Episode 12

Image for Episode 12Not currently available on BBC iPlayer

Gardeners' World, 2011 Episode 12 of 28

Duration: 30 minutes

Monty Don visits the iconic garden of impressionist painter Claude Monet at Giverny. As well as revelling in the beauty and colour of Monet's paradise at this time of year, he has a privileged chat to Englishman James Priest, who, just this week, took up his role as Head Gardener of this world-renowned garden.

Back at Longmeadow Monty shares his top tips for growing key culinary herbs. Now that soft summer fruits are beginning to swell he also begins the task of netting and mulching strawberries to ensure he can enjoy the harvest before the birds do.

Meanwhile, Carol Klein offers some timely propagation advice at her home in Devon.

  • GARDEN FEATURED

    GARDEN FEATURED

    Claude Monet Foundation
    84, Rue Claude Monet
    27620 Giverny
    Normandy
    France

    Monet’s Garden is open every day from 1 April – 1 November 2011 (9.30am – 6.00pm). It is about a 90km drive from Paris or 45min by train.

    Monet’s Garden at Giverny

  • HERBS

    HERBS

    When growing herbs, it’s important to understand what conditions they like. Most will enjoy being baked in the sun with very good drainage, while others prefer a damper situation in the shade. Here’s a quick guide.

    Dry & sunny

    Basil
    French tarragon
    Marjoram
    Oregano
    Rosemary
    Sage
    Summer savory
    Thyme
    Winter savory

    Moist shade

    Chervil
    Chives
    Lovage
    Mint
    Parsley
    Sweet cicely

    Coriander and dill do best in a sunny spot, but need to be watered during dry spells to prevent them running to seed too early.

    More on herbs from BBC Gardening

  • STRAWBERRIES

    STRAWBERRIES

    (Photograph: Many thanks to Tim’sSeaGlimpses from the Gardeners’ World Flickr group)

    Strawberries need to be grown in full sun to get the best flavour. They need plenty of moisture too, with shelter from the wind. If your soil is very sandy or alkaline, we’d recommend growing them in a large container. Three plants to a 10 litre pot usually works well.

    Young strawberry plants normally go on sale in garden centres in about July or August. Summer-bearing varieties crop over two or three weeks from the end of May to the end of July. And within this period, there are early, mid- and late-season varieties. To extend the season, you could grow one of each. The alternative is to buy a perpetual or everbearing variety. These tend to produce smaller crops of smaller fruits but over a longer period.

    More on growing strawberries from BBC Gardening

  • JOBS FOR THE WEEKEND: SAVE SELF-SOWN SEEDLINGS AS YOU WEED

    As you hand-weed your borders, it’s worth keeping an eye out for self-sown seedlings. If you want to keep them in situ, thin them out so that they don’t become overcrowded. Or if you want to grow them in a different part of your garden, dig up a selection and transplant them straight away.

    More seasonal advice from BBC Gardening

  • JOBS FOR THE WEEKEND: TIE IN SWEET PEAS

    Sweet peas put on a lot of growth at this time of year, so it’s important to keep tying them in to their support. Using garden twine, make a loose figure of eight between each stem and its support so that the stem can move freely about in the wind.

    More on growing sweet peas from BBC Gardening

Credits

Series Producer
Liz Rumbold
Presenter
Monty Don
Presenter
Carol Klein
Producer
Louise Hampden

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