In Beechgrove Garden episode 16 2016 : Jim brings us up to date on how the crops in the veg plot are doing, whilst Carole checks up on the progress of more tender veg inside.
Chris battles with the bog garden at Beechgrove, replanting this previously overgrown area with wet soil loving plants. At North Kessock, just north of Inverness overlooking the Moray Firth, Carole marvels at a virtually vertical rock face lying on bedrock, which David and Penny Veitch have transformed over almost 30 years into a haven for alpines and scree plants.
Jim, Carole and George were looking at the flower scatter seed mixes. And last year there was a colourful display provided by a commercially available scatter mix
– which was sown over the whole bed in successive months over the season. The results inspired each of the presenting team to create their own scatter mixes this year. They each chose 6 seed varieties (see below) and these were sown onto 6 individual plots including the control in mid-May (episode 7).
Beechgrove Garden episode 16 2016:
Small Space Gardening
George’s small space gardening plot had produced a lovely crop sufficient for a couple or small familybut harvested from a really tiny area. The dwarf peas were ready to harvest as the pods were now full. This was the variety ‘Avola’ and is delicious steamed.
Bog Garden Planting
This year both the main pond and the bog garden at Beechgrove have had something of a revamp. It was now time to plant up the Bog Garden. This area has also been cleared over the winter by the gardening team. Horsetail (Equisetum) is a hugely pernicious deep rooted fast growing weed which was in both the bog garden and surrounding the pond. The garden team had managed to get rid of 90% of this weed, however a little pocket was still existing under the bridge.
Vegetable Plot
It was time for a quick update on the 4 crop rotation in the main veg plot. First Jim checked the broad beans which were looking clean and healthy. He advised pinching the tips out as this can prevent an attack of blackfly. The wet summer weather however had not suited the runner beans as they love warmth. Jim doubted we would get a crop this year.
