0:00:11 > 0:00:13Gosh.
0:00:13 > 0:00:14Wow, sunglasses, George?
0:00:14 > 0:00:15Aye, absolutely.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17- Absolutely stunning, isn't it? - Yeah.- Jings.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Hello and welcome to Beechgrove, on a sunny day.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Yesterday, it was 18, I reckon it'll be more.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24- I think so.- Yeah.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26So much for my weather forecast.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Last week, I was saying it'll be raining next week,
0:00:28 > 0:00:30so I'm going to book myself a job in the greenhouse.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33- You're going to roast.- I'm going to... I'm going to suffer for that.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37- But listen, this just gets better and better.- Doesn't it?
0:00:37 > 0:00:40So, we haven't seen, for example, that little white tulip flowering.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42That's Calgary, with a hint of lemon.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Do you like that, with the red underneath it?
0:00:44 > 0:00:46- I'm not so sure about it.- Yeah, red and white, little bit of yellow.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- It's fine.- I love that little tulip, it's a stunner.- Mmm.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50Yes. What about this fellow?
0:00:50 > 0:00:54Well, this is a cracker. Not only the colour, but if you put your...
0:00:54 > 0:00:57People normally think that tulips don't have a scent, but if you put
0:00:57 > 0:01:01your nose into that and have a deep sniff, it smells of marmalade.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02I was absolutely amazed.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05A real citrus smell. And that one's Olympic Flame.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07It is quite a stunner, isn't it?
0:01:07 > 0:01:08Sure, and this one over here.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- I don't like yellow and white together.- Do you not?
0:01:11 > 0:01:13- No, I want something with a bit of...- Oh, you want a bit
0:01:13 > 0:01:16- of red or something. - That's awfully peely-wally.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Angel's Wish, that one. I think it's just a bit subtle.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21I don't like the doubles, when they come open.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24That yellow one, Monte Carlo. Looks a bit messy now.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- Well, it's past it.- Yes.- Why are you saying you don't like things?
0:01:27 > 0:01:30That yellow, I think, is brilliant from a distance when it's like that.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32And so is that yellow daffodil, it's Stint.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35- Well, it's gorgeous.- Isn't it? Oh.- Stint, I mean, I love blue
0:01:35 > 0:01:37and yellow together. That's multi-headed,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40and then the Myosotis has started to flower, at long last.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Well, it's getting a bit of warmth, for goodness' sake!
0:01:42 > 0:01:44So, that's your Stint finished.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46What are we doing the rest of the programme?
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Well, Brian Cunningham, head gardener of Scone Palace,
0:01:48 > 0:01:49is back with us.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53He's revamping the Alpine Garden, and this time,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56a bit of construction and some planting.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05I tell you what, George, this has got to be the most exciting garden
0:02:05 > 0:02:09visit we've ever been. And I had to get my passport renewed for it.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Just to come and see this big garden shed?
0:02:12 > 0:02:14You've got it. We're in the Netherlands.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Well, I really am being penalised. It's pretty hot in here,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24but it is the start of the tomato season, as it were.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27We're getting ready to plant a whole range of varieties.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29This is a new one on me, called Tourance.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Don't know what it will be like, but it'll be measured against
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Shirley and Golden Sunrise, all our regular varieties.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39We're trying them in different methods of growing again, this time.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42So, let me start with the simplest one of the lot, which is
0:02:42 > 0:02:45this - a simple, plain grow bag.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47We have three plants in the grow bag.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49It's all been puffed up like a bolster,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53to try and make it nice and evenly loose all the way through,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57but at best, that grow bag's not going to be any more than that deep.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59And, as the season goes on and it gets wetted,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01it gets down and compacted.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04And there's a problem there in long-term management of the bag.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Poke holes in the sides if you like, but it doesn't matter,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09it'll still go down.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11So, to make it slightly better, we go to this system.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15You buy these collars and pop them in the top of the bag.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17You can water in the side, you can water into the top.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20The important thing is, you fill them up to about an inch
0:03:20 > 0:03:25from the top there, so you've got a much-increased distance,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28for drainage, which makes a huge difference.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32Then, I thought, "Why shouldn't we emulate where people can put
0:03:32 > 0:03:34"the plants in the ground itself?"
0:03:34 > 0:03:39So, we've got some of these bags. That bag costs about seven quid.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42It takes four grow bags to fill it,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45but it's marked out for just three plants in it.
0:03:45 > 0:03:46You know, that's the way it arrives.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49So, are we going to get four times the yield in there?
0:03:49 > 0:03:53I don't think so, but we'll try it, anyway.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Then, we come to this side. Here is the tried and tested.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57We know how to work with it
0:03:57 > 0:04:00and we can grow a reasonable crop in that, no bother.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Last year, for the first time, we tried this one,
0:04:03 > 0:04:05and we had a bit of a problem with it.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09It's about management and, so, this year, we'll be better at it.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11What happens, of course, is you burst the bottom of the bag
0:04:11 > 0:04:13when you put it down on the top,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15and that lacerates the bottom of the bag, you see?
0:04:15 > 0:04:18And you press it down, and then the moisture is
0:04:18 > 0:04:22taken from the reservoir, through the capillary matting, into the bag.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24So that actually should work,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27if we can just control it a wee bit better.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30And then this one, which is just a piece of nonsense, honestly.
0:04:30 > 0:04:31You remember some years ago,
0:04:31 > 0:04:35I tried to overcome the problem of this depth of drainage,
0:04:35 > 0:04:39which is so important, by propping the bags up on their side, you see?
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Well here, I saw this in a catalogue, and I thought, "Maybe
0:04:42 > 0:04:46"that's the very thing, it'll do it all for me, it'll be easy-peasy."
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Don't think so! 20 quid apiece these, they're a piece of nonsense!
0:04:50 > 0:04:52The only good thing I can see about it is that,
0:04:52 > 0:04:54if you've got them, they support your plants with canes.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57You've got a nice piece here, to stop it on.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00But I think we'll stick to the more traditional method.
0:05:00 > 0:05:01I don't think there's a future for that.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Anyway, I'm going outside for a breath of fresh air.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05CHUCKLES
0:05:11 > 0:05:12Last week,
0:05:12 > 0:05:17we watched Chris turning our Heather Garden into an exposed mountain top.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Continuing this theme, and moving into the next-door garden,
0:05:20 > 0:05:21we're moving into the alpines.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Back in snowy March,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32myself and Callum started the job of rebuilding the Alpine Garden.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35After dismantling the old one, we've then re-used the rocks,
0:05:35 > 0:05:38stones and slabs, to create a new Alpine Garden,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41featuring different growing environments.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42Callum, I think
0:05:42 > 0:05:44you've done an absolutely brilliant job of this wall.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47You've done it exactly how I was looking for it to be done.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49You've got loads of little pockets where we're going to be able
0:05:49 > 0:05:51to plant the little alpine plants.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54And a wee bonus that I noted, with the colour of the blue stone,
0:05:54 > 0:05:58it now looks like a waterfall, if you're up on the mountain tops.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59Yeah?
0:05:59 > 0:06:01The one thing that you're going to be concentrating on is
0:06:01 > 0:06:05the most important thing in any garden - the little patio area.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- Aye, the wee bit for sitting on.- Yes.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Aye, so we've picked out a few of the older slabs that were in here,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13and we're going to make a couple of, sort of, irregular
0:06:13 > 0:06:15platforms for a couple of seats to sit on
0:06:15 > 0:06:18and you can have your gravel spread round them however you fancy.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Ah, perfect. Because we could then maybe use different coloured
0:06:21 > 0:06:25gravels, to represent the water running down the mountain
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- stream, and then actually going past some of our new features.- Yep.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Including our Crevice Garden, particularly this new one that
0:06:31 > 0:06:34we've got here, which is going to be growing alpine plants and sands.
0:06:34 > 0:06:35Yeah. Great.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36- Better crack on, then.- Yeah.
0:07:00 > 0:07:01When I worked in the Alpine Department
0:07:01 > 0:07:05at the Royal Botanics in Edinburgh, I was always fascinated how
0:07:05 > 0:07:08the pots that were plunged in sand would flower and then seed,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10and then, the following year,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13you would see these seedlings germinating in the pure sand.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17So, this led me to do a wee bit investigating and I found out that
0:07:17 > 0:07:20there are ways that you can actually grow these alpine plants in sand.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23So, what I'm trying to do here is to create a more modern
0:07:23 > 0:07:25way of growing alpines.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Something that's going to look good all year round.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30And this is something that you can do at home, too.
0:07:30 > 0:07:31What we've used here is,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34we've recycled some of the old stone sets that were
0:07:34 > 0:07:37used in the old Alpine Garden, but you could also use bricks,
0:07:37 > 0:07:41roof slates, and even broken-up concrete slabs.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43So, we've created our crevice feature here.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47We started off with the flat ground. We didn't do anything to it, we
0:07:47 > 0:07:51just gave it a wee fork-over, so any moisture can penetrate the ground.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54We then got about half a tonne of sand and we've laid it on top.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57I created the rough shape, to give me a rough idea,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00but we then went ahead and started positioning our rocks.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03The first line of rock to go in is this line here.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08You're looking for slabs that are roughly the same thickness
0:08:08 > 0:08:11in width and they're going to run from east through to west.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13And then, from then on,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16every other one of your lines is going to be parallel to that.
0:08:16 > 0:08:17This is then going to give us
0:08:17 > 0:08:21some planting pockets on both the south side and the north side,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24so that's going to help us grow some more warmer-loving plants
0:08:24 > 0:08:26and also some shade-loving plants.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- Callum, what do you think of this fence now?- I think it's had its day.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Now that we've taken out that far end, it's looking awful, eh?
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- No, it doesn't look great, does it? Time to go.- Oot?- Yeah, think so.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45Let's go.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00However we've constructed our crevice feature,
0:09:00 > 0:09:04whether it's this wall or it's our experimental sand one,
0:09:04 > 0:09:05the principles are the same -
0:09:05 > 0:09:09we've created suitable growing environments to encourage
0:09:09 > 0:09:12the roots to take advantage and keep cool and go searching for water.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16What we're wanting to do here, on this wall,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18is to make it look like a waterfall,
0:09:18 > 0:09:22so the theme that we're going for is all blues and silvers and whites.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24We're going to use the likes of this Lithodora.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27This'll get planted up at the top and come tumbling down.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30The first plant we're going to put in is this Cerastium.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Snow in summer, which is perfect for the Scottish environment.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Because this is a newly-constructed wall,
0:09:35 > 0:09:37we're just going to use our dibber here
0:09:37 > 0:09:41and we're just going to make sure that the soil is all compacted.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Now, as you'll discover, our pot is just slightly too large for
0:09:44 > 0:09:48the hole, so while nobody's looking, you should nip into the kitchen
0:09:48 > 0:09:52and get a fork, and we'll gently tease off some of this compost.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57And by doing so,
0:09:57 > 0:10:01we should have just a small enough plant to fit into our hole.
0:10:01 > 0:10:02There we go.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07So here we've got some John Innes No 2 and we've got it mixed with grit.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11And we're just going to use that just to pack in
0:10:13 > 0:10:17and that'll keep the environment full of soil and no air pockets.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Now, to water in.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27As you see, the water follows there and it's going in,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30and it's going to give our plant a good drink.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Whilst Mairi's finishing the wall, this is going to give us
0:10:35 > 0:10:38a chance to look at our final crevice feature.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41This is the one where we're growing in sand.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43The sand we're using is a builders' sand
0:10:43 > 0:10:45and it's zero to eight millimetres.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49That gives us enough drainage and allows the roots to go down,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53searching for the moisture. If it was too fine a sand, then it
0:10:53 > 0:10:56would be too compacted and the roots wouldn't be able to do their job.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59On the sunny side, we're going to plant up with these Iris pumila.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Knick Knack, it's called.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04And these have beautiful white flowers, with purple frills
0:11:04 > 0:11:06sitting above the foliage.
0:11:07 > 0:11:08Whilst on the shaded side,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11we'll be able to use things like this gentian here.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15We also have some beautiful Andross plants here,
0:11:15 > 0:11:19and this is where we're going to do a little experiment.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23For planting, what we need to do is take the plant out its pot
0:11:23 > 0:11:25and wash off every piece of compost.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28If you do leave the compost in, the compost and the plant is just
0:11:28 > 0:11:31going to turn into a sludge and the plant won't grow.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Now, this is where the camps are split.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Some people say that what we need to do is then
0:11:36 > 0:11:40mix in a bit of John Innes and this will help the plant establish...
0:11:41 > 0:11:45..while the other camp say we should be washing off all the compost
0:11:45 > 0:11:48and planting the roots directly into the sand.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51So, first of all, we need to get all our compost off.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Now, the best way to do this is to wash it off under the tap.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57What we're going to do is just give it a wee wash in this bucket.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Does seem rather cruel, but hopefully,
0:11:59 > 0:12:00both ways are going to work.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10So, that's us put in the finishing touches to the crevices.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Next week, I'll be back to construct a scree
0:12:12 > 0:12:15and to put the final touches on the Alpine Garden revamp.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Brian's had you right at the top of the mountains, where he's
0:12:24 > 0:12:28been looking at alpine plants, these little dwarf cushion plants.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31I'm taking you now further down the mountain side.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32We're in the Himalayas.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36We're in the area where the litter accumulates in little gullies
0:12:36 > 0:12:40and valleys and where we've got this humus-rich soil
0:12:40 > 0:12:43and it's fed with the snow-melt underneath and, then, with
0:12:43 > 0:12:48the monsoon winds, so the soil is wonderfully moist and rich.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50And this is what we've had to create here.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55We've got this soil which we've actually augmented with leaf litter.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58We've got compost in here, we've got all sorts of things,
0:12:58 > 0:13:00so that the soil retains moisture.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04There's no point, you see, in trying to grow Meconopsis, which is
0:13:04 > 0:13:05what we're talking about today.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08There's no point in trying to grow them in full sun.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09They just will not survive.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12You know, you can grow them right across the length
0:13:12 > 0:13:14and breadth of the British Isles. They grow well in Ireland,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17there are some varieties named after nurseries in Ireland.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19There are some which will grow in the South Coast,
0:13:19 > 0:13:23and grow quite successfully, in Cornwall and areas like that,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26but really the best ones are grown in Scotland,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28in some of the gardens here.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Always in woodland gardens, where we've got half shade,
0:13:31 > 0:13:35and we've got this wonderful rich soil.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40Now, we have been growing this one here for two or three years and if
0:13:40 > 0:13:45you remember back, we'll see these things growing as seedlings,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48I sowed that in 2014.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51I picked it out in 2015.
0:13:51 > 0:13:57This is it now in 2016 and it's going to be 2019, perhaps,
0:13:57 > 0:13:58before it flowers.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01So this one is going to take a long, long time to flower,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04because it's a seedling, and do you know what happens afterwards?
0:14:04 > 0:14:06It dies, because it's monocarpic,
0:14:06 > 0:14:08and that's what happens with some of the Meconopsis.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Some are seed-grown, some are propagated vegetatively.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17Now, propagation vegetatively means that you end up with
0:14:17 > 0:14:21cultivars which come through every time you divide them.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25So, there is something, what's this one? This is Dalemain.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28This is one which is called after a garden in Cumbria and that's
0:14:28 > 0:14:33a fabulous-looking plant, with these lovely tinges on the leaves, there.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35So, we're going to grow that.
0:14:35 > 0:14:36We're also going to grow this fellow.
0:14:36 > 0:14:42Look at that. Is that not just a joy? That is a thing called mophead.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44Now, this starts flowering in April.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46The rest of them will continue the season,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48right on through, perhaps until July,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51so we get an extended period of growth and flowering
0:14:51 > 0:14:55and interest - and that's quite important.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Now, the thing to remember with Meconopsis, then,
0:14:58 > 0:15:02is, where you're growing them, to make sure the soil is acid,
0:15:02 > 0:15:07make sure the soil is moist, make sure the plants are kept in shade
0:15:07 > 0:15:10and in semi-shade. And that way, they will be a great success.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14We've even got a white one here, which came from Denmark,
0:15:14 > 0:15:18and at the far end, we've got a little one called
0:15:18 > 0:15:22the Pink Harebell, which is Meconopsis x cookei.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25We'll see these as the season progresses, we will see how they do,
0:15:25 > 0:15:30and we'll make an assessment as to whether it's been a success or not.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- Well, you've been busy, miss. - Well, George, as well. While you
0:15:36 > 0:15:39were in the greenhouse, we've been trying to get this prepared.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41I was sweating away and you've been sweating here.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Now, let's describe this whole area as being
0:15:43 > 0:15:46used for a number of different things over the years.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48It's needing grassed down and have a rest.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Yes, so we're going to do a little bit of a masterclass on how to
0:15:51 > 0:15:54sow your lawn and this is a good time, isn't it? May is a good time.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Well, it is, yes, because the ground's warming up,
0:15:57 > 0:15:58it should germinate quickly.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00- Hopefully. - CAROLE LAUGHS
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- Yes.- So...- Rotavator. - Yeah, that's the first step.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05The whole thing has been rotavated.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- So, this area here is the result of that.- Quite so.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12Now, we're doing a little bit of a rough-raking trying to get it level.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- Yep.- Taking off the worst of the stones, Jim.- Yep.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19And it's amazing how many stones there are.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24And the more you rake, the more you pull up, but you want to get them
0:16:24 > 0:16:28down to nothing much bigger than grape size, really, in the top area.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30I've heard of people who sift the soil. You don't need to do that.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Oh, no, a neighbour of mine did that in Leicester
0:16:33 > 0:16:35and it set like a piece of cement!
0:16:35 > 0:16:37You know, absolutely riddled every bit.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39So, you take the worst of the stones off,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41then, you do the rain dance, don't you?
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- Put your heels in. - Yeah.- We go one way...
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- ..and then, go the other way. - Oh, no, no, no.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- No, would you not do it twice? - No, no! One's enough.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- Anyway...- Ah, well, you see, I'm lighter than you.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55THEY LAUGH
0:16:55 > 0:16:56She never misses a trick.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- Then on with the fertiliser? - Yep, general purpose fertiliser.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03That gets raked in and guess who's already having a wee look?
0:17:03 > 0:17:05There he goes. Old robin, there.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08So, there's so much choice of seed. What do you go for?
0:17:08 > 0:17:09Well, nothing very expensive, really,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12because the grass around is not all that wonderful.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14This is principally perennial rye-grass,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17a bit of smooth stalk meadow grass and a bit of red...
0:17:17 > 0:17:18- So, hard-wearing, isn't it?- Yes.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- It's not the fine bowling green type.- Doesn't need to be.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23It'll mow down to an inch, an inch and a half,
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- and it'll still look good.- Yeah.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Now, what I like to do, to start off with, is measure out a square
0:17:28 > 0:17:31metre, measure out the grass for that area, so that's 50g...
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- 50g per square metre. - And then I like to sow that,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37because it gives you an idea of what it's going to look like.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39- Yes, yes, yes. - And especially if you're not sure.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Now, do you go both ways, the same as you do your tramping?
0:17:42 > 0:17:46When you go for the whole area, we've got the two buckets,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49so we take one each and one would go that way and one would go that way.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52You've got plenty there, you come round this side
0:17:52 > 0:17:53- and do it across the way.- Yep.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56So, tell us, Jim, why you've got that packet in your hand.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Well, it's your fault.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00CAROLE LAUGHS
0:18:00 > 0:18:05You introduced us to the mix of annuals last year, didn't you?
0:18:05 > 0:18:08And in a similar-type pack, how can I put this politely?
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- It's for covering dog pee patches in the lawn.- Yes, patches.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16But the fact is that we're going to try it out, anyway.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- So, it's the same idea, like a watering can.- Yes.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Well, this has got mixed with coir and so on.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- This is easier, you see. - That is so easy to distribute.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29It's a little bit windy today, but that's fine, isn't it?
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Well, I can get quite low down.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34And then, once we've sown this, again, we just lightly rake it in.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Yes, and because it's dry,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40it's the only time I'd be tempted to roll it, gently.
0:18:40 > 0:18:41Good idea.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44And you can roll it with a lawnmower, you know,
0:18:44 > 0:18:45with the blades lifted.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47And then, I think we would need to water,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50if it doesn't rain within 24 hours, because it's so, so dry.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52I would agree, get the sprinkler on it.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Now, Jim, you and George have been on your travels again
0:18:55 > 0:18:58and wait till you see this. It's something really different.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Yeah, yeah. It's wonderful.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15See all these flowers that you see in the supermarket, Jim?
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- Do you know where they come from? - I know exactly where they come from.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Right here, Aalsmeer Flower Market in Holland.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23The biggest flower market in the world.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26It is said that, if you took all the floors and flattened them
0:19:26 > 0:19:29out on one layer, it would be as big as the country of Monaco.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30GEORGE LAUGHS
0:19:30 > 0:19:32The flowers come in one day, they go out the next.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Tomorrow, these could be on your table.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Everything at Aalsmeer moves at breakneck speed.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Half the world's cut flowers are bought
0:19:44 > 0:19:47and sold at auction here and, within hours, they're on planes
0:19:47 > 0:19:50and trucks, destined for all corners of the world.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Jim and I visited the various parts of this massive operation
0:19:53 > 0:19:58and my first stop is with Loes Hooijman, who auctions plants.
0:19:59 > 0:20:00So, how does this system work?
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Well, all the growers are members of the auction
0:20:03 > 0:20:05and the growers will bring their plants,
0:20:05 > 0:20:09all kinds of different colours we have, like perennials primulas,
0:20:09 > 0:20:13and they bring the plants at night, and auctions start at 6.30,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16and then I sell trolley by trolley.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18So, you sell the whole trolley?
0:20:18 > 0:20:23Yeah, but you can also take one box, but that's what I do.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Is that your decision?
0:20:25 > 0:20:27My decision, so I say, if you have to take the whole,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30or you want to have just one little one.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32The quality of these roses is phenomenal.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41At dawn, before the auction starts, Loes and the other auction masters
0:20:41 > 0:20:45examine the quality of the plants and flowers they're about to sell.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- These are just spectacular, aren't they?- These are beautiful.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- These are very big plants... - Phenomenal.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55..and you can put them in your front door
0:20:55 > 0:20:58and then you have a real welcome by your home.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Now, can I buy these separately or do I have to buy the whole trolley?
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- No, you have to buy the whole trolley.- The whole trolley?
0:21:03 > 0:21:06The whole trolley, but you could make happy your neighbours.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08I could give them away, couldn't I? I could sell them on.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Yeah, you have a real present.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14But that's fantastic. Thanks very much. You're off to sell things now?
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- Yeah, I have to sell things. - Make your wages.- OK.- Bye.- Bye-bye.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27Aalsmeer uses the Dutch auction system, which has existed since
0:21:27 > 0:21:31flower-buying went from the local cafes to an organised industry.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33The auction clock starts at the highest price,
0:21:33 > 0:21:35and works its way down.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37So, Loes is now in the hot seat.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39She's one of four auction masters here
0:21:39 > 0:21:42and she's in charge of one of the clocks. The buyers are on the floor.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45She's in contact with the buyers and she's explaining to them
0:21:45 > 0:21:48the quality of the goods which they're seeing going past them
0:21:48 > 0:21:49on their trolleys.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Some of the assistants are showing them the goods
0:21:51 > 0:21:55and what happens is that the clock starts ticking, from the top down.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58So, what the buyers are trying to do is to get the clock
0:21:58 > 0:22:02to run down as far as possible, so it's a bit of brinksmanship.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04They press the button when they want to buy it,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07and Loes will tell them whether they have to buy a whole trolley,
0:22:07 > 0:22:10a single plant, or a tray of plants.
0:22:10 > 0:22:11She's in control.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15SHE SPEAKS IN DUTCH
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Loes is in charge of the plant auction,
0:22:23 > 0:22:25where buyers can see what they're paying for.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Nearby, at the flower auction,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29flowers are no longer shown on the floor.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32These days, they're kept in cold storage, to keep them fresher.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Well, if you want to know anything about cut flower roses
0:22:36 > 0:22:39in this building, the man to talk to is Eric.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41How long have you been auction master here?
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- 20 years, for roses.- Oh, well, I've come to the right man OK.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Let's be clear about these customers who are sat
0:22:47 > 0:22:50there in the auction hall - they don't see the material,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53apart from a big picture on the screen?
0:22:53 > 0:22:55But how do they know that they're confidently going
0:22:55 > 0:22:58to buy from the right person or at the right price?
0:22:59 > 0:23:04I am watching the system very carefully and very strongly,
0:23:04 > 0:23:08so I know what the grower is, what kind of roses he auctions,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11and I know the quality, from experience.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13But, of course, the growers will work very hard to comply with
0:23:13 > 0:23:16the rules, because they will lose money, as you say.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Yeah, and also they lose trust, trust with the buyers,
0:23:19 > 0:23:21and the buyers will give you less money,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24so he will always do his best and be trustful.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34When you buy a bunch of flowers or a pot plant from the shop,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37how do you know that you're getting value for money?
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Well, here in the testing centre at the flower market in Aalsmeer,
0:23:40 > 0:23:42they've got it sussed. What they do is,
0:23:42 > 0:23:46they will take a bunch of flowers at random from the marketplace
0:23:46 > 0:23:49and bring it into this room, which is held at domestic
0:23:49 > 0:23:52temperatures and humidity, just like your front room.
0:23:52 > 0:23:53So they bring the flowers in here
0:23:53 > 0:23:57and they cut the ends off them, just the same way as you would do
0:23:57 > 0:24:00when you're putting them in a vase, following the instructions,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03putting in the plant food, and then sitting them out on a bench.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07They sit on this bench and they are monitored daily, so that we can
0:24:07 > 0:24:12tell exactly how long you can expect them to last in your house.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Well, it must be very obvious to you, from the activity behind me,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23that we're in the distribution section.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26And we're talking to the man himself who runs this part of it, Jurgen.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- Yeah.- You're a happy man today! - I'm a very happy man today.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Are all these flowers we see...
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Surely they come from all around the world?
0:24:33 > 0:24:34You don't grow them all in Holland.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37- No, they come in from all around the world.- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- South America, South Africa - where the sun is shining.- Yeah.
0:24:40 > 0:24:45I guess they'll be going to as many countries, as they leave here?
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Yeah, they're going all around the world.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52It's extraordinary. And is this a special time?
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Do you have a big peak at, sort of, Christmas or...?
0:24:54 > 0:24:59For Holland, this is a very special time. Mother's Day is coming.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Yeah, most of the flowers will stay in Holland.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08- Yes, and the demand will go up, then?- Yeah.- By how much?- Enormous.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10- 40%, 50%.- Really?- Yeah.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- Well, what a day it's been. - I'm absolutely flabbergasted.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22How many of these are going out today?
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Well, they reckon about 4,500 trolleys.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28- Like this?- Like this. - And that's only one day.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31It's mesmeric, I can tell you, and it's so complicated,
0:25:31 > 0:25:34and yet, it's smooth as silk, the operation, isn't it?
0:25:34 > 0:25:36They know exactly what they're doing.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39These things will be on to lorries, away across the world,
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- who knows where they'll end up? - It's got so many facets to it.- Yeah.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- Well, unfortunately we have to go. - Yeah.- We've got a plane to catch.
0:25:46 > 0:25:47Bye.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53This is our daffodils that have been naturalised in the grass
0:25:53 > 0:25:57for the third year and they're still flowering absolutely superbly.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59So, if you have got daffodils that are in the lawn,
0:25:59 > 0:26:01the thing that you need to remember is,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04once they've finished flowering, yes, maybe do a little bit
0:26:04 > 0:26:07of deadheading, and then leave the foliage for about six weeks.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10You will start to see it going yellow.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13That is the time when you want to do the strimming.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16And, if you have just got a lawn without any bulbs in,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18why not think about doing this in October?
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Well, it's been a funny old season and we got lots of reports from
0:26:23 > 0:26:27people about things flowering early for a change or late for a change.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Rhododendron, Hummingbird is right on time,
0:26:30 > 0:26:32and it's an absolute cracker.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35It's fully grown, I wouldn't necessarily want to deadhead it,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38but if it was a young plant, I would certainly deadhead
0:26:38 > 0:26:43by snapping it out. Reason - being slightly delicate about it.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47If a lady's having a baby, she puts all her energies into that baby.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49When this rhododendron sets seeds,
0:26:49 > 0:26:51it puts all its energies into the seeds.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54We don't want seeds, we want the grow in the plant
0:26:54 > 0:26:55and make it better.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58So, contrary to what some people would say, we deadhead,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00especially, narcissus.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Phygelius capensis is, as the name suggests, from the Cape.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08It comes from the Cape of Good Hope, South African,
0:27:08 > 0:27:11therefore, possibly a little bit tender.
0:27:11 > 0:27:12So, you wait until the end of May,
0:27:12 > 0:27:14beginning of June, before you prune it,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17and then, when you're pruning it, just give it a light prune,
0:27:17 > 0:27:21pruning back to where you see the young growth starting to sprout.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25That way, it'll grow up to about this height, provided you feed it.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29Well, that has been a cracker of a day,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32but it's time for the last kick of the ball.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34See what these two young scamps are up to.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36THEY LAUGH
0:27:36 > 0:27:39- Rhubarb crumble. - Absolutely.- Oh, ya beauty!
0:27:39 > 0:27:41- Now, listen I've got a theory about this.- Oh, no' again!
0:27:41 > 0:27:45When we pick rhubarb from a clump like that, we should pick them all.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Oh, why? A bit like your...
0:27:47 > 0:27:48- The asparagus?- Asparagus, yes.- Yeah?
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Because the next time when they grow, next flush,
0:27:51 > 0:27:55they're all the same age. If you leave some, pick some, you know.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57That's right, because often we pick the wee succulent
0:27:57 > 0:28:00ones in the middle and we leave the big coarse ones on the outside.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03- So when would you stop the cropping? - Well, late June or early July,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05I would have thought. Time to recover for next year,
0:28:05 > 0:28:07and by that time, as you said a wee while ago...
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Aye, we've got gooseberries and strawberries
0:28:09 > 0:28:11and all sorts of other soft fruit that we can use.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Right, what are we doing next week?
0:28:13 > 0:28:18Next week, I've got winter squashes, cucumbers, and more tomatoes.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20- Oh, really? - I'm not here, but Brian's back,
0:28:20 > 0:28:22and Brian's going to be building his scree.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24- Yes, yes, yes, yes. - Cracking.- But, of course,
0:28:24 > 0:28:26if you'd like any more information about this week's programme,
0:28:26 > 0:28:28it's all in the factsheet
0:28:28 > 0:28:29and the easiest way to access that is online.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33Well, I'll be back in the vegetable garden - surprise, surprise.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36- Until next time...- Bye.- Bye-bye.