In Beechgrove Garden episode 17 2016, Carole takes a look at and tastes both peas that are sweet and sweet peas. Carole has been running an observation on varieties of peas and their support systems, and it’s time for harvest and analysis. George returns to his roots as he visits Athelstaneford village near North Berwick. Twelve village gardens are gearing up for an open day, and George takes a tour around as many gardens as he can.
Jim visits Douneside House in Tarland to meet head gardener Stephen McCallum, who leads a progressive horticulture apprenticeship scheme in the stunning surroundings of Douneside House gardens.
Beechgrove Garden episode 17 2016
How to Grow a Gardener
In the concluding part in a miniseries of ‘How to Grow a Gardener, Jim was at Douneside House in Tarland, Aberdeenshire where their horticultural training scheme is the nearest you can get to training ON the Job. Jim met up with Stephen McCallum, Head of Gardens at Douneside and who used to be Head Gardener at Beechgrove.
Douneside House was formerly the home of Lady MacRobert and her family who laid out the extensive gardens in the early 1900s. The Macrobert Trust was set up by Lady MacRobert and one of the principal aims of The Trust is to conduct successful and innovative horticultural operations which enhance the environment and
provide training for new entrant gardeners through a Horticultural Training Scheme.
Weeping Roses
Just a year ago Chris had planted up the Cutting Garden with a collection weeping standard roses under-planted with herbaceous perennials. A year later these have filled out the space with flowers and scent with an elevated look to the planting. It may look as though there is not much maintenance to do here but Chris suggested some timely jobs could be done.
The stakes supporting the weeping standard roses need to be tightened to protect the heads from being buffeted by the wind. There should be a buffer between the stem and stake to stop the stem from being damaged.
Pea Trial
This week it was time to review the pea trial. 14 pea varieties were grown this year with 2 varieties grown in pots. There were also different support systems trial
led this year.