort of grow up and the leaves will just float on top
0:24:15 > 0:24:18and have lovely flowers, hopefully. Then we've got marginal plants.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22Things like ranunculus, houttuynia there at the back.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26- Behind you, some irises and a juncus. - Stunning.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Mint, right at the back there.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31At the back, this is actually a dry border.
0:24:31 > 0:24:32It won't be a boggy border.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34We have got things like lovely blue geraniums
0:24:34 > 0:24:38and some foliage plants like the heucheras,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40a nice coloured grass, more heucheras.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43So, it's going to give you lots of colour right the way around the pond
0:24:43 > 0:24:46and they'll all, kind of... They look like new when they go in
0:24:46 > 0:24:49but once they start to move about and just merge the line between
0:24:49 > 0:24:52the outside and inside, it just softens it beautifully.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57- Right, Karen, this is your pond, you can start filling process.- OK.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01If you undo that then the water just goes straight in.
0:25:03 > 0:25:04Oh! Oh!
0:25:05 > 0:25:09Beautifully done. And now we wait for two hours.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- We can have tea and caramel shortcake.- Oh, yeah.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Carolyn, I'm blown away.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24- It's just above and beyond anything I expected.- Oh, good.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29It's just everything - the planting, the rocks, the gravel,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- it is spectacular. - I'm so pleased with it too.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35You have this vision in your head about what you can do in a day
0:25:35 > 0:25:38and I did think, "I'm pushing it here, I'm really pushing it."
0:25:38 > 0:25:40But, you know, we've done it and it just looks marvellous.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42I can't thank you enough.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45You and Fraser just... He has worked so hard.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48And, you know, the planting is just going to get better and better
0:25:48 > 0:25:49as it settles into the surroundings.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52It'll soften it, the plants will just start to grow
0:25:52 > 0:25:53and merge into each other.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56I love it. I absolutely love it.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16My hint for those of you, this week,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18that are absolutely scunnered
0:26:18 > 0:26:21with herbaceous plants being knocked flat by the weather,
0:26:21 > 0:26:23think Phlox paniculata.
0:26:23 > 0:26:24Look at this -
0:26:24 > 0:26:28no staking, absolutely stunning and a bit of late flowering as well.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31You don't get them that colour, you get them pink and lavender shades.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33Remember where you heard it first.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Here's another plant that's looking
0:26:37 > 0:26:40absolutely great at the moment. It's the French lavenders.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41We've got the variety "Papillon"
0:26:41 > 0:26:44and a nice compact form, "Devonshire Compact."
0:26:44 > 0:26:47I think we've just found the right spot for them,
0:26:47 > 0:26:49considering the summer. We've got a raised bed
0:26:49 > 0:26:51and when it does get sunny, that gets warmed up
0:26:51 > 0:26:53and it's got good drainage.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58Well, finally, the nasturtium bed is a blaze of colour
0:26:58 > 0:26:59after quite a slow start.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02They've steadfastly ignored the obelisks
0:27:02 > 0:27:04and scrambled across the ground.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06My favourite is "Empress of India"
0:27:06 > 0:27:09with a red flower, dark foliage. In fact, I do prefer the single colours.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11It's worth saving seed at this time of year.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16Even something like Alaska here, which is variegated,
0:27:16 > 0:27:17will come true from seed.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Just pop them into a paper bag
0:27:19 > 0:27:22to keep them dry and cool over the winter, sow them next year.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25The bees love these flowers.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30We're here in the Equinox Garden, which is designed to look good
0:27:30 > 0:27:33in autumn and spring. It's full of colour now, isn't it?
0:27:33 > 0:27:34- Really pleased with it. - It's filled out.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37Yeah, this "Rozanne" geranium, climbing through that vitus.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39- Absolutely spot on, just at the moment.- Gorgeous.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41And I like the hypericum with the berries.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44That's one at the front's kind of salmon pink. It's gorgeous.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46- It is. Very nice indeed. - Continuing with the harvest as well.
0:27:46 > 0:27:47Mm! It's looking good.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51All is not lost, is it, in the garden? If you keep at it.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55- A good selection.- Prize-winning carrots? What do you think?- Hmm...
0:27:55 > 0:28:00Early bunching. Early bunching. It's reached its potential.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01That's true.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Well, if you'd like any more information
0:28:03 > 0:28:05about this week's programme, it's all in the fact sheet.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Perhaps you want that advice about hedging
0:28:07 > 0:28:09and the easiest way to access that is online.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Don't forget, as well, Twitter and Facebook,
0:28:12 > 0:28:13you can find out about us too.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16Now, next week, George and I won't be here in the garden
0:28:16 > 0:28:18because we're going to be in Milngavie
0:28:18 > 0:28:22with a community who are creating a very unusual garden.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25- And we will be here, in the garden.- We will.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Getting up to all sorts of things.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31- Fruitful, fruitful. - Fruit and veg, I think.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33Fruit and veg. Well, see you then.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35- Goodbye.- Bye.- Bye.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd