Jimmy Doherty in Darwin's Garden torrent

Charles Darwin came up with some ingenious experiments to prove his theory of evolution. Jimmy Doherty attempts to recreate some of these investigations

Dangerous Ideas

When Charles Darwin set about proving his theory of evolution, he had none of the advantages of modern genetics or DNA analysis so he came up with some ingenious experiments of his own. In this series, Jimmy Doherty recreates many of these investigations.

Jimmy takes a hands-on approach as he digs up a patch of turf in Darwin's own garden in Kent to illustrate the struggle for existence; he ropes down a chalk cliff to explore the age of the Earth; and he lets seeds soak in salt water for a month. The smelly results from this experiment prove that plants have the potential to cross oceans.

These and other investigations gave Darwin the evidence he needed to publish his theory in 1859. By replicating them Jimmy uncovers a dynamic Darwin, and through them reveals the secrets of evolution.

The Storm Breaks
When Darwin publishes his theory of evolution, he is attacked by many critics. He retreats to his garden in Kent to do new experiments to defend his theory.

Jimmy Doherty re-creates some of this extraordinary work. Jimmy feeds his own urine to an insectivorous plant to find out why they eat insects, and cuts off the tail feathers of a peacock to see if it handicaps its sex life.

Of Apes and Men
After his theory of evolution was attacked by critics, Darwin retreated to his garden in Kent to do new experiments that would defend his ideas. Jimmy Doherty re-creates some of this extraordinary work