Gardening Australia- Patch from Scratch (1996)
Plot Synopsis
Gardening Australia television program has been extremely popular for many years now, offering down-to-earth and simple advice on all facets of gardening. Without resorting to some of the fancier tricks and showbiz style entertainment antics of its commercial television rivals (especially that other backyard show also seen on a Friday night), the program has built up quite a following with its helpful advice and straight-talking methods. Hosted by gardening legend Peter Cundall, and with presenters from all around the country, Gardening Australia is without a doubt the only truly national gardening television show.
Patch From Scratch (61:41)
Produced in 1996, this is an interesting hour-long episode that sees Gardening Australia host Peter Cundall create a brand-new organic vegetable garden from scratch. Filmed over a period of some 18 months, it sees Cundall first select the ideal location (a boring stretch of lawn which he soon digs up), the preparation of the soil, and then the subsequent selection and planting of crops. Over the next year and a half the progress of what he has planted is monitored and he also explains the various techniques (such as crop rotation and clever use of mulches) that promote greater crop yields. Each season is dealt with separately so you know exactly what you should be doing and when. He plants all manner of crops in what is quite a small patch including tomatoes, corn, peas, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, and onions. His method for growing potatoes using newspaper and straw simply laid upon the grass is remarkable to say the least.
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