0:00:11 > 0:00:15- Well, I tell you what, we made the right choice today.- It's lovely.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16Sat in the sun.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19But the temperature in the shade is probably just about seven!
0:00:19 > 0:00:21It's still a bit cool.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Welcome to Beechgrove Garden on a stonking day, absolutely,
0:00:24 > 0:00:27and what a display of flowers we've got in front of us.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29We're going to discuss this at length, aren't we?
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Well, it's really colourful at the moment and I think you were
0:00:32 > 0:00:35looking at that one down there in the corner, Jim, that daffodil.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37I've got the bulbs counted.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38That is Prototype.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Now, I asked you guys, you experts,
0:00:41 > 0:00:43is that Prototype with a small P or large P?
0:00:43 > 0:00:45LAUGHTER
0:00:45 > 0:00:47Because I couldn't imagine that it would be a proper name.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50I would like to be called Prototype McColl.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Do you know what I mean? Is it just a prototype?
0:00:53 > 0:00:55- That's the name. - That is the real name of it.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58I think it's a lovely colour combination.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- It's like apricot, the trumpet in the centre.- Yeah.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04And then, do you know what I'm amazed at, is the violas.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07- So, next to the Prototype... - Underneath. The ground cover.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10..is Orange Duet, I think it's called.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12But, you know, they were looking awful a few weeks ago.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14It's amazing how they've come through.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Then I would also pick out the little one there
0:01:17 > 0:01:19which is Pink Wing.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22The violas have come really on in the last few days.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27I can't go past that myosotis. That is one of the best blues I've seen.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- It's just called Blue. - It's lovely. It really is.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32You can't go past the name!
0:01:32 > 0:01:34But the Sinopel is the narcissuses in the middle.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Now, that's really unusual.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40It's a very late flowering one and it's got this green eye in it.
0:01:40 > 0:01:41I don't like it as a daffodil
0:01:41 > 0:01:44but I think it looks good with the myosotis.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Then we come to these tulips which are absolutely stonking, aren't they?
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Well, if I was to pick one here at the moment, I like the lily ones.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54The shape is very elegant. I mean, that's extremely upright.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56White Triumphator. Beautiful.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58Yes, yes. They are brilliant.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02But, you know, we refer to this as a trial plot or an observation plot.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04We're looking at combinations for our gardens
0:02:04 > 0:02:05and to give people ideas.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07There's not one of these combinations
0:02:07 > 0:02:09- that I would plant at home.- Not one?
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- No.- No?- Well, for a start, I would never use daffodils.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15They're all usually too early before the other things have come on.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17Yes, but I'm going to argue with you,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20like, Thalia at the moment, that's a late flowering daffodil.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Yeah, but it's insipid.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25And funnily enough, that pink-and-white tulip in there,
0:02:25 > 0:02:27absolutely stunning thing.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29I would use that with the myosotis. Absolutely.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- My old dad would be jumping for joy if he saw that combination.- Yes.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- I don't like mixes. - You don't like this then?- No.
0:02:36 > 0:02:37I mean, the tulip, it calls itself
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Bleu Aimable, and it's no more blue
0:02:39 > 0:02:41than a fly in the air.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43But then you look at the mix underneath and it just
0:02:43 > 0:02:45- distracts you from the whole thing, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48I'm definitely with you. I think single colours.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50That needed a lemon yellow something around it, wouldn't it?
0:02:50 > 0:02:54But, Jim, I think maybe you should choose the combinations next year.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56I'll sharpen my pencil right now then.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58And we haven't mentioned the perfume, have we,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00- of the wall flowers? - It's good.- Lovely.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01Anyway...
0:03:01 > 0:03:03In the rest of the programme, well,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06I know I'm off to Motherwell again cos I loved that first visit
0:03:06 > 0:03:10and I'm back now, following a trail, which says "from seed to plate".
0:03:12 > 0:03:14And any idea of what this is?
0:03:14 > 0:03:17We'll find out in my garden visit
0:03:17 > 0:03:18this week, cos it's full of surprises.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Now, Jim, it was just a few weeks ago that we were
0:03:25 > 0:03:28admiring these camellias in flower in the conservatory.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32Then you said, once they'd finished flowering, we need to repot them.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35The fact of the matter is that they've been in these pots for five years.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Same compost, getting difficult to water, you know, it's so dense,
0:03:39 > 0:03:41so it's time to give them a bit of rejuvenation.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43First of all, you've got well ahead of me
0:03:43 > 0:03:45cos you've got that plant out of its pot
0:03:45 > 0:03:47and you just lifted it straight out the pot.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Well, I did have help, actually. Mairi helped me.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Doing it on your tod, this is the way to do it.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57Get it down on its side and then ease the plant out that way.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00It doesn't really do it any harm.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- You only need the one person to do that.- Well, yes.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06The crucial point is we don't want to put them into a bigger pot.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- No.- I mean, with pot plants and things,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11gets too big for the pot, you put it into a bigger one.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15You can't do that with this. It's this semi-bonsai, as I keep saying,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17you know, where you want to keep them compact...
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- Well, because it's manageable then, isn't it?- Well, exactly.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23So, the other thing that you want to introduce...
0:04:23 > 0:04:25I think if I turn this one round...
0:04:25 > 0:04:28I found a hole here. Because a hole watering system,
0:04:28 > 0:04:29you want to try this out.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Yes. It makes it easier to get a distribution of water into the...
0:04:32 > 0:04:34That goes right down to the bottom and I think, Jim, look,
0:04:34 > 0:04:38that's going to maybe fit like so, and if I left that up,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- the whole idea is that you can water through that.- Sure.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43But we are reducing the root ball somewhat.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49We're encouraging, by this kind of root pruning, really,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51we're introducing some fresh compost.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54We have, each of us, a bucket full of this stuff
0:04:54 > 0:04:56and it's absolutely marvellous.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01It's commercial ericaceous compost and our own leaf mould, 50-50.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Something for nothing, the leaf mould, Jim.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06- Gardening on a budget again. - Now, steady up.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08You'll be getting a reputation.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11And, of course, that compost will feed the plant for a few weeks.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13- Oh, aye.- So we don't need to feed it.- No. Exactly.
0:05:13 > 0:05:14Crocks.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17I like to put crocks in the bottom cos there's quite big holes.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Yeah. I'm a bit of an old crock myself right at the minute.
0:05:20 > 0:05:21I quite agree.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Some people argue that it's not necessary but the fact is,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27that drainage hole could get easily blocked up
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- by a rather stout root.- Yeah.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32And it also means that the drainage, if you excessively water,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34the drainage can get away.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36So this is not a job you do in a hurry.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38I know cos I think this is going to be the fun bit,
0:05:38 > 0:05:40trying to fit that in there.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41I'll just try and slip that in.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44- Oh.- Oh.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- You'd think you'd done that before. - Made-to-measure. Not bad.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Just another few more to do.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53How much compost are you going to get in and round it?
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Not much. I've got quite a bit in the bottom.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56Get the fresh one, not the old.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Now, obviously, this is giving them a real bit of a doing, isn't it?
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Keep them cool until they get over the operation.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05This is a fairly major operation, this is.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18This is the second part of a trip we made to Motherwell
0:06:18 > 0:06:21to Firpark Secondary School and Bothwellpark Secondary School,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24both of them absolute stunners in their own way.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27This week, we're following the team from seed to plate.
0:06:32 > 0:06:33Taking the pupils through the process
0:06:33 > 0:06:36of cooking and serving the food they grow
0:06:36 > 0:06:39has been the brainchild of headteacher John Morley.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44We're producing so much crop here that we had to do something with it,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46so we opened a bistro within the school.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49That's a partnership with New College Lanarkshire.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52So the concept in here is from seed to plate.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54So we've got pupils who are planting the seeds
0:06:54 > 0:06:56and they're nurturing them and they're growing them
0:06:56 > 0:06:58and they're harvesting them.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59And I've got another group of pupils
0:06:59 > 0:07:01who on a Friday are cooking them
0:07:01 > 0:07:02and they're preparing wonderful meals.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04They're serving them to the public.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07At each stage within that, they're getting national qualifications,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10and I've got a source of revenue for the school, Jim,
0:07:10 > 0:07:11so it's all winning.
0:07:15 > 0:07:16Now, then, guys, it's harvest time,
0:07:16 > 0:07:18- obviously, isn't it?- Hello. Yes, it is.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20We've got Chloe, here, and Liam. Am I right?
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- Yes, that's right.- Yes.- Good stuff. So what are we harvesting?
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- We're harvesting rhubarb.- Rhubarb.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27We'll take it to the other kids at the bistro for the chefs.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29All the kids at the bistro.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31- To have lunch.- To have lunch. - So it's going to be good.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- It's going to be good. - I'm going to lunch.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- So, we're going to get rhubarb? - Rhubarb.- Yes.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37I love it. Do you like rhubarb?
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- Yes!- What about yourself? - I do, yes. Sometimes.
0:07:39 > 0:07:40Yeah. Good.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43So, the story is, you're just pulling the stalks out.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Let me see what you're doing, then.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- Yeah. So, we cut the leaves... - Yeah, on you go.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Cut it just under there.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57It's that stalk we're looking for,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00and the rubbish wee bit at the bottom as well.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- Yeah.- And what do we do with all that stuff going in the bucket?
0:08:04 > 0:08:06I'll take that to the compost heap.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07- So, we're recycling.- Recycling, yes.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- That's good gardening practice. - It is, yes.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12And then, if you then give that a bit of fertiliser,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15a nice bit of watering and...
0:08:15 > 0:08:16Wow.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29They're actually quite nice. Do you want to try a wee bit?
0:08:39 > 0:08:41- Do you like it? - It's actually really nice.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45That's your lettuce.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Thank you very much. Some lovely lettuce.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50In the bistro kitchen,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53pupils are learning food preparation skills under the stewardship
0:08:53 > 0:08:57of head chef and hospitality lecturer Tony Mott.
0:08:59 > 0:09:00Hi, Chloe!
0:09:01 > 0:09:03- Is that my rhubarb?- Rhubarb.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Wow. Looks terrific. Did you pick that out of the garden this morning?
0:09:06 > 0:09:07Yeah.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12This is quite young rhubarb, yeah?
0:09:12 > 0:09:13And if it's old,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16it's thicker like my thumb and you probably need to peel it,
0:09:16 > 0:09:17but we don't need to peel this rhubarb
0:09:17 > 0:09:19- because it's quite thin, all right?- Yes.
0:09:19 > 0:09:20It's young, so it will be nice and tender,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22but what we do need to do
0:09:22 > 0:09:25is we need to take the top and tail off, OK?
0:09:25 > 0:09:26And we need to wash it.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28So what we're going to do, we'll do it between us,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31we'll take the tops and the tails off, put it in there
0:09:31 > 0:09:33- and give it a wash. OK?- Mm-hm.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36You and I are going to be busy for a wee while.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38That's good. Excellent work.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Right, Chloe, put them up there with the rest of it.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- What are we going to do with it now? - We're going to wash it.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46That's it. Let's take it over to the sink. Great stuff.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53In the Firpark bistro,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56the young gardeners are now training as waiters,
0:09:56 > 0:10:01and setting up for the imminent arrival of hungry customers.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- Looking forward to the public coming in?- Absolutely. It's exciting.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- It is, isn't it? - Quite exciting, aye.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Oh, have you heard Jim from the Beechgrove Garden is coming in?
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- Is he? I didn't hear that.- Yes. - Fantastic!- I know.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19So, what's the story? What's that stuff?
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- It's pastry.- Uh-huh.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- Is that glue you're putting on the sides?- No. It's egg.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- Oh, right.- Egg.- Uh-huh.
0:10:28 > 0:10:29Well, don't let me keep you back.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32SHE LAUGHS
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- What have you done with the rhubarb? - I chopped it up.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39And did you mix it? What did you put in, sugar...?
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Sugar and...
0:10:44 > 0:10:46..the cinnamon stuff.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50Oh, right. Crikey. This is going to be tasty.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Remember, what we do is we just put it in the middle,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54then we fold it halfway
0:10:54 > 0:10:56and then we fold that one back towards you.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- There you go.- That's it.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03Make a little parcel at the ends. Fold the ends up that way,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- and that one towards you again... - Oh, I see.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09..then turn the whole thing upside down and put it on the tray.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- Fantastic.- Wow.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- Bit of eggwash on the top, Chloe. Don't forget.- Mm-hm.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Absolutely splendid.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21At 12 noon, the paying public arrive for lunch.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- Would you like some menus? - Yes. Thank you.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Here are the boys. Here are the chaps.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33There we go.
0:11:33 > 0:11:34Thank you very much, chaps.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36No problem.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39My lunch guest is Sam, who first started gardening
0:11:39 > 0:11:41as a pupil here at Firpark.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45Sam's now working full-time with Coatbridge Community Gardening.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49He's now got a pound in his pocket and he's a happy chappie.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55It's all from the garden. Yes, it is.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- Thank you.- Hope you enjoy. - Thank you.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Leek and potato. That's quite nice.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04At this time of year, you would be starting to cut a lot of grass.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Cutting grass, aye.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- Have you got a nice mower? - I've got the push one.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14That's because you're the newest, you've got to work the push one.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19And the other boy, he's got the one that goes itself.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21But life is like that, you see,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25he's not going to push it if he can get somebody else to do it.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30I wish you well, cos if you're like me, you'll enjoy every minute of it.
0:12:30 > 0:12:31Uh-huh.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- Here we are, Jim.- Now, then, Matthew, what have you got?
0:12:40 > 0:12:42There's apple and rhubarb strudel,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45with strudel we picked this morning.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Oh, you beauty.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49I'm so glad I came! Thank you.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- Enjoy your meal.- I will indeed.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01Well, I'm going to take the opportunity
0:13:01 > 0:13:03to have a look at one or two house plants
0:13:03 > 0:13:06because you can buy these fairly cheaply
0:13:06 > 0:13:09in the supermarkets and the garden centres.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12And starting off, I have this one. £1.50.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Flaming Katy is the common name, or a kalanchoe.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18And if you look after this one well,
0:13:18 > 0:13:20it can flower for a couple of months.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Basically, once some of the flowers go over, deadhead them
0:13:23 > 0:13:25and then you get some new ones sprouting.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29But, personally, I would say, once it's finished, I would discard it,
0:13:29 > 0:13:31maybe put it on the compost heap.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33However, that's not the case with the cyclamen.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36I'd want to keep this for year after year.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40When you buy this one, the nice thing is there's a pot
0:13:40 > 0:13:41within the pot.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45That suits me fine because that is grown from a corm.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49When you're watering it, it's far better that you water it from below.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51You don't want to rot the corm itself.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54So put it in a sink with half an inch of water,
0:13:54 > 0:13:58let it soak up and then you can put it back in that pod.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03Moving on, we've got the rather strange bromeliads.
0:14:03 > 0:14:09This particular one is called Guzmania, or the Scarlet Star.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11I think we've got a typical example of what happens
0:14:11 > 0:14:13if it's really bright sunlight.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Look at the edges of these ones -
0:14:16 > 0:14:17absolutely been scorched.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21What I want to say with all three of these plants is, really,
0:14:21 > 0:14:25they like a bit of sunlight, but not direct sunlight.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Now, once that has finished flowering,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29you can cut it right back
0:14:29 > 0:14:31and what it will encourage is lots of little babies,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34lots of little rosettes around the edge of it
0:14:34 > 0:14:37and so you can propagate from it.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41But, again, that is in a pot that I don't particularly like
0:14:41 > 0:14:47because the bromeliads really like a humid atmosphere, really warm.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50So I've got some gravel in the bottom,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54a little bit of moisture so it's not sitting in the water,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57but that will give a beautiful humid atmosphere
0:14:57 > 0:15:00and that should thrive for quite a while.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07Echeveria, a succulent that's quite happy in direct sun,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10but I certainly want to repot this one
0:15:10 > 0:15:12because how on earth do you water that?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15There isn't another pot in there.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18They are fairly shallow rooting.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19Tease that out.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22It's not much better when it's in a smaller pot,
0:15:22 > 0:15:26and a clay pan is absolutely ideal.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30Use a compost that's a mixture of
0:15:30 > 0:15:3450% soil-based and 50% grit.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37I won't finish that off because that's going to take quite a while,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39but then I would decorate it with grit.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43You can water, again, like the cyclamen, from underneath.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Now, those are the ones that like the sun a little bit.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47These are house plants.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50They are all foliage ones and they enjoy the shade.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52And again, this is in a gravel tray
0:15:52 > 0:15:53with a lot of moisture
0:15:53 > 0:15:56because that helps against things like brown tips
0:15:56 > 0:16:00on the ends of the leaves and, with the ficus for example,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03the leaves may drop in a really dry atmosphere.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05So, lots of plants that you can try at home.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Five weeks ago, we started the process of propagating this fig.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11We were going to do it by air layering.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15So, we put on this little gadget here, filled it with moss,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17damaged the stem and put some rooting hormone on it
0:16:17 > 0:16:20with the hope that it would then root.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Now, it will be about eight weeks before that happens,
0:16:23 > 0:16:25so that's going to take a little while.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26Talking about a little while,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29here is something that takes a little while.
0:16:29 > 0:16:30This is Trillium chloropetalum.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33That is two years from seed sowing,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36this pot is three years from seed sowing,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39and this one here is four years from seed sowing.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42And just now, it's started to do what we would expect
0:16:42 > 0:16:45a trillium to do, where it's got three leaves like that.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Now, this one is ready to be planted out.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51We'll possibly split this pot and put that out as well.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55We'll also have to label it to make sure we know where it is.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Anyway, I'll put these down...
0:16:57 > 0:17:00..because I want to do something which is a bit quicker as far
0:17:00 > 0:17:04as propagation is concerned, and that is with this gentian.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07This is a gentian called Gentiana Oban
0:17:07 > 0:17:10and it is one which is white.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12I'm going to just take this
0:17:12 > 0:17:14and I can split this up.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17What is delightful about gentians is
0:17:17 > 0:17:22that they have these wonderful thong-like roots.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Now, if you just tease that out gently,
0:17:24 > 0:17:28you get these wonderful roots like that. See, look at the buds on top.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31These are just waiting to grow like fury.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35This thong here is full of starch, full of food and that's really
0:17:35 > 0:17:40going to motor on, particularly if we split them up and pot them on.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44We're going to pot them on into an ericaceous compost
0:17:44 > 0:17:49and there it is, mixed with some of our own very magic...
0:17:49 > 0:17:51They say it's magic anyway, it's a magic leaf mould.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54..and that will give us a lot faster growth.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08What a glorious spring day in sunny Aberdeenshire,
0:18:08 > 0:18:12and the garden I'm visiting is just bursting full of surprises.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Laundry Cottage Garden near Gartly
0:18:22 > 0:18:26belongs to professional gardener Simon McPhun and his wife Judith
0:18:26 > 0:18:28and they really have made the most
0:18:28 > 0:18:31of the natural features of the landscape here.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37So, this gives you a really good idea of the site that we're on,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39- Carole.- It's quite amazing.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42We're right at the bottom of Strathbogie.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44The wind roars up the valley.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48It's pretty warm on a day like today but in the middle of winter,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50that wind can be absolutely bitter.
0:18:50 > 0:18:51Completely different.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Can you tell us a little bit about the geology of the site?
0:18:54 > 0:18:58We're very lucky that there's actually an igneous extrusion,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00- a marvellous geological term... - Sounds good.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04..here, of something called andesite, which is this stuff here.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Volcanic rock. It's a purply brown rock and it breaks down
0:19:07 > 0:19:10to this fantastic fertile soil.
0:19:10 > 0:19:11Now, the hawthorn hedge,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14I'm assuming this must have been here when you came to the garden.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19The hawthorn hedge has been here for at least 120 years.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20This was way out of control.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23It was tall, spindly, didn't really do anything.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25We've layered it partially...
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Layering, you mean pulling down some of the branches.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Pulled down some of the branches.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33There weren't many to choose from but we pulled down what we could.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Then it's been trimmed to mirror the shape of the hills.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Not perfectly, but to be in sympathy.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41It's great. I think it's beautiful.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43And then you filled in the gaps with some box.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45So the box plants underneath...
0:19:45 > 0:19:48We're very lucky, so far we haven't got box blight here.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52And the box is filling in the underneath, the thin bit,
0:19:52 > 0:19:54and of course it's evergreen
0:19:54 > 0:19:56so even in the spring when the plants are coming up,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59the little bulbs and things, they're sheltered.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- It's a good filter for the wind, isn't it?- Yeah, it's great.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Now, you found the perfect spot for the pear, south-facing wall.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10The pear is in the only place where we'd get fruit, basically.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12If you're in Huntly, just down the road,
0:20:12 > 0:20:14you can grow freestanding pears.
0:20:14 > 0:20:15But here, where it's colder,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18has to be against the wall to get any amount of fruit.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20That's a Conference. It does really well.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22It produces heaps of fruit almost every year.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Now, I know that you absolutely love your hedges,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28- so let's go and have a look at one or two more.- OK.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Simon, a southern beech hedge, is this not quite unique?
0:20:41 > 0:20:45I've never seen a hedge of this in this area before.
0:20:45 > 0:20:46Well, I'm going to risk saying
0:20:46 > 0:20:49that I think this is the only hedge of southern beech,
0:20:49 > 0:20:50Nothofagus antarctica,
0:20:50 > 0:20:52which comes from Tierra del Fuego,
0:20:52 > 0:20:56an incredibly windy spot in the tip of South America.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58I don't think you would find another hedge of it.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01You'd find plenty of specimen plants, but no hedge.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03I'd like to pretend it was all part of the planning
0:21:03 > 0:21:06but really it came about because I went in a friend's nursery
0:21:06 > 0:21:10and they had a whole heap of these plants going very cheaply.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13We just wanted something to slow the wind down.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15You've obviously shaped the top of it again,
0:21:15 > 0:21:17a bit like the hawthorn.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Yeah, like most of the hedges around the garden, it's shaped,
0:21:20 > 0:21:21A - to slow the wind down,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24and B - to fit in with the surrounding landscape.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Then you've made a bit of a moon gate.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27Here we've got the moon gate.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31My wife Judith had this idea when she saw the full moon rising
0:21:31 > 0:21:33across there one day.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36When we took out the old elm that was here,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39we could open a hole up to reveal the full moon.
0:21:39 > 0:21:40That's only going to work in October.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42THEY CHUCKLE
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Now, I would really like to go down now to the River Bogie
0:21:44 > 0:21:47- and just see a different landscape down there.- OK.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00So, this is Sauchiehall Street here, Carole.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Bit cheeky but "sauchiehall" apparently in Gaelic
0:22:04 > 0:22:06means "alley of the willows".
0:22:06 > 0:22:09So we've got willows on both sides.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Now, this is a very different way of training the willows,
0:22:13 > 0:22:14you're pollarding.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16It's pollarded for two reasons really.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19One is to stop the deer eating the new shoots,
0:22:19 > 0:22:23and just visually it was more attractive like that.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26So these would look absolutely fantastic in the winter time.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29They have bright orange stems. Really bright orange stems.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Salix alba Britzensis.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33The birds love nesting in these twigs here.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Because you like the wildlife in the garden as well, don't you?
0:22:36 > 0:22:38We want to encourage the birds as much as possible.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Presumably the river occasionally floods, but the willows are
0:22:41 > 0:22:43perfectly happy.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44Yeah, but the willows are fine.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47They can have their feet in water for a long time, basically.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50So it's another plant in the right place, isn't it?
0:22:50 > 0:22:52It's a plant in the right place.
0:22:52 > 0:22:53What on earth is going on here?
0:22:53 > 0:22:55THEY LAUGH
0:22:55 > 0:22:57This is a puffball installation.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00These all got washed up in a storm last autumn.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- I thought I would use a few of them in the trees.- Can I touch it?
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- Yeah.- You can touch them, you can poke them,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07you can do what you like with them.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11Gosh, that's amazing, the spores, and it's so soft. Fantastic.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- A bit of art in the garden. - It's art in the garden.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24Judith, this is a lovely display of white tulips, white hellebores.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26This is lovely. I really like white.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- So, white is one of your favourite colours?- Definitely.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32It's not so much that it's a favourite colour,
0:23:32 > 0:23:34I think it's very important in the garden
0:23:34 > 0:23:38to bring out the other colours and to lighten everything up.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41These tulips are looking beautiful at the moment.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45They're really wonderful. It's Exotic Emperor.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49We've only had it a little while and it's a variety of Purissima,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52the very hardy, tough one that goes on and on in the garden.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56And another beauty of a white plant, the exochorda.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59I really love that. I've loved it always.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01I've passed one of your slate sculptures
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- and that is your work, isn't it? - Yes.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07The slate comes originally from the hill,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10the Findon Quarry, which is very near to here.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Then it was buried in the garden for some time, you know,
0:24:13 > 0:24:17just tipped from an old roof, perhaps from our own house.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21And then we discovered it. We're digging it up all the time.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24So I started to think about shape and form,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28and sculpture's something I've always been very interested in
0:24:28 > 0:24:30so I really enjoyed doing it.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Now, Judith, we have a slightly different colour theme going on
0:24:39 > 0:24:43- here with the red tulips.- It's great, isn't it? It's Apeldoorn.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46This is Apeldoorn. Very tough.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50We add to it every three years to keep the continuance
0:24:50 > 0:24:55and we hope that the dandelions don't come in too dominantly
0:24:55 > 0:24:58because we love the red and the green together.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02It has this almost poppy-like appearance.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05I think you need to explain what's going on here with the stumps.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08This is steps which roughly symbolise
0:25:08 > 0:25:10the journey through life,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12starting as a baby on the easy steps
0:25:12 > 0:25:16and then you get to middle age, where it wobbles a bit.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18The point is, well, doesn't need any explanation.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20That's the end, isn't it?
0:25:20 > 0:25:22But you know, I have to say,
0:25:22 > 0:25:24you've taken me on a wonderful journey today.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27Not just all the sculptures but all your beautiful plants.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30I think it's a spectacular garden, so, thank you so much.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32- I really enjoyed it. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40This is a job that you don't say to yourself,
0:25:40 > 0:25:41"Well, I'll do that tomorrow."
0:25:41 > 0:25:44When you see bishop's weed growing in a small patch like this,
0:25:44 > 0:25:47do it now, because it spreads like crazy and very quickly.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Using glyphosate, this little formulation of it
0:25:51 > 0:25:54is in a sort of glucose...
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Coming out the bottom there, look.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59All you need to do is paint the green surface
0:25:59 > 0:26:02and it will translocate the chemical through to the roots
0:26:02 > 0:26:03and kill the root system
0:26:03 > 0:26:06without harming anything else around about it.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11Just give it a dusting and that will do the business.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13You will have nailed it.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17The damage on these redcurrant leaves is caused
0:26:17 > 0:26:19by the currant blister aphid.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21There's the damage it creates on the top.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23And often when you see that damage, it's too late
0:26:23 > 0:26:25because the aphids have gone.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28This doesn't really cause any harm to the plant at all.
0:26:28 > 0:26:29They will grow quite happily.
0:26:29 > 0:26:30They'll crop quite well
0:26:30 > 0:26:33even though they've got that marking on the leaf.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36So, all you need to do is just pinch out the tips.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43This is just a timely reminder to deadhead your daffodil bulbs.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Basically, you're taking off this whole seed head here.
0:26:47 > 0:26:48You don't want it to make seed,
0:26:48 > 0:26:51you want the energy to go back into the bulb itself.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Also, don't be too much of a tidy gardener.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57You know, don't tie the foliage into knots.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00You want the foliage to just naturally die back
0:27:00 > 0:27:03and then you'll have good flowers for next year.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Well, that's just about it
0:27:07 > 0:27:09and I'm not going to enjoy the ending of this programme,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11so let's have the medicine first, shall we?
0:27:11 > 0:27:13- Right, here we are.- He's back.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16OK. Right. Some miner's lettuce in there. A piece of radish.
0:27:16 > 0:27:17And a viola.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20And a viola. He's taken all the violas.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22- OK.- But that was that little one that you liked.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24- Orange Duet, wasn't it?- Yeah, yeah. - I'll take the radish then.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27- Taste all right? - That's quite a nice mixture.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28It's not bad.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30But the reason I'm not going to enjoy it, what a mess!
0:27:30 > 0:27:32This hebe collection is rubbish.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35It's really rather sad. Planted in September.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Now, two variegated ones have gone.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39They are meant to be a bit more on the tender side,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42but that one over there, Jim, that variety...
0:27:42 > 0:27:44That's Carl Teschner. I've grown that all over the place.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46It started to die in November. That's not right.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50This Midnight Sky which is here, that's very, very dark.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54It is, as the name suggests, dark. Why did you put that?
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Because I quite like it and it's a little bit of an observation.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00- But that would go nice with a golden leaf plant.- Yes, it would.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01It's a survivor.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03And that one. Albicans.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06The real story, I think, is that we planted hebes in September,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08we went into a very wet autumn,
0:28:08 > 0:28:10they didn't get a chance to get established
0:28:10 > 0:28:11and they just have not survived.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14If we were to take the same range of plants now,
0:28:14 > 0:28:17fresh, new plants in pots, put them in, they'd grow like the clappers.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20We need to try that then, definitely.
0:28:20 > 0:28:21Anyway, if you'd like any more information
0:28:21 > 0:28:23about this week's programme,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26including that lovely garden at Simon and Judith McPhun's,
0:28:26 > 0:28:28it's all in the fact sheet.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30The easiest way to access that is online.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33- Next week...- We're back with the bedding plants. But this time,
0:28:33 > 0:28:35it's summer bedding plants. So, until then...
0:28:35 > 0:28:37- ALL:- Goodbye!