0:00:11 > 0:00:13This is looking healthy, isn't it?
0:00:13 > 0:00:16- It's very good, it needs a bit of a prune.- Yes!
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Hello and welcome to the Beechgrove Garden,
0:00:18 > 0:00:21and what a difference two weeks make. I mean, everything has grown.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25It's amazing. I think that extra warmth and the residual warmth,
0:00:25 > 0:00:28longer days of course, and suddenly, all the plants burst into life.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31There's real enthusiasm amongst the plants -
0:00:31 > 0:00:33they want to be growing, they want to please you.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Yes, things are looking good, but there's an interesting contrast here,
0:00:36 > 0:00:39because we have done an experiment
0:00:39 > 0:00:41with peat-free and peat-based compost.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44This is the peat-based one, so much better.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48Every trial that we've done, and I think across all trials,
0:00:48 > 0:00:51the peat-based composts always perform better, don't they?
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Of course, we need to dig the potatoes out now
0:00:54 > 0:00:57and see what the production is like, but on the basis of the plants,
0:00:57 > 0:01:01it looks as though the peat-based composts are...
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Yes, we'll go for that one. This pea called Bingo is a lovely plant.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06I think that's great.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08It's not producing much in the way of peas yet,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11but taste the tendrils because I don't think you need the peas.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15- I've never tried the tendrils before.- It is absolutely delicious.
0:01:15 > 0:01:16Very sweet.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19It's a lovely coloured plant - a bluey tinge to it.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Plenty of tendrils too, so plenty to harvest.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26- I mean, that tastes like a pea.- It's like a concentrated pea, isn't it?
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Like a jus, almost. A hit of flavour, it's fab.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31It's amazing what you can grow in a small space.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35It is, I think it is well worth it, and to not be sniffy about growing
0:01:35 > 0:01:39the diversity and variety because clearly you can get the performance.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43You may have noticed that it's only the under gardeners here today,
0:01:43 > 0:01:45creating a little bit of mischief, I think.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49The head gardeners, both of them, well, it's the holiday season,
0:01:49 > 0:01:51they've headed to the seaside.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04It is lovely to get a few minutes to do a bit of beachcombing
0:02:04 > 0:02:05now and again.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Whether it's to collect shells or skimmers.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12I'm told that that's exactly what Queen Elizabeth did as a wee lassie
0:02:12 > 0:02:16when she stayed at her mother's ancestral family home at Glamis
0:02:16 > 0:02:1820 or 30 miles that way.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21I'm in a gorgeous bit of the Angus coastline
0:02:21 > 0:02:25at the very aptly named little fishing community of East Haven.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33East Haven is also home to some unique flora, and we will see
0:02:33 > 0:02:36more about that, and the community garden, later in the programme.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45East Haven is an ancient fishing community,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47and indeed there are still some worthies at it yet,
0:02:47 > 0:02:51but more importantly, they have got a big birthday this year.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55They celebrate their octocentenary. 800 years to you and me.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00The community mean to mark that with a real splash,
0:03:00 > 0:03:02by creating a community garden.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Chris, we're still in the decking area, and this is all about
0:03:08 > 0:03:11lettuce and the different types, and also it looks bonny.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15It's fantastically decorative, and it's very easy for us to forget
0:03:15 > 0:03:18just how diverse a range of lettuce is available, and they all
0:03:18 > 0:03:21behave differently, with a different reason for growing them.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25The crisp heads and icebergs, if you want that classic curled,
0:03:25 > 0:03:27broad leaf, that is the form to go with.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30They're lovely and firm and they are crispy,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33they've got that nice crunch to them. Then you move on to the cos.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35In the centre again, quite firm.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Yeah, if you like a crisp lettuce, generally quite sweet,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42and also a space saver because the growth is upright, not spready.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Which is the opposite of this, really.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48The loose-leaf, I particularly like because it's a cut and come again.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51You don't have to cut the whole lettuce, and it lasts quite a while.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53They are a fairly modern variety of lettuce.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56That's the beauty, it's relaxed, as opposed to this,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58which is the old school lettuce.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00This is my granny's favourite.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04These are the butter heads, the ones that form those softer heads.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06That's a lovely one there, Sangria,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09but look at the all year round variety. It's gone to seed.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11We think that's related to temperature.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14I think it's acting as a thermometer, effectively.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18The green forms generally don't like higher temperatures.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Also, the butter heads and cos
0:04:20 > 0:04:24don't like the higher temperatures, and they instantly go to seed.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Lettuce, of course, is a cool season crop.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Seven to 18 degrees is ideal for them.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Anything above that and there's a tendency that they will go to seed,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34unless you're growing the red leafed forms.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38- And that's because of the pigment in there.- Yes.- That's helping.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Exactly. The pigment in the leaf is reflecting the heat,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42keeps the plant a bit cooler.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45If you've got a hot and dry area of the garden,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47the red leaf is the one to go for.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50They will do in the shade as well, which is quite good.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54Obviously, what's important is do they store, what do they taste like?
0:04:54 > 0:04:57So, these have been in the fridge for four days,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00and this is the two loose leaves. A little bit floppy.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Yes, this one is the green form loose-leaf,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06it has gone a little bit lax, as you say it's all in the taste.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- Yes, we need to taste.- Have it a nibble and see what you think.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- That's quite mild actually.- Yes, it's quite subtle, quite creamy.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Yes, that's nice. What about the red? See what that's like.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23I mean, in a way, you think the reds might be a little more bitter.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30Oh, yes, that's definitely more bitter, isn't it? I don't like that.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32There is a distinct difference.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35If you do like a much sharper flavour,
0:05:35 > 0:05:38if you like a vinaigrette with it, then go with the reds.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40But if you like an olive oil-based dressing, then the greens.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43That's more attractive to me than the green,
0:05:43 > 0:05:44but I would go for the green.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47It's quite nice to sit down and sample some food!
0:05:47 > 0:05:49We're not allowed to do it when the boss is here!
0:05:49 > 0:05:50A chance to relax.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53I think Jim and George are on their holidays at the moment.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12It's a lot quicker on a barrow!
0:06:13 > 0:06:16I suppose I'd better slow down and wait for George!
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Hey, man - I'm glad to see you.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23It kind of proves that I'm on the right road for this community
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- garden. Is this a pukka cycle route? - Apparently so.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30It comes all the way from the coast straight down to the south
0:06:30 > 0:06:32of England and back up to Sweden!
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- Well, this will be the garden, then. - Absolutely, look at this.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49A lot of activity, George.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54Well, I am actually heading this way looking for Wendy.
0:06:54 > 0:06:55- I'll park my bike.- OK.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13I found you, Wendy, and you are the one that's got all the strings
0:07:13 > 0:07:16together, the puppet master that keeps this thing going.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20Tell me the background to why we're building a community garden here.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Well, this year as you know is our 800th year
0:07:24 > 0:07:27and when we talked to residents about how
0:07:27 > 0:07:29they'd like to celebrate and commemorate that,
0:07:29 > 0:07:33one thing people said was it'd be wonderful to do something
0:07:33 > 0:07:36to transform our village square
0:07:36 > 0:07:40and create a new gateway to the entrance to the village.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45And of course this big railway here, you can't miss it.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- It has to be some reason why you're doing it, because it's a bit of a... - That's right.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53When the railway was constructed, in 1838,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56it effectively split the village into two halves.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01So we were really keen to develop a community garden that would
0:08:01 > 0:08:04form a link between the two sides of the village.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07So the design has decidedly seaside...
0:08:07 > 0:08:09The boat, for example.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11The design is really important, Jim, because we wanted to
0:08:11 > 0:08:15bring our seafaring background over to this side of the bridge.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- The boat certainly makes that statement, doesn't it?- It does.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21And everything around it is working. What has this done for the village?
0:08:21 > 0:08:23It's really brought everybody together.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26People of all ages and all abilities have been getting involved
0:08:26 > 0:08:30and it's really just been an amazing experience for everybody.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- Well, happy 800th! - Thank you very much, Jim!
0:08:44 > 0:08:48Karen Laing is the garden designer, it's her job to take the ideas
0:08:48 > 0:08:50that the community had, put them onto paper
0:08:50 > 0:08:52and then transfer that onto the ground.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54So Karen, how did it all happen?
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Well, when I first met with the community,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59they had a wish list of things they wanted to include in the garden.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01They'd planted a memorial tree,
0:09:01 > 0:09:06they had a seating area that they wanted to include in it and
0:09:06 > 0:09:10also they had a BOAT which they wanted to include in it!
0:09:10 > 0:09:11So the boat itself
0:09:11 > 0:09:15gave me the idea of how would I sit that into the ground
0:09:15 > 0:09:18and I thought right, maybe into a wave.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21And they wanted to unify the two sides of the village,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24either side of the railway embankment,
0:09:24 > 0:09:28so what about a great big splash coming through the bridge?
0:09:28 > 0:09:31That gave me the idea of having all these waveforms
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and so we have these lovely dry stone dykes
0:09:34 > 0:09:36that are in sinuous waveforms
0:09:36 > 0:09:38and we have beds that are all wave shaped
0:09:38 > 0:09:42and then these wave mounds coming across and it just brings together
0:09:42 > 0:09:45all the things, all the elements they wanted to have in the garden.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47I hope very much with the planting,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50when that comes in, there will be a lot of tall, wispy
0:09:50 > 0:09:54things that will blow in the breeze and again, you have that waveform.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57And that certainly makes a splash in the garden, doesn't it?!
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Now then, Hugh - enough of this nonsense, before you get seasick!
0:10:10 > 0:10:13This must have made a bit of a splash coming on here -
0:10:13 > 0:10:14how did it get here?
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Well, it got here from St Andrews, where it was found as a wreck
0:10:17 > 0:10:23and we got a contractor to move it to a site near here where we
0:10:23 > 0:10:25prepared it and then once the hole was dug,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28the same haulage contractor came and put in the hole.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30So you had quite a lot of restoration to do on it?
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- Purely aesthetic!- OK!
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- Yes, it's not necessarily seaworthy!- No!- OK!
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Ian, tell me,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41is this the kind of boat you would have sailed out of East Haven?
0:10:41 > 0:10:42No, not out of East Haven,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45but out of Arbroath and along the East Coast.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49We don't have a harbour, but there are fishermen that go out
0:10:49 > 0:10:53locally from the beach, as did the lifeboat used to many years ago.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56And what are the catches on this part of the...?
0:10:56 > 0:11:02- Shellfish, crab, lobster and some people are cod fishing.- OK.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Starting to make me feel hungry!
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Thanks for that wee insight, boys.
0:11:06 > 0:11:07It's time to go over to George now,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09who's looking at plants for the site.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17I'm in the plant holding area with Liz Stewart,
0:11:17 > 0:11:21who's the development officer for the RHS for Scotland.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Liz, what's the involvement with this project?
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Well, the RHS has been involved with Beechgrove this year with
0:11:26 > 0:11:29the Community Garden projects and we're delighted to have been
0:11:29 > 0:11:32able to support this one with the purchase of the plants.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Right! Because plant selection for an area like this, which is
0:11:34 > 0:11:37near the coast, is very difficult, so what would you recommend?
0:11:37 > 0:11:41It can be challenging. It's a good idea to see what's growing in your neighbourhood -
0:11:41 > 0:11:44have a look over your neighbour's fences and see what they're doing
0:11:44 > 0:11:46and if they can grow it, you can grow it too!
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- So be a nosy neighbour.- Absolutely. Make some new friends along the way.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52If you're looking for a little more in-depth advice, you can
0:11:52 > 0:11:55use tools like the RHS Plant Finder online,
0:11:55 > 0:11:57where you can put in all sorts of different criteria
0:11:57 > 0:12:00and come up with a list that will suit your plot and your climate.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- That's what we've done here? - That's right.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06We've come up with a range of plants which we know will do well
0:12:06 > 0:12:10near the coast and on light, sandy soil, which is a challenge as well.
0:12:10 > 0:12:11That's right.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12So we got this one here,
0:12:12 > 0:12:15aptly named Sea Holly, which is eryngium and the hebes
0:12:15 > 0:12:18which are from New Zealand, but wonderful waxy coverings
0:12:18 > 0:12:22on the leaves and hairs under these, which repel the salt.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- Absolutely brilliant for the situation.- They're perfect.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28And they give you a really nice architectural look, as well.
0:12:28 > 0:12:29Some very dramatic plants,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32absolutely beautiful. Touchy-feely! Yes!
0:12:36 > 0:12:39There has already been a great deal of preparation to get
0:12:39 > 0:12:44the garden shipshape and it's a real community crew effort.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Let's hear what they've got to say for themselves.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52This is a wave bed in keeping with the sea theme that we have.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54I'm planting doronicums.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58They're "Little Leo", they come from my garden
0:12:58 > 0:13:02and they are beautiful bright yellow daisy plants,
0:13:02 > 0:13:05growing about this high and they come out at the very
0:13:05 > 0:13:08beginning of spring and it's wonderful,
0:13:08 > 0:13:13it's really cheery for the beginning of the flowering season.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21This is santalina, which we've rescued
0:13:21 > 0:13:23from the building site next door,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25which is to be a heritage site
0:13:25 > 0:13:28and it grows exceptionally well in this part of the world.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32What we're doing is we've trimmed the upper part of it
0:13:32 > 0:13:35and we're going to bury the roots deep and give them
0:13:35 > 0:13:38a good chance of surviving in the soil again.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47What a squad they are! They fairly cover the ground.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50One of the dilemmas that the group faced was this
0:13:50 > 0:13:53business of the hedge here, which is dead.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56They've cut it back, it's not going to re-live, it's an old Leyland
0:13:56 > 0:14:01hedge and the problem of course is that it's a most valuable windbreak.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03We're looking out here to the east and north-east -
0:14:03 > 0:14:06very cold, chilling winds which can damage a lot of plants
0:14:06 > 0:14:09and would prevent people using the garden.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11So they keep that here,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14although it's a wee bit off, to get the wind-breaking effect.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16But since I first came here about a month ago,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19they've put in these poles and the ropes -
0:14:19 > 0:14:23even that tends to distract from the bareness of this dead hedge,
0:14:23 > 0:14:27but the plan is clematis up the poles and along here,
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Portuguese laurel, elaeagnus, climbing rose here - this is
0:14:30 > 0:14:34the Rambling Rector, and by jingo, he can ramble, I can tell you.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37That'll set this garden up absolutely beautifully.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39And now, it's back to Beechgrove to see
0:14:39 > 0:14:42how them two landlubbers are getting on.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47Whether your climbers are rampaging over dead conifers
0:14:47 > 0:14:50and rope structures like at East Haven or
0:14:50 > 0:14:53whether they're up fences and walls like this, now
0:14:53 > 0:14:57is the time of year to grab a hold of them and really seize control,
0:14:57 > 0:15:01because the tissue that they've put on, the growth is nice and compliant.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04It's soft and malleable and you can twist and turn
0:15:04 > 0:15:07and tie it in and make the plant behave where you want it to
0:15:07 > 0:15:10rather then it just choosing its location.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13You may remember this is part of an experiment to find tapestries
0:15:13 > 0:15:17of planting for different aspects of vertical surface in the garden.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21Here on the eastern aspect, we've got vitis vinifera "Purpurea",
0:15:21 > 0:15:24clematis - this particular one is macropetala -
0:15:24 > 0:15:27and then a woody schizophragma which is a little bit slower growing.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It's a case really here of trying to untangle them.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33The clematis is rampant and occupying too much space
0:15:33 > 0:15:36and is in danger of throttling the schizophragma
0:15:36 > 0:15:40and the vitis needs tying in to make those branches nice and horizontal.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45On the north-facing aspect, we've got an evergreen hydrangea, seemanii,
0:15:45 > 0:15:49primarily for its white, late flowers.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51The best of the roses for a northerly aspect,
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Zephirine Drouhin and then Akebia quinata, the chocolate vine,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58which started off doing pretty well and I've managed to twist it around
0:15:58 > 0:16:00the cables here, but it is suffering with a bit of mildew,
0:16:00 > 0:16:04so it's proof that despite the fact that you choose the right plants,
0:16:04 > 0:16:06they don't always behave in the way we want them to.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Which is pretty much what's happening with your wildflowers.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10Yes, this is all about scatter mixes.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14I've got four different types and as Chris says, very different results.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17This one I think is absolutely superb.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21The packet said there was going to be 29 different hardy annuals
0:16:21 > 0:16:24there and at the moment, there's quite a bit of colour.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28We've got the mimulus, the lovely California poppy here,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31really bright and cheerful. Even the toadflax.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33So I'm really pleased with this one.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36However, next door, not particularly great
0:16:36 > 0:16:38and I think the plant that dominates
0:16:38 > 0:16:39here is the poppy.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44I want to maybe take you back a stage and look at the mixes.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47The one that we were looking at here, that was a compost.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51As well as the seed, it had compost and fertiliser.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54The one next door that we were looking at also had compost
0:16:54 > 0:16:57and fertiliser and yet the results are so different.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Then behind me, I've got two that actually have a carrier,
0:17:01 > 0:17:03in other words it's just bulking up the mix with the seed.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05This one is vermiculite
0:17:05 > 0:17:07and I'm quite disappointed with this one as well.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09We've got a lot of the charlock
0:17:09 > 0:17:12which I don't think is particularly attractive.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15However, we've got this flower, here, which is phacelia,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17and we often use that as a green manure,
0:17:17 > 0:17:21so in other words to add nutrients to the soil, so that's quite nice.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24And over this side, this was bulked up with buckwheat.
0:17:24 > 0:17:2820 different varieties and I can see there's a lot coming through there.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32However, I think the sweet rocket is dominating at the moment.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36The other thing I would like to mention is we struggled a bit
0:17:36 > 0:17:40when we looked at the instructions on the packet as to the area -
0:17:40 > 0:17:42how much we should actually sow.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45On this packet here, I've got three different measurements -
0:17:45 > 0:17:487 square metres, 7 metres squared,
0:17:48 > 0:17:50and also 3 x 1 metres.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Three beds - now that makes 9 m, so I really think
0:17:53 > 0:17:57they need to make it a little bit clearer on the packet.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02The South and West aspects are traditionally much easier
0:18:02 > 0:18:05when it comes to choosing your climbers.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08For instance, on this westerly aspect we've got another vine -
0:18:08 > 0:18:11vitis coignetiae - incredibly rigorous,
0:18:11 > 0:18:13you really need to grab these verticals
0:18:13 > 0:18:15and lay them down horizontally.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Another clematis - this one "Jackmanii Superba"
0:18:19 > 0:18:24and then "Early Sensation" for its wonderful sweet, spring flowers.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28On the southerly aspect, two actinidias and a jasmine.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31What this demonstrates is the importance of thinking
0:18:31 > 0:18:33about your climbing mechanism.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36For instance, there's plenty of space between this cord
0:18:36 > 0:18:37and the vertical surface.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41It allows the plants grow behind and then when it comes to tying,
0:18:41 > 0:18:46I use string rather than wire, especially on these warmer aspects,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49because wire gets too hot and burns the plant.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Tie your string to the horizontal first
0:18:52 > 0:18:57and then tie it as a loose loop around the woody tissue.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01There should be an opportunity for the plant to move around, holding
0:19:01 > 0:19:04it relatively secure without lashing it so tight
0:19:04 > 0:19:07that it throttles the plant.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09While we carry on in the warmth here, I think
0:19:09 > 0:19:13the boys back at East Haven are probably on the third ice cream.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27The community have certainly been busy wavy turf laying
0:19:27 > 0:19:31and adding splashes of colour here and there, but George has been
0:19:31 > 0:19:35off looking for some seaside plants, a wee voyage on his own.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42I've just climbed up of the foreshore at East Haven
0:19:42 > 0:19:46and you might think we're now in what is just a wild meadow,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49but actually we're standing on top of a sand dune.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53This is one that's accumulated from all the blown sand off the beach.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57We've got extremely fast drainage here, salt spray,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00so we've got some unique plants here, things which have modified
0:20:00 > 0:20:03specifically to grow in these sand dune conditions.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Look at that - this is a weed which you would normally
0:20:06 > 0:20:09find in your lawn so you'll see this on the golf course when you go out.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13This is a thing called birdsfoot trefoil...
0:20:13 > 0:20:15properly adapted to these sorts of conditions,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18but there are other ones - look at this over here.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21We've got garden escapes, some of these oriental poppies,
0:20:21 > 0:20:25but we've also got one which is a weed - look at that - Bishop weed.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27But that looks good in this condition.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31Next to that, look at this, here - we've got a bladder campion.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35If you were watching the inserts from Chelsea Flower Show,
0:20:35 > 0:20:36you would have seen this one -
0:20:36 > 0:20:39the fimbriate one with the very cut petal
0:20:39 > 0:20:41featured in a lot of the gardens.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45Here it is, growing here. Around the back, look at this one.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50Here is this wonderful blue meadow cranesbill.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55That is one you'll find all the way along the dunes of Britain.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59That is the wild relative of many of the blue geraniums
0:20:59 > 0:21:02and herbaceous geraniums which we grow in our gardens.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05But there's one absolutely unique plant which I want you to see -
0:21:05 > 0:21:06come with me.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14Now, look at this -
0:21:14 > 0:21:16is that not brilliant?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18This is the greater yellow rattle.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20This is a hemiparasite.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23This grows on grassland and it keeps the grassland short,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26but this one is really quite a rare plant.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29The one we normally find is the lesser yellow rattle
0:21:29 > 0:21:31and that only grows to about three or four inches -
0:21:31 > 0:21:34this one can get up to about two feet in height.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37So it's a fantastic plant, really unusual to see it,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39I'm quite happy to see this here
0:21:39 > 0:21:43cos I've never seen it before. Unique to East Haven.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51If the community had been looking for inspiration of what
0:21:51 > 0:21:54to plant in their garden, these two here, which overlook the site,
0:21:54 > 0:21:58would be good examples of what can be done in a seaside area.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Shrubs, trees, groundcover, herbaceous plants there
0:22:02 > 0:22:05and then next door, what a contrast we have here.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Bedding plants, a beautiful bit of lawn, nice roses...
0:22:08 > 0:22:10It's absolutely wonderful.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12But here's the tops.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15What are we celebrating this year? Commonwealth Games.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19So the theme of all the tubs around this lovely garden,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Commonwealth Games theme.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25But let's listen now to what the folks have got to say.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29This particular rose is called a Commonwealth Glory.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33It is very apt for us at this time
0:22:33 > 0:22:38because the Queen's Baton Relay is coming through and it also
0:22:38 > 0:22:43means they're going to come right into the garden and onto the boat and
0:22:43 > 0:22:47the rose sort of symbolises something special for us this weekend.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54We had something like 1,700 or something plants,
0:22:54 > 0:22:58only they came as 1 cm plugs,
0:22:58 > 0:23:00which I didn't know anything about
0:23:00 > 0:23:03and all of them had to be potted on
0:23:03 > 0:23:06into any container that we could possibly find.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10So we've now bought these eight boats to decorate in front
0:23:10 > 0:23:14of the houses for the Commonwealth baton coming through.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17We're going to fill up the boats with bedding plants
0:23:17 > 0:23:19to provide colour.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22We're at this stage on the wavy wall which is
0:23:22 > 0:23:25when we're doing the hearting, which is the main bit of the wall.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29It supports everything. It's got to be well and truly packed in
0:23:29 > 0:23:32so you get no movement of stone whatsoever.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35This is a seating area, it's been quite a lot of work, like,
0:23:35 > 0:23:37there's about three ton of stone in there,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40plus the datestone we put in.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44And now the turfer is coming in to put grass, turf on top,
0:23:44 > 0:23:46which will get finished today.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51I've never built a curvy wall and a wavy wall before!
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Straight walls on top, in a line!
0:23:54 > 0:23:56But it's worked out quite well
0:23:56 > 0:24:00and the stone chippings have just set it right off.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04It's making the wall look good, in fact, I would say.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11This area here that we've just finished is all to represent
0:24:11 > 0:24:14the waves and the seaside.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18We have the little tunnel through there to represent the tunnel,
0:24:18 > 0:24:22the railway tunnel and we have this lovely grass which is called
0:24:22 > 0:24:28wavy hair grass, which obviously waves, makes a wave effect,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30when the wind blows.
0:24:30 > 0:24:31This was all made of local stone
0:24:31 > 0:24:34and these are all local pebbles from Barry.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44The designer has created these waves right across through
0:24:44 > 0:24:49the whole garden and I've been asked to come and turf it.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53We've piled up a load of topsoil,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57everything seems to have been sourced locally
0:24:57 > 0:25:01and we've created the dyke area, that was done by Ron.
0:25:01 > 0:25:07We've just basically turfed it over to give it an organic flow.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09The idea is for the grass to cascade over the top
0:25:09 > 0:25:12and soften it a little bit, create a wave.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14I thought it was creating a bunker, actually!
0:25:14 > 0:25:16For the golf course, practising!
0:25:17 > 0:25:20I don't think they want it to be that way!
0:25:35 > 0:25:39From one beach, it's now back to the other "Beech"...grove garden.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52If you've had bulbs growing in a naturalised area of grasslands,
0:25:52 > 0:25:55the bulb foliage, things like daffodils will have
0:25:55 > 0:25:59died down now, replenishing the bulb ready for growing next spring.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02It's safe to go through and strim the whole lot and what you can
0:26:02 > 0:26:06do is rake all of this up because it makes great compost.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Some of you may remember that I tried something different
0:26:17 > 0:26:18with our hanging baskets this year.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20There were three jumbo plugs
0:26:20 > 0:26:22planted in here and with each plug,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24there were three plants.
0:26:24 > 0:26:25I was a little bit sceptical,
0:26:25 > 0:26:28because it looked really sparse, but look at the results.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31I think that is really beautiful!
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Do you know, at this time of year we spend so much time
0:26:37 > 0:26:39looking at our herbaceous borders
0:26:39 > 0:26:42and our vegetable and fruit gardens,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45sometimes we forget to admire the trees, especially the conifers.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48But look at that - the Korean pine in full female cone.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Absolutely amazing, the weight of those cones.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Obviously the branch is hanging down with the weight and I think
0:26:53 > 0:26:57- the needles are a beautiful colour as well.- And as tough as you like.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59It obviously enjoys it here in Aberdeenshire.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02If you'd like any more information about this week's programme,
0:27:02 > 0:27:03it's all in the fact sheet
0:27:03 > 0:27:06and the easiest way to access that is the website and
0:27:06 > 0:27:09there will be information too about the community garden at East Haven.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Now, what are you doing next time?
0:27:11 > 0:27:13I'm back with my new-build families
0:27:13 > 0:27:16and hopefully we'll have flowers AND fruits and veggies to pick.
0:27:16 > 0:27:21Well, that's it from the garden here, but the last word from Jim and George.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Well, George, we've had a ball here in East Haven, have we not?
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Absolutely splendid.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Wonderful community effort, not only did they pull together
0:27:50 > 0:27:54well for the garden but also we've been well fed in the background!
0:27:54 > 0:27:55Haven't we just?!
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Two important ladies of course have been helping us a great deal.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01First of all Karen on my right, here, who's the garden designer
0:28:01 > 0:28:04and Wendy, who is the leader of the team here.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07We've had a wonderful time, Jim. It's been absolutely great.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10We're so thrilled that we have this beautiful garden
0:28:10 > 0:28:13in time for the Queen's Relay Baton visiting on Saturday.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16- How appropriate.- You've been a beautiful group to work with
0:28:16 > 0:28:19and I'm really looking forward to coming and seeing the garden on
0:28:19 > 0:28:21the 23rd for your Heritage Festival of August.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25And next week we'll be back in the garden in Aberdeenshire.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Meanwhile, we've got a wee splashing job to do with this boat -
0:28:28 > 0:28:30- what's she going to be called? - The Sisters.- The Sisters.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Wonderful. Meanwhile, from East Haven, bye!
0:28:33 > 0:28:35- ALL:- Bye!