麻豆约拍

Jim McColl is dreaming of jam as he sets about pruning the cherries and plums. Meanwhile, Carole Baxter and Chris Beardshaw are trying to prove that even in a tiny space and using containers you can still have a productive garden. They investigate a range of multi-mini-tatties and start off a range of mini veg that will happily grow in containers.

Chris and Carole are also working on their herbaceous border where they are starting off a trial to compare trusted old varieties of herbaceous perennials to similar but modern cultivars to see what happens.

Jim, Carole, Chris and George also indulge in a little marrow mayhem. Each is to attempt to grow the biggest, best marrow. They all have secret composts, feeding regimes and their own bits of magic to try and encourage maximum growth.

Carole is also with Muriel Cockburn in Strathpeffer who has tried without much success to have productive areas in her garden. The soil is poor and the garden is on a slope. The pear and rasps have not fruited well. The plum has been broken by the wind. Muriel would like to know how to adapt and plant with her environment, and ultimately she wants to be self-sufficient with fruit and veg. Carole gives Muriel a complete fruit and veggie overhaul.

Jim also visits the many-facetted five-acre gardens of Gargunnock House near Stirling. At this time of the year, apart from the 40 varieties of daffodil to see, the gardens are all about rhododendrons. Head gardener Willie Campbell is a very active member of the Rhododendron Conservation Group and is involved in making sure that threatened species of rhododendron are secure and safe from the threat of extinction.