The Beechgrove Garden 2023 episode 8: Carole Baxter and Diana Yates are at the garden outside Aberdeen where they are continuing to mark the show’s 45th anniversary by planting blue-themed varieties. Carole Baxter and Diana Yates, two eminent horticulturalists, find themselves in the lush, verdant garden located just outside the scenic city of Aberdeen. Here, they are in the process of creating a fitting tribute for the show’s momentous 45th anniversary. The tribute, an enchanting display of blue-themed varieties of plants, resonates with the depth and diversity of nature. This week, the duo dives into the fascinating world of container planting, a versatile technique perfect for both small and expansive spaces.
Amidst the myriad of colourful blooms, Baxter and Yates guide the audience through an educational demonstration. Their objective: to illustrate the process of producing homemade fertiliser using comfrey, an often overlooked yet incredibly beneficial plant. By doing so, they are bringing a piece of sustainable gardening right into the hands of the viewers, simplifying complex procedures into doable, everyday gardening tasks.
Elsewhere, nestled in the quaint town of Joppa, George Anderson is all set to share the latest happenings from his very own, cherished garden. There’s always something new and intriguing growing under his experienced hand, and audiences are always eager to hear his enlightening and entertaining updates.
Meanwhile, Beechgrove’s resident gardening expert, Scott Smith, is prepared to share a comprehensive, back-to-basics guide. His focus this week is directed at helping viewers understand how to identify when their seedlings have developed enough to warrant ‘potting on’. This critical stage in a plant’s life cycle often confuses beginners, and Smith’s guide aims to decode the signs, ensuring your young plants get the best possible care to thrive.
The Beechgrove Garden 2023 episode 8
The Beechgrove Garden: A Scottish Gardening Show
If you are a gardening enthusiast, you might have heard of The Beechgrove Garden, a popular TV programme that showcases the beauty and challenges of Scottish horticulture. The show has been running since 1978 and has inspired many gardeners across the UK and beyond. In this blog post, we will give you an overview of what The Beechgrove Garden is all about, and why you should watch it if you love gardening.
What is The Beechgrove Garden?
The Beechgrove Garden is a weekly gardening show that airs on BBC Two Scotland and BBC iPlayer. It features a team of expert presenters who share their tips and tricks on how to grow plants in various conditions, from the cold and wet climate of Scotland to the dry and sunny regions of the world. The show also visits gardens of different sizes and styles, from small urban plots to large country estates, and showcases the best plants and designs for each situation.
The show is named after the original plot of land used for filming, which was the garden behind the BBC studios in Beechgrove Terrace, Aberdeen. The show has since moved to a larger site on a hillside near Skene, about 7 miles west of Aberdeen. The current garden covers 3 acres and has a variety of features, such as a pond, a rock garden, a vegetable patch, a fruit cage, a greenhouse, a polytunnel, and more.
Why should you watch The Beechgrove Garden?
The Beechgrove Garden is not only informative but also entertaining and inspiring. Here are some reasons why you should tune in to the show:
- You will learn how to grow plants that suit your climate and soil type. The show covers a wide range of plants, from flowers and shrubs to vegetables and fruits, and explains how to care for them in different seasons and weather conditions. You will also discover new varieties and cultivars that you might not have heard of before.
- You will get ideas on how to design and improve your own garden. The show features many examples of beautiful and practical gardens that you can emulate or adapt to your own space and taste. You will also get advice on how to deal with common problems and pests that might affect your plants.
- You will enjoy the stunning scenery and landscapes of Scotland. The show often travels to different parts of the country and showcases the natural beauty and diversity of Scottish gardens. You will also get to see some historical and cultural landmarks that are related to gardening or horticulture.
- You will have fun watching the friendly and humorous presenters. The show has a team of charismatic and knowledgeable presenters who share their passion and expertise on gardening. They also have a good rapport with each other and with the viewers, making the show lively and engaging.
How can you watch The Beechgrove Garden?
The Beechgrove Garden airs every Thursday on HDclump.com. You can also watch it online on HDclump.com, where you can find the latest episodes as well as some clips and factsheets from previous seasons. You can also visit the show’s official website, where you can find more information about the presenters, the garden, the leaflets, and the social media feeds.
If you are looking for a gardening show that celebrates Scottish horticulture and growing conditions, you should definitely check out The Beechgrove Garden. It will give you plenty of inspiration and guidance on how to create your own beautiful and productive garden.
Container Planting
Container planting is a great way to add color, texture and interest to your garden, patio or balcony. You can grow a variety of plants in containers, from flowers and herbs to vegetables and fruits. Container planting also allows you to experiment with different combinations and styles, such as cottage, tropical or modern.
Benefits of Container Planting
There are many benefits of container planting, such as:
– You can grow plants in areas where there is no soil, such as paved surfaces, rooftops or indoors.
– You can move the containers around to change the look of your space or to provide optimal growing conditions for your plants.
– You can control the soil quality and drainage in your containers, which can improve the health and performance of your plants.
– You can avoid some soil-borne pests and diseases that may affect plants in the ground.
– You can save water by watering only the containers and not the surrounding area.
Choosing Containers
The first step in container planting is choosing the right containers for your plants. There are many types and materials of containers available, such as plastic, ceramic, metal, wood or fiber. When choosing containers, consider the following factors:
- Size: The container should be large enough to accommodate the root system of your plant and provide some room for growth. A general rule is to choose a container that is at least one-third as tall as the plant’s mature height and twice as wide as its spread.
- Drainage: The container should have holes at the bottom to allow excess water to drain out. This prevents root rot and fungal diseases. You can also place a layer of gravel or broken pottery at the bottom of the container to improve drainage.
- Weight: The container should be sturdy enough to support the weight of the plant and the soil, especially when wet. However, it should not be too heavy to move around if needed. You can use lightweight materials such as plastic or fiber for large containers or add casters or wheels to make them easier to move.
- Style: The container should match the style and theme of your space and complement the plant’s shape, color and texture. You can use contrasting or harmonizing colors, patterns and shapes to create different effects.
Choosing Plants
The next step in container planting is choosing the right plants for your containers. You can grow almost any plant in a container, as long as you provide the appropriate growing conditions. When choosing plants, consider the following factors:
- Sunlight: The plant should match the amount of sunlight that your container receives. Some plants prefer full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day), some prefer partial sun (4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day) and some prefer shade (less than 4 hours of direct sunlight per day).
- Water: The plant should match the water requirements of your container. Some plants need frequent watering (every day or every other day), some need moderate watering (once or twice a week) and some need infrequent watering (once every two weeks or less).
- Soil: The plant should match the soil type and pH of your container. Some plants prefer rich and organic soil, some prefer sandy and well-drained soil and some prefer acidic or alkaline soil.
- Temperature: The plant should match the temperature range of your container. Some plants are hardy (can survive cold temperatures), some are tender (can survive mild temperatures) and some are tropical (can survive warm temperatures).
- Height: The plant should match the height of your container and the space available. Some plants are tall (more than 3 feet), some are medium (1 to 3 feet) and some are short (less than 1 foot).
- Spread: The plant should match the spread of your container and the space available. Some plants are wide (more than 3 feet), some are medium (1 to 3 feet) and some are narrow (less than 1 foot).
- Growth habit: The plant should match the growth habit of your container and the space available. Some plants are upright (grow vertically), some are trailing (grow horizontally) and some are mounding (grow in a rounded shape).