0:00:11 > 0:00:14Well, hello, and welcome to Beechgrove Garden
0:00:14 > 0:00:17and the only comment I going to make about the weather today
0:00:17 > 0:00:21is I've got on my sun hat and my anorak - enough!
0:00:21 > 0:00:25We're in the Driveway Garden where we have a raised bed.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27I'm going to be planting hardy annuals.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31No fertiliser, ideal conditions for putting in hardy annuals.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35Now, I'm planting them, as I say - why not sowing them?
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Well, the soil conditions are only just ready for sowing
0:00:38 > 0:00:41but, having sown these at the beginning of April,
0:00:41 > 0:00:43they are now ready to plant out.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48So, I'm really on about, again, this shortness of the growing season.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51These things will be flowering about a month before direct sowing
0:00:51 > 0:00:54and I equate the bit of bother to get them to this stage
0:00:54 > 0:00:57with the bit of bother when you have two start thinning the sown ones.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59It's all eeksy-peeksy, you see?
0:00:59 > 0:01:03So, we're going to put in Scotch marigold, in here.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07This is a new variety called Kablouna. Never seen it before.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10So, there's a bit of something new, something old -
0:01:10 > 0:01:13here's a Nemophila, I've been using that for about 60 years, I think!
0:01:13 > 0:01:16So, we keep changing. The details will be in the fact sheet
0:01:16 > 0:01:19and we'll be back to look at them when they really look splendid.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Now then, in the rest of the programme...
0:01:24 > 0:01:27I'm in Kincardineshire helping to put the finishing touches
0:01:27 > 0:01:32to a garden that is opening for the first time under Scotland's Gardens.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39And here we have a lovely patch of ground cover,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43provided by a variety of dicentra eximia.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Just one of many lovely, lovely plants were going to see today.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53We are in the show veg tunnel.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55I think these pot leeks are going to take a fair bit of water.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57They are growing well and, look,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59they're just about needing scaffolding to hold them up!
0:01:59 > 0:02:02And that's the idea, we've got to keep the things upright.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04So, with these fellows in the corner, here,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08we're going to just get a bit of string and put around these,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11just in order to keep them upright.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Now, make sure, at this particular stage,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17that you don't destroy any of the leaves.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Now, the other thing which is important here
0:02:20 > 0:02:24is you can go out and buy specialist supports for these.
0:02:24 > 0:02:29This is Scotland, we're just going to use canes and string.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33Other side we've got what is the main run of show vegetables.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36These are the ones which last year we grew to a fair length
0:02:36 > 0:02:38and this year we want to try and do better.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40We got parsnips and long beet, and carrots.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42Now, if you remember,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45right at the very beginning, when we sowed these,
0:02:45 > 0:02:49we were sowing the beetroot in the compost filled holes
0:02:49 > 0:02:53within these sand filled buckets and we dropped this,
0:02:53 > 0:02:55we dropped this string down the middle.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57And then, once we'd put the compost in,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00we pulled it out rapidly so that the compost all slumped,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03and it lost its spiral effects because somebody told me that
0:03:03 > 0:03:08that spiral effect creates spiralled roots on the beetroot.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11So, we want to avoid that and we know where he lives,
0:03:11 > 0:03:13and we'll get back to him if it's wrong!
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Now, when we come to thinning,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18the thing that's important is we want to leave one seedling
0:03:18 > 0:03:22at each one of the stations all the way round these pots.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26What is important is that we select the best seedling.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Now, when you start selecting seedlings,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32you're looking for something which is quite strong growing
0:03:32 > 0:03:33and pretty disease-free.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35So, keeping our finger, or our thumb,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37on top of the seedling that we've selected
0:03:37 > 0:03:40and we're going to pull out the other ones.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43If you don't keep your thumb or finger on it, what happens?
0:03:43 > 0:03:47The whole shooting match comes out and you end up crying.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48So, you don't want to do that.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51So, one seedling - this lot will take a wee while to do,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54and we'll get on with that a bit later.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56The other thing which I'm going to do today
0:03:56 > 0:03:59is I'm going to sow some more peas.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02I'm going to sow a thing called Show Perfection
0:04:02 > 0:04:05but I'm also going to plant out these broad beans.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Now, the these were the ones I challenged you to grow last year,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10can you remember?
0:04:10 > 0:04:12I had this little variety
0:04:12 > 0:04:15and then we saw these huge ones that came from the show bench.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18This lot are going to be planted out, hopefully,
0:04:18 > 0:04:20hopefully, and, of course, we'll manage, won't we?
0:04:20 > 0:04:24We'll get good ones, about a foot long, and lots of beans in them.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27They're going to be planted in a secret location,
0:04:27 > 0:04:28up near the other leeks.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41Another day, another garden, we make a return visit to the West Coast.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45That's Loch Melfort out there - the highlanders have come to greet us.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47And, of course, I'm at Arduaine Garden
0:04:47 > 0:04:50and I'm away to meet Morris Wilkins, the head gardener.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00Well, it's lovely to meet up with you again.
0:05:00 > 0:05:01How long have you been here?
0:05:01 > 0:05:04For 21 years. I don't know where it's all gone to.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07People often say to me, they often comment on the fact that,
0:05:07 > 0:05:09"You're always going to these big gardens,
0:05:09 > 0:05:13"what relevance today have to our little plot, you know, in suburbia?"
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Well, apart from the inspiration you get, you get ideas.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Now, there's a cracking little bit of plant association, isn't it?
0:05:20 > 0:05:22I mean, I don't think I designed that,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25I bought the hellebore and wanted somewhere to put it,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and having seen what it looked like, I went out and bought a couple more.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- That's a hellebore called "Pink Frost".- Uh-huh.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31But, yeah, it's a nice combination
0:05:31 > 0:05:34and it could work well in somebody's smaller garden
0:05:34 > 0:05:36because the whole of this garden, although it is big,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39it's really made up of a sequence of tiny little associations.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Yes, all leading one into the other.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49I think it's time for a few statistics, Morris -
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- size of the garden? - 20 acres, or thereabouts.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- Yes, eight hectares, I think. - And how many staff?- Not many.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Two and a half, if you count me as the half.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01One of the things I wanted to establish, also,
0:06:01 > 0:06:05was the rainfall here. You are right out on the West Coast.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Yes, you've got some. OK. So, what's the rainfall?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Well, it goes between about 60 and 90 inches per annum.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- About 75 inches per year. - That's an awful lot of water!
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- And here we have cordyline and... - Trachycarpus.- Trachycarpus.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Now, in the last two winters people lost these things
0:06:37 > 0:06:41and they wondered why. Even that, they wondered why.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43I mean, it's like with New Zealand flax and so many things
0:06:43 > 0:06:46in the very severe winters. Looking great here.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50Well, we have lost some of them but cordylines are not hardy everywhere.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52I mean, a lot of the plants in Glasgow have died
0:06:52 > 0:06:54but that is probably quite a tall one,
0:06:54 > 0:06:55it probably helps, quite a mature one.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- Yes, yes.- But trachycarpus, these are true palms.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02The cabbage palm, so-called, is not a palm and is not a cabbage, obviously!
0:07:02 > 0:07:05The trachycarpus are true palms from China and they're tough enough.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- You could grow those in Aberdeen, Jim.- Mmm.- Yeah, I'm sure you could.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11In a big pot! I'm not saying anything.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Again, we can't go past the old skunk cabbage here.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- It's taking over, dear boy!- It is!
0:07:17 > 0:07:19And I was saying the other week, you know,
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- it's now one of the alien plants. - It's something you have to watch.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26I mean, we deadhead all of these plants every year, when they flower.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29There are hundreds of them so it's a big job but I think we have to do it.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Because there are examples in the country
0:07:31 > 0:07:33where it has seriously taken over.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Well, I think down at West Loch Tarbert it's filling a field.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Quite an impressive sight!
0:07:38 > 0:07:41So, if you're going to deadhead it you need a combine harvester!
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- You do.- Which way? This way now? - This way, yeah.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57I'm just thinking, this part of the garden
0:07:57 > 0:08:00has quite a different character. Tall trees.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04That means it's rich soil and all the rest of it.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Not really, some of the soil, in patches, is good
0:08:06 > 0:08:08but a lot of it is very shallow
0:08:08 > 0:08:10and I think the reason these trees are so tall
0:08:10 > 0:08:12is they were planted very close together and draw each other up.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14And are they getting to the stage where...?
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Well, I mean, thin soil, I mean, that thing, there,
0:08:16 > 0:08:19that's coming down, hasn't got much of a root ball at all.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22It's got a very small root ball. This came down a couple of weeks ago
0:08:22 > 0:08:24and it's just landed on the top of this rhododendron.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26These trees are getting so tall now,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29they are poking their heads up and they're getting blown down.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31I thought you were going to have to knock them all down anyway?
0:08:31 > 0:08:35Well, we were asked by the Forestry Commission to take down all
0:08:35 > 0:08:37the larches in this garden because we had a couple of infections
0:08:37 > 0:08:40of Phytophthora or "Sudden Oak Death," as it's called.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Because we had a couple of infections,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- they wanted us to remove all 1,000 of them to contain the disease.- Oh!
0:08:46 > 0:08:50But they've now allowed us to monitor the trees very carefully.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Anything we see we will deal with on the spot.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55So, instead of having to completely wreck the garden,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57we'll be doing it over a period, as and when they become infected,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00if they do. It's taken a great burden off.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12I don't know how many species of rhododendrons we've seen today
0:09:12 > 0:09:15- but it's a hell of a lot! - It is a lot.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19I think we probably have or have had at least 400 distinct species here.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Really? Some of these plants are getting quite old.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Are you preparing to replace them by propagating new stock?
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Well, we try not to lose anything unique.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31If there is something which occurs here that occurs nowhere else
0:09:31 > 0:09:34then, obviously, we try to propagate it but that's not always the case.
0:09:34 > 0:09:35We can buy species elsewhere
0:09:35 > 0:09:38but if they have some particular characteristic we'd like to keep
0:09:38 > 0:09:40we would try to propagate them.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43We're also trying to bring in new species and new cultivars.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Do you exchange them with other gardens?
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Because the more replicates there are, the safer they are.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Well, unfortunately, we can't do that just at the moment
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- because of our Phytophthora. - Yes, yes.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57So, we can't give plant material out of this garden to anyone else
0:09:57 > 0:09:59but we're happy to receive it, of course!
0:10:06 > 0:10:08I'm beginning to see what this is, more or less.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11I had my eye on it when we came round the corner, there.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14That must be one of the most successful introductions
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- in many a long year? - Well, it's certainly done well here.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20It was a smaller plan that was moved from across there some years ago,
0:10:20 > 0:10:21when it was about three feet high.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- And it's really done very well indeed.- We'd better give it a name.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28- Pittosporum?- Pittosporum tenuifolium "Tom Thumb".- "Tom Thumb."
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Though I've never seen anything less like a thumb.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34But it's particularly good because it's green inside
0:10:34 > 0:10:38and the new foliage comes out green and then turns purple.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- You'd think every leaf had been burnished.- Yeah.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Well, just the last of a whole range of cracking plants we've seen
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- and I must thank you very much for it.- Enjoyed having you here, Jim.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- Take me to the car! - OK. Very well, James.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00At the beginning of the programme
0:11:00 > 0:11:03we actually saw Jim planting hardy annuals.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Now, not everybody has the facilities to do that
0:11:05 > 0:11:08and so what I'm doing is direct sowing the hardy annuals
0:11:08 > 0:11:11and, of course, what Jim made the point is the fact that
0:11:11 > 0:11:15when you sow seeds because they are direct in the soil
0:11:15 > 0:11:18we might be three or four weeks behind with the time
0:11:18 > 0:11:22but it's easy to do and, of course, you don't need a greenhouse.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Now, actually, here I have a mixture of hardy annuals
0:11:26 > 0:11:28and also the half hardy ones.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30The half hardy ones are going to go back in the cold frame,
0:11:30 > 0:11:33they've got to be hardened off for a couple of weeks.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36And, here, I have a couple of collections.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39They are bee friendly seeds. These are collections that you can buy.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41They'd make nice gifts, I think, to people
0:11:41 > 0:11:44and also we have the gardener's collection.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47And we're speaking about plants that are blues and yellows
0:11:47 > 0:11:48that really attract the bees.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51And, of course, bees are vitally important
0:11:51 > 0:11:53for pollinating our plants and our crops.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56I'm going to find out a little more about that.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Well, Annie Robinson has joined us here, in the garden,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and she's from dot.rural, Aberdeen University
0:12:03 > 0:12:07and is involved in a project with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09So, first of all, how many species of bumblebee
0:12:09 > 0:12:11do we have in this country?
0:12:11 > 0:12:14There are 24 species of bumblebee in the UK and they are really
0:12:14 > 0:12:17important as pollinators of our crops and wildflowers.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21Unfortunately, two species have already become extinct since 1940
0:12:21 > 0:12:23and many of our remaining bumblebees are in decline,
0:12:23 > 0:12:25in terms of abundance and distribution.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27So, how can we encourage bumblebees into our garden?
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Well, doing like what you've done this morning,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32planting bee-friendly plants,
0:12:32 > 0:12:34is really important to provide a source of pollen and nectar
0:12:34 > 0:12:38from early spring right through to the autumn for our bumblebees.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40So, that's the annual plants but, I mean, things like this,
0:12:40 > 0:12:43one or two bumblebees are enjoying the pulmonaria.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45So, are you looking for certain sorts of garden plants?
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Yes, a real mix of different species and there's a tool called Bee Kind
0:12:48 > 0:12:51on the Bumblebee Conservation Trust website,
0:12:51 > 0:12:54and you can enter what flowering plants you have in your garden,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57and it will give you a score as to how bee-friendly those plans are.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00And it will also give suggestions as to different plants you might
0:13:00 > 0:13:01want to consider planting as well.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03So, apart from using that tool,
0:13:03 > 0:13:05you'd like people to take photographs of bumblebees?
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Yeah, ideally. Not always easy to take a photo of
0:13:08 > 0:13:11but if you see bumblebees in your garden or in your parks
0:13:11 > 0:13:12please do take a photo.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15You can submit the photo to us at BeeWatch.
0:13:15 > 0:13:16There is an online tool
0:13:16 > 0:13:19which will help you to identify the photo of the bumblebee
0:13:19 > 0:13:21plus we'll get back to you with the identification
0:13:21 > 0:13:23and further information.
0:13:23 > 0:13:24And it's really important to us
0:13:24 > 0:13:26to help plot the distribution of bumblebees in the UK.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29And there's one in particular that you're looking for in Scotland?
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Yeah, the tree bumblebee has not yet been sighted in Scotland.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37It came into the UK in 2001, arrived in Hampshire,
0:13:37 > 0:13:39and it's spread throughout England and Wales
0:13:39 > 0:13:43but we're fully expecting it to arrive in Scotland in the next year.
0:13:43 > 0:13:44What is it that like?
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Some people say it looks a bit like a muddy penguin.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49So, it has an orange thorax on the top and black-and-white for the tail.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53It's really distinct. It doesn't look like any of our other bumblebees.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57- Well, let's hope somebody finds it. - Yes, keep an eye out in your gardens.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00From bumblebees to honeybees. Thanks to Alec Innes, here.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Thank you, Alec, for bringing up a couple of hives, here.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- We're going to watch this through the season.- Very good, Jim.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08How have they come through the winter?
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- Nae bad, I'm real pleased with it. - Uh-huh.- I did lose one.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14But that's the story across the countryside
0:14:14 > 0:14:18and there's a lot of talk about the bees dying out to diseases
0:14:18 > 0:14:20and failures, and chemicals,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23and all the rest of it but what about the effect of the weather?
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Weather has a big effect on them, and that.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Last year, like last year, was wet through.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31In fact, it's been two years in one, more or less.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Are you saying that wet is worse than cold?
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- Definitely, without a doubt.- Really? - Damp's the bees' biggest enemy.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40And when they start working in the spring, here,
0:14:40 > 0:14:44you've been coming back in for it, here, what's their first attraction?
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- Snowdrops.- Really?! - Snowdrops.- What about Crocus?
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- Crocus, yes, definitely.- Daffys? - Daffys are nae used to honeybees.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- Their tongue's too short.- Uh-er! So, we'll leave that to the bumbles.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Aye. Bumble, it's a bumblebees thing.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- There is surely enough for everybody? That right?- Oh, yes, aye.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04Now, in the summer, of course, they do pollinate a lot of farm crops
0:15:04 > 0:15:08and horticultural crops, and is that what keeps them going?
0:15:08 > 0:15:09Oh, aye.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Will you do any feeding of these guys, here?
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- Been feeding, practically, all winter.- OK.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- Just to keep the colony alive? - Yes, oh, aye.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Well, I'm hoping that we're going to have a real bumper crop this year.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Can we have a wee look and see how they're doing?
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Yes, just be careful, eh? And...
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- Have a lookie.- There they are, working away.- They're coming up.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32I would expect mere bees up and out.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- Now, then, are you going to lift the next one?- I'll just lift this.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40Steady now. Oh, there we are. And what's this fancy piece here?
0:15:40 > 0:15:43That's the queen excluder, which prevents the queen going up.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Now, they're getting a wee bitty edgy so we'll put this back on here.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49That'll be enough.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Well, I think it's time to leave, Alec, don't you think so?
0:15:54 > 0:15:55Well, you please yourself, Jim!
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- But dinnae run because they'll follow.- No, no, I'm nae feart.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01I'm just being, trying to be sensible about it.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Just time to stop with them because they are getting a wee bitty crabbit.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- They dinnae like it, it's nae sunny enough for them.- No, no.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Need to hae the sun shining.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Right, so, we're in the polytunnel, what's the game today?
0:16:16 > 0:16:21Well, we're setting up here with a cucumber trial or an observation.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23We've got a variety called Socrates.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26These plants, which I think look really healthy,
0:16:26 > 0:16:28they've been grown from seed, good germination,
0:16:28 > 0:16:32and we're waiting for some grafted plants. Same variety.
0:16:32 > 0:16:33Right, now, you did a trial
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- with grafted tomatoes last year, didn't you?- Yes.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37What was the results there?
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Well, again, it was grafted tomato plants and non-grafted,
0:16:40 > 0:16:42and the grafted ones were so much better.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Even though they're more expensive, George!
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Is there a difference in price? With the grafted and non-grafted?
0:16:47 > 0:16:49There is. I mean, quite a bit of a difference.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Sowing from seed, and we have had really good germination,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- so, about 55 pence a plant. - That's reasonable.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Grafted plants £3.30. So, we'll need a lot of cucumbers!
0:16:59 > 0:17:01You do, you do!
0:17:01 > 0:17:02Anyway, enough of the chat,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05I want to know what you're doing with these strings
0:17:05 > 0:17:08because I'm really impressed. THEY LAUGH
0:17:08 > 0:17:09Don't be too impressed!
0:17:09 > 0:17:13We used to, when I was in a nursery in Lanarkshire,
0:17:13 > 0:17:17used to grow tomatoes. Lots and lots of tomatoes. 135,000 tomatoes.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18Yeah, one-handed?
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- One hand and just, like that. - Aye, and you're not even looking.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24No, you don't need to, cos you could always chat to your friends.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- That's great.- And all the strings were pre-cut
0:17:26 > 0:17:27so it was the correct length
0:17:27 > 0:17:31but what we used to do was we used to tie them to the tomato plant,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33at the bottom first.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35You'd use a bowline and tie them to the tomato plant at the bottom.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38But surely, then, you may at the damage the plant?
0:17:38 > 0:17:40If you go over exuberant and you went, whoosh,
0:17:40 > 0:17:42and you ripped all the leaves off it, you got a terrible row for that.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- Well, what I like to do. - You've a different scheme.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Yes, this is something we've been doing for quite a few years,
0:17:47 > 0:17:51- it's just put the string in the hole. - Plant the string and then...?
0:17:51 > 0:17:56- And then you plant the cucumber on top of it.- God, these are good roots!
0:17:56 > 0:17:57- They're lovely roots, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02And then you see the roots will grow around that and it will stay there.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05And as long as you've got enough at the top you can, you know, loosen it.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08You can adjust it when you're twisting the string around.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11The other thing that I like to do is plant a pot.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14God, you're good at the rabbit work there!
0:18:14 > 0:18:17And I would do the watering through there because, you know,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20the cucumbers very often rot at the neck, don't they? Cold water.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Very, very prone to neck rot.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24And I think it's good in grow bags as well
0:18:24 > 0:18:25because the water goes everywhere.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Och, it can be a right sluice, it really can, when you're watering.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Now, these fellows are going to take a long time
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- before they can climb up the string! - Yes, they are!- A bit small.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38It's a new plant to me, George, called a Cucamelon.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41OK, so is that a cross between a melon and a cucumber
0:18:41 > 0:18:43or a cucumber and a melon, or what?
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Yes, bite-size fruits.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49Meant to taste between a sort of cucumber and a hint of lime.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- Are you pulling my leg?- No, I'm not pulling your leg at all
0:18:53 > 0:18:55but, anyway, back to your party trick.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57I like to see you doing the strings.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58I'll see if I can do it again because, you know,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01sometimes it doesn't work the second time!
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Back in 2004 we came to do some problem-solving in the garden
0:19:11 > 0:19:14of Rebeccah Stripling, in Banchory.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17At that time she was starting out with her new garden
0:19:17 > 0:19:20but, nine years on, it's looking fantastic.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24This is the first year, I would say, it actually looks really mature.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28The trees and the shrubs are a decent size and it's looking good.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- It is. I mean, these were the three trees we put in nine years ago.- Yeah!
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- It's tremendous how they've grown. - They look great, don't they?
0:19:34 > 0:19:38And we've designed the border around them, and then the paths through.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Now, this is so colourful.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56The Primula denticulata, one of my favourites.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Did you just start off with a few plants?
0:19:58 > 0:19:59Yeah, we had about six to start with
0:19:59 > 0:20:02and then we've just gradually lifted and split them,
0:20:02 > 0:20:04and spread them around, and I think they look fantastic now.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07And then there's other things coming through for later interest?
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Yes, uh-huh, there's rodgersia, there's more primulas, hostas.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15Fantastic. I mean, the great news is that you are now opening
0:20:15 > 0:20:17under Scotland's Gardens. So, how did that come about?
0:20:17 > 0:20:21We've wanted to do it for years and last year we phoned them up
0:20:21 > 0:20:23to see if they would like to come and see the garden.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26And they came, and we were expecting them to say,
0:20:26 > 0:20:30"Well, maybe in two years' time you could open,"
0:20:30 > 0:20:31and they liked the garden.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34I think the reason they wanted us was because,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36although there is a lot of interest in the garden already,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38there's still a lot of things to be done.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40So, people would see new things when they came.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42If they're looking for new gardens
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- and they're quite happy that it's a garden in the making.- Yes.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Of course, it's important that it's fairly weed free.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Weed free and the grass has to be tidy, and the edges done,
0:20:49 > 0:20:51and, of course, the garden owner has to want to do it
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- cos it is quite a lot of work. - Well, that's great news.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Keeping down the weeds, you're using this mulch, where's that from?
0:20:57 > 0:20:58Yeah, it's from a local farmer.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01He grows the seed for potatoes and when he's finished with the compost
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- we use it in local gardens as mulch. - Any tatties?- The odd one!
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Anyway, it's two months that you're opening
0:21:07 > 0:21:10so we're going to give you a bit of a hand with one or two small problems.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11Thanks.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22The first problem that we've really got is these three shrubs, here.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23We've got two Deutzias and a Prunus.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26When I put them in seven years ago they were in smaller tubs
0:21:26 > 0:21:28and there seems to be plenty of space between them
0:21:28 > 0:21:30but now, of course, they've grown.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32What I'd ideally like to do is take this Deutzia out
0:21:32 > 0:21:35and move it elsewhere in the garden, and moved Prunus forward
0:21:35 > 0:21:37but I don't actually know if I can do it,
0:21:37 > 0:21:40especially at this time of year, and how I would do it.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Well, it is possible. I mean, it is a bit of a risk
0:21:42 > 0:21:45and, personally, I would say let's move the Deutzia,
0:21:45 > 0:21:46we'll leave the Prunus
0:21:46 > 0:21:49cos, I mean, at the moment, that is in full flower.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51The Deutzia is just beginning to sprout
0:21:51 > 0:21:54and I think we can take the risk with that one.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58So, what we should do is give it a right good soak with water.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- Normally, I would say to people soak it the night before.- OK.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04But if we soak it now, with several gallons of water,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07it's a chance for the root ball to take up that moisture
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- and it will help with lifting the root ball as well.- Yes.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- So, about four or five gallons of water, I would think.- OK.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24We'll leave that shrub to soak for a few hours
0:22:24 > 0:22:27before we attempt to move it. Now, what's going on here?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Well, this border is the last border that needs to be done
0:22:30 > 0:22:31before the open day.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34There's meadowsweet that's self seeded itself and the lysimachia.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36It's very pretty but it's gone a bit wild.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38So, I'd like to contain that a bit.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40OK, so you'll still keep that as, sort of, clumps,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42going along the border.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Yes, the foliage is very pretty and the colour but, yes, less of it.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47And then have we got more plants to put into the border?
0:22:47 > 0:22:49We have, there's a few plants within the garden
0:22:49 > 0:22:51that need lifting and splitting.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- So, I thought we could use those. - Good cost saving exercise.
0:22:54 > 0:22:55Right, we'd better start weeding.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07This iris is one of the ones that needs to be split
0:23:07 > 0:23:11- and moved up into the black border. - It's a perfect example, isn't it?
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Because what you've got is the centre,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16which is the older part of the plant, has started to die out
0:23:16 > 0:23:18and, in fact, there's one or two weeds coming in!
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Then you've got the fresh growth, here.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24So, I reckon we're going to get at least half a dozen plants with this.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Now, this is a real problem weed, the ground elder or bishop weed.
0:23:37 > 0:23:38Yeah, it's a nightmare.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41This hemerocallis came in from a friend,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44who very kindly gave me it but I didn't quarantine it.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46I just put it straight in the garden
0:23:46 > 0:23:48and, as you can see, the weed's gone right from the plant,
0:23:48 > 0:23:50under the hedge and into various other plants.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54What I suggest, Rebeccah, is you know we've been lifting and dividing
0:23:54 > 0:23:56and, you know, things like the iris and the geranium,
0:23:56 > 0:23:58I would lift these two clumps.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01I would really divide them up into really small plants
0:24:01 > 0:24:05and try and tease out the ground elder but I would quarantine them.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07I would put them into pots.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10You've got a good seven-eight weeks before your open day
0:24:10 > 0:24:12and then, if you don't see any sign of the weed,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14then you can actually put them back into this border.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15Yeah, that's an idea.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18But we can't do that with it underneath the box hedge.
0:24:18 > 0:24:19We don't want to live the box!
0:24:19 > 0:24:22So, we've got this gel form of glyphosate,
0:24:22 > 0:24:24which I know you will know is a systemic weedkiller.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27So, that's going down into the root system.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29It takes rather a long time -
0:24:29 > 0:24:31we've got to paint it on, got to wear gloves
0:24:31 > 0:24:35and, you know, you want to keep pets and children inside until it dries.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Well, I think the deutzia has been soaked long enough
0:24:54 > 0:24:57and the root ball is quite good, actually. Nice fibrous root system.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59So I think, Calum, if you can help us
0:24:59 > 0:25:01to just, like, put it onto this fabric
0:25:01 > 0:25:04because it will help to keep the root ball intact.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09And we'll get it straight into the barrow.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Right, well, we've already got the hole prepared.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20- I hope it's big enough!- So do I.- So, let's just put this on to the path.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26And, hopefully, Calum, can you just slip that across?
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- That's pretty good, isn't it? - Not bad! Made-to-measure.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Now, the thing is...
0:25:36 > 0:25:38we want to make sure that that is well watered,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41- well watered in, in the next few weeks.- OK.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- Especially if it gets really, really dry.- Yeah, which, hopefully, it will.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48So, what else we've done is we've finished that border.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50So, we lifted the iris and the geranium,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53and then added a little bit of evergreen interest there
0:25:53 > 0:25:55because I think you need a bit of structure.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59So, we've got the holly and we've got the elaeagnus.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03- So, when's your open day?- 28th of July.- And time?- One till five.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06- Best of luck!- Thanks very much.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Last week I mentioned that when you're lifting bedding plants,
0:26:18 > 0:26:21if you got primulas and so on, this is the time to split them up.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25Here we have the white form of the drumstick primula.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27We had one big clump of it, this was all one bit
0:26:27 > 0:26:29until I started pulling it apart.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32There's one has come away and I can pull it apart again.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36I can get another one. Look like that. Then, trim the roots.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41You can be fairly brutal. Take these dead bits and half the leaf as well.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43Certainly because it will reduce the stress
0:26:43 > 0:26:45and you finish up with little plantlets, like that.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Now, you come plant them out if you have a shady piece of the garden.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50If you got some nice light soil.
0:26:51 > 0:26:56But for ease of moving them about later, and so on, bit of compost...
0:26:57 > 0:27:01..pot them up. Stand in a cold frame or a shady place.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04That's the important thing. Give them a real good soak.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06By the autumn you will have enough plants
0:27:06 > 0:27:09to give you a really nice display.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Well, what a difference a week makes.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18Last week they were in bud, these tulips, now, lovely flower colours.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21This is a red variety...
0:27:21 > 0:27:24and lovely tall, erect stems.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27But I like the combination just right in front, there,
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Apricots Beauty with that lovely blue Myosotis.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32You might want to make a note of the names
0:27:32 > 0:27:35and then you'll be planting them September-October time.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41- Isn't it very pleasant in this corner? Isn't it?- It's lovely.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45- Lovely, aye.- And so colourful. Look at these erythroniums.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Isn't that gorgeous?
0:27:47 > 0:27:50- Reliable sort of thing. - "Dog's tooth violet," I think.
0:27:50 > 0:27:51Absolutely.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55Now, that's the epimedium that I cut down earlier in the season.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56I'd taken all the old foliage off
0:27:56 > 0:27:59- and what a difference it's made, hasn't it?- It's gorgeous.
0:27:59 > 0:28:00Really fresh, the foliage, isn't it?
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Interestingly, earlier on the bees were at that.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05- Now, this is the blue one around the corner?- Round here?
0:28:05 > 0:28:08- Anemone nemorosa. - It's an absolute cracker.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11- Rather nice, isn't it?- Superb. - Glad you said that!
0:28:11 > 0:28:12THEY LAUGH
0:28:12 > 0:28:15If you'd like any more information about this week's programme
0:28:15 > 0:28:19it's all in the factsheet and the easiest way to access that is online.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23And, of course, new to us, as well, Twitter and Facebook.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25And next week, I can't believe it,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27but we're actually coming from Gardening Scotland.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29- We won't be here in the garden. - Indeed, this is true.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33The programme will be on Friday night, the 31st, at 7.30.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35- See you then!- Bye-bye.- Goodbye!- Bye.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd