0:00:12 > 0:00:14Quite an autumn feel this morning, isn't there?
0:00:14 > 0:00:17- And the autumn colours, too, isn't it?- Absolutely, yes.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Hello, welcome to Beechgrove.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21As we say, it's getting cooler, it's getting damper,
0:00:21 > 0:00:24it's getting colder in the mornings. What about frost?
0:00:24 > 0:00:28Well... Well, down in the Borders yesterday,
0:00:28 > 0:00:31down in the valley bottoms, white with frost.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33- Fingers were a wee bit tingly.- Yes.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36I've had a touch of ground frost anyway.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38We're OK, but there's lower ground below us
0:00:38 > 0:00:39and we see that white frost.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42My thermometer is still just about 3.2 or something,
0:00:42 > 0:00:45- but quite good during the day. - Not enough to kill the dahlias.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- But soon might be. - Well, I think so, yes.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52But we must look at these brassicas and overwintering veg.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- We planted them four weeks ago. - And look at them, Jim.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00- And they've really come on rather well.- Very healthy-looking.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Well, it's the cover over the top.
0:01:02 > 0:01:07They are sold as hardy winter vegetables for marketing.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10And then picked in the late winter, spring.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13- So this is like a giant cloche, basically.- Well, it really is.
0:01:13 > 0:01:14- The doors are open.- Absolutely.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17We're growing them as hard as we possibly can, but they've got
0:01:17 > 0:01:20an umbrella over the top and it shades them from the wind.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24But at the same time, for people who don't have a spare tunnel
0:01:24 > 0:01:27to do it in, put them outside, but give them some fleece covering.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30These ones that are out there are looking pretty good, actually.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32A little bit smaller, do you think?
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Just a wee bit behind, but absolutely fabulous.
0:01:34 > 0:01:35We're not talking about size,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38they're well established, they're healthy, they're growing.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41We've had the slug bait down, obviously to keep the slugs away.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43And over there, if we don't cover them,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46the pigeons will get them, or the rabbits will get them.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49- Oh, the rabbits, you name it. - But it's coming on quite nicely,
0:01:49 > 0:01:51this crop, without a shadow of doubt.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53But there's a lot more in the garden to be seen and to do.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55- We better get on with it.- We had.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Well, they say gardening's good for you.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Just look at this little beauty here.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Blackberry and Apple Pie, a little new saxifrage.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Brings a smile to your face, it's good for you.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10And this week, we're going to find out a little bit more about that.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16And it's all about recycling wood, and this is the result.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Of course, it's Gardening on a Budget again.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Well, it's that time again.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27The leaves are starting to come off the trees,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30it's time to collect the leaves and make some compost of them.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32I don't want you carting them away or setting fire to them.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Valuable stuff to put back in the soil, that's important.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Now, I've just emptied a black plastic bag that's been
0:02:38 > 0:02:41filled with these leaves since this time last year.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45And they've composted somewhat and will be excellent for
0:02:45 > 0:02:47turning into the ground. But they're not quite ready yet.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Maybe a bit too dry, you see, because these were stored
0:02:49 > 0:02:52underneath the trees, so they weren't getting much rain on them.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Plenty of holes in the bags.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56But they dried out a little bit, that's one of the problems.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00But it's taken a whole year to get to that stage.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05Now, let's look at the opposite. This is a modern compost bin.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08I used to have three compost bins, made with pallets
0:03:08 > 0:03:11and I mixed them and kept them in rotation and all of this,
0:03:11 > 0:03:12I don't have the time to do it.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15I don't need to do that, I've got a much smaller garden.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17So a couple of years ago I bought one of these.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Made of polystyrene,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22it's called a HOTBIN, because it does get very hot.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26The temperature inside at the moment is over 20 degrees centigrade.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Have a look inside.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31You see how, first and foremost, how thick the material is.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33There's a ventilator at the top.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35To let the exhaust gases out, I suppose.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40But there it is, it's filled to the top. This was started in July.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42A couple of months, two--nd-a half months ago.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45And it has been filled at intervals since then.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Just look at that, out at the bottom.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51So the removable panel here shows you what's happening.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54At home I put two or three bucketfuls of weeds
0:03:54 > 0:03:59and so on into it, and then a box full of grass clippings on top.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02And it's like that for a day or two and then it starts to go down
0:04:02 > 0:04:06as it starts to cook. Now, look at that.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10That stuff went in there at the end of July.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Look at that.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16I used to laugh at the old adverts of compost bins where you
0:04:16 > 0:04:19took the bottom off and you could shovel out stuff that looked
0:04:19 > 0:04:23like the most beautiful potting compost. This is really happening.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27With this style of bin, I recommend it to you.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36Sadly, the Beechgrove Garden is nearly over for this year.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41But I've one last visit at Mieke's garden in rural Aberdeenshire.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44And so we're going to be reviewing some of the little projects
0:04:44 > 0:04:46that we did, things like this seat that we made.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49So, it's our last Gardening on a Budget.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55'Throughout this series, I've been looking at how you can get
0:04:55 > 0:04:59'the most from your garden without spending a fortune.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01'I've been helping Mieke, who's recently moved
0:05:01 > 0:05:03'to Kennethmont in Aberdeenshire.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07'For the past week, she's been trialling four different
0:05:07 > 0:05:10'wood shredders, turning cut branches into mulch and wood chips.'
0:05:21 > 0:05:23- Hello, Mieke.- Hello. - You can't hear me!
0:05:23 > 0:05:24MIEKE LAUGHS
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Now, look, you've been a busy lady, haven't you,
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- testing out these machines? - Yes, very busy.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31So you've got four different machines.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- How have you got on with them?- Well, I got a mulcher to begin with.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38And, well, yeah, mulching...ish.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- So, tiny bits of stick, really?- Yes, tiny, and dry.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46Because I had some fresher stuff and it got stuck, so...
0:05:46 > 0:05:47So you wouldn't recommend it?
0:05:47 > 0:05:49I mean, the other problem is, I suppose,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- it's electric, so you are a wee bit restricted.- Yes.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- But the smaller garden maybe for herbaceous?- Yeah. You can try that.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59OK, it looks like you're quite enjoying this machine.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04Yeah, the proper stuff. This is perfect for some drier sticks.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09- And hedging and things, it works really well.- Size of stick?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- Size of stick, it's 2.5 inches. - So that's quite chunky.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14I was quite surprised with that, yes.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18But if it gets bigger, like these sort of leaves,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21it doesn't shred it that well.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- So that kind of gets clogged again, does it?- Yes, that clogs up.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26But the smaller leaves, absolutely fine. For hedging and stuff.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- Shall we move on to a bigger machine?- Yes.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31- Where have we got that one? - We've got it in the woodlands.
0:06:31 > 0:06:32Come on, then.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48- So I've started the path already. - It's looking good, Mieke.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51Oh, it's fab. I'm really chuffed with this machine.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54It recommends 5.5 centimetre branches.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56So slightly smaller than the other ones.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Slightly smaller than the other one.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59I would even do four,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02because it sometimes chucks out bits.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04But because of the feeder is bigger than the other one,
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- I can take larger shrubs and... - Oh, OK.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Easier to feed it through.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15- Way easier to feed it through. - And chunkier chips, I think.- Yes.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- And it's perfect for a path. - That looks really good.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22Now, you did say about the chips maybe coming back the way.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24- So, obviously the right safety gear? - Yes.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- And be careful with feeding it in. - Totally.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- If anything gets stuck, never put your hand in.- No way.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- OK, what about the last one? - OK, cool.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Now this is the most powerful machine.- It is.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49It's a really good one. It takes 7.5 centimetres of sticks.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52It takes all sorts of bushes, so it's really good.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- So mulching and chipping? - Yeah, yeah.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57And it's quite safe because the funnel goes up,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- so it doesn't chuck them out.- Ah, not like the last one we looked at.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- Not like the last one, yes.- OK.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04So if you had to choose out of all the machines,
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- which one would you go for?- I would go for the one in the woodlands.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08Why is that?
0:08:08 > 0:08:13This one is 180 kilos, and the one in the woodlands is only 90 kilos.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- Still heavy.- OK, but you can move it around a little bit easier?
0:08:17 > 0:08:18Now, we hired these for a week.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21A lot cheaper to hire for a week than a day.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25And this machine, and the last one we looked at, round about £200.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27How do you feel about that price?
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Well, if you are making a path, you need loads of chips,
0:08:29 > 0:08:34I would just buy a load of chips because it's way faster.
0:08:34 > 0:08:35Or be organised.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37In other words, have all your timber ready
0:08:37 > 0:08:41so that you can put it through and really get lots out of it.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45I see it possibly working more in perhaps a community situation.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Maybe you would then buy the machine.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50I mean, they are several thousand pounds,
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- but there, people would get use out of it.- Yes.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Now we did say that this mulches as well doing chips.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Yeah. Proper size chips.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59I was thinking about your compost bins.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- How have you got on with those? - Really well.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05Especially with this machine. It's just amazing what you get.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07So we... It was all recycled timber, wasn't it?
0:09:07 > 0:09:09- Yeah.- But you've lined it now.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13I've lined it, got some tarpaulin and stapled it in.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- And it looks fab. - Callum helped us build it.
0:09:16 > 0:09:17He's made a really good job, I think.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- And it's working well, isn't it? - Chuffed to bits with it.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Time now to review some of our previous money-saving ideas.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35So we're back at the veggie patch. So these are the cut flowers.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39And we've done different arrangements with them
0:09:39 > 0:09:42and just took other flowers as well from the garden.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45And value for money, wasn't it? Because they were sown from seed.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- Any particular favourite? - My quaking grass.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- It's nice.- And the cornflower.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53- Lovely colour.- Yes. - The edible flowers as well?- Yeah.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55It's just good fun with the kids.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- We made chicken chilli wraps with the flowers.- Delicious.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03We did salads, and the kids had a bit of competition, like,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06who eats the most of the hot flowers and that sort of stuff.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Well, nasturtiums are particularly spicy, aren't they?
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Something else I'm really impressed with, Mieke,
0:10:11 > 0:10:15is the little plug plants, the perennial plug plants.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- They've done really well. - Haven't they?
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- 28p a plant, and they were so small to start off with.- Yeah!
0:10:20 > 0:10:25- 'I didn't even expect some of them to be in flower.- They look amazing.'
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- I love the carnations, the colour is so intense.- Beautiful.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32And just let's have a look at the way they've increased in size.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35I mean, look at the sea thrift here. That was so small.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Now that is a mature plant.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- I mean, if you bought that in a garden centre - £1, £2.- Yeah.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- Excellent.- Looks really good.- Yes.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Now, more wood recycling here with the bench.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00I think Callum made a really good job of it. Have you used it a lot?
0:11:00 > 0:11:01Oh, my gosh.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05There's homework made on it, we made crafts on it,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- we had lunch on it, so, yes, well used.- Absolutely perfect.
0:11:09 > 0:11:10Any more wood recycling?
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Well, what's left over from the compost bay.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17We made a little shop. So Lilian has her own shop.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19She's selling all sorts.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Her own packets of seeds she collected from the garden again.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Brilliant. What about the wildlife boxes? Any sign of wildlife?
0:11:26 > 0:11:28No, not to rent it out yet!
0:11:28 > 0:11:31But it was a bit early in the season when we hung them up.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- But hopefully next year. - Fingers crossed.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37We put in a lot of bare-root plants down in the woodland.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- Have most of those come through all right?- Growing, yeah.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43I mean, they were quite tiny, so we needed a little bit of patience.
0:11:43 > 0:11:44- They do well. - What has it meant for you?
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Because this is now your first full gardening year.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52It's great discovering things, finding out
0:11:52 > 0:11:55you've got certain fruits growing in your garden.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- And just making stuff with them. - And having good fun as well.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Having good fun, yeah. For the kids exploring.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Well, it's been wonderful, I've really enjoyed it.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07And, well, hopefully you continue to garden on a budget. Thank you.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Yes, I will. Thank you very much for everything.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37You know, it's quite amazing.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Here we are in October, but how much colour we can find in the garden.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43So the three of us are going to have a look around and pick out
0:12:43 > 0:12:46one or two plants that are looking particularly striking.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49And I want to start off with this sedum.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51The flower head is really gorgeous.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53And it's a wonderful plant for
0:12:53 > 0:12:55attracting the bees and the butterflies.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59It's Sedum spectabile, or the common name is the ice plant.
0:12:59 > 0:13:05And it's a beautiful contrast to the shrub behind, Physocarpus Diabolo.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Also, though, some shrubs are starting to put on those
0:13:08 > 0:13:12autumn tints and colours that are really quite remarkable.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15This one is definitely a favourite of mine.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Related to the witch hazel, it's Parrotia persica.
0:13:19 > 0:13:24And a variety of hints of reds, pinks, a little bit of yellow.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27And in fact, it's right next to the witch hazel.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30And that one is putting in the tints of yellows.
0:13:30 > 0:13:35Also, I've got this. This is Fothergilla major,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39and that is a really bright red,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42and it's a smaller shrub that's further down in the border.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Right next door, we've got the herbaceous border.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46And picking out one plant here
0:13:46 > 0:13:49that I think is really good is the eupatorium there,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52it's a new variety called Red Dwarf.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Called that because it only goes to 1.2 metres.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58And what I would do, because that is a plant that doesn't need staking,
0:13:58 > 0:14:00it looks great in the wintertime.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04So I wouldn't cut it back because when we get a touch of frost,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06it will look quite amazing there, too.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10But one or two plants I do like to tidy up.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12So we've got a bit of colour here with the knautia.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16But in a couple of weeks, that will go over. I'd chop that right back.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19This geranium, it's finished,
0:14:19 > 0:14:23so basically go round with the secateurs, cut it right round.
0:14:23 > 0:14:29And the great thing about this, it means you can start to weed
0:14:29 > 0:14:32the borders, you can basically prepare for the springtime.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37I've brought you over to the drier riverbed where we start ff
0:14:37 > 0:14:39at the top with celmisia from New Zealand
0:14:39 > 0:14:42and then move on through this wonderful little plant
0:14:42 > 0:14:45with the pink flowers called Persicaria vaccinifolia.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Further down, we come to the golden orb,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50which is really Stephanandra incisa.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53That's really starting to show autumn colour now.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55The miscanthus, which has got wonderful purple tassels.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59And then, on the fence over there, we've got a parthenocissus,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01which is going to show autumn colour as well.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02All of that autumn colour is on the foliage.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07But down here, this is autumn colour with the flowers.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Now, when I planted this 18 months ago,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14I expected to have a torrent of flower up the way here.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15But we've had a wee bit of a problem,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18there's being a little bit of an overflow from that
0:15:18 > 0:15:20water butt up there. And I think that has caused
0:15:20 > 0:15:23a few challenges with some of the gentians down in here.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Because these are all Scottish-bred gentians.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30They are all named after Scottish places.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32So if you want to buy them, that's what you look for.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Gentians with a Scottish name. I've got one here which is called Troon,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37which I'm going to put in
0:15:37 > 0:15:40just really to augment that planting which is there.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Because what I want to do is have something which will show
0:15:43 > 0:15:45good blues right the way down.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Finishing up with this fabulous variety at the bottom,
0:15:47 > 0:15:52this thing called The Cally. And that is an extremely good variety.
0:15:52 > 0:15:53If you want one, I would go for that one
0:15:53 > 0:15:56because that is one that will grow really well.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58In order to extend the season,
0:15:58 > 0:16:02I've decided we'll put in some bulbs of iris.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Now, this is Iris histrioides.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07And I've got Iris reticulata up there as well.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Blue, that's the theme.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12So in the spring, we'll get this extending of the colour.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16Now, this lot will be planted round about one-and-a-half,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19two times the depth of the bulb. That's the depth that they're at.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Now in the catalogue, it will tell you that Iris histrioides
0:16:23 > 0:16:27will flower in February and March.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30That's all right if you're in a very favourable climate,
0:16:30 > 0:16:32but we're up here in Aberdeenshire,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35and I suspect this will flower March into April.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38So, that's the idea. We will be starting the season then,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41that will give us some contrast with the snowdrops
0:16:41 > 0:16:43which are here, there's some Cyclamen coum in here as well.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46And then eventually, coming right through to the gentians.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50And I hope, ha-ha, I hope that I will stop, then,
0:16:50 > 0:16:54all the little niggles about it being a torrent of colour.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56We'll see.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01Continuing with George's blue theme,
0:17:01 > 0:17:02I want to draw your attention
0:17:02 > 0:17:06to this little shrub, Caryopteris clandonensis "Heavenly Blue".
0:17:06 > 0:17:08I fell in love with this years and years ago.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10But I've not been able to grow it successfully up in this part
0:17:10 > 0:17:12because it's a bit cold.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15It's managed to survive last winter in this border here,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17but it was a very mild winter.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19I think this, if we got a severe winter,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22will actually need a bit of protection from some fleece.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23If it's going to come through.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26If there's a little burning of it, it's not a problem,
0:17:26 > 0:17:28because it will be pruned in the spring anyway.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31And talking about pruning, this is the time of year when
0:17:31 > 0:17:34the old buddleias have got to get knocked on the head, so to speak.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36To prevent wind rock,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39take them down to about a metre from the ground.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54We all know gardening is good for you.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59Solstice, a production nursery here on the banks of the Dee,
0:17:59 > 0:18:04on the outskirts of Aberdeen, is said to grow plants and people.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08So it's a fitting place to learn just what makes gardening
0:18:08 > 0:18:10a therapeutic exercise.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23Well, I'm delighted that Fiona Thackeray is able to join us today.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Head of Trellis. And it's your birthday.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- That's right. - I.e., Trellis is?
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- Ten years old.- Yeah.- This month. - Tell me what it does.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Well, Trellis is the Scottish organisation for
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- therapeutic gardening.- Yes.- And we support around 370 projects,
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- right across the country.- Really?
0:18:40 > 0:18:43We use gardening to help people to help themselves.
0:18:43 > 0:18:49Yes. It's easily said, madam. But is there any proof?
0:18:49 > 0:18:54For example, it is said to help people with dementia.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57There's some evidence that gardening seems to really calm people down.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02And there's a wonderful example in a hospital ward in Fife,
0:19:02 > 0:19:06where a new ward was built with a garden and views of the five hills
0:19:06 > 0:19:09and the patients were much less agitated, much calmer, and also
0:19:09 > 0:19:11staff sickness fell because they weren't
0:19:11 > 0:19:13having to deal with stressed patients.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15So then we go on to people who have learning difficulties.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19Very often they're learning new horticultural skills.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Quite often winning awards and qualifications for that,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24and it might be the first award they've won in their life.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26And also they're building their confidence
0:19:26 > 0:19:29as a result of becoming skilled and very competent at what they do,
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- and maybe making new friends as well.- And mental illness?
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Yeah, mental illness is...
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Well, gardening is used a lot to help people
0:19:37 > 0:19:39who've got mental health problems.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44It really seems to reduce stress, reduce feelings of pain and anxiety.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47Just being in a garden really takes your mind to things
0:19:47 > 0:19:49outside of yourself. And that's a real breath of fresh air.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51And it helps with perspective.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53So you look at the sky, you think about what the weather is doing.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57Your eyes are drawn to nature and the birds and wildlife around,
0:19:57 > 0:19:59so it really stops you worrying about problems so much.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01This is not all pie in the sky.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03And Solstice here is a good example
0:20:03 > 0:20:05of just what you've been talking about.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08I think we shall go and find the nursery manager.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22Now then, Jackie Bibby, you are nursery manager of Solstice.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- How would you describe Solstice? - Solstice is a social firm.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31It's a non-for-profit organisation for people recovering from
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- mental health issues.- Yes. And is there an end point here?
0:20:35 > 0:20:39It's not just a social facility here, is it?
0:20:39 > 0:20:45We provide, with Aberdeen College, Level 1 Amenity Horticulture,
0:20:45 > 0:20:48which can lead to a gardening job.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53Yeah. Now, why did you pick wholesale production of plants?
0:20:53 > 0:20:59Because we wanted a safe and quiet atmosphere for people,
0:20:59 > 0:21:02because they're coming here and they're recovering from
0:21:02 > 0:21:05severe mental health issues.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09So, who, then, would be your clients, i.e. customers,
0:21:09 > 0:21:10for the plant material?
0:21:10 > 0:21:16- Well, mainly are the local garden designers and...- A picky lot.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- Definitely, yes. - THEY LAUGH
0:21:18 > 0:21:20But I suppose if the price is right,
0:21:20 > 0:21:21- they'll come back to you all the time.- Yes.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26They look for quality, they are looking for hardy plants,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- and a wide range.- You've helped us out once or twice, that's for sure.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34I shall thank you for that. So, how would you describe it?
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- We grow people and plants. - I like that.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40Well, I must go and talk to one or two, see how they're getting on.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- Yeah.- OK, thanks, Jackie.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50Well, it's time now to join a team of the participants,
0:21:50 > 0:21:52who are getting walloped into splitting up
0:21:52 > 0:21:57and potting epimediums in their various different ways.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01I love doing this, I love getting up early in the morning. And...
0:22:01 > 0:22:06- Excellent.- And I love working... - How many days a week do you come?
0:22:06 > 0:22:09At the minute I only work Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16This is propagation at its best. Look at that! That's brilliant.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Have you aye been interested in gardening?
0:22:18 > 0:22:24- Well, 20 odd years been gardening now.- Oh, well, I shall...
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Most of the time I'm just cutting grass and doing moors.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- But I love doing this for therapy. - Absolutely.- So much satisfaction.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- You see a benefit when you're finished as well.- Exactly.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37And they're no a bad bunch to work with, are they?
0:22:37 > 0:22:39No, I think so. I wouldnae be here if they was.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- You better say that. - I better say that.
0:22:42 > 0:22:43I think it was early May I started here.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44- Are you enjoying yourself?- Yes.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46- It's doing the business for you?- It's good.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- Aye, it's doing the business for you.- Very good.- Happy chappies.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Every one of them. Because they're enjoying their gardening.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- And the patter's quite good. - Oh, yes.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Aye, it's never stopped since I came in.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59It wouldnae be the same without banter.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03This is true. The first thing I got was, "Tea or coffee?"
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- HE LAUGHS - That's the way we rock and roll, my friend.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Every season of Beechgrove Garden,
0:23:12 > 0:23:14we take several different opportunities
0:23:14 > 0:23:18to show how therapeutic gardening is.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21This year, for example, I think back to East Haven
0:23:21 > 0:23:23and the incredible efforts they've gone to there
0:23:23 > 0:23:25to make their community look good.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29And I think of this place here at Solstice, doing some wonderful work.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31And we keep banging on about it,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34it's time we had a Minister for Gardening.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Because it's work that works.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45What better way to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Trellis
0:23:45 > 0:23:48than to plant a tree in commemoration? Well, think about it.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Trellis is to support plants.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55But our particular Trellis supports people as well.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58So what better kind of tree than this service tree?
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Sorbus torminalis.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Sometimes called the checker tree.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07The reason being that when the bark starts to peel as it ages,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10it peels in little squares like checkers, and the little fruits
0:24:10 > 0:24:12that come on it, just like rowans,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14are sometimes referred to as checkers.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18Now, it says in the old books it's very good for the colic,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21but it also says that once the fruits have rotted,
0:24:21 > 0:24:24or "bletted", as they called it,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28they actually taste like dates and they used to feed them to the kids.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31So there's a lot of history in this Sorbus torminalis,
0:24:31 > 0:24:33and sorbus in general do well here.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36I'm looking forward to this. And its autumn colour, I can tell you.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38It's quite special.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Well, it's that time of year, the apples are ripening.
0:24:43 > 0:24:44And if you've got a big tree,
0:24:44 > 0:24:46then they're going to be ripening all at once.
0:24:46 > 0:24:47How do you know they're ripening?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Well, if you just take an apple and you just lift it like that,
0:24:50 > 0:24:53it comes off in your hand. And that's the idea.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Check it to make sure there are no blemishes on it
0:24:55 > 0:24:56or anything else like that.
0:24:56 > 0:25:01And then we can just wrap this in a piece of glossy paper.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03I'm sure, like me, you get lots of glossy magazines coming
0:25:03 > 0:25:06through the door and this is something which you can use them for
0:25:06 > 0:25:08without offending anybody, so there we are...
0:25:08 > 0:25:09We'll wrap it up like that.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13What this does is, that compartmentalises
0:25:13 > 0:25:16or isolates that apple when I've wrapped it up like that.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19That can then go into a box - it could be a cardboard box,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22I'm using a polystyrene box here. Into the box.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25That box can sit outside somewhere where it's going to be dry and cool
0:25:25 > 0:25:29and these will keep right through until February or March,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32so we can enjoy the harvest for longer.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38Well, here's something you might like to try for next year.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Growing your carrots in containers.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44I am hoping that we are going to have some carrots here that
0:25:44 > 0:25:47are carrot root fly-free.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50And I'm just going to lift one up...
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Now, just take a look at that.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54An absolute beauty.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Because carrot root fly is meant to fly just at a certain level,
0:25:58 > 0:26:01I've also got some in this tiered container.
0:26:03 > 0:26:04And...
0:26:04 > 0:26:06yep, look - we've got another one there.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08So definitely worth a try.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15Now then, George, do you remember in the spring of this very year
0:26:15 > 0:26:18when we sorted out this viburnum rhytidophyllum?
0:26:18 > 0:26:22When we left this it was just a ruckle of sticks, wasn't it?
0:26:22 > 0:26:26- Yes, it was.- But look at it now. - But we knew what we were doing.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28- Put it there! - I was going to say, congratulations.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30It looks so healthy!
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Look at the shine on the leaves. Handsome beast, it is.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- And it's going to flower.- Yes.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Well, but of course we knew that!
0:26:37 > 0:26:38Of course we did, course we did.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43And speaking about flowers, look at the old flowering spike
0:26:43 > 0:26:45of the phormium and some beautiful seeds there.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47Can we just have a quick look?
0:26:47 > 0:26:50- They're so shiny.- Black and glossy.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- Do you think there's a new variety there, somehow?- You never know.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- You never can tell!- We could make our fortune yet!
0:26:56 > 0:26:57And isn't that doing well?
0:26:57 > 0:27:02It must be so dry underneath there, that beautiful golden luzula.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04- That's because it likes it.- It does.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Another thing that likes it
0:27:06 > 0:27:09is the Euonymus alatus going over the top of that fence over there.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11- Yeah.- Almost pillar box red.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15Coming into an exciting time of year really, with all these colours.
0:27:15 > 0:27:16We are.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19If you'd like any more information about this week's programme
0:27:19 > 0:27:22of course it's all in the fact sheet and the easiest way
0:27:22 > 0:27:24to access us is online. And in fact,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28maybe you want to get in touch with us about one or two things, too.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Yes, we've been out on roadshows this year at Strathkinness,
0:27:31 > 0:27:35at Gairloch and at Nairn and we have to say, we've had a jolly time.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37It's been really super.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Then I said, "Well, plastic sheet on the kitchen floor,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42"knock it over on its side and roll it back and forward till it's loose.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46"Out it comes and then - have you got a hatchet in the cupboard?"
0:27:46 > 0:27:48And we split it into four.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Put it back into a suitable-sized pot.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52I never was asked back.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54LAUGHTER
0:27:54 > 0:27:56So, if you want us to come next year, perhaps
0:27:56 > 0:27:59and do a roadshow in your area, get the scones on!
0:27:59 > 0:28:03And the same goes in case you've maybe got a problem corner -
0:28:03 > 0:28:05quite a small one, though, not too big.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08And perhaps if you've got a really nice garden or you know
0:28:08 > 0:28:11a neighbour that's got a nice garden and it doesn't matter
0:28:11 > 0:28:13what size it is, we'd love to hear from you and again,
0:28:13 > 0:28:16just have a look on the website for the details.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Yes. Well, if you hadn't already realised it,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22all this summing up is being done because next week is
0:28:22 > 0:28:26the last programme in the series, number 26, would you believe it?
0:28:26 > 0:28:27- Middle of October.- I know.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Absolutely fantastic that we've been into this part of the season,
0:28:30 > 0:28:33so there'll be a whole round-up of jobs to do and stuff to be
0:28:33 > 0:28:35looking at over the winter.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37- So until then, bye-bye.- Bye! - Goodbye.