0:00:12 > 0:00:13Well, hello there,
0:00:13 > 0:00:16welcome to Beechgrove on a day which is a little bit iffy.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Started off bright sunshine. We're clouding over at the moment.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21But I've had to change what I was going to say
0:00:21 > 0:00:23about our little bedding scheme here...
0:00:23 > 0:00:26because the garden has been hammered with heavy rain
0:00:26 > 0:00:28in the last several days.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31And it has changed the picture somewhat.
0:00:31 > 0:00:32Plants have suffered.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36Notably, of course, the hanging baskets - they've gone RIGHT off.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39But some things have actually done rather well.
0:00:39 > 0:00:40Now, in my early career,
0:00:40 > 0:00:45I learned very quickly not to be too dogmatic about gardening plants.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49And here, we have a good example of it because when these coleus ...
0:00:49 > 0:00:53There's three varieties - one there, one there and one over here.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56..were planted, I'm saying "no chance".
0:00:56 > 0:00:59BUT it was followed by the most wonderful weather,
0:00:59 > 0:01:01they've done extremely well
0:01:01 > 0:01:05and so too have little things like this dianthus oscar pink -
0:01:05 > 0:01:06absolutely superb.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Did I tell you that the garden
0:01:08 > 0:01:10was meant to be emerald, jade and coral?
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Well, I'm stretching a wee bit to find that out.
0:01:13 > 0:01:14I'll pick out the goodies, though.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17I've talked about the coleus and the dianthus,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19the iberis - the candytuft - is stunning.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22I'm not a great fan of these dahlias, I have to say.
0:01:22 > 0:01:28But the little, non-stop coral pink begonias have done extremely well.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31I'm worried about weeds and we've got pearlwort here.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33It's golden pearlwort and it looks very nice.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37So, as long as it's properly cleared away, I won't be too unhappy.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40But the star of the show, for me - not because of its contribution,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42but because in itself it's rather interesting -
0:01:42 > 0:01:46is this little thing. It's duranta - never seen it before.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49It's kind of elaeagnus, euonymus-type thing.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Well, I reckon we're going to try some cuttings of that.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Well, you know, I have to agree with Jim -
0:01:55 > 0:01:57it has been a great year for the summer bedding,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00even though we've had some rain in the last few days.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03And while some of our hanging baskets are doing really well...
0:02:03 > 0:02:07In particular, a new plant, and this is a trailing sunflower.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12So quite small flowers but they are pretty, daisy-like flowers
0:02:12 > 0:02:15and it's a variety called "Inca Gold".
0:02:15 > 0:02:19The bidens always do well, loads of flowers on that.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22And then this little daisy-like flower - sanvitalia.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24I think that's gorgeous.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28And then the bedding scheme itself, it's all about oranges and lemons,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30so it's really bright and vibrant.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34While I can't pick everything out, but I would like to mention
0:02:34 > 0:02:36the zinnia - because it's been a good summer,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38it has done really well.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42And the variety there is zinnia "Pop Art" gold and red.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46It's not a particular favourite of mine but it does look good.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50And then, rudbeckias. I think they're fantastic flowers.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53And there's a small one at the front there called "Toto".
0:02:53 > 0:02:56A sturdy plant, it's withstood all those heavy rains.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58And, of course, there are taller varieties
0:02:58 > 0:03:00which make great cut flowers.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Then finally, a favourite - the pot marigold.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07This variety, "Touch of red" - the bees love it, I love it.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09But meanwhile, on the rest of the programme...
0:03:13 > 0:03:15'Chris is having a go at explaining
0:03:15 > 0:03:19'the new RHS Hardiness Index For Plants - rather him than me!'
0:03:22 > 0:03:26And I'm using a bit of cashmere to solve a problem this week.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27Only the best for me!
0:03:33 > 0:03:37Well, Alec Innes, things have surely moved on since we were last here?
0:03:37 > 0:03:39We've got some honey to see.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42- Aye, three different types of honey. - Explain what they are, then.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Well, this is oilseed rape.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- It's more like that colour for a start.- Uh-huh.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- Then it turns pure white. - Yes, yes, and this one?
0:03:51 > 0:03:53This one is...blossom.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57- Just dark blossom. - But this is a gorgeous colour.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- That is lovely, that's lime. - Yes, from lime trees?- Lime trees.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03So, you would expect them to change with the season?
0:04:03 > 0:04:07- That's right.- Let's put that aside and prepare to have a look in.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- What are you going to be doing today?- Well, take off this.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- Which should be full of honey. - Will I take this one away?- Aye, OK.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20Now, that, I put on a...
0:04:20 > 0:04:23board on here yesterday to let the bees down.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26So, hopefully, I've no bees in here.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30In other words, what you put it on for is so they can go out,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32but they can't get back in, because you want this one to be empty.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- Exactly, Jim.- OK.- That's it.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- Cross your fingers we've no bees. - OK.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39There we are.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41That's perfect.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Now, we just lift this off.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Oh, it's a fair weight. Set that down here just now.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54There could be quite a bit of comb in that, then?
0:04:54 > 0:04:56There's quite a bit of comb.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59They're fairly stuck - they stick it with propolis.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- Yes.- You see?- Bring it over here, just let's have a look at it.
0:05:03 > 0:05:08You can tell that's not little grubs that's in there, it's...
0:05:08 > 0:05:10- You can tell the difference. - That's the real stuff.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12That is completely-sealed honey.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- And here's...a different one. - You've got one that's bulging.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Different steps here, it's bulging,
0:05:17 > 0:05:22but they've only used this middle one, they haven't used the whole lot.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24But they'll work away systematically, won't they?
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Aye, that's right.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28I can't wait to taste some of that honey.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41I've headed 30 miles west of Aberdeen this week to Tarland,
0:05:41 > 0:05:43where Donna Speed and Michael Budd
0:05:43 > 0:05:47are starting out with their very first garden.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50So, we moved in two years ago, the garden was quite plain then.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54And we've been adding some features and borders just as we go along.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57It's a beautiful location - sadly it's a bit misty today.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58It is, yeah, it's a shame.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00There's a mountain right there called Morven
0:06:00 > 0:06:03and you can also see Lochnagar so it's so it's a really nice spot.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- I should add that it's rather exposed.- It is exposed.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09In the winter, we get a lot of snow and temperatures down to minus 17.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- So, pretty cold.- Yeah, difficult to deal with.- It is, yeah.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16This is quite a feature, Michael, so tell us a little bit about it.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Well, Carole, that raised area, that used to be the old horse-walker.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21A horse would walk round the circumference of it.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24You drive a gear that goes through the central pit and into the house.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- That's how the house got its name, The Horse Mill. - Really nice that you've kept that.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30So, why am I here? I mean, the grass looks immaculate.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Yeah, the grass is doing well just now.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35We've got some fruit trees - none have had fruit so far.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38So, if you could just help us out with that, give us some tips,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40and one of them's also gone quite black.
0:06:41 > 0:06:42Well, this is pretty obvious,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45I can see what you mean with this apple tree.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Lot of dieback here.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- And it's not doing any good at all, is it?- No, it's not.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51If we follow it down, it's really dark.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54You did say to me that rabbits and deer are a problem.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- Do you think maybe they did a bit of damage?- I don't think so.- No.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59No, they've eaten some of the leaves round about
0:06:59 > 0:07:01but they haven't really touched the trunk at all.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04OK, well it could possibly be canker.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06- Not doing any good to the tree at all.- No.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09I'm going to go in with the loppers, you'll probably look horrified.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12And let's just see what we find.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15So, I'm just going to go above to this good side shoot.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Right, that's not too bad.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- I was worried in case it was going to be pretty brown.- OK.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25All right, and if it was, I was going to go down a little bit lower.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Sadly, we haven't got...
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- good shoots this side, so I want to cut these off.- That's OK.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34All right, because that looks dead.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37And this one's dead.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42So, now we're left with a kind of one-sided tree, aren't we?
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Have you done any pruning to it?
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- No.- No, never.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48I suppose it's pretty obvious, really.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52You know, so many people buy their trees and they want them to fruit
0:07:52 > 0:07:56and the whole idea to start off with is about pruning and shaping it
0:07:56 > 0:07:57- and to get the fruit later.- OK.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Most people want to get the fruit straight away.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Normally what you do is, every year you should
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- take off about a third of the growth in the dormant season.- OK.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08These have got really leggy.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12And so, what I want to do is actually cut back,
0:08:12 > 0:08:14- even cutting back into some of the older wood.- OK.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16- OK.- All right?
0:08:18 > 0:08:21And I'm going to take off maybe about a third again.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25It's all about shaping.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27This is another one because you can see, actually,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30if you follow this - that's one year's growth.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32That's another year's growth.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35That's another year's growth and I'm going into the older wood.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Just above the side shoot and I'm hoping, by doing this...
0:08:40 > 0:08:42I know you're going to say, "Oh, my goodness, what has she done?"
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- I'm hoping maybe you'll get some side shoots coming out.- OK.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Now, what I've noticed with all of your fruit trees
0:08:51 > 0:08:53is that you've got the grass growing right up to the trunk.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- That's right.- Is that not difficult to cut the grass?
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- It's tricky but it's manageable.- I mean, you've made a good job of it.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03But I think you might be interested to know there's been
0:09:03 > 0:09:06some research done that grass is a huge competitor
0:09:06 > 0:09:08- for the nutrients and moisture.- OK.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- Over 50%.- That's a lot.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13So they will be suffering.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15So, I feel what we've got to do
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- is clear a metre away of the grass.- OK.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- And we've got three options.- Mm-hm.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24The first option would be that we could go in with the spade
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- and try and dig away a bit of the turf.- OK.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30But I'd be really worried about that because we might damage the roots.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- Yeah.- Second option...
0:09:32 > 0:09:33- weedkiller.- OK.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36You know, a systemic weedkiller, what do you think of that?
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- BOTH:- Not so keen to use that.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40OK, then, what we have...
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- as another option are mulch mats. - OK.
0:09:43 > 0:09:49That is made of hessian, jute and a bit of cashmere.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51Which is quite interesting.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- Now, I don't particularly like this square.- OK.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57I think it'll be so much easier if we have a circle, do you agree?
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- Yes, it would be. - For cutting the grass.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04So you've still got that as a metre...in size.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08That will degrade over a few years
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- and it will add a bit of nitrogen to the ground.- OK.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13It's going to just smother out the weeds.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16You're going to have to cut this...
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- so you can wrap it round the tree. - OK.- And then across.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- OK.- So that goes round the trunk.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- So I think we've got a bit of work there.- OK.- Great.- OK, sounds good.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Now, you might be wondering why I've brought along another tree for you.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- Mm-hm.- And this is an ornamental crab apple
0:10:49 > 0:10:51and the reason for that is you've got...
0:10:51 > 0:10:54One of your apples is the braeburn, which I pruned back,
0:10:54 > 0:10:56and that's good at pollinating.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00The other one is a bramley and I'm afraid that's a triploid.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- It's not very good at pollinating other apple trees.- OK.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06So you could go for another apple,
0:11:06 > 0:11:09or the crab apples are good for pollinating.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- OK.- And I think this is going to look really nice.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- It's a nice tree, yeah.- So, we've got to get the stake in now.
0:11:14 > 0:11:15It's going to go in at an angle
0:11:15 > 0:11:18so it doesn't actually go through the root ball itself.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21So, if I hold the stake, you pull back the tree a little bit.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23I'm going here because... You know, the wind.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- The main wind goes at this angle? - Yeah, up this way.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29So you put the stake there, so that when it gets windy,
0:11:29 > 0:11:33the tree goes that way and so it's not rubbing against the stake.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37So, Mike, you've got the mallet, you're going to knock that in.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- So, what do you think of the alpine troughs?- They're lovely, yeah.
0:11:56 > 0:11:57Nice colours and smells, yeah.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00They look as if they're meant to be here, don't they?
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- They do, they look part of it. - They blend in.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Maybe you'll get rid of some of the plastic pots?
0:12:04 > 0:12:05- I think so.- I think it's time.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08I'm trying to give you a bit of a sensory experience
0:12:08 > 0:12:11because you did say scent's quite important.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14That's a lovely plant there when you brush against it -
0:12:14 > 0:12:16the Corsican mint, really strong.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18You've got lemon balm, you've got the lavender.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Bringing a bit of the wildlife in as well.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Some of them are even touchy-feely because they're quite soft.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- Quite velvety.- And you know what's great for me?- Mm-hm.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29I'm finally seeing your wonderful view.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- Is that Morven?- BOTH:- It is.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33I could sit here all day.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47George, here we are again, looking at a range of vegetables.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49We have one variety that has the AGM,
0:12:49 > 0:12:53which is an award of garden merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56And the other one...doesn't have that.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Now, the AGM means that they are readily available in the trade.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02They are varieties which are consistent
0:13:02 > 0:13:04in their production flavour, taste, that sort of thing.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Also, they are things which are generally disease-free.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09So they've been suggested to be the ones
0:13:09 > 0:13:12which are the best ones to grow if you're worried.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14And we're growing them here and we're also growing them
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- in your allotment.- Sure. - Here we've got examples.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- On this side, that's the allotment and this is from here.- That's right.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22It's interesting, isn't it?
0:13:22 > 0:13:25They're interesting because those ones from the allotment
0:13:25 > 0:13:27down in Edinburgh are just that little bit further on.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- It's just a seasonal thing. - But what do you think?
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Do you think the boltardy, the AGM, is slightly better?
0:13:32 > 0:13:33I would select that,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36much better consistency in the size of the globes on the beetroot.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39That one has got a woody one. See when it goes pointed like that?
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- I'm always worried about that. - And slight bolting.- And it's shot.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Lettuce, they've already been cropped.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47That's right, I've done the same. Mine are at the point of cropping.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49They got this rain and they just really exploded
0:13:49 > 0:13:51and it's just been too much for them.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Again, we think the AGM was slightly better?
0:13:54 > 0:13:56Better, darker green.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Much better flavour too when you cut it.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Carrots. Again, your carrots are well on, aren't they?
0:14:00 > 0:14:03What a name for a carrot - "Trevor".
0:14:03 > 0:14:06But that is the non-AGM variety there and that's...
0:14:06 > 0:14:09That's good, I've never had carrots like that before.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Doesn't look to be a lot of difference.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- Not at the moment but they've got time yet.- Mm-hm.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15It might be something you want to taste at the end
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- and see what the final crop is. - A taste test.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Finally, the peas. So this is the non-AGM variety.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23It's quite interesting, isn't it? The way it grows, that one.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26That's "Boogie" and it's got three pods at each node,
0:14:26 > 0:14:27or each flowering set.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30So that's interesting because it's more than the other ones.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32It's also self-supporting. It's got huge tendrils.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- Leafless, isn't it?- Yeah, that's the one you see in the fields.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37It's one of the commercial crops.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40And the other main crop is "Onward", so just two pods together.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42That will be a heavier crop.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44When I have been cropping them at home, and I've cropped
0:14:44 > 0:14:48all of "Boogie", and I've started and half-cropped the "Onward"...
0:14:48 > 0:14:50And they're going to be much about the same.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- So, at the moment, we think the AGMs are ahead?- Just ahead.
0:14:54 > 0:14:55It's all in the finish.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02What better treat can there possibly be for a gardener
0:15:02 > 0:15:04than wandering around,
0:15:04 > 0:15:08enjoying the bounty and beauty of the garden in high summer?
0:15:08 > 0:15:12But, you know, it's very easy to forget that just a few months ago,
0:15:12 > 0:15:16this entire plot, like much of the UK, was under inches
0:15:16 > 0:15:18and sometimes feet of snow.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20And, as gardeners, we were concerned about...
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Well, how much of this material would survive?
0:15:23 > 0:15:24How much would come through?
0:15:24 > 0:15:28Not just one savage winter but also a really challenging
0:15:28 > 0:15:33range of environments prior to that - winter, autumn and summer.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36The fact that so much of our plant material has thrived,
0:15:36 > 0:15:39and, in fact, that we lost so little,
0:15:39 > 0:15:41demonstrates that we have much to learn
0:15:41 > 0:15:45about the hardiness of the plants that we grow.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48And to help us learn more, the RHS have developed a new hardiness system
0:15:48 > 0:15:50based entirely on temperature,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53where they investigated the properties of each plant
0:15:53 > 0:15:56and then scored it one to seven.
0:16:03 > 0:16:04Perhaps not surprisingly,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07given that the Beechgrove Garden is just outside Aberdeen,
0:16:07 > 0:16:12we have a wonderful collection of plants, trees, shrubs
0:16:12 > 0:16:13and herbaceous perennials,
0:16:13 > 0:16:17which are at the most hardy end of the new RHS system.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20These are the last three categories.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24From those in H7, which tolerate temperatures much lower
0:16:24 > 0:16:27than minus 20 degrees C in winter,
0:16:27 > 0:16:31like sorbus and Iris sibirica here,
0:16:31 > 0:16:33to those that are slightly more tender
0:16:33 > 0:16:37and thrive in the dizzy heights of minus ten degrees C in winter.
0:16:37 > 0:16:43Hosta fortunei, the potentillas, the pines and, of course, acers.
0:16:43 > 0:16:49And even the variegated weigela Florida variegata,
0:16:49 > 0:16:52who occurs at that slightly warmer end of the spectrum,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55simply because the foliage is variegated, which always means
0:16:55 > 0:16:59that the plant is more tender than the straight species.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08At the opposite end of the horticultural hardiness spectrum
0:17:08 > 0:17:10are these plants.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15They require permanent, or almost permanent, protection from glass.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18And even these are divided into different categories.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22So, at one end you have plants from the tropics,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25typical of those exotic holidays.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Things like anthurium, the hibiscus, the dumb cane.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31They are plants that require permanent glass protection
0:17:31 > 0:17:35and a temperature above 15 degrees C all year round.
0:17:35 > 0:17:41And slightly more cool-tolerant are the plants at the opposite end.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Things like kaners and pelargoniums - more typical of holidays
0:17:44 > 0:17:49in South Africa, North Africa, around the Mediterranean regions.
0:17:49 > 0:17:50If you're growing them in the UK,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54they can just be popped outside in the mildest of British summers
0:17:54 > 0:17:58before then being secreted back under the protection of glass
0:17:58 > 0:18:02as soon as the temperatures drop off at the end of summer.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06In a way, the hardiest plants and this collection of plants -
0:18:06 > 0:18:08the more tender plants -
0:18:08 > 0:18:11are relatively easy for us to spot and understand.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15And it's that whole group of plants, a great range in the centre,
0:18:15 > 0:18:17that gardeners really struggle with.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23In the Beechgrove Garden,
0:18:23 > 0:18:27it's this range of plants which are potentially the most troublesome.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29They're right on the edge of hardiness,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31at least here in Aberdeenshire.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Maybe not a little bit further south,
0:18:33 > 0:18:36but really they shouldn't be growing so healthily in THESE conditions.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41Plants like eucalyptus and artemsias, eryngiums -
0:18:41 > 0:18:43they're teetering on the edge,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46tempting and teasing us to give them a spot in the garden.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51But there's always that threat that the frost may just kill them off.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54In terms of the mid-range of RHS plants,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57they're epitomised by, at one end, the citrus...
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Minimum temperature - five degrees C.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05..and lavender, minimum temperature - minus ten degrees C.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08But the fact that all of these plants do really rather well -
0:19:08 > 0:19:11OK, the citrus has just popped outside for the summer months -
0:19:11 > 0:19:13is not an accident.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17It's very much down to the design and skill of the gardener.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20And that skill-base starts...
0:19:20 > 0:19:22with this - soil.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Or more precisely, organic matter.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Because, if you dig organic matter into the soil,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30then it breaks the soil particles open.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35It aids drainage and the water is able to escape very quickly.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40When you bear in mind water holds on to cold and cools very quickly...
0:19:40 > 0:19:42If you've got a lot of water content in the soil,
0:19:42 > 0:19:46it means that your plants are challenged in the winter months.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50The organic matter, however, means free draining conditions,
0:19:50 > 0:19:53warmer soil and much happier, tender plants.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09The natural slope of this garden also has a fundamental effect
0:20:09 > 0:20:11on how hardy your plants are likely to be.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Now, if you haven't got a natural slope, you can engineer a slope.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Even if it's with a small bed or border.
0:20:16 > 0:20:21The reason for doing it is if you can tilt the land southwards,
0:20:21 > 0:20:23towards the angle of the sun,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27it means the sun will warm the ground much faster,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29not just in the winter, but also throughout the summer months too.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33As a consequence, your plants are more likely to flourish.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36You'll also notice that there's an entrance
0:20:36 > 0:20:39at the top end of this garden and an exit down at the bottom.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Which means the cold air in winter is able to spill
0:20:41 > 0:20:44straight through the middle of the garden.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47There's no fence, wall or evergreen hedge here
0:20:47 > 0:20:50to hold that cold air up and create a frost pocket.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54Again, these slightly-more-tender plants benefit hugely
0:20:54 > 0:20:57from that cold air exiting site as fast as possible.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01And this garden also has a generous shelter belt,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04provided by ligustrum, rosa rugosa and hippophae,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07themselves all really hardy.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Their role - to slow the wind down.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13If you can slow the wind's speed coming into your garden,
0:21:13 > 0:21:15then you're reducing the effect
0:21:15 > 0:21:19of wind-chill on those most-tender specimens.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22What the RHS catalogue is now able to do
0:21:22 > 0:21:27is to demonstrate the theoretical temperature range for each plant.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31But don't be a slave to it - you can modify your garden subtly.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Get to know your garden and by doing that,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38you really then open the chocolate box of horticultural specimens.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Right, I'm back in the secret garden
0:21:41 > 0:21:44and there's some wonderful bits in here with foliage now.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47That's an area which has been done for some time and the juniper
0:21:47 > 0:21:50has more or less taken over but we can resurrect that.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52In here, we've got pachysandra
0:21:52 > 0:21:54and we've got monbretia and we've got stachys.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55It just looks superb.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58These differences in texture of foliage is something which
0:21:58 > 0:22:00I'm quite interested in and it's quite good.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03It takes a bit of planning and this takes a bit of planning as well.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06What I'm going to do here is I'm going
0:22:06 > 0:22:08to sow some seeds of Meconopsis regia.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12It's a biennial and therefore it needs to grow for one year
0:22:12 > 0:22:13to make a large rosette
0:22:13 > 0:22:17and then it's going to grow a second year and flower.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21The seeds of this are in these capsules here
0:22:21 > 0:22:22and if I open those,
0:22:22 > 0:22:26you'll find that they're just starting to go brown.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Now, what I want, really, is for them
0:22:28 > 0:22:30to be really brown before I sow them.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33I brought some up from home, from Edinburgh,
0:22:33 > 0:22:37and just like in the AGM vegetables, they're a bit further on.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40So, here we have some brown seed - now look at that.
0:22:40 > 0:22:41Isn't that just splendid?
0:22:41 > 0:22:43There's a whole quantity of seed in there.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Now, I'm not going to sow that directly onto open compost,
0:22:46 > 0:22:48I'm going to sow it onto a layer of gravel.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Fine gravel, or coarse grit, onto the top of the pot,
0:22:51 > 0:22:53just on some seed compost.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55And then I'm going to spread that over the top.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58So the seed's quite dry and it just goes onto the top there.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Now, don't worry
0:23:00 > 0:23:04if that seed seems to be falling onto the top of all that gravel,
0:23:04 > 0:23:06because you're going to water that.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08The seeds will get pushed down in-between the little crevices
0:23:08 > 0:23:10and cracks in the gravel,
0:23:10 > 0:23:14and they will then be in good contact with the compost underneath.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16We're going to put a sheet of glass over that,
0:23:16 > 0:23:18put it somewhere in the shade and we'll pick them out next spring.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Well, this is the time of the year
0:23:27 > 0:23:31when gardeners start planning for their flower displays next year.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35By propagating their half-hardy perennials that are not going
0:23:35 > 0:23:38to stand out in the winter because they can't stand the weather.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40For example - fuschias.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45We're talking about penstemons, coleus that we saw earlier, verbena.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47There things, of course you can wait
0:23:47 > 0:23:50until they're finished flowering and throw them out.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54Then you have to lay out the money next year, and start all over again.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Accept the challenge, propagate them now
0:23:56 > 0:23:58and they will root in three to four weeks.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02And then, successful rooting, plenty young plants -
0:24:02 > 0:24:04you could throw the old ones out.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07You don't even need to find room to keep them over the winter.
0:24:07 > 0:24:08It's as easy as that.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Now, first of all, we collect some of the growth
0:24:11 > 0:24:16and we just used to be told, "Go out and find non-flowering shoots."
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Well, at this time of the year, it's very difficult to find
0:24:18 > 0:24:21non-flowering shoots, so, in fact, you just takes the flowers off.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23It's as simple as that.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Here we have pentstemon - a little bit of the stem.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29All we want is a cutting, about that length.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Take off the little leaves at the bottom, like so.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34And, in fact...
0:24:34 > 0:24:37we take the growing tip out as well.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39That's something that I never did as an apprentice
0:24:39 > 0:24:43but you do it now because when that roots, all...
0:24:43 > 0:24:45the little shoots will come out
0:24:45 > 0:24:47and you've got a much better-balanced plant.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50So, then... What have I done with me knife? There it is.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55With a sharp knife - cutting across just at a node - or below it...
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Nice clean cut.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Then...
0:24:59 > 0:25:01a bit of rooting hormone.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05And then finally, into...
0:25:06 > 0:25:10..50/50 peat and sand, which is still legal, thank goodness.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13I've used this for about 40 years and it works a treat.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Now, that has no roots - how's it going to take in moisture?
0:25:16 > 0:25:19The one thing you must not allow it to is to flag.
0:25:19 > 0:25:20What we would do is, of course,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23put it into a little propagating box like this.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Pop it in. Needless to say, it will be absolutely full - chock-a-block.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30Get that on the top, make sure that ventilation is closed.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Closed environment - it's got nothing to do but sit there
0:25:33 > 0:25:37and wait for magic to work and the roots to come on there.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39There is an alternative
0:25:39 > 0:25:42and that's this little pot here, which comes dehydrated.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Put it in water, and this is what comes up.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46And we use it for our geraniums.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Here I've got some geraniums.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50And ready to...
0:25:52 > 0:25:54..take a cutting.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Gorgeous, isn't it?
0:25:56 > 0:26:01Now, the difference here is that these things have got a hairy leaf.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05And if you put that in there, it'll start to rot.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Almost straightaway, it'll start to rot.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10So, I'm taking off all the wee bits, like so.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Then, once again...
0:26:13 > 0:26:15gripping it firmly with a sharp knife -
0:26:15 > 0:26:17cut through there...
0:26:17 > 0:26:21This one's actually quite tough, but make sure that it's not ragged.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Now, do I put it in there?
0:26:23 > 0:26:24No.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27It'll start to rot. It does not need hormone powder.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31So, all we do is make a hole in that.
0:26:31 > 0:26:32Pop it in.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37And stand it, without going into the frame, like so.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39We have them on the window ledge, just like that.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42And you can see the roots coming through the edge of it.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45As soon as you do that, into a pot, keep them on the window ledge.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47As long as they're over 5C all winter,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50that's fine - they'll come through beautifully.
0:26:50 > 0:26:51Get to it.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54- So, six weeks and this is the result.- Turnips galore!
0:26:54 > 0:26:57We've 12 varieties, starting with the purple and white ones.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Well, the best one there, I think, is thing called "Primera F1".
0:27:00 > 0:27:03It looks like an improvement of the purple top Milan,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05- which is the standard variety... - It's rubbish, isn't it?
0:27:05 > 0:27:07- Absolute rubbish.- Really tiny.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Of the white ones, I really like the Oasis - I think they look sweet.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Right, I'd go for the Tokyo Cross,
0:27:12 > 0:27:14because I think it maybe would have cropped even earlier.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16OK, and then the golden ones...
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Well, not as good as these coloured ones,
0:27:18 > 0:27:21but Golden Ball I think is better than the heritage variety.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24This Petrowski is not doing very well, but look at that.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26- Is it not unusual...?- It is unusual.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- Scarlet Queen - to me it looks like a radish.- It does.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- It'll all be in the taste.- Mm. - Of course, what do we do with them?
0:27:32 > 0:27:34We have them grated on salads raw.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37- Steam them.- Stem them, have them with white sauce.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40There's plenty here. Have we got enough time for another sowing?
0:27:40 > 0:27:42- Six weeks, I think so.- Just about.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Is this our first visit to the cutting garden this season?
0:27:48 > 0:27:50- It is, Jim. - Because I've never seen this before.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53- And I think it's divine. - It's lovely, isn't it?
0:27:53 > 0:27:56"Ammi" is the name. Ammi - A-M-M-I.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59- All right.- I think it's a little bit like the dill, actually.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- It looks lovely. - That's super, that acid green.
0:28:02 > 0:28:03But it's over there as well.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06There's an ammi over there as well, a thing called "Casablanca".
0:28:06 > 0:28:09And that's in amongst this... Oh, that's a fantastic cosmos.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12It's beautiful! Double cranberries, that's really stunning.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13Little cranberry trumpets, Jim.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Have a look at it, it's absolutely splendid.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16And...look at the harvest.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Exactly. Not a cranberry in sight, but, by jingo, quite a lot of stuff.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22- Yes.- Lot of good fruit.- So, if you'd like any more information
0:28:22 > 0:28:25about this week's programme, of course it's all in the factsheet.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Well, we're not in the garden next week, are we?
0:28:27 > 0:28:29We're going "o'er the hill to Ardentinny,
0:28:29 > 0:28:32"just to see our bonnie Jeannie."
0:28:32 > 0:28:34- See you there. - Yeah, bye. Goodbye.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36Have I got to sing that?
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd