0:00:02 > 0:00:04Do you have a small garden but a big idea?
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Do you know what you'd like it to look like
0:00:06 > 0:00:09but no idea really of where to begin?
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Well, you're not alone.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15Over the last year, I've been working with people right across
0:00:15 > 0:00:19the country helping them to make their garden dreams become reality.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23Monty Don has listened to their hopes and plans.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27It's an absolutely crazy idea and I love it.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30He's given advice...
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Don't be frightened to push plants into crevices.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35..and he's rolled up his sleeves.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Let's not talk about it, let's just do it.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Talk about a lean, mean gardening machine.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Things haven't always gone to plan...
0:00:43 > 0:00:45I thought we were going to make four of those beds.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47I'm a bit worried that we might have killed it.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50..but it's been worth it.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52What a beautiful garden.
0:00:52 > 0:00:53So happy.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Thank you, Monty. Cheers.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59I do believe that however small your garden is,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03everybody can cultivate a big dream.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14I love the way that we British are so passionate about our gardens
0:01:14 > 0:01:20and that even the smallest space can have creativity poured into it.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24And this passion leads us to spend £5 billion
0:01:24 > 0:01:29every year on gardening. But, in this series, I want to show that money
0:01:29 > 0:01:32isn't everything and size really doesn't matter.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36This time, Monty is meeting two sets of gardeners who have big dreams
0:01:36 > 0:01:39for their nightmare gardens.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41I think I've bitten off more than I can chew.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44From a wild wasteland...
0:01:44 > 0:01:45Woo-hoo-hoo!
0:01:45 > 0:01:47..to a clay-clogged building site.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50If I'm looking worried, it's because I am.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55But hard work always comes before big rewards.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Cheers. Cheers, everybody.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Our first garden is in Cadeby, Doncaster.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08It was recently bought along with this bungalow by Helen and Richard.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10The interesting thing about this house is
0:02:10 > 0:02:13we didn't actually look inside, did we, before we bought it.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18It was the land, you know, we saw the potential of the garden,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21we could turn it into something that we always wanted.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24We would make jams and chutneys and we wanted to be able to be
0:02:24 > 0:02:27picking the ingredients from the garden.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31Ultimately, we want to fit a smallholding
0:02:31 > 0:02:32that should be in an acre or more
0:02:32 > 0:02:36into the space that we've got available here.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40Unfortunately, their dream of a smallholding is currently on hold.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43The garden at the moment is a wilderness, really,
0:02:43 > 0:02:45it's completely overgrown,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47it's not been touched for 20 years, I don't think.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50I've not really explored too far.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Imagine trees that are 30 foot tall
0:02:54 > 0:02:57and they should only be five or six feet tall.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00It's dark, it's dank, it's incredibly...
0:03:00 > 0:03:04It feels sorry for itself, it's like something out of a horror movie.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Our second garden belongs to Jan and John
0:03:14 > 0:03:16from Petworth in West Sussex.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19They've just finished building a granny annexe for John's mum
0:03:19 > 0:03:23who will be moving from Portugal back to the UK next summer.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25At the moment, the garden,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28it looks like a building site cos that's what it is so...
0:03:28 > 0:03:30But we have a dream, don't we?
0:03:30 > 0:03:31Yes, we do.
0:03:31 > 0:03:37We have grand plans to really make that into something that
0:03:37 > 0:03:39feels like a piece of Portugal.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44Between Jan and John, there's a very clear division of labour with
0:03:44 > 0:03:48John in charge of the structural work and Jan in charge of John.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- That's not going to be a step, though, is it?- That's part of a step
0:03:51 > 0:03:54so the step is actually a piece of stone.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55But it's not going to look like that?
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Yes, it is going to look like that.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00So John actually enjoys cutting corners but, erm,
0:04:00 > 0:04:04I'm always following behind with my quality control hat on
0:04:04 > 0:04:07so that is not going to be an option this time.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- CHUCKLING:- No. No, it's not.
0:04:10 > 0:04:11It's not.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Do you want it to look like this?
0:04:16 > 0:04:22There will be...not conflict but an element of negotiation there
0:04:22 > 0:04:26between the way Jan thinks it should be and the way I think it should be.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Truth will out.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45It's late autumn and Monty has come to Cadeby in Doncaster to
0:04:45 > 0:04:48help Richard and Helen plan their dream garden.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Hello, Monty. I'm Richard, very nice to meet you.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- And you're Helen. - Nice to meet you.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Very nice to meet you, too. Show me your garden.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03What are your plans for this garden?
0:05:03 > 0:05:07The main aim for this garden is to get everything that we would
0:05:07 > 0:05:11have in a smallholding into this back garden, roughly.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16Pathway up to here, greenhouse, chickens in the corner,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19pumpkin patch, asparagus beds,
0:05:19 > 0:05:23and the actual raised beds for the vegetables where we're standing now.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Ultimately, this wants to be about growing fruit and veg...
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- Production? - ..and productive, absolutely.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Right, what's your budget for this?
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Oh, over to you, the accountant.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Oh, thank you. We've kind of earmarked about £5,000.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42£5,000 is not unreasonable.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46It's not generous, you could easily double that
0:05:46 > 0:05:48without being extravagant at all
0:05:48 > 0:05:51but if that was your budget, it could be done.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54And they'll need that healthy budget to tackle
0:05:54 > 0:05:57the wilderness that is currently their back garden.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- Have you done an inventory of the plants growing here?- No.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04The thing is with the garden, every time you have a look in,
0:06:04 > 0:06:08you find another nook or cranny and I'm almost scared to go in.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Who knows what's going to be in there?
0:06:10 > 0:06:13So, quite honestly, we've not been in all parts of this garden.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17You've been here six weeks and you haven't explored the garden?
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- Now, you haven't been in here. - No.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23But I went in and had a look, here's a nice apple tree. Here.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28It's a nice, old specimen, covered in ivy and elder and all
0:06:28 > 0:06:33sorts of things around it and if you look in, there's another one there.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36These are damsons growing up through here
0:06:36 > 0:06:40and this all fits in to your desire for a little smallholding.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41Yes, absolutely.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44They're going to bear fruit. That will be lovely.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45How exciting, yeah, fantastic.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48- It's a space I never knew I had. - Yeah.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Thrilled with the discovery of fruit trees and extra space,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Richard and Helen are now keen for Monty to take
0:06:55 > 0:06:58a look at their plan and root out any problems.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01These are plans that I've put together, so that's the...
0:07:01 > 0:07:04You're very modest, those are very good plans.
0:07:04 > 0:07:05THEY CHUCKLE
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Richard and Helen have a clear plan for their dream smallholding.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14They intend to take the garden back to basics,
0:07:14 > 0:07:16removing all the undergrowth.
0:07:16 > 0:07:21With a clean slate, they want to add a greenhouse, raised vegetable beds,
0:07:21 > 0:07:26a pumpkin patch, chicken run, a small lawn, and compost bins.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- What's this round the side? - Herbs.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Because the kitchen door is here so it will be out to the...
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- Right, straightaway, I see a problem with that.- OK.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38My guess is that the house will put that into shade.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39Oh, yes, probably.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Herbs above all things must have sunshine.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44- And then next to them? - Compost bins.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Right, that definitely is a mistake.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Right.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50Erm, you do not want compost bins right outside the back door.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53I would have the compost next to the chickens.
0:07:53 > 0:07:54Next to the chickens, yeah.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- And then the chicken hut will go on the compost heap.- OK.
0:07:57 > 0:08:04Greenhouse over there, which is in the north corner -
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- the shadiest part of the garden. - Right.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Not a good idea.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11I think the natural thinking of the garden is
0:08:11 > 0:08:15when you've got something as big as a greenhouse and a chicken hut
0:08:15 > 0:08:18and run, is to naturally stick them in the corner out of the way
0:08:18 > 0:08:21and we've not thought, actually,
0:08:21 > 0:08:23really thought it through about where...
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Well, you could have the greenhouse in the centre and move around it.
0:08:27 > 0:08:28Very nice, yeah.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Helen and Richard's first job is to clear back the undergrowth
0:08:33 > 0:08:37and I think they should keep some of those wonderful apple trees.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39I'd move the greenhouse to the centre of the garden
0:08:39 > 0:08:41so it gets as much sun as possible
0:08:41 > 0:08:43and replace the lawn with a small patio
0:08:43 > 0:08:46to make more room for raised beds.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Finally, they should relocate the compost bins
0:08:50 > 0:08:51to the back of the garden.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Now, it's all very well to talk about gardening
0:08:55 > 0:08:58but what I like to do is get stuck in.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02There's a lot that needs doing so, luckily, I've got a bit of help.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06Right, you ready? Come on then.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Now, we will get to see the house...
0:09:17 > 0:09:19for the first time in 20 years.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24To help them battle back the overgrowth, Richard and Helen
0:09:24 > 0:09:29have roped in their new neighbours as well as family and friends.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31We've all come here today just to help a little bit
0:09:31 > 0:09:35and the lads can get in with the big stuff and really chop it down.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38A top tip is to hire a professional with a chain saw.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Hey!
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Woo-hoo-hoo!
0:09:42 > 0:09:46And that makes speedy and safe work of demolishing overgrown trees.
0:09:47 > 0:09:53What you have to realise is what we're doing is not clearing,
0:09:53 > 0:09:54- we're pruning.- Yes.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- So, actually, it will regrow with renewed vigour.- Right.
0:09:57 > 0:09:58But if you want to get rid of it,
0:09:58 > 0:10:02- you've got to take the roots out. - Right, OK.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05With a tree surgeon helping, progress is forging ahead
0:10:05 > 0:10:06and it's not just the garden
0:10:06 > 0:10:09that's getting some well-deserved attention.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Monty's really helping. He's very, very strong.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Just watching Monty, he's like a ferret.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Talk about a lean, mean gardening machine,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22he's what's known as getting right stuck in.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29If you're doing this kind of work,
0:10:29 > 0:10:34if you're faced with a jungle that hasn't been touched, be brave.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Don't hang about, get in there and cut.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42I think I've bitten off more than I can chew.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- This is very comfortable.- This is somewhere I never thought I'd be.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50What I hope we've achieved, more than anything else today,
0:10:50 > 0:10:54is to give Richard and Helen a boost
0:10:54 > 0:10:58and to make them realise that this is not a problem, it's an opportunity.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02We've learnt today that actually we're going to end up keeping
0:11:02 > 0:11:04more things than we thought we were going to.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07There's more apple trees than I thought there was going to be,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10there's some damson trees, things like that.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13The garden is going to start unveiling itself even
0:11:13 > 0:11:18more now and Monty said to me that this is the fun part and it is.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22I never thought I'd end up sat in a bush with Monty Don.
0:11:22 > 0:11:23THEY LAUGH
0:11:23 > 0:11:27So, can I just say thank you, on behalf of myself and Helen,
0:11:27 > 0:11:28a big thank you to you all.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Cheers and thank you. Thank you so much, thank you.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39It's a few days later down in West Sussex
0:11:39 > 0:11:42and Monty has arrived at Jan and John's
0:11:42 > 0:11:46ready to turn his attention to their dream of a Portuguese garden.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52So, what is the big idea?
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Essentially, we have a space here that you can see is pretty
0:11:55 > 0:11:59much a wasteland that we want to turn into a small,
0:11:59 > 0:12:01somewhat self-contained garden for my mum
0:12:01 > 0:12:04who's moving into this annexe at the end of the house.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05A garden for a granny flat?
0:12:05 > 0:12:08That's absolutely... that's perfectly appropriate.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10And what kind of garden do you want?
0:12:10 > 0:12:13John's mum, my mother-in-law, lives in Portugal
0:12:13 > 0:12:19and so my inspiration is to take the essence of the garden that she
0:12:19 > 0:12:22has in Portugal where she lives and to bring it to West Sussex.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- A piece of Portugal.- Yes.
0:12:25 > 0:12:26So, what's her garden like now?
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Er, it's not massive and it has...
0:12:29 > 0:12:33It's very similar in that there's a main patio area and then
0:12:33 > 0:12:36there's sort of a lot of raised beds,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39a very large palm tree, and in terms of the actual plants...
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- spiky.- Spiky!- Spiky is as technical as I can get.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45You're now not going to the plant department.
0:12:45 > 0:12:46What's the budget?
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Well, erm, I originally put £2,000 in for the budget
0:12:50 > 0:12:53but I think now probably closer to five.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55I mean, I'm glad to hear you say that
0:12:55 > 0:12:57because I'd much rather someone realise
0:12:57 > 0:12:59- that these things are expensive. - Yeah, and get it right.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03In their plans for their Portuguese garden,
0:13:03 > 0:13:08John wants to build a patio, terrace beds, and a winding path.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Jan then wants to add lots of Mediterranean plants
0:13:11 > 0:13:15in purples and pinks and her piece de resistance -
0:13:15 > 0:13:16a large palm tree.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- So, there's quite a lot of construction to be done.- Yeah.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24My plan, construction first, planting after.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- OK.- That's the time plan.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Just what I was going to say.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- You've got this very noisy road. - Yes.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Now, if she wants to sit out,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37is that going to be something you need to cope with?
0:13:37 > 0:13:40I think that, to me, that's one of the biggest challenges
0:13:40 > 0:13:42because obviously the road is really noisy
0:13:42 > 0:13:45and where she is in Portugal, she's used to it being very quiet.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49And I notice you've got soil which...
0:13:49 > 0:13:51looks a bit rough, to be honest.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53JOHN CHUCKLES
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Are you planning to bring more soil in?
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- Yeah. I think we're going to have to.- OK.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01It's quite a big project, actually, although it seems a small place.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02Yeah.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07I like the idea of bringing a little bit of Portugal to Pepworth
0:14:07 > 0:14:10but many Mediterranean plants won't be happy in this clay soil
0:14:10 > 0:14:13so they should consider plants that have the look they want
0:14:13 > 0:14:16but which suit their own conditions.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19I also think they should consider planting a screen
0:14:19 > 0:14:21to reduce road noise.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26I don't think it's a good idea to force plants.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29You will get a much more exotic effect
0:14:29 > 0:14:31if a plant is healthy and happy
0:14:31 > 0:14:35than an exotic plant clearly miserable and struggling.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40So, maybe we could almost, not without losing the Portuguese theme,
0:14:40 > 0:14:47almost try to get a Portuguese effect with non-Portuguese plants.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- If that makes sense?- I don't think you're going to have much choice.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Having said that, it's mild here.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Maybe you can grow what can grow in Portugal.
0:14:55 > 0:14:56Maybe you should take risks.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- Not with a big expensive palm tree. - Well, yeah.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01How much time have you got?
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Er, well, I've just started a new business
0:15:03 > 0:15:06so the most I've got is two days a week,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09ie, the weekends, and sometimes not even that.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11So, that will be my limit.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15And, of course, the third party in all this, who is yet to arrive,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18who may say I don't like it.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21It'll be too late.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26I think this project is fun.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29The considerations that worry me are that, one,
0:15:29 > 0:15:30we're going into winter
0:15:30 > 0:15:34so there will be bad weather and that will delay things.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36I thought we had quite a lot of work before
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- and, I think now, we've probably realised we've got even more.- Yeah.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42Much more worrying is the fact that John is starting a new business.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Now, I've done that and I know that it will consume his life,
0:15:45 > 0:15:48he'll be lucky to get two days a month not two days a week.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51And I think I've realised it was all a conspiracy to make me
0:15:51 > 0:15:55stick to schedules, that's why, that's why this is happening.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00And the third thing is they must really be committed to the idea.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03I've got homework to do, I think that's what's pretty obvious.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07I like the prospect of a Portuguese garden.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10What I don't want to see is half Portuguese,
0:16:10 > 0:16:15half conventional country English garden.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21In Cadeby, work on Richard and Helen's very small smallholding
0:16:21 > 0:16:23is still going full steam ahead.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Since Monty left, it's been absolutely hectic.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28We've had a lot of machinery on site,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31we've had a whole team of people here in the rain and the sunshine
0:16:31 > 0:16:34and everything just trying to get this back garden cleared.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Left to their own devices,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Richard and Helen would have already made some serious errors.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Fortunately, in his last visit, Monty came to the rescue.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50I am a little bit anxious now with
0:16:50 > 0:16:52am I still putting things in the right place?
0:16:52 > 0:16:54I got so many things wrong on my plans.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Yes, there were...
0:16:56 > 0:16:58We needed to tweak some of the plans,
0:16:58 > 0:17:00we got things a little wrong in places.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01I'd already said we'd put the raised beds,
0:17:01 > 0:17:03perhaps they needed to be in a different place
0:17:03 > 0:17:05because they weren't going to get sun.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09We put the compost bays, they were far too close to the house.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12The original position we planned for the greenhouse wasn't
0:17:12 > 0:17:14the best place because it wasn't going to get enough sun.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17We'd put lavender at the front in a shaded area
0:17:17 > 0:17:19which was never going to work.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Monty really knows what he's talking about
0:17:22 > 0:17:25and it's just nice to have an expert say to you with confidence,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28"That is probably going to be better than doing that,"
0:17:28 > 0:17:31and you think, you feel so much more reassured then of what you're doing.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- We have them all. - OK, down we go.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Relieved that they have the country's top gardener
0:17:36 > 0:17:37on hand to help,
0:17:37 > 0:17:41Helen and Richard are setting themselves even bigger challenges.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Today, what we're trying to do is utilise the bricks that have
0:17:44 > 0:17:46come out of the house because we've actually seen
0:17:46 > 0:17:49in a gardening book where the pathways were made
0:17:49 > 0:17:52out of reclaimed bricks in a nice pattern so I don't know if we're
0:17:52 > 0:17:55going to be able to achieve that but we thought we might give it a go.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57I wonder whose gardening book that's from?
0:17:57 > 0:17:59It's actually Monty's book.
0:17:59 > 0:18:00Thought so.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04While music producer Richard uses his artistic flair
0:18:04 > 0:18:08to arrange the bricks, it's down to Helen to do the heavy lifting.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12It's been noted who's doing the manual labour today.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14I don't know what you mean.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Richard's definitely the creative one of the two of us and when it
0:18:17 > 0:18:19comes to the garden, I think he knows that's really going to help
0:18:19 > 0:18:23but his creativity and his vision is going to be what we need in that.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28I think it's a realistic goal we've set
0:18:28 > 0:18:31and I think my strengths will be that I will do absolutely everything
0:18:31 > 0:18:35in my powers to be able to get to where we want to be.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42In their quest to create a Portuguese garden in Petworth,
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Jan and John are on a fact-finding mission
0:18:45 > 0:18:48to the gardens at East Ruston in Norfolk.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51They're hoping the co-owner Graham Roboson can point out some
0:18:51 > 0:18:55tropical plants that can thrive in the UK's less-than-tropical climate.
0:18:55 > 0:19:00Come this way, round here and in to the desert garden.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12There's a lot of purple in here, isn't there,
0:19:12 > 0:19:14which is the colour scheme that we want to work with.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17It's a good colour which looks well in with hot plants.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Yeah, it feels warm.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22And this I had growing in my garden this year
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- but it must have self-seeded itself because...- Eschscholzia?
0:19:25 > 0:19:26Is that what it is?
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- They're Californian poppies.- Ah!
0:19:28 > 0:19:32They will self-seed and you can get them in a range of shades
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- but they tend to all revert back to the orange.- The orange, yeah.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37- Do you like them? - Yeah, absolutely.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Well, any colour we can splash in is good, isn't it?
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Yeah. It fits with the theme.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45These aren't strictly Portuguese plants but that doesn't matter
0:19:45 > 0:19:49because they offer exactly what Jan and John want -
0:19:49 > 0:19:53lots of colour and the stamina to stand up to the British weather.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Graham, I really like the nareens.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59They obviously survive in the Mediterranean.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01They like to be baked in the full sun and you can see
0:20:01 > 0:20:05that their bulbs sit on the soil there, they will actually,
0:20:05 > 0:20:06if you plant them in the soil,
0:20:06 > 0:20:08they'll bring themselves to the surface.
0:20:08 > 0:20:09OK, so they wriggle up to the top.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13And they are wonderful for that shocking pink.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- They're on the list, I think. - Good.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22If you want to have something really exotic, have an agave.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26And this particular one is agave Montana which we find
0:20:26 > 0:20:31actually the toughest, hardiest one for growing outside
0:20:31 > 0:20:36and you can see how big it is and that has grown to that size.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Nothing says sunshine more than a palm tree
0:20:38 > 0:20:40and Jan is determined to have one.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42That's if it can survive, of course.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45I'm not really sure how hardy or easy or how fast they grow.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Well, these ones, Trachycarpus fortunei,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51are as hardy as they can possibly be.
0:20:51 > 0:20:57They've been grown in this country since the early 19th century,
0:20:57 > 0:20:58they're as tough as old boots.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02They are actually from more forest-type areas
0:21:02 > 0:21:04rather than desert trees.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08So, there are, there are palm trees that look like palm trees
0:21:08 > 0:21:10but actually aren't from that sort of climate?
0:21:10 > 0:21:14That's right and, in actual fact, they almost prefer a bit of shade
0:21:14 > 0:21:17rather than being in the full sun all the time.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Ah, right, which would be perfect.
0:21:22 > 0:21:28It's confirmed what Monty was saying in terms of they don't have to be
0:21:28 > 0:21:32specifically Portuguese plants to give a Portuguese feel.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- I'm encouraged by all that sort of stuff.- Good.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Spirits aren't quite as high in Cadeby where the arrival
0:21:41 > 0:21:44of the flat-pack greenhouse is providing a whole heap of trouble.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48But that's the thing cos both them and them are marked as 49s.
0:21:48 > 0:21:49Oh, good lord.
0:21:49 > 0:21:50MAN CHUCKLES
0:21:50 > 0:21:53That top's 108.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Hang on, aren't these just the diagonals?
0:21:55 > 0:21:57No.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59We've got this really lovely greenhouse
0:21:59 > 0:22:03that we now need to put up, that my lovely dad's helping us with,
0:22:03 > 0:22:08but the Krypton Factor has got nothing on this greenhouse.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13I think we started about three hours ago
0:22:13 > 0:22:16although it does seem like three days, you know.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20I don't think we're going to do much more, it's too cold.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23As the temperature and Helen's patience plummet,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26the greenhouse is put on ice.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- So, not quite a finished greenhouse. - Not really.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44In West Sussex, work on Jan and John's Portuguese garden has been
0:22:44 > 0:22:49slow going as the UK endured the wettest winter ever recorded.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Hi tech. Where are we? Over there.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59So that's the stables, so it needs to kind of come in more.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02But I can move it all so if you just start bringing it over.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04'Well, the winter's been pretty frustrating
0:23:04 > 0:23:06'because we had these great plans, didn't we,
0:23:06 > 0:23:08'and we kind of wrote down'
0:23:08 > 0:23:10what we were going to do by the weekend
0:23:10 > 0:23:11and then jump out of bed
0:23:11 > 0:23:13and just the circumstances of the weather meant
0:23:13 > 0:23:15that we could just do nothing.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19So, it's going like this and then curving back into there.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22'So, I would say we're probably about a month behind
0:23:22 > 0:23:23'where we thought we'd be.'
0:23:23 > 0:23:25Is it tea-break time?
0:23:27 > 0:23:29There's a lot of pressure on you in particular,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32there's a lot of work for you to do
0:23:32 > 0:23:33and I do feel for you a bit actually.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- Do you really? - Yeah, I do. I do.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Finally, there's a break in the rain and Jan and John have
0:23:41 > 0:23:45called in help from friends hoping they can get back on schedule.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Jonny.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48Hiya.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- You all right, John? - I'm good, thanks, yeah.
0:23:51 > 0:23:52Every time John does anything here,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55he's astounded at the lack of preparation.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Right, so the idea, dude, is we're going to mark out
0:24:00 > 0:24:02this raised bed around here.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08With the extra manpower, John hopes to make headway on the terrace
0:24:08 > 0:24:10and the walls for the raised beds
0:24:10 > 0:24:14but, first, he needs to get his plan past quality control.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16So, essentially, there'll be a breeze block on the internal side
0:24:16 > 0:24:21of the wall and the outside of the wall, these stones will go on top.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23- Be that sort of style. - OK, but round.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26- Whatever stones you want.- OK.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- Round stones are harder to work with but...- Why?
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Well, cos they move but that's...
0:24:32 > 0:24:33That's not a big whoop, is it?
0:24:33 > 0:24:36No, we'll just add another day to the budget.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37- OK. No, it'll be fine. - OK.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44The wet winter has not only cost Jan and John time,
0:24:44 > 0:24:47it's starting to impact the budget, too.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48I think we were a bit naive
0:24:48 > 0:24:50when we sat down and did the original budget.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Yeah, just because there are a lot of elements that we thought
0:24:53 > 0:24:55we would have time to do ourselves,
0:24:55 > 0:24:59it's transpired we're going to have to pay someone else to do it.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02With costs spiralling, they could really do with finding
0:25:02 > 0:25:04some buried treasure.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06So, this is really exciting.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Dave's just been scratching away at the surface here
0:25:08 > 0:25:12and has managed to uncover the original cobbles from the stables
0:25:12 > 0:25:14and if these go all the way down,
0:25:14 > 0:25:18it'll save us a whole load of expense and bother of
0:25:18 > 0:25:23having to get other aggregate in so, yeah, I'm excited to see these.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30- That's actually going to come up quite nicely. - It's quite a nice colour, isn't it?
0:25:30 > 0:25:32What you were born to do, Jan.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- Scrubbing? - Scrubbing.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Oh, that's come up a treat.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38SHE LAUGHS
0:25:44 > 0:25:48The foundations for the raised beds have been poured in concrete.
0:25:48 > 0:25:53Now it's just the arduous job of building walls and terrace.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57It's a lot of work, though, it's a lot of work
0:25:57 > 0:26:00but John's a grafter, I've worked with him before.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03He just goes at it all day long.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11I think when you say to people that your mum's moving in,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14it's met with varying degrees of incredulity
0:26:14 > 0:26:18but, ultimately, you've got to take care of your parents, haven't you?
0:26:24 > 0:26:26We probably haven't got as much done as we'd hoped
0:26:26 > 0:26:28but we've got some time left in the day.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Oi, look busy!
0:26:32 > 0:26:34THEY CHUCKLE
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Since Monty's last visit to Cadeby four months ago,
0:26:45 > 0:26:47the raised beds have gone in and the greenhouse,
0:26:47 > 0:26:51after several failed attempts, has finally gone up.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55However, with a history of putting things in the wrong place,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Helen and Richard are all of a dither over their favourite
0:26:58 > 0:26:59gardener coming to visit.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04We're excited and apprehensive about Monty returning to our garden today.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Excited because, well, Monty's back in the garden.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10And we've done a lot so hopefully he'll appreciate what we've done.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Yeah, hopefully, he'll be impressed.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Slightly apprehensive that we've got things right,
0:27:15 > 0:27:17I think it'll be OK.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Fingers crossed.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Look at this.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Look at this.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24- Hello.- Hello.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28- Monty, hi, good to see you again. - Hello. Good to see you.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Look at this. You've done so much.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33That's the reaction we wanted, that's great.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36It's nice, you've done most of the things I suggested,
0:27:36 > 0:27:38that always makes me feel good.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39I want to have a tour of the works.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41We want to show you, let's go.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44So, greenhouse obviously. One tip.
0:27:44 > 0:27:49- It's a real temptation with a greenhouse to use it as a hothouse. - Yes.
0:27:49 > 0:27:50It's not a hot house.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Open it up at every opportunity.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56- The door's shut now, it should be open.- Right, OK.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00Grow everything so it's got just enough protection.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01- BOTH:- Right.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04And then, that way, the fluctuations of temperature won't affect it
0:28:04 > 0:28:07so much, you know, everything will grow stronger and better.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10Get it open and get the ventilation open
0:28:10 > 0:28:12and get the plants sort of toughened up.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13It's very exciting.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16It's good, I love the enthusiasm, that's great.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18And now nice compost heaps.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21I see you've got your compost bins set up, that's good.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Yes. We're quite pleased with this, quite rustic.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Pallets work well, I've used pallets a lot on my compost
0:28:27 > 0:28:32and they let the air in which is essential and, you know,
0:28:32 > 0:28:35when it's full, turn it and off you go again so no problem at all.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38- This is good. - Do we need to be covering it to...?
0:28:38 > 0:28:39Why would you want to cover it?
0:28:39 > 0:28:42To keep the heat in, I always thought they needed to be quite hot.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47The heat in a compost heap is almost entirely generated by digestion.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52Bacteria digesting the compost so therefore you don't...
0:28:52 > 0:28:55you don't need to create that, they are creating it.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58They do need oxygen, they do need moisture,
0:28:58 > 0:29:00- it mustn't be too dry. - OK, yeah.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03And you can either cover it to keep the moisture in
0:29:03 > 0:29:05or to stop it getting too wet.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08We're putting all of the kitchen matter on there.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10I'm just a little worried about what I might attract
0:29:10 > 0:29:11if there's open kitchen waste.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Right, as long as you don't have meat,
0:29:14 > 0:29:20fats or cooked carbohydrates, you won't attract stuff unduly.
0:29:20 > 0:29:25I mean, you can't stop mice, rats, whatever, if they're around.
0:29:25 > 0:29:30You will at some stage attract vermin, usually in winter,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32usually when the weather is very bad or whatever.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35- The best thing to get rid of them is to turn it.- OK.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37They hate disturbance.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41With that tip for unwelcome friends,
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Richard moves onto another part of the garden
0:29:43 > 0:29:45he wants Monty's help with.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Since cutting down the overgrown trees,
0:29:47 > 0:29:51the garden is open to the fields so he's decided to plant a hedge,
0:29:51 > 0:29:55one that will deliver edible fruits and berries.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58Planting a hedge is always the same, it doesn't matter what you plant,
0:29:58 > 0:30:00but there are certain things you need to do.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04First thing we have to do is dig a trench along the line of this.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08We need to loosen the soil ideally about a metre wide.
0:30:08 > 0:30:09Right.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13Now straightaway, Monty, I'm getting resistance here,
0:30:13 > 0:30:14which tends to mean...
0:30:14 > 0:30:18Well, you've got to plant into reasonable soil,
0:30:18 > 0:30:21so either you have to remove what's in there
0:30:21 > 0:30:23or move the line of the hedge.
0:30:23 > 0:30:24OK. That's what I'm up against.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Right, well, that's good. You got it out, it's a nice stone.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29It is a lovely stone, yeah.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34How far down is stone acceptable for this?
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Er, in general, you need to go down, you need to have a clear spit.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39That's the length of a spade.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45To make up his hedge, Richard has chosen a selection of native
0:30:45 > 0:30:49deciduous trees, which should be planted when they are still dormant.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52I always say this to people, and they never really believe me
0:30:52 > 0:30:58but it is so important - do not expose the roots at all, OK?
0:30:58 > 0:31:01So you take one out when you need it and cover it back over.
0:31:01 > 0:31:02Can I ask you why?
0:31:02 > 0:31:07The feeding roots are these very, very fine roots, OK?
0:31:07 > 0:31:08I mean, some of these you can't see,
0:31:08 > 0:31:11so the finer the root, the more important it is for feeding.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13- Right. - If they dry out, they can die.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16I think of it like surgery. if you were transplanting something,
0:31:16 > 0:31:18if you were transplanting someone's finger,
0:31:18 > 0:31:20you wouldn't push it on the side and say,
0:31:20 > 0:31:23"OK, hang on a minute, I'm going to have a cup of tea before I do this,
0:31:23 > 0:31:25- "I want to steady my nerves." - I understand.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27It would be on ice, or whatever it is.
0:31:27 > 0:31:32Now this is Prunus spinosa, or blackthorn,
0:31:32 > 0:31:35and has sloes.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Makes wonderful...jelly, gin.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41- That's perfect.- Really, really beautiful fruits, so that's good.
0:31:41 > 0:31:47And we've got here, this is a field maple, Acer campestre.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50Much underrated hedging plant and tree,
0:31:50 > 0:31:52one of my favourites, actually.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56Native maple, and it's a beautiful hedging plant.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58We'll put the hawthorn in as well.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01As a basic rule, you just dig a hole and stick them in.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04I'm going to put a staggered row so it's got a zig zag.
0:32:04 > 0:32:05Right.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10As Helen and Richard's garden is surrounded by farmland,
0:32:10 > 0:32:13mice aren't the only visitors that they'll have.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17So we've decided to wrap the young trees with guards to give them
0:32:17 > 0:32:19protection from rabbits.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21We haven't finished. That's the planting.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25Now they need a really good soak and when we've done that we'll mulch it.
0:32:25 > 0:32:26OK.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30OK, thanks, Monty.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38And if during watering I expose roots...
0:32:38 > 0:32:40We're going to mulch it, don't worry.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42We're going to mulch, OK.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49There you go.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51It looks great. Really great, thank you.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Good. I mean I think it looks good now.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56It will look fantastic in three, four, five years' time.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00It'll look good still in 500 years' time.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03That's really pleasing to know, isn't it?
0:33:03 > 0:33:05- Yeah, really pleased with that comment.- Good.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07I think the hedge looks fantastic.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09I think it's really going to work well.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12It's nice that it's natural, it's nice that we can pick things from it
0:33:12 > 0:33:15and then we can actually, I'm hoping, make things from it.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17I've already got a recipe for hawthorn syrup in my head.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23I really like visiting Richard and Helen because I like the combination
0:33:23 > 0:33:25of seriousness of intent -
0:33:25 > 0:33:28this is something they really want to happen -
0:33:28 > 0:33:31and pleasure in the process - they are loving it and that spreads.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34I think it's incredibly important to us that we get this right.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38You know, we set out with a goal and I think through hard work and,
0:33:38 > 0:33:42I guess, a little determination, we should be able to achieve that.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44They've done a lot, but, let's be honest,
0:33:44 > 0:33:48there isn't much growing yet, so if they are to achieve their goal,
0:33:48 > 0:33:50they've got to do it now with plants.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56Spring has arrived and safe in the knowledge
0:33:56 > 0:34:00that the garden in Cadeby is on track, Monty has headed
0:34:00 > 0:34:05to West Sussex for a progress visit to Jan and John's Portuguese garden.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08I've chosen a perfect day to come back and visit Jan and John
0:34:08 > 0:34:12at Pepworth, but there are one or two quite tricky things
0:34:12 > 0:34:14I need to sort out today.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22Well, there are two things that when I left last time bothered me.
0:34:22 > 0:34:27One was that you are both incredibly busy. Have you had enough time?
0:34:27 > 0:34:31Er, I think we are probably slightly behind where we thought we'd be.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33- Quite tough.- Yeah.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35- Definitely, yeah. - There's still a fair bit to do.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37An awful lot to do I think, yeah.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41The second thing is actually more difficult, because when I left
0:34:41 > 0:34:45I wasn't really clear that you knew exactly what you wanted.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49I think that's really fair but since we saw you,
0:34:49 > 0:34:53we went on our inspiration day and that's helped enormously for me.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Well, because I think the combination of you saying
0:34:56 > 0:34:59you've got to get the right plants for the right location,
0:34:59 > 0:35:03and so I've somewhat put the Portuguese thing to one side
0:35:03 > 0:35:06and thought I want to get that feeling, but I want plants
0:35:06 > 0:35:08that I know that will work.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10OK, so that's good, that's a relief.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12I've got one quick question.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15I've got quite a lot of agapanthus in this garden,
0:35:15 > 0:35:17and I just want to ask your advice on something.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19OK.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23Right, which agapanthus is this?
0:35:23 > 0:35:25White heaven, I think.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Cos agapanthus is perfect for your Portuguese theme.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30Now what's your problem?
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Well, what do you think?
0:35:32 > 0:35:36It's burst the pot, it's so pot bound.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37There.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43Now, in almost any other plant, you would say that was terrible
0:35:43 > 0:35:45and it should have been potted on.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48In agapanthus, it's a really good thing,
0:35:48 > 0:35:50and the old saying was, when everything was potted
0:35:50 > 0:35:53in terracotta pots, you should only pot on an agapanthus
0:35:53 > 0:35:55when it broke the pot.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59If it's in open soil and the roots grow out,
0:35:59 > 0:36:01you get lots of foliage and no flowers.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03And that's the best thing?
0:36:03 > 0:36:06Yeah, and if you want flowers,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08you've got to constrict the roots.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11You can either pot it on a little bit
0:36:11 > 0:36:15and sink it in pots, and then lift them,
0:36:15 > 0:36:17or you can, when you plant it,
0:36:17 > 0:36:22make sure there's plenty of stone around it, but don't think
0:36:22 > 0:36:25there's anything wrong there. That's perfect, that's how it should be.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Fine.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Jan's other plant purchase is a little larger.
0:36:31 > 0:36:36A four-metre-high windmill palm that set her back over £600.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39She sees it as the garden's centrepiece
0:36:39 > 0:36:43but Monty soon takes the shine off her glittering crown.
0:36:43 > 0:36:49You would not choose to plant a trachycarpus into heavy clay.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55And clay is exactly what they've got.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00You've got - you're lucky - you've got yellow clay.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04You've got grey clay. Are you utterly wedded to a dry garden?
0:37:04 > 0:37:09Well, a lot of the plants I've got aren't really that dry.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12OK. Cos it's not going to be that dry.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14No.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17It's bad news for Jan's very expensive palm tree.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21If I'm looking worried it's because I am.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Jan's plants have raised beds, which means they do not have
0:37:25 > 0:37:28to plant directly into the clay subsoil,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31but there's still the drainage dilemma to solve.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36What we don't want it to do is to sit in a plug of water-lined clay.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39- Yeah.- What I suggest doing is digging a hole,
0:37:39 > 0:37:41back filling with stone
0:37:41 > 0:37:43and then get the drainage in.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49Ideally, Jan would need to hire a mini digger
0:37:49 > 0:37:53and churn up a good 12 inches of this subsoil with stones.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57Today, though, it's down to man - or should that be Monty - power.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08Easy gardening, gardening that you're not fighting
0:38:08 > 0:38:12all the time, is about suiting the right plants to the right place.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17It'll be OK, it'll be OK.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19That's what I want to hear.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23But I mean, on the plus side, you're raising the soil up,
0:38:23 > 0:38:26you can dig a hole, you can put drainage in,
0:38:26 > 0:38:29so it may well be fine for years and years and years.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33One, two, three.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Oh, it is heavy, I tell you what.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37- I'm too weak for that. - I think if you tip it.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43That's OK, you just manage the end.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46That's it. There she goes.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57When you are stamping on any tree,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00foot facing the tree,
0:39:00 > 0:39:02and go at an angle like that,
0:39:02 > 0:39:05and you'll find that it anchors it in better
0:39:05 > 0:39:08- and you'll do the least damage.- OK.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10- Good.- Good morning's work.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14I've thoroughly enjoyed today,
0:39:14 > 0:39:18I always like planting really big, dramatic plants,
0:39:18 > 0:39:21although I confess that digging through that really solid clay
0:39:21 > 0:39:23wasn't a lot of fun.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26At one point, I did think all was lost,
0:39:26 > 0:39:30but by a matter of compromising and understanding the environment
0:39:30 > 0:39:32then I think we're on a good way.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36There's an awful lot more to do, but they've got seven weeks to do it in,
0:39:36 > 0:39:41and when I come back, I fully expect to see it finished and transformed.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46We'll be fine. Come June, it'll be like Lisbon out here.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53It's a sunny spring day and Helen and Richard should be planting up
0:39:53 > 0:39:57their garden but before they can start, Richard is on a mission
0:39:57 > 0:40:01to find out how to grow his all-time favourite food, chillies.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Sarah Waine from West Dean Gardens
0:40:03 > 0:40:06has kindly offered to give him a crash course.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08- Here they all are.- Wow.
0:40:08 > 0:40:13250 of them, thereabouts, all different varieties
0:40:13 > 0:40:14so just one of each.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17What you really need to be aware of with this crop
0:40:17 > 0:40:22is that they love light. If you don't provide light, you'll end up
0:40:22 > 0:40:24with this amazingly bendy, wandy plant,
0:40:24 > 0:40:26which you really don't want.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29You just need to be aware of that, really.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Well, the chillies need heat for germination, you know,
0:40:32 > 0:40:35about 25 degrees Celsius will cover the lot,
0:40:35 > 0:40:40but if you don't have a heated glass house, inside the home would do.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44At what point do you not bring them into the house?
0:40:44 > 0:40:46I can't be categorical about that.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50All I can say is what you're watching for are frosts.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53The spicy heat of chillies is measured by the Scoville scale,
0:40:53 > 0:40:56with bell peppers barely registering one unit,
0:40:56 > 0:41:00all the way up to 16 million units for the most pungent of peppers.
0:41:02 > 0:41:03Do you want to try some?
0:41:03 > 0:41:06That would be lovely, if you've got any.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09Well, one way, if you're trying a lot, my suggestion would be
0:41:09 > 0:41:13that you don't actually eat them, because you infect your pallet.
0:41:13 > 0:41:18Just tap it on the tip of your tongue like that and you'll get the buzz.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21This one is a Fresno type.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25Oh, oh. I think I got the middle.
0:41:25 > 0:41:26Yes.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Oh, you're eating yours.
0:41:28 > 0:41:29Just a little bit.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32It delivers a boost, doesn't it?
0:41:32 > 0:41:34There's just a real impact, it's fabulous.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37The Thai varieties, they are wonderful plants
0:41:37 > 0:41:39cos they're compact,
0:41:39 > 0:41:42really showing all the chillies that are on the outside.
0:41:42 > 0:41:47At 100,000 units, the Thai variety are a perennial that packs a punch,
0:41:47 > 0:41:51but chilli connoisseur Richard thinks he can take the heat.
0:41:51 > 0:41:52He's going in for the kill.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Oh, he is, it's got seeds in as well.
0:41:55 > 0:42:00Wow. There's the heat and the taste.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03It's fantastic.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06That's the kind of heat I would have associated
0:42:06 > 0:42:08with a fine Indian meal.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10This is a Scotch Bonnet.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14Very, very hot. They do have, some of them have fine flavours
0:42:14 > 0:42:16if you can get over the heat,
0:42:16 > 0:42:18and one way I've used that in the past
0:42:18 > 0:42:21is to incorporate it into an ice cream,
0:42:21 > 0:42:22like mango ice cream,
0:42:22 > 0:42:27which calms down the heat but you've also got the cold of the ice cream.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29I would never have thought of that.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31No, the brain works overtime.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34Yes. I'm not going to try that one, though.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36I wouldn't. Personally, I wouldn't.
0:42:36 > 0:42:42I think what I've personally learnt from the chilli experience today
0:42:42 > 0:42:46is that they go from mild to off the scale,
0:42:46 > 0:42:50so if there's one thing I have learnt it's heed the warning
0:42:50 > 0:42:53of somebody who is an expert in chilli growing.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05Over in West Sussex, it's less than a month before John's mum Margaret
0:43:05 > 0:43:07will be moving back from Portugal.
0:43:10 > 0:43:15Time is ticking by and there's a lot of planting still to be done.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19It does put pressure on you to get it done when there's, you know,
0:43:19 > 0:43:23an actual date when Mags is coming over and it has to be finished.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27But I quite like having that kind of pressure,
0:43:27 > 0:43:31because otherwise it just doesn't get done.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33You need deadlines in life, so...
0:43:35 > 0:43:37- Don't you, John?- Oh, yeah!
0:43:39 > 0:43:42To add to the stress, it's not just the mother-in-law
0:43:42 > 0:43:44who will be giving her verdict.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47In a few weeks, Monty will also be back to pass his final judgment.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51I think we're in quite good shape, what do you think?
0:43:51 > 0:43:53I'm feeling somewhat confident.
0:43:53 > 0:43:56It's going to be a challenge but I think we'll do it, won't we?
0:43:56 > 0:43:59We haven't got that many more weeks though, have we?
0:43:59 > 0:44:03Yeah, it would only be a problem if someone was going away for a week.
0:44:03 > 0:44:04That could cause a real issue.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09Jan regularly flies abroad for work,
0:44:09 > 0:44:12but, this time, leaving the garden in John's hands
0:44:12 > 0:44:14is not a pleasant prospect.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17From history, cos I go to Germany every week,
0:44:17 > 0:44:20he's often forgotten to water my tomatoes
0:44:20 > 0:44:23or my fledgling little cuttings,
0:44:23 > 0:44:26and so there's been quite a lot of death in my greenhouse
0:44:26 > 0:44:29whilst I've been overseas.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32Surely he can't wreak that much havoc in a week, can he?
0:44:34 > 0:44:38I really hope not, but we'll see. We'll see how he goes.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46It's been several months since Monty last came to Cadeby
0:44:46 > 0:44:48and with his next visit on the horizon,
0:44:48 > 0:44:52Helen and Richard are working hard to make sure he'll be impressed
0:44:52 > 0:44:53with their first crop of veg.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57We've taken Monty's advice on most things, to be honest,
0:44:57 > 0:44:59on what to do with the compost bins.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02He told us to make sure we keep the greenhouse door open every day,
0:45:02 > 0:45:04which we hadn't been doing, we'd been closing it,
0:45:04 > 0:45:06so that was a really good tip.
0:45:06 > 0:45:09I think we're completely teacher's pets when it comes to Monty
0:45:09 > 0:45:11and we've followed everything that he's said,
0:45:11 > 0:45:13because he knows what he's talking about
0:45:13 > 0:45:16so I think we need a little halo above our heads.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27Still trying to work out what to plant where.
0:45:27 > 0:45:30I'm always thinking "What if I get this wrong?"
0:45:30 > 0:45:32And Monty says, "Why have you done that?"
0:45:32 > 0:45:34I'm constantly thinking things like that.
0:45:34 > 0:45:38So I'm thinking I'm going to put pumpkins in here
0:45:38 > 0:45:41and then plant the sweetcorn in the middle.
0:45:41 > 0:45:43I'm quite an indecisive person anyway.
0:45:43 > 0:45:47So then I spend hours going, "Shall I put that there,
0:45:47 > 0:45:50"Oh, maybe that could go there, I'm not really sure."
0:45:50 > 0:45:52So it's just these courgettes I don't know what to do with,
0:45:52 > 0:45:55- One, two, three, four.- Hang on, could we not do them in tubs?
0:45:55 > 0:45:57Yeah, I'd like to, yeah.
0:45:57 > 0:46:00It's not just Helen who's preoccupied with her plants.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03Since his inspirational trip,
0:46:03 > 0:46:06Richard has become slightly obsessed with chillies.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09So me and the chillies, we're becoming good friends.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12I think it's important to talk to your chillies.
0:46:12 > 0:46:15We talk about my day at work, we talk about music,
0:46:15 > 0:46:19we were listening to the football the other day.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22Rich, he's got really passionate about chillies this year.
0:46:22 > 0:46:27It's something I've let him take on and...
0:46:27 > 0:46:30I'll deal with the tomatoes and the spinach and the courgettes
0:46:30 > 0:46:31and he can look after the chillies.
0:46:31 > 0:46:35This one I have, great things will come of this,
0:46:35 > 0:46:39because it's called a Super Chilli, so how can it not be great?
0:46:39 > 0:46:41It's not great, it's going to be super.
0:46:41 > 0:46:45I mean, this one's a Yellow Perfection, absolutely no idea
0:46:45 > 0:46:49other than it's going to be yellow and it has some heat.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52So, the Dorset Naga, I think this could be my favourite chilli
0:46:52 > 0:46:57cos this is the one that's going to give me heat beyond heat.
0:46:57 > 0:47:01Whenever Richard takes on a project, he takes it on 100%
0:47:01 > 0:47:04and really does everything by the book.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07I've got to make sure the temperature's right
0:47:07 > 0:47:11in the greenhouse, I've got to make sure the drainage is correct.
0:47:11 > 0:47:14That's his project and I think he's going
0:47:14 > 0:47:16to be really successful, actually.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18If it doesn't work, I'll be absolutely gutted.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21It's not the money, it's the fact that I've bragged about this
0:47:21 > 0:47:24to my wife, so I would be absolutely devastated.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27I don't even want to think about that, to be honest.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33In West Sussex, summer has arrived
0:47:33 > 0:47:36and so, too, has Monty for his final visit.
0:47:37 > 0:47:41So I am a little bit nervous because of what Monty will say.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45I mean, we really like it, I hope your mum will like it,
0:47:45 > 0:47:48so, ultimately, it would be great to get a seal of approval from Monty.
0:47:48 > 0:47:53Well, the palm tree hasn't died so that's got to be a positive.
0:47:56 > 0:48:00It's hard for me to visualise what Jan and John's finished garden
0:48:00 > 0:48:03is going to look like, but it doesn't matter what I think.
0:48:03 > 0:48:04It's not been made for me.
0:48:04 > 0:48:07This garden has been made for John's mother
0:48:07 > 0:48:10and it's her judgment that we're all waiting for.
0:48:12 > 0:48:15Last year, this garden was a building site,
0:48:15 > 0:48:17clogged with clay and rubble.
0:48:18 > 0:48:22Now this patch of Pepworth has been transported to Portugal.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27That's fantastic, that's great. It's nice, isn't it?
0:48:27 > 0:48:28I like it.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31I'm really happy, I've even happier that you like it.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36To combat their clay subsoil,
0:48:36 > 0:48:38John and Jan have raised the garden up.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41The walls and terrace built by John's own hands
0:48:41 > 0:48:43hold back tonnes of gravel
0:48:43 > 0:48:47that not only give a Mediterranean look but also extra drainage.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52Jan has used plants in vibrant oranges and lush purples
0:48:52 > 0:48:57that can stand up to the British climate and give a tropical feel.
0:48:58 > 0:49:01And what better plant than a palm tree to signal
0:49:01 > 0:49:04that this is a Portuguese paradise.
0:49:09 > 0:49:13I like the spots of intense colour. I like that very much.
0:49:15 > 0:49:17The sort of purple of the Verbena bonariensis
0:49:17 > 0:49:20with the orange and the yellow of the California poppies.
0:49:20 > 0:49:21Too much gravel?
0:49:21 > 0:49:24The very, very simple answer is yes.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27The more truthful answer is, are there too few plants?
0:49:27 > 0:49:29Yes, probably.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32The only thing that you didn't address is the noise.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35Do you remember we talked about a barrier of some kind?
0:49:35 > 0:49:38I've got a passion flower that's just starting on that wall.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40They're quite voracious, aren't they,
0:49:40 > 0:49:41so I'm hoping that will cover that.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44Yeah, that...
0:49:44 > 0:49:47You see, if we're talking about sound,
0:49:47 > 0:49:49you need something much more aggressive.
0:49:49 > 0:49:54Yeah, I mean what we're talking about is as dense a barrier as possible,
0:49:54 > 0:49:55as tall as possible.
0:49:55 > 0:49:59It all looks nice and I like the way that you want to sit here.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02So, budget 5,000, what have you spent?
0:50:02 > 0:50:05I think about 8,700.
0:50:05 > 0:50:08But are you happy with the money you spent?
0:50:08 > 0:50:11Well, to me, it's absolutely no question.
0:50:11 > 0:50:13Now, what about watering?
0:50:13 > 0:50:16Yeah, I've just been giving everything a good old drink.
0:50:16 > 0:50:18You know there's heavy clay under there?
0:50:18 > 0:50:20So there is a slight danger of water logging.
0:50:20 > 0:50:21Yes.
0:50:21 > 0:50:25On the other hand, new plants need a start in life.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28I would water no more than once a week
0:50:28 > 0:50:32and then once they look happy and you see new growth, leave them.
0:50:32 > 0:50:37Now, the really important person is your mother, is she here?
0:50:37 > 0:50:40She is imminent, apparently.
0:50:40 > 0:50:42Oh, OK.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47The question now is what the real Portuguese expert, John's mother,
0:50:47 > 0:50:49will think of her new garden.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55Oh, it's absolutely gorgeous, it's amazing, isn't it?
0:50:55 > 0:50:56Yeah, absolutely.
0:50:58 > 0:51:02- Happy with it? - Well done. Oh, it's great.
0:51:02 > 0:51:03Pleasure.
0:51:07 > 0:51:11Very, very touching to think they've done all this work for me, yeah.
0:51:11 > 0:51:15It's absolutely gorgeous now and I love it.
0:51:15 > 0:51:16Cheers.
0:51:16 > 0:51:18- Cheers.- Thank you very much indeed.
0:51:18 > 0:51:19And cheers to you two.
0:51:19 > 0:51:21Oh, thank you.
0:51:21 > 0:51:24I like the little yellow. I've never seen those before.
0:51:24 > 0:51:26- They're Californian poppies. - Aren't they gorgeous?
0:51:26 > 0:51:28That sort of slightly orangey. Yeah.
0:51:31 > 0:51:34Phew! Maggie likes it.
0:51:34 > 0:51:37And that's really important. But what's good,
0:51:37 > 0:51:40when we were sitting around the table, was there was
0:51:40 > 0:51:43a very nice atmosphere. it was a good place to sit,
0:51:43 > 0:51:47and have a glass of wine, and chat, and look up through the plants,
0:51:47 > 0:51:51and I think this is a garden that will get nicer and nicer as the years go by.
0:51:54 > 0:51:59Oh, we've got two seals of approval, from Mags and from Monty,
0:51:59 > 0:52:02so I don't think you can ask for more than that, really.
0:52:02 > 0:52:06I think the space itself is now great and usable.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10It's just, yeah, it needs a bit of screening cos the road is tough.
0:52:10 > 0:52:13But now we've got the impetus, the motivation, the momentum,
0:52:13 > 0:52:14keep it up.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28Back in Cadeby, after months of hard work,
0:52:28 > 0:52:31now it's the turn of Richard and Helen
0:52:31 > 0:52:33to show Monty the fruits of their labour.
0:52:33 > 0:52:37I think I'm slightly nervous. I mean, you know, this is Monty Don
0:52:37 > 0:52:40coming back to our garden and this is it.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43Yeah, I'm a bit apprehensive about what he's going to think.
0:52:43 > 0:52:45It's only natural, I think, really.
0:52:45 > 0:52:46I hope he doesn't spot any weeds.
0:52:52 > 0:52:56I love Richard and Helen's energy and enthusiasm
0:52:56 > 0:53:00and, from the outset, they set about making a home
0:53:00 > 0:53:04and a garden with real zeal, but they didn't have the same confidence
0:53:04 > 0:53:08about the plants as they did about the structure.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11So I'm hoping now that they've gained in confidence,
0:53:11 > 0:53:14the garden has grown and developed
0:53:14 > 0:53:17and their vision, which was always clear, is now made real.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26Last year, Helen and Richard bought this overgrown garden,
0:53:26 > 0:53:30a neglected space that hadn't been tamed for 20 years.
0:53:32 > 0:53:36Now their big dream has transformed this small space
0:53:36 > 0:53:38into a smallholding.
0:53:40 > 0:53:43- Well, nice to see you. - Good to see you again.
0:53:43 > 0:53:46- And you. How are you? - Nice to see you.
0:53:46 > 0:53:48- Your vegetables are looking magnificent.- Thank you.
0:53:48 > 0:53:52They've really taken me by surprise, actually.
0:53:52 > 0:53:56Well, some of them are even bursting out of the nets, unfortunately,
0:53:56 > 0:53:57but it's all good.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05Where once trees and weeds ran wild,
0:54:05 > 0:54:09the garden is now an organised and functional place.
0:54:09 > 0:54:13The greenhouse is placed centrally to get maximum sunshine
0:54:13 > 0:54:17and make a focal point for the garden.
0:54:17 > 0:54:21Helen has planted raised beds of vegetables that can be cultivated
0:54:21 > 0:54:24throughout the year. And any smallholding wouldn't be complete
0:54:24 > 0:54:26without its very own chicken run.
0:54:34 > 0:54:38When you bought this house, clearly you had a dream.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41- Has that been realised? - It's been full-on, you know.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44It's been tricky to get to this stage so quickly.
0:54:44 > 0:54:49- Turning what was just the most desolate and...- Overgrown.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52..yes, overgrown and unloved piece of land,
0:54:52 > 0:54:56- to something now that is... - It's the good life, isn't it?
0:54:56 > 0:54:58It is, ultimately, it's the good life.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01So I know it's the creation of jams and chutneys and sauces
0:55:01 > 0:55:04- that really interest you, isn't it?- Definitely.
0:55:04 > 0:55:06I've got loads of courgette plants on the go,
0:55:06 > 0:55:07the beans will be going into piccalilli.
0:55:07 > 0:55:10I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in in the kitchen now.
0:55:10 > 0:55:12And how's the greenhouse gone?
0:55:12 > 0:55:15Well, the greenhouse has become a focal point of the garden.
0:55:15 > 0:55:19What is also interesting is, since I had delivery of my chillies,
0:55:19 > 0:55:21I've started opening the door, ventilating the greenhouse
0:55:21 > 0:55:23and it's paid off.
0:55:23 > 0:55:27That's a good piece of advice cos I genuinely would have just
0:55:27 > 0:55:29locked it down, try and keep the heat in.
0:55:29 > 0:55:34I see that this hedge that we planted is doing fine, isn't it?
0:55:34 > 0:55:39Yeah, it's definitely grown and thickened out in places, yeah.
0:55:39 > 0:55:43Don't be tempted to cut it yet.
0:55:43 > 0:55:46However floppy it is, don't prune it till the winter
0:55:46 > 0:55:49because you know summer pruning restricts growth,
0:55:49 > 0:55:52- winter pruning encourages growth. - OK. That's good.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55OK, well, that's going well and a nice place to sit.
0:55:55 > 0:55:58Lovely, beautiful compost heaps, I like that.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01And I see you've got your hens, how long have you had these for?
0:56:01 > 0:56:04These are the new arrivals, they only arrived this morning.
0:56:04 > 0:56:07Oh, really, really new. They've got to get used to the place.
0:56:07 > 0:56:09Yes, they are, yeah.
0:56:11 > 0:56:17Your potatoes are looking positively lustrous and voluptuous, aren't they?
0:56:17 > 0:56:19What variety are they?
0:56:19 > 0:56:21Can't remember which varieties they are.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24I think because everything's been so hectic at points,
0:56:24 > 0:56:27the kind of focus has gone off the planting.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30I do still feel like I'm learning a lot.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33The evidence is you're really good at growing vegetables.
0:56:33 > 0:56:37- Thank you.- So whatever you're doing, you're doing right.
0:56:37 > 0:56:39There's a great relief there.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44All that's left for Richard and Helen to do
0:56:44 > 0:56:47is share their garden with family and friends.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54All your hard work, Richard.
0:56:54 > 0:56:55Beautiful.
0:56:55 > 0:56:56Thank you so much, you like it?
0:56:56 > 0:56:58Oh, it's beautiful.
0:56:58 > 0:57:02We just can't believe, you know, how it is from how it was.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04I mean, it was just a wilderness.
0:57:06 > 0:57:08The garden was just short of a jungle
0:57:08 > 0:57:12but I think it's now panned out into something rather special.
0:57:12 > 0:57:14Here we go.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17Whoo!
0:57:18 > 0:57:21Cheers. Cheers everybody, cheers.
0:57:21 > 0:57:22And to my wife, cheers.
0:57:26 > 0:57:28They've got a garden that they will be able to enjoy
0:57:28 > 0:57:32and a garden that will produce what they've always wanted to do,
0:57:32 > 0:57:36grow their own fruit and veg, cos they are fantastic at making jams
0:57:36 > 0:57:39and chutneys, and pickles, brilliant.
0:57:39 > 0:57:41- Hello, sorry to interrupt. - No, no, not at all.
0:57:41 > 0:57:44This is some chilli sauce that I've made, see what you think.
0:57:44 > 0:57:46- Can I have a try? - That is delicious.
0:57:46 > 0:57:47Thank you very much.
0:57:49 > 0:57:51No, just put "Monty" down. Yes, please.
0:57:51 > 0:57:54- Today's been an amazing day. - It has, yeah.
0:57:54 > 0:57:57It's a bit surreal, really, you know, having Monty Don
0:57:57 > 0:57:59back in your garden and all your family and friends.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02Yeah, brilliant day, perfect.
0:58:02 > 0:58:06What we've got is a real garden, a living garden,
0:58:06 > 0:58:11and that garden is producing good food which then in turn
0:58:11 > 0:58:15Richard and Helen are making into the jams and the chutneys
0:58:15 > 0:58:18and the sauces which so motivate them.
0:58:18 > 0:58:22But the garden is doing something else, too, something which perhaps
0:58:22 > 0:58:25we undervalue but which gardens do so well.
0:58:25 > 0:58:27It's making them happy.