Lios Mhairi/Mairi’s Hebridean Garden

It’s spring and Mairi has a few challenges to overcome in her garden before she can think about planting. She visits composting expert Donald Urquhart, learns how to sow traditional grains and finds out how endangered native Hebridean woodland is being preserved.

Mairi is ready to start planting her veg, she meets biodynamic gardener Kirsty Macdonald, who started an island garden from scratch 25 years ago, and artists Margaret Uttley and David Knight whose polytunnel houses their beloved bonsai collection.

Mairi’s busy getting plants in the ground. She travels to Skye to learn about extracting dyes from local plants aided by experts Kirsty and Simon, and visits Nicola McBride who’s turned her flower garden into a business.

It’s summer and Mairi is harvesting her home grown produce. She visits a Victorian walled garden in East Lothian where seasonal blooms are grown, meets enthusiastic beekeeper Gregor and visits friend Joanne who has two flourishing polytunnels.

Mairi tries out natural dyeing with local heather, and harvests the last of her tatties. She visits accomplished dahlia grower James Maciver and travels to Uist to Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath’s thriving school garden.