0:00:12 > 0:00:16That is Crocosmia "Jupiter".
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Hello, and welcome to Beechgrove,
0:00:18 > 0:00:20and it's a wee bit nippy this morning.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Autumn is definitely on its way.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24We've got the old fleeces on, and all the rest of it.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28But, nonetheless, we're talking about late summer and autumn colour.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31And where better than to look amongst the crocosmias.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34It's not just "Lucifer", which we've got up in the garden,
0:00:34 > 0:00:37and which I see all over the country.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40This serves to show us the different colour range, the different heights,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43and, indeed, the different flowering times of a whole range of crocosmias.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45As I say, the "Jupiter" is good.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49The one at the back, "Cally Greyleaf", is huge and sprawling.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52I don't think we'll be looking for a place to put that in the garden,
0:00:52 > 0:00:53when these get moved on.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56This is "Carmine Brilliant", this has been brilliant.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57It's got a little bit more to go,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00there's still some nice flowers to come out at the end.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04It's going really good. And then, what a contrast, "Lady Hamilton".
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Rather graceful, isn't it?
0:01:06 > 0:01:09The star of the show so far has been "Lana de Savary", and it was the same last year,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13but it's one of the earliest to come into flower. Like "Jupiter", stunning.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Very much. But look, it's only just a metre high, if that.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Cos they're up to two feet.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20I'm going from feet to metres, never mind.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24And then this lovely "Culzean Pink", doing rather nicely.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27But it shows how they can spread. You do have to be careful with them.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31You've got to trench round them, if you've got a bunch of them in the garden.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33A nice pink.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35"Star of the East" hardly yet showing.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38A little bit fragile, I think. It hasn't made a lot of growth.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41And the same can be said for "Jackanapes", here.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45It's struggling a bit, for some reason or other.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Maybe it doesn't like us. And, finally, to this little gem here.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Really well named, because it's "Saracen".
0:01:51 > 0:01:54It's got that dusky, middle eastern sort of feel about it.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Look at the colour of the foliage,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59and what the promise is in these lovely flowers.
0:01:59 > 0:02:04Now, it's over to George. I've seen him kicking about over there.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Nice one. Nice one, Jim. These are the Sedums that you seed.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10This is the trial which we set out last year.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13We're going to look at Sedum spectabile,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16which is the common garden form of Sedum,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19and a thing called Sedum telephium, and the hybrids of telephium.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22That's the Scottish native, which has purple foliage,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25and grows pretty well all over the place in Scotland.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29We've got one or two good ones, here. Things with very bright colours.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33Things like this one, here, which is Sedum Carl.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35We've got a fellow at the front,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37which I have to say I'm not very sure about, because I don't like
0:02:37 > 0:02:40variegated plants, but that's called "Frosty Morn".
0:02:40 > 0:02:43And it's got colour, and it'll have appeal to many people.
0:02:43 > 0:02:44But this is the old classic.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46This is a thing called Sedum "Autumn Joy",
0:02:46 > 0:02:49with a bee sleeping on the top of it.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52That's the one we'll be testing them all against.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Because things like "Purple Emperor" at the back, here,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58with this great purple foliage, and this one at the front, look,
0:02:58 > 0:02:59here's an interesting thing.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Purple foliage, and then, also,
0:03:02 > 0:03:06right thorough into these yellow flowers, that's Sedum ruprechtii.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08They've not done too well this year,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10because of the wet and because of the wind.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13They'll be better next year, so promise to come.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Meanwhile, on the rest of the programme...
0:03:18 > 0:03:21I'm on the Stranraer-to-Glasgow train,
0:03:21 > 0:03:23and on route we'll be stopping at some of the stations,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26because the gardens are being looked after by volunteers.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28It's a great scheme.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35And I'm in Perthshire this week, with some allotmenteers,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37and they certainly know their onions.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44Well, it's time for me to round up the trial of these tomatoes,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46and just explain what's going on.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49It's all about grafted and non-grafted tomatoes,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52and it's the same variety, Shirley.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54So, what do I mean by that?
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Well, the non-grafted are the ones that have been sown from seed.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00They are actually plants that we bought from a garden centre,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03and they were costing a pound per plant.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08Whereas the grafted ones, these are on a high performance rootstock,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10and then the Shirley is grafted onto that.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13So, a little bit like an apple, you buy a variety,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15and that's actually grafted onto a rootstock.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18So, what are the claims about grafted ones?
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Because they are more expensive -
0:04:20 > 0:04:24you're speaking about an extra £2, so £3 per plant.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27First of all, they claim that they are going to crop earlier.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Well, we found there was only a day of a difference
0:04:29 > 0:04:31when it came to the cropping.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34But, they also claim they are going to be more free
0:04:34 > 0:04:36from diseases, which we have found.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39There was less botrytis on the grafted plants,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41and less, sort of, nutritional disorders
0:04:41 > 0:04:45and I have to say that I think the grafted ones are more healthy.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47But, I think, at the end of the day,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50this is all about the results of the cropping.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52You're meant to get more tomatoes.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Well, when it came to picking the ripe ones,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58and you can see there's still more tomatoes to crop. At the moment,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02the average per plant is 0.6 of a kilogram
0:05:02 > 0:05:05on the non-grafted ones,
0:05:05 > 0:05:09and it's double, 1.2 kilograms, on the grafted plants.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Well, I thought it would be interesting to crop
0:05:12 > 0:05:14a couple of the bags here.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18So, this is the complete crop of the grafted,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21and this is the crop of the non-grafted.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25And we have, we've got about twice as many tomatoes,
0:05:25 > 0:05:26which is fantastic news.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28And, on average,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32we're speaking about one-and-a-half kilograms more.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34So, at the end of the day,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37it's definitely worth paying £2 more.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Well, isn't that a lovely view behind me?
0:05:44 > 0:05:47You might recognise the bridges and the river. Of course, it's Perth.
0:05:47 > 0:05:48I'm actually in Bridge of Earn,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50in the school grounds of Craigclowan,
0:05:50 > 0:05:54and I'm about to visit their allotments in the old walled garden.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06Ruth, now, you wrote in to us.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08So give us a bit of background to the allotments.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11A couple of friends of mine, and myself, were looking for
0:06:11 > 0:06:15allotments in the Perth area, and there were none available at all.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18We heard that the school were offering their walled garden to the community,
0:06:18 > 0:06:22so we came, and we met up with them, and took the allotment on.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24A great opportunity, but we're only speaking about, what,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27two years ago, and it was quite neglected?
0:06:27 > 0:06:29It was, basically it all looked like that bottom corner,
0:06:29 > 0:06:33knee-high in weeds, apart from a small area that the kids were growing some potatoes in.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36I'm amazed that in two years you've managed to clear the grounds.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40But, also, I love the way you've developed this terrace system, with the raised beds.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42That was one of our group, Andy's, idea.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45He had raised beds in his garden, and we thought that this
0:06:45 > 0:06:48would be a really good idea to deal with the slope, to terrace it.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51Now, it's not just about adults, though,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53because you do involve the schoolchildren, as well?
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Yes. They have their allotments, or small beds,
0:06:56 > 0:06:57up at the top of the site.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Now, Jill, I understand that you've got a buddy scheme
0:07:01 > 0:07:04and a gardening club for the children, so what's that all about?
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Well, we have a gardening club that work up at the top, they come in at night times,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10and often, if the gardeners are here, we can give them advice.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13And then we have a buddy scheme, where a gardener is appointed
0:07:13 > 0:07:16a form class, and we come up on a weekly basis
0:07:16 > 0:07:18and help show them how to garden, to weed,
0:07:18 > 0:07:19to grow healthy fruit and veg.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22And the buddy thing's really good, too, because we do
0:07:22 > 0:07:25companion planting, which is like buddy planting.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27So, we've got flowers and vegetables,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29and the kids are fascinated with this.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Wow, this is a really tidy plot.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- Have you been taking out all the weeds?- ALL: Yes!
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Now, I've been hearing that you've been doing companion planting.
0:07:42 > 0:07:43Who can tell me about that?
0:07:43 > 0:07:45We plant all these plants,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48and they work together to help each other grow.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52So it keeps away pests and diseases, doesn't it? They work together.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55What do you like growing the most?
0:07:55 > 0:07:58I quite like growing lettuce.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- And who wants to eat the peas? - ALL: Me!
0:08:01 > 0:08:02I love peas!
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Do you love peas? I think they're wonderful.
0:08:05 > 0:08:06What about you, Archie?
0:08:06 > 0:08:10I like growing the chives and tomatoes.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13Now, have you tried the nasturtiums?
0:08:13 > 0:08:15Murray and me just tried some.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- Yeah, I like them. Quite nice. - Peppery?- Yeah.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Who likes watering? You all like that.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- Is that your favourite job?- Yeah.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24It's really important to keep the plants well watered, isn't it?
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- Although, it's been quite a wet season, hasn't it?- ALL: Yeah.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Yeah, and this beetroot is growing very well.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35Hooray!
0:08:42 > 0:08:44I believe you've had one or two problems.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46So, Anne, what kind of things have been going on?
0:08:46 > 0:08:51This year, we've planted carrot seeds three times, at different points
0:08:51 > 0:08:56in the year, and, as far as we know, nothing has germinated, apart from in
0:08:56 > 0:09:01the last sowing, which was very late on, we got five carrots came up.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Our parsnips just didn't come up at all.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06We tried two or three times, I think,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09and they just didn't germinate.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11I think what we wanted to do, straight away,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14was give you a soil analysis, to find out whether it's the soil
0:09:14 > 0:09:16that's causing the problems.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19And, in fact, you've got 7.1. Seven is neutral.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Can I ask you, your brassicas, presumably, are they quite good?
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- Brassicas are brilliant. - Brassicas are brilliant.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Well, that will probably be why,
0:09:26 > 0:09:28cos if you've got that pH around there,
0:09:28 > 0:09:30you're not needing to lime, or anything.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32They should do great.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36The nitrates, well, that could maybe do with a little bit of improving.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40So, if your onions, for example, are not bulking up,
0:09:40 > 0:09:43then I think you maybe need to add perhaps a little bit more manure.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Back to these problems, then, with the carrots and the parsnips.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50I don't think it's anything, really, to do with the soil.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53I would want to say a lot of it is maybe the conditions.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56You are quite an exposed site, aren't you?
0:09:56 > 0:09:58And, you know, in particular, with parsnips,
0:09:58 > 0:10:02they are renowned for being very difficult to grow.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05You've got to make sure your seed is fresh.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08I know it's very tempting, isn't it, to save your packets of seeds,
0:10:08 > 0:10:12and some things will grow year after year, they will stay viable.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15But, no way with parsnips. They've got to be fresh.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18And then, you're not sowing them particularly deeply,
0:10:18 > 0:10:22and, if you get the wind, the surface of the soil dries out.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26And I have heard older gardeners, sometimes,
0:10:26 > 0:10:27used to put a plank across.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30So, you sow them, keep the plank there, and it might take
0:10:30 > 0:10:33two to three weeks to germinate, but that's maybe keeping
0:10:33 > 0:10:35the moisture in. And then you can release that.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46Well, Carole, this is the new polytunnel
0:10:46 > 0:10:48we've got just put up in the last month.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51We're wondering what to do with the ends, which are open.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55In the winter, we do have problems here, with deer and rabbits.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56And, it can be very, very windy.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00OK, well, I would suggest you should put doors on,
0:11:00 > 0:11:01but not necessarily polythene.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03I think, perhaps, if you have net.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Cos then you have a bit of ventilation,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09and if it's very, very windy, I've actually seen polytunnels take off.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12So, if you've got that through ventilation,
0:11:12 > 0:11:13that will stop that happening.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Now, you've got these lovely beds, but nothing in them.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Have you got ideas, Derrick?
0:11:17 > 0:11:21Well, it's a bit late in the season, so what we want to do is something
0:11:21 > 0:11:24over the winter, until we decide what we can do with it in the spring.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27OK. Well, look, I've got some seeds here for you.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30It's surprising what you can grow over the winter time.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32A mixture of, like, the Japanese stir fries,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34so, things like the Mizuna,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Tatsoi, Pak choi, those are some examples.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41And then, you know, the lettuce, like Winter Density.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45OK, this is called Spring Onion, but it is hardy over the winter.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Leafy vegetables, like spinach.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52And even peas, and broad beans.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55And, you know, what I would suggest, to even create that succession,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58you could grow some of these outside, as well,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01but use that Enviromesh, or the fleece.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04That's quite important to still protect them.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05But look, I'm going to leave you -
0:12:05 > 0:12:09I don't really need to teach you how to sow them, I know you can do that!
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- OK, thank you. - So, I'm going to leave you to it. And fill the beds!
0:12:20 > 0:12:22I've had a great day, here. We've had lovely weather.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Now, Mary, what do you get out of this, having your own allotment?
0:12:26 > 0:12:27Well, I enjoy the final products,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30but I also enjoy the company of everybody here.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Jill, the children, I mean, they've had such success, haven't they?
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Yeah, they love coming up here, getting their hands dirty,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37and just having fun.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Well, hopefully I've given you some hints and tips.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44But, I mean, problems? Look, somebody can grow onions!
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Well, earlier, Carole was down there in Perth,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52with these allotmenteers, and she was getting them ready
0:12:52 > 0:12:56to sow a whole range of over-wintering vegetables.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00Here we are, putting out plants of over-wintering vegetables.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03A winter green collection.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06So, we've got curly kale, we've got sprouting broccoli,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09and we've got three or four or five different types of cabbage.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13We hope to take all the crop through, but then,
0:13:13 > 0:13:15you never know what the winter is going to be like, do you?
0:13:15 > 0:13:19So, what we've done again, is to have a mirror image.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Indoors, covered by the Polytunnel, here,
0:13:22 > 0:13:26but with just net down here, draped down there, to protect them.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31Out here, all that we'll have is a net to keep the cushies off.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35And, so, we've got a proper test of what a little protection will do.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38And, of course, what it does do,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41is that they should obviously winter better, and they may even be
0:13:41 > 0:13:44slightly earlier because they've had that protection.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46And, every now and again you get, as I say,
0:13:46 > 0:13:50these are a bought-in selection, and they're kind of leggy.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52You know, if I'd been growing them myself,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55I would have thrown them out. But, what do I do with these?
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Well, I just make the hole a bit deeper,
0:13:58 > 0:14:02because I get that right down in there.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Down in there. And it'll be perfectly all right.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Except that that happens to be one of the sprouting broccoli.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12It's not one of my favourite. We'll see how they do, though.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17And now, Mr Anderson is going to unveil his show vegetables,
0:14:17 > 0:14:21aided and abetted by head gardener, Jane Bingham.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25You will recall that I was down at Kelso earlier on,
0:14:25 > 0:14:29and I was at the National Vegetable Society's Scottish branch show.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34There were some absolute cracking vegetables on the show bench, there.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38I've been growing stuff this year to put into Dalkeith's show.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41The time has come to reveal all. Come and have a look, come on, Jane.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- It's show time!- It's show time. - It's been a long wait.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48We grew these in Air Pots, so the idea should be that we should
0:14:48 > 0:14:51be able to undo these little screws, the whole lot should fall out.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- Yes, and then they'll be giant. - But look, you hold onto them.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Hold on to them. I'll do this, I'll unscrew this here.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01Keep a hold of it, let that come right down.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Now, can you get in?
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- You need your hands in there. - Look at the length of that.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Well, be careful. Let them see what it's like.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Go on, hold it straight up.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15There you go. The big reveal.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20- How's that? That's not too bad, is it?- What do you think of that?
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- Let's see, what's that like? - Oh, look at these!
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- Well, don't get excited about it, now.- Oh, this is better.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- Look at that.- That's all right. - That a beauty, isn't it?
0:15:29 > 0:15:33Get your hands off the carrots.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38I think this one's going to be bigger. Look at that.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Oh, it keeps coming.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43- Look.- Look at that. - Look at that.- That's a stunner.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45That's a beauty, isn't it?
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Just follow it down with your fingers.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- I think I might have snapped the end off it, though.- What?
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Look.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Ian Stocks, how's that?
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- Is that good?- Look at that.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Ho-ho! I'm happy with that. You not happy with that?
0:16:02 > 0:16:04It looks beautiful.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Now, don't rub it down away,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09because we want to make very sure that we don't damage it too much.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Oh, look at that.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13They're perfection, aren't they?
0:16:13 > 0:16:14- Well, no.- Oh, they are!
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Well, the judge decides. And, you know, this is it.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21We sit here and we think, "These are absolutely brilliant."
0:16:21 > 0:16:23And we're really happy about them,
0:16:23 > 0:16:25you can tell by our smiley little faces.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26But the thing that's important is,
0:16:26 > 0:16:28not until they go on the show bench,
0:16:28 > 0:16:32and the judge sees them, at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning,
0:16:32 > 0:16:34and he will decide.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40And this is what they looked like all cleaned up and ready to go
0:16:40 > 0:16:41to Dalkeith's show.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Well, are you please with the results, George?
0:16:44 > 0:16:46After a year of nurturing, and swearing,
0:16:46 > 0:16:47and being fed up with it all?
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Yeah, they're pretty good, actually, Jim. There's some quite good stuff.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53There's some first prizes, and seconds, and thirds.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56- Yeah, beetroot are particularly good.- Crackers, aren't they?
0:16:56 > 0:16:58A little bit corkscrewed, and these are things
0:16:58 > 0:17:00that down point them, and they would tell you in
0:17:00 > 0:17:03the judges' guide just exactly what you're looking for
0:17:03 > 0:17:04in each of the veggies.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- So, did you get any hints and tips? - Oh, I got a lot of chaff.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Of course, a lot of hassle and that, but, one or two little hints.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14There, for example, they're telling me that things are good in length,
0:17:14 > 0:17:18and all the rest of it, but one or two blemishes.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22But what was the problem was that we actually lost a little bit on freshness.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25You see, by the time I took these down to Dalkeith,
0:17:25 > 0:17:27you were able to tie a knot in them.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29So that's not really very fresh.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32So, the secret is to lift them the morning, or the night before?
0:17:32 > 0:17:36The night before, and keep them wet, and moist, and get them into the show beds.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38But, wait a minute.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41In our supermarkets in Inveraray, there are vegetables
0:17:41 > 0:17:43that are fresh as anything,
0:17:43 > 0:17:45and they were lifted in Spain, or somewhere,
0:17:45 > 0:17:47and they've been in a lorry for a thousand miles.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50So, we've got to hire a refrigerated lorry, have we?
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Or sponsorship.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54Oh, by the way, payback?
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Well, there was, there was. Here you are, Carole.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59- Give that to Jim.- Oh, £11!
0:17:59 > 0:18:01- That's not even enough to buy seed. - It'll pay the seed.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- What's the story with the broad beans?- The broad beans.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07There are, in all of these shows, you look through the schedule,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10and there's maybe one little category that's not got many.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13And, I thought, I'll put broad beans in.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15So, that the variety of the Sutton.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17I thought these were good when I put them on the bench,
0:18:17 > 0:18:19for the Sutton, and then...
0:18:19 > 0:18:20Oh dear, this is all about size.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22This is the other one. Look at it, look at it!
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Now, these come from Jim Williams, and he said, "Right, George.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29"You keep that. And, next year, once you've dried the seed, grow them,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31"and we're up for a challenge for next year."
0:18:31 > 0:18:33So, anyone else out there wants to do the same,
0:18:33 > 0:18:37get some long beans like that, and we'll see you at the show.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56"Auld Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58"For honest men and bonnie lasses."
0:18:58 > 0:19:01As a native Kilmarnock, I might dispute that,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04but I tell you what, they're fairly brightening up the old place
0:19:04 > 0:19:05since I was here last.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09Not least by wonderful baskets of flowers.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11And what a difference it makes.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14And that is the reason for our wee tour today.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28At the centre of this whole operation,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30are a group of volunteers.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33And, appointed by ScotRail, I'm about to meet Louis Wall,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36who actually looks after the volunteers,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38keeps them on the straight and narrow,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40and makes sure they're the right kind of plants.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Well, let's start and unravel just exactly what you do.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46For a start, what length of line are you on?
0:19:46 > 0:19:49About 70 miles, Stranraer to Irvine.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- How many stations?- That's eight. - Really?- Eight stations.
0:19:52 > 0:19:53And where do the volunteers come from?
0:19:53 > 0:19:55They come from retired schoolteachers,
0:19:55 > 0:19:58retired gardeners, from all facets of life.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00And how often do you see them?
0:20:00 > 0:20:02We see them at least twice a week in the summer.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05And we've got a roster going,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07so I'm not here every day of the week,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09but if it's hot and sunny, as a team,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12we would have to come in and water probably every other day.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Problems? You mention watering.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Well, we've got water problems here at this station,
0:20:16 > 0:20:19where we're are now, at Ayr. We only have one tap.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20So, recently I've acquired
0:20:20 > 0:20:24a water bowser, which takes 30 gallons.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Do you use gel?
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Yes, we do, we have a planting gel, mixed in with a compost,
0:20:29 > 0:20:33at springtime, and then we plant up, it lasts all season.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37- Hanging baskets?- In the hanging baskets we use ice cubes.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- I bet you've heard of that one. - Well, yes.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42It's quite a nice way of doing it.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45We put these ice cubes in, and of course, it melts, slowly.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47You don't get the water running up your sleeves.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- You've got it cracked, boy. - Thanks, mate.- Well done.
0:20:56 > 0:20:57Well, Louis.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- We are, as it were, at the end of the line, here in Stranraer.- Yes.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- And I guess you're biggest single problem will be exposure.- Oh, gosh.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07You can't even stand up on certain days.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- There are gale force winds of gale force 8.- But you've cracked it.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14- We've cracked it.- Yes, you're out of the salt spray.- Absolutely.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16And you've got a lovely welcome.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19We've got a Fuchsia up there, and a Coleus, a Cordyline.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23- And the people walking through, what a welcome it is.- Yes.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25They do need a wee bit extra attention, of course.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27You've got helpers.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30We've got a marvellous team here in Stranraer,
0:21:30 > 0:21:34and we water these twice a week, and we feed them on a regular basis.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- Good.- And they've done fine.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- And I notice that you've got some Perennials, here.- Yes, yes.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42And it's working.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Well, we've got a Fatsia japonica, the Vinca major,
0:21:44 > 0:21:46even the common variegated mint.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- And there's not a weather mark on them.- Fantastic.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- So, your philosophy is working well. - Fantastic.- Good on you.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Barrhill, in the middle of nowhere.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08And you've got a particular problem here. Let's go.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13ScotRail management asked me to get a plant that would kill the midges.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Oh, really? Where are the midges?
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Well, they used to cover these light fittings, and people were complaining.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21And you've solved the problem?
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Solved the problem by planting a simple plant called
0:22:23 > 0:22:26the Eucalyptus "Lemonbush".
0:22:26 > 0:22:31- It omits a lovely odour, and it kills the insects.- They've gone?- Gone!
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- Brilliant!- Brilliant.- Let's move.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Here we are, now, in Irvine, and we're in a protected environment.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45And for the most part, you've got perennials, here.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- This will go on and on and on.- Well, this could go right up to frost.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- This one is statuesque, isn't it? - Well, this is a castor oil.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Grown from seed.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56- Wonderful.- I sowed that January.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59- Took me six months before I planted it out.- There we go.
0:22:59 > 0:23:04- And now we come to these lovely coloured leaves.- These Coleas.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06- These are grown from seed, as well? - Grown from seed.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08- But you can grow them out? - You can over-winter them.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11But then, with the little pelargonium.
0:23:11 > 0:23:12That's last year, isn't it?
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- The whole thing melds, makes a lovely statement, doesn't it?- Thank you.
0:23:27 > 0:23:28And finally, Prestwick Town.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32And Louis Wall hasn't adopted this station or the flowers.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36We've got a husband and wife team, as Hugh and Lorraine McEvoy.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- Well, Hugh McEvoy, you're the gardener here, aren't you?- Yes.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46And I do believe you've had a wee operation,
0:23:46 > 0:23:48so I've got to listen carefully to what you're saying. Yes.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- Do you raise all the plants yourself?- No, no, no.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- We get them in as plugs.- Oh, well, so you've to bring them on.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56- We bring them on, aye.- Yeah, yeah.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00And do you change the style, do you change the format every year?
0:24:00 > 0:24:06- Well, this year is for show, last year was for perfume and scent.- Yes.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21- Lorraine.- Yes, Jim.- The other half. - The other half.- Not the better half.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25- Not the better half. Oh, I am the better half, aye, aye. - Now, we won't go down that road.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28And these young laddies that I see working about the place,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30who are responsible for feeding them.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Tell me about them.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Yes, those are boys doing their third stage
0:24:34 > 0:24:36of the Duke of Edinburgh Award,
0:24:36 > 0:24:38and they're helping Hugh with maintaining the plants,
0:24:38 > 0:24:42watering the plants, and replenishing the plants.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44And they're very reliable, they do all the jobs?
0:24:44 > 0:24:46They are very good, yes.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49- Which is a good news story about today's youth, isn't it?- It is.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Look at that. Caterpillars of the Cabbage White Butterfly.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Plenty on the outside of the netting, none on the inside.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16These will need to be picked off, and next year,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19invest in more netting, to make sure you get none.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Well, I just want to highlight these tree lilies.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24I planted these back in April.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28Wonderful perfume, the variety is called "Robina",
0:25:28 > 0:25:32and, I mean, that is such a brilliant, bright, fuchsia pink.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34So, if you want to plant something like this next year,
0:25:34 > 0:25:36why don't you give it a go?
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Pruning is often a thorny question that comes up
0:25:40 > 0:25:43when we're talking to gardeners.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46One of my first comments is to say, "The plant in question,
0:25:46 > 0:25:48"where does it flower?"
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Here we are with a Hydrangea,
0:25:51 > 0:25:53late flowering, and look where the flower is,
0:25:53 > 0:25:57right at the end of the stalk, which has grown since the spring.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00It's on the current year's wood.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02So, once it's finished flowering,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05let it be until the spring of the year.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08And then, take these same shoots, which will be bare,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11of course, right back to two or three inches from where we started.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Cut, and this is the sort of growth
0:26:13 > 0:26:16you will get at this time of the year. And what a result.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18And, of course, this is
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Hydrangea paniculata "Vanille Fraise".
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Just look at that.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Worth taking a wee bit of time over.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32Well, then, George, you're going to have to explain yourself here,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34because you're responsible for this lot.
0:26:34 > 0:26:39This looks a wee bit like a mole in its colony.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41It's kind of random, like molehills, as well.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43Yes, it's random planting, Jim.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45We've got this whole series of early summer bulbs
0:26:45 > 0:26:47we're going to put in here.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Some early spring, some later, almost into summer.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52We're going to plant them round, randomly.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56There's no order to this at all. One sort in each hole, you know.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58All the way through, so we get a whole range.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00Was your choice governed by the fact
0:27:00 > 0:27:03that there is a bit of shade here in summer?
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Yes, I want things that will be able to get their season of growing over
0:27:05 > 0:27:07before the canopy comes out on the trees.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12Yeah, the ground is really, really dry, isn't it? Absolutely amazing.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14We've been ranting about wet conditions, but not here.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18You've got one of my favourites, the Snakeshead fritillaria, there.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Now, that's at the outside, where it will catch the sun,
0:27:20 > 0:27:22but also all the water running downhill.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25So, that will then, maybe, seed through it.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29Well, if it gets established, it will, won't it? It will start to spread.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32And a bit of preparation, here?
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Well, a wee bit, just a rough cutting back of the vegetation.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37That's all you need. I don't want any heavy maintenance.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39And then strimming at the end of the season.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41It's got to look natural. That's what I want from this.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Yeah. And a whole other range, as well.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48Yes, we've got Alliums, and we've got tulips, and we've got Camassias, and we've got Eremurus.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51We've got a whole range of things which is unusual. We will see.
0:27:51 > 0:27:52It's going to be interesting next summer
0:27:52 > 0:27:55to see just how they come away. Well, next spring, actually.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58If you'd like any more information about this week's programme,
0:27:58 > 0:27:59it's all in the fact sheet.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01And it might be about all that vegetables
0:28:01 > 0:28:03that you can plant over the winter.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Yes. Well, sadly, we're coming to the end of this series,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09with just another couple of programmes, or there, to go.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12And, we're looking for a few problem corners
0:28:12 > 0:28:14to solve next year, perhaps.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16If you've got something or other that you think
0:28:16 > 0:28:18we might be interested in, get in touch.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20Best way to do that is to get the fact sheet,
0:28:20 > 0:28:22and get the details from there.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25And, next week, I'm going to be having a look at the grasses,
0:28:25 > 0:28:26and also at the green manure.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30So, if you want to see the results of those tests and trials,
0:28:30 > 0:28:31tune in next week. OK?
0:28:31 > 0:28:35- Until then, from us here, in the sun, bye-bye.- Bye-bye.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37- Can I get some of these in, then? - Yeah, go on.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd