Beechgrove Garden

Carole Baxter and Brian Cunningham review how Beechgrove Garden has survived the winter - what damage did the storms cause, and what plants were lost to January's cold snap?

Brian and Lizzie launch a competition between the Beechgrove presenters to see who can create the most successful vegetable plot of the season.

There is plenty of productive gardening at Beechgrove, with fruit, onions and potatoes all on the menu. George Anderson and Calum Clunie are potting the onions and shallots that Calum sowed in December, and Calum starts work on his plot for the Beechgrove veg-growing competition. George is in the fruit cage demonstrating what and how to prune at this time of year, and he also starts his small-space garden for growers with big ambition but little room to plant. There is a visit to Glasgow house with a stunning collection of house plants, plus tips and handy hints on indoor growing. Calum reports from Kelso’s Potato Day - a shopping opportunity to choose from dozens of varieties of potatoes and select a variety that suits your own growing conditions and taste preferences. There is also a look ahead to Easter weekend, one of the busiest times of year for plant shopping.

Gardening for wildlife, vegetables and small spaces are all covered this week at Beechgrove. Brian is planting shrubs in the Garden for Wildlife, choosing varieties that will encourage and help pollinators. Ruth starts her own vegetable plot that she will use as her entry in this year’s presenter veg-growing competition. She also starts her vertical garden, ideal for anyone with just a small space in which to grow. Ruth also tackles this year’s tomatoes in the 6x8 greenhouse, and she tests an automatic irrigation system that could be a great idea if you have to leave your precious plants to go on holiday this summer. There are tips on what you should be doing with your dahlias right now, and Ruth is sowing lentils, which will be great for soup later in the year.