Countryfile Summer Diaries

As summer season gets underway, many of us head to the coast to cool off - but the unpredictability of the cold water combined with strong currents can prove fatal. Keeley investigates what we should do if we get caught in a rip current; Jules finds out why our seagulls are heading into town for an urban free lunch, and - from a top-secret location - Margherita reports on a summer crop that's being grown for pain relief. Paul Martin will be breathing new life into his Victorian smallholding in Wiltshire. His Summer diary starts with his fruit trees.

Today, Jules finds out how changing our shower gel could help save our seas and protect our marine wildlife. Keeley reports on the summer battle between fruit farmer and Mother Nature. The arrival of elderflower is a sure sign summer is here. Margherita joins the pickers bringing in this years harvest. And in Wiltshire, Paul Martin provides top tips on combating pests on his allotment.

From a secret location, Margherita is on the trail of an exclusive and rather elusive food that's worth its weight in gold. Jules (pictured) is finding out whether eating ice cream at this time of the year could actually be good for your health. Nearly half the population in the UK has low levels of Vitamin D so Keeley asks could a drop of sunshine be the answer. And rookie smallholder Paul Martin will be providing tips on how to create charcoal for your summer barbeque.

We'll be finding out if it's possible to farm lobster to safeguard wild stocks. How climbers are helping to protect a rare upland bird. Why our wildflower meadows are in danger of becoming ‘McMeadows' and what we can all do to stop this new phenomenon. And there'll be tips on how to keep quails from fledgling smallholder Paul Martin.

As we look forward to autumn, Keeley joins the pea squad to bring in our most popular vegetable, Margherita finds out why a bunch of women are putting the bloom back in to Britain, while Paul cracks how to cash in on keeping quails.