Gardeners World 2023 Episode 28 – Autumn is in the air, signaling the beginning of apple harvest season. Our expert, Monty Don, generously shares invaluable insights on how to manage those windfalls. Not stopping there, he provides guidance on how to effectively plant a container that will not only look aesthetically pleasing but will also serve as a vibrant refuge for winter insects. Adam Frost embarks on a journey to meet a resilient designer. She, despite facing the challenges of extreme weather conditions and undeniably tough terrains, has sculpted the garden of her dreams, an epitome of determination and passion. Meanwhile, Nick Bailey gets a closer look into the world of two innovative landscape designers. Their unique approach involves pushing plants to their very limits, aiming to understand their resilience and adaptability in the harshest conditions.
Sue Kent, with a green thumb and curious spirit, brings to the table a bountiful harvest from her garden. Among her array of crops, one finds intriguing choices like the robust daikon radish and the delicate almonds. After her harvest, she dives into a new project, planting a spring-flowering climber that will soon become a centerpiece in her revamped seating area.
A zealous plantsman, filled with a wealth of knowledge, welcomes us to explore his coastal garden sanctuary. This haven is not only a testament to his dedication but also showcases a diverse collection of plants that thrive in drought conditions. Finally, we meet a dedicated gardener whose garden has evolved over the years, becoming a beacon of solace, hope, and inspiration for many.
Gardeners World 2023 Episode 28
It’s apple harvest time, and Monty shares tips on what to do with windfalls before planting a container to give a colourful boost for winter insects. Adam Frost visits a designer who has overcome extreme weather conditions and difficult terrain to create the garden of her dreams. Nick Bailey meets two landscape designers pushing plants to their limits to see how they cope in extreme conditions.
Sue Kent harvests some interesting crops from her garden, including daikon radish and almonds, before planting a spring flowering climber in her new-look seating area. A passionate plantsman shows us around his coastal garden sanctuary which has a rich array of drought loving plants. And there’s a gardener whose garden has become a place of solace and hope.
Make the Most of Apple Windfalls This Harvest
With apple harvest season in full swing, many gardeners will find themselves with an abundance of windfall apples littering the ground below their trees. While this can seem like a nuisance, Monty Don shares helpful tips on making the most of this fruitful bounty.
The key is taking action quickly before the windfalls go bad. Apples bruise easily when they hit the ground, so timely collection is essential. Gently gather any intact apples first to store for later use. Damaged or bruised apples should be used right away in recipes like applesauce, chutney, pies and apple butter. Refrigerating extends their shelf life.
For gardeners overwhelmed with too many windfalls, consider pressing them into juice or cider. Local pressing services are available in many areas and worth exploring. Composting is another green option for disposing of damaged apples. Just chop them up first.
Finally, windfalls can be put to creative use beyond eating. Craft projects like apple stamping and garlands are fun for kids. And placing a few cut apples in containers will attract winter insects and boost color.
Tips for Making the Most of Apple Windfalls
- Gently gather intact windfalls quickly and refrigerate for storage.
- Use damaged apples right away in recipes like applesauce and chutney.
- Press excess apples into cider or juice.
- Chop and compost apples you can’t use.
- Craft creative projects with kids using windfalls.
- Display cut apples in containers to attract insects.
Creating a Winter Container Garden for Insects
In late fall, our gardens can look a bit dreary as plants die back. But there are simple ways to give them a boost of color to attract beneficial insects during the colder months. As Monty Don demonstrated, a thoughtfully designed winter container garden can add cheer and support local wildlife.
When choosing plants, focus on varieties with year-round appeal and winter hardiness. Evergreens like conifers, ivy, skimmia and holly provide greenery. Dogwood and willow stems add colorful structure. Hardy winter blooms include heathers, winter pansies, violas and flowering kale.
Incorporate food sources like seed heads, berries and herbs. Let the faded blooms and seed heads of perennials stand over winter rather than deadheading. Plant cosmos, coneflowers and rudbeckias. Rose hips, holly berries, crabapples and pyracantha all supply winter fruit. And herbs like thyme and sage help attract beneficial insects.
Finally, include natural materials like hollow stems, pinecones, seed pods and grape vine tendrils. Position a few half-buried pots on their sides to create insect shelters. Top with evergreen branches for protection. Maintaining a winter container garden not only adds cheer, but also supports insects during the harsher months.
Elements to Include in a Winter Container Garden
- Hardy evergreen foliage like holly, ivy and conifers
- Colorful willow and dogwood stems
- Cool weather blooms like pansies, violas and kale
- Seed heads and dried perennial blooms
- Fruiting plants like rose hips and crabapples
- Herbs like thyme and sage
- Natural materials for shelter like stems, pods and pinecones
Creating a Garden Sanctuary in Extreme Conditions
Gardening in extreme weather and difficult terrain brings special challenges. But as Adam Frost discovered, a creative designer can overcome these obstacles to build their dream garden sanctuary.
This remarkable landscape was devised to thrive despite the extremes of an exposed hillside site. The priority was selecting plants proven to withstand the elements. Hardy native shrubs like gorse, box and yew provide evergreen structure. Wind-resistant beech hedging offers shelter and privacy. And tough flowering perennials add seasonal color.
Adapting the design to the environment was equally important. Stone terraces tame the steep slope while improving drainage. Walls and fences protect more vulnerable plantings. A water garden sunk into the hillside provides irrigation. And a southwest-facing sunroom creates a warm microclimate.
By working in harmony with the challenges of the site, the designer achieved her ultimate goal – a resilient, low-maintenance garden sanctuary that provides joy year-round. This landscape stands as an inspiration for what’s possible with careful plant selection and creative vision.
Strategies for Building a Garden in Extreme Conditions
- Choose native, hardy plants adapted to the environment
- Include evergreen shrubs and hedges for structure and windbreaks
- Build terraces, walls and fences to modify slopes and exposure
- Create microclimates using aspects like sun-facing walls and sheltered courtyards
- Install water features to aid garden irrigation in dry conditions
- Focus on resilient plants requiring minimal maintenance
- Design the garden to complement the site’s unique conditions
Pushing Plants to the Limit in Creative Landscapes
Experimenting with plants at the limits of their hardiness brings excitement and discovery to the art of garden design. As Nick Bailey discovered, experienced landscape designers relish the challenge of nudging plants into extreme environments.
By observing how plants respond under stress, invaluable knowledge emerges on their adaptability. Alpines thrive in a gravel garden with perfect drainage, while mediterranean herbs flourish in free-draining raised beds. The key is matching habitats to plant preferences.
But designers must also allow for failure. When using species at the margins of their tolerance, losses are inevitable. Observing which varieties struggle or perish informs future choices. Creative experiments often lead down unexpected paths.
Landscape design involves both science and art. The thrill of innovation comes from planting new combinations and expanding ecological niches. In the hands of inventive designers, a garden becomes a living laboratory where plants can reach their full potential. The results might just surprise us.
Pushing Plants to the Limit Requires:
- A spirit of creativity and discovery
- Observing plants closely in challenging conditions
- Tailoring habitats to species’ preferences
- Allowing for failure and learning from the results
- Continually experimenting with new varieties and combinations
- Finding exciting potential beyond plants’ normal bounds
- Balancing science and art in original designs
Uncovering Edible Treasures in the Fall Garden
Autumn offers a bounty of interesting crops for adventurous gardeners like Sue Kent. Alongside favorites like squash, kale and Brussels sprouts, more obscure edibles can flourish in the cooler months.
One overlooked gem is the daikon radish. These crisp Asian vegetables thrive through winter, developing sweet, mild flesh unlike summer radishes. Sow seeds in fall for plump roots by winter. Daikons add a nutty, fresh flavor to salads, slaws and pickles. They can also be roasted or simmered in soups and stews. Surprisingly, almonds also prosper as a fall crop in England’s mild climate. Look for self-fertile nut trees grafted onto dwarfing rootstock. Grow in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-draining soil. The beautiful spring blossoms are an added bonus. Harvest the nuts in fall and enjoy fresh or dried.
With the right selection, gardens yield a feast of roots, greens, nuts and more long after summer’s produce is gone. Don’t overlook the diverse edibles you can grow for fall and winter harvesting.
Uncommon Edibles to Try for Fall/Winter Growing:
- Daikon radish
- Kohlrabi
- Salsify
- Sunchokes
- Claytonia
- Tatsoi
- Mizuna
- Mustard greens
- Collard greens
- Almonds
- Pecans
- Persimmons
- Apples
- Asian pears
Create a Tranquil Seating Area with Spring Flowering Climbers
As days shorten heading into winter, a new seating area surrounded by fragrant blooms can offer tranquil sanctuary. Sue Kent demonstrated how to plant spring flowering climbers to create a relaxing retreat next year.
Choose a sheltered, sunny spot against a wall, fence or pergola. Most flowering vines thrive grown vertically against a support. Options include wisteria, clematis, honeysuckle, passionflower and climbing roses. Pick varieties suited to your climate that bloom sequentially for extended color.
Prepare soil with compost and dig in trellis posts or assemble structures. Plant climbers in fall or early spring. Water well and apply mulch. Prune regularly per variety guidelines to promote abundant flowering.
Visualize how the mature vines will drape over seating spaces and design for bloom time, fragrance and accessibility. A thoughtfully planted haven, scented by sweet spring climbers and secluded amidst greenery promises a peaceful oasis to savor for years to come.
Tips for Creating a Flowering Climber Retreat:
- Choose a sheltered, sunny spot against a vertical support
- Select climbers to provide sequential, prolonged bloom
- Prepare soil well and install trellises or structures
- Plant in fall or early spring and prune yearly
- Position seating near fragrant blooms at their peak
- Use trellises and pergolas to design an intimate space
Crafting a Coastal Garden Oasis
Gardening in seaside environments brings its own set of challenges, from salt spray to wind exposure. But as one passionate plantsman proved, embracing these conditions allows you to create a thriving coastal garden sanctuary.
The secret lies in selecting plants naturally adapted to shoreline habitats. Evergreens like juniper, rosemary and olearia withstand the elements while providing year-round structure. Salvia, sedum, lavender and other Mediterranean herbs relish free-draining soil and tolerate salt. Mounding succulents like sea thrift and ice plant handle poor, sandy earth while stabilizing dunes. Grasses lend movement and trap blowing sand. Avoid invasive varieties and refrain from fertilizing to keep growth in check.
By working in harmony with the windswept environment, you can cultivate a rich array of texture and color. Your coastal garden will evolve into a treasured sanctuary where you can savor ocean vistas bathed in sunlight beside plants born to thrive in seaside conditions.
Elements for Thriving Coastal Gardens:
- Hardy evergreen shrubs and trees
- Mediterranean herbs and succulents
- Ornamental grasses for structure and movement
- Native plants acclimated to sandy, salty soil
- Avoid fertilizing and invasive varieties
- Embrace natural weathering and imperfect conditions
Finding Solace in the Healing Power of Gardens
For one dedicated gardener, nurturing an urban oasis transformed not just the surroundings but his outlook on life. By pouring hope and care into the garden, it became a cherished place of solace through difficult times.
The simple acts of digging, planting, pruning and tending helped shift focus away from hardship toward the promise of rebirth each season. Beyond beautifying the landscape, patience and perseverance in the garden instilled confidence. Watching new growth emerge from decay mirrored the resilience of the human spirit. The garden’s eternal cycle, continuous despite setbacks, came to symbolize hope. Amidst the leaves, blooms and songbirds, it was possible to heal.
Gardens hold the power to provide sanctuary and renew perspective when we need it most. By planting seeds of intention along with flowers and vegetables, the place we tend can blossom into so much more – a refuge, a mentor, a friend.
How Gardening Offers Solace and Healing:
- The meditative practice instills patience and focus.
- Nurturing plants builds a sense of purpose and pride.
- The natural cycles represent human resilience and rebirth.
- Beauty and nature foster appreciation and gratitude.
- Achieving growth and abundance inspires confidence.
- Creativity and care transform space into sanctuary.
Conclusion: The Renewing Joy of Gardens
The highlights from this episode of Gardeners’ World illustrate the many gifts gardens offer individuals and the wider ecosystem. Each gardener found meaning through cultivating sanctuary in their own unique plot of earth.
By valuing the abundance around us, from apple windfalls to hardy coastal scrub, we discover new potential. Challenging conditions become opportunities to create and learn. Experimenting with diverse edibles and blooms satisfies curiosity. And gardens provide solace, leaving us transformed.
Gardening connects us to the very roots of existence. We co-create alongside nature by planting, nurturing and shaping the landscape. And in return our efforts bear fruit, nourishing both body and soul. May we all find moments of wonder and renewal in the gardens that sustain us.
Frequently Asked Questions – Gardeners World 2023 Episode 28
What are some uses for windfall apples?
Windfall apples can be used to make applesauce, chutney, cider, pies and other recipes. Intact apples can be stored in the fridge for later use. Damaged apples are best used quickly, and excess apples can be chopped and composted.
How can I attract beneficial insects to my winter garden?
Include seed heads, berries, herbs, hollow stems, pinecones and other natural materials. Evergreen foliage, winter blooms, and fruiting plants also appeal to insects seeking food and shelter.
What strategies help create gardens in extreme conditions?
Choose hardy, resilient native plants suited to the environment. Add windbreaks, terraces, walls and fences to modify exposure. Design microclimates using sun-facing walls, courtyards, etc. Install irrigation like water gardens for dry areas.
Why do landscape designers push plants to their limit?
It builds creative knowledge on plant adaptability and hardiness. Controlled experiments reveal which plants thrive or fail in challenging habitats. Failures help refine future plant choices.
What are some uncommon edibles that can be grown in fall?
Some unique fall/winter crops include daikon radish, kohlrabi, salsify, almonds, pecans, persimmons, and Asian pears. Greens like mustard, tatsoi and collards also prosper in cooler weather.
How do gardens provide solace and healing?
Gardening instills patience, resilience and hope through nature’s regenerative cycles. Creativity and care transform space into sanctuary. Achieving growth builds confidence and purpose. Beauty and life foster gratitude and perspective.
