0:00:02 > 0:00:04Do you dream of having your own special outdoor space?
0:00:04 > 0:00:09A small garden that you can admire, enjoy, and call your own.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14And then you stop and think, "I have no idea how to make it."
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Well, you're not alone.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Over the past year, Monty Don has travelled up
0:00:19 > 0:00:22and down the country visiting amateur gardeners
0:00:22 > 0:00:26and working with them to make their dreams come true.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29He's cast a critical eye over their plans.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Don't be too horrified, OK, Monty.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33Everything is possible.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34I know it seems unusual.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36It's just profoundly unusual.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37And given advice.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- Just pinch that off. - But they took so long to grow!
0:00:40 > 0:00:41He's got stuck in.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Monty Don in my garden!
0:00:46 > 0:00:49And everybody has worked incredibly hard.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50Look at the size of that!
0:00:50 > 0:00:53The results are truly exciting.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54It's really nice.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56CHEERING
0:00:56 > 0:01:00I do believe that everybody, however small their garden,
0:01:00 > 0:01:02can cultivate a big dream.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12This week, Monty will be meeting two sets of gardeners with very
0:01:12 > 0:01:14different urban spaces.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18There are dreams of the Orient from a couple in Kent.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20I really like this mossy one.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23As a Japanese thing, it would be significant.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25So what is its significance?
0:01:25 > 0:01:29And lofty ambitions in a tiny yard in Staffordshire.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31There is not really anywhere you can grow out.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33- We've been thinking up.- Up.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Up, sure, dead right. You've got to go up.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Up as high as you can.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41Monty will stretch their imaginations...
0:01:41 > 0:01:42It looks like a caterpillar.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Well, that's fine. Yeah.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47If it's a caterpillar, then maybe that's what it is.
0:01:48 > 0:01:49It looks very heavy.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52..and push their abilities to new heights...
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Just wonderful. Love it.
0:01:54 > 0:01:55Come on, this is good.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59..to help turn these small spaces into dream gardens.
0:01:59 > 0:02:00Come on in.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06Our first amateur gardeners live in Bromley in Kent.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10Mei An and Gerard both work in the fashion industry.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14Passionate about DIY, they have been painstakingly restoring
0:02:14 > 0:02:17their house to their exacting standards.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20We've been in this house about two and a half years.
0:02:20 > 0:02:21No, a year and a half.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Feels like longer.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28We bought it untouched since the '70s. There was a lot of damp.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- It was kind of...- A lot of brown.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32A lot of brown.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36And so we just basically ripped it all out and started again.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40But there is one area they haven't tackled. Their garden.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42It's never really been maintained.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45We've got kind of a sunken bit just outside the kitchen
0:02:45 > 0:02:47which is waterlogged.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50And also, we've got this grotty little asbestos shed.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52It's all just so chaotic at the moment.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57All out of inspiration, they are really counting on Monty's help.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00It would be really nice for us to just have a place to entertain.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02I'm really excited about Monty coming
0:03:02 > 0:03:04because he's kind of a hero of mine.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Him and Alan Shearer. For me, he's the Gardening Guru.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15200 miles away, in Stoke-on-Trent, live artists Anna and Andrew
0:03:15 > 0:03:17and their daughter, Rowan.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23They settled on the street as part of a scheme bringing young
0:03:23 > 0:03:27families into the area to revive the local community.
0:03:27 > 0:03:28When we applied,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31we had only just found out that we were having a baby.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- So we really had everything crossed. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38With a price tag of just £1 and a loan to make the place
0:03:38 > 0:03:42habitable, their dream of owning a house finally came true.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- The scheme was just really perfect, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48But while their home may have been the bargain of the century,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51the small garden, measuring just 15 metres square,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54leaves a lot to be desired.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Really, it isn't a garden at all.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01It's pretty much a concrete slab with some pots on it.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03A little corridor, in fact.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08Our big dream for the space is to do something completely
0:04:08 > 0:04:11different to all the other back yards.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Yeah, so that you would not imagine that it was possible to even
0:04:15 > 0:04:17grow so many things in such a small space.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20They are thrilled to have Monty coming in to help
0:04:20 > 0:04:24fulfil their dreams, but concerns are starting to creep in.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28I'm a bit nervous in case Monty comes and just thinks,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31"What on earth am I doing in this tiny back yard?"
0:04:31 > 0:04:33And he might just think...
0:04:34 > 0:04:36..we're bonkers.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Yeah. Hopefully not.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43It's April. And in Bromley,
0:04:43 > 0:04:48the first of our dreamers are getting ready to meet Monty.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Just excited to sort of meet him and see what he's got to say.
0:04:51 > 0:04:52There's just so much to do.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56It's just so daunting.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- Hello.- Hello.- Hi.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you. - Gerard. Nice to meet you too.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06This couple have fallen in love with the idea of a Japanese garden.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Mei An's mother is from Malaysia,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11but it was Gerard who came up with the Eastern idea.
0:05:11 > 0:05:12- So this is it?- This is it.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14I lived in Japan a couple of years ago
0:05:14 > 0:05:16and I was just wandering around there.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Especially during April, I was there during the cherry blossom
0:05:19 > 0:05:20and it's just amazing.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- And we've got a lovely cherry tree. - Yeah.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25So it's come from that.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28I want somewhere that's kind of peaceful.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Somewhere that is...has some sort of, I guess, Zen appeal.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34But also, it's...
0:05:34 > 0:05:37At the moment, it's just on two really kind of harsh levels.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40So we wanted to push that back and lower the top level.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42You want to dig this back here?
0:05:42 > 0:05:45We're not quite sure what's actually feasible, you know. And manageable.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Well, I mean... Anything is feasible.
0:05:47 > 0:05:48Years and years ago,
0:05:48 > 0:05:52I used to work on building sites where we would...with a stick
0:05:52 > 0:05:55and shovel, dig out spaces the whole size of this garden.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Before we go any further, what sort of money have you got?
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- What's your budget? - About 5,000.- Yeah.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01And what about labour?
0:06:01 > 0:06:03- Family and friends and that's it.- You?
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- I think we are both going to do it.- Well, that's important.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09If you are both prepared to do it, that will save you a lot of money.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- So £5,000 is actually quite a healthy budget.- Yeah.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15In the area outside their kitchen,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19Mei An and Gerard plan to make a large pond.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Fed by a waterfall cascading from
0:06:22 > 0:06:24another pond on the level above.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28The steps are being shifted to the right and will turn
0:06:28 > 0:06:33into a stone path, leading down the garden to a contemporary teahouse.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37Traditional Japanese planting will complete the look.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40But it's soon clear they don't always see eye to eye.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Japanese-style building. What does that mean?
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- Japanese tea house. - Japanese shed.- Japanese shed?
0:06:47 > 0:06:51I think it was more like an office space or some sort of hut
0:06:51 > 0:06:53with a little terrace.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56I don't particularly want a building down there.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58I think it needs something at the end.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01It could be just a very simple space. Just somewhere to sit and be.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02I mean, that's fine.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Are the plans for the pond any more defined?
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- It seems to me you've got the idea you want water.- Yeah.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12And you've put it there because that's where you think it should go.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15And you haven't really related it to anything else.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19I'd never really envisaged there being a water feature initially.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22It's Gerard's idea to sort of put that in.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25So that's not sorted either.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Never mind. Monty has bigger thoughts.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29And let's...let's...
0:07:29 > 0:07:31be a bit more radical.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35There's nothing stopping you having a river running down through,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39going down a waterfall, into a pond outside the kitchen.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- It's only moving water.- Yeah. Sure. - What it does...
0:07:42 > 0:07:48is it clarifies the theme. OK, it's a path and a stream.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- And that's the structure.- Yeah.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53I think it could be really lovely.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Finally something they can agree on.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00The plan might sound very ambitious but Monty is confident it will work.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03The upper pond will be replaced by a stream
0:08:03 > 0:08:07snaking its way along the full length of the garden.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10And flowing into a pond on the lower level.
0:08:10 > 0:08:11The path will become curved,
0:08:11 > 0:08:13intertwining with the stream,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16and will incorporate the Japanese elements of bridges
0:08:16 > 0:08:18and stepping stones.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21And the overbearing teahouse will become a simpler,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25but still beautiful, meditation space.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- Shall we block it out? - Yeah, let's do it.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- What have you got? - I've got spray paint, hoses.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Let's do one with the hose and one with the spray paint.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Right, let's have the hosepipe.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Hosepipes are a nightmare.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Ooh!
0:08:45 > 0:08:49This spray paint stream and hosepipe path are actually starting to
0:08:49 > 0:08:53show Mei An and Gerard what their garden might look like.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57If you're walking comfortably, that's fine, isn't it?
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Well, it's not a thing of beauty.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07But you can start to see the idea.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10I'm much happier, actually, than I was this morning.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15By gaining the stream. So, yeah, to me it works better.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17It's a difficult ask.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20If they want to make a beautiful Japanese garden -
0:09:20 > 0:09:21and of course they do -
0:09:21 > 0:09:25then they are going to really have to apply themselves.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Because it's one of the toughest styles to do.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Having given our Bromley couple lots to think about,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Monty heads off to Stoke.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39He's accustomed to moving mountains of mud.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43So this patch of crammed concrete might come as a bit of a shock.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- Hi, I'm Andy.- Nice to meet you, Andy.- This is Anna.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- Hi, Monty, I'm Anna. Hello.- Hello.- Hi.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- Is this it?- This is it. - This is our yard.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- The full range of your rolling acres?- It is.- It is.
0:09:55 > 0:10:00- This is our little yard.- What can't be avoided, it is really tiny.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Um, so... What do you want from it?
0:10:03 > 0:10:07We really want to maximise what you can do with such a tiny space.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10We have a little girl who is 16 months old.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15- So we want the space to be somewhere that...- She can play.- Yeah.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18But also, we want to make somewhere we can sit together.
0:10:18 > 0:10:23And we also want to make it into a tiny oasis for wildlife as well.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24SHE LAUGHS
0:10:24 > 0:10:25Not too many things.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28It's the wildlife bit that may be really difficult,
0:10:28 > 0:10:31because the nature of a good wildlife garden is it's full,
0:10:31 > 0:10:35it's unruly, so you have to edit expectations.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40I would suggest that somewhere pleasant to come and sit
0:10:40 > 0:10:43and play and eat would be enough.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47Obviously, because it is so small and there is not really
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- anywhere you can grow out, we've been thinking up.- Up.- Sure.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Dead right. You've got to go up.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Up as high as you can. I mean, I would cover every wall.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Yeah, we would really like to try both a green wall
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- and a green roof as well.- Yeah.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- What, this roof here?- Yeah.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05That's one of the things that we don't know
0:11:05 > 0:11:08whether or not it's possible. And we do have a limited budget.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10What is your budget?
0:11:10 > 0:11:12- Under £1,000, really.- Right.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16But we are quite good at sourcing free things and reusing,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- recycling... - Reclaimed.- I think that's great.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- But actually, under £1,000 is not at all scary for a space this size.- No.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Yeah.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- If you had said 50 quid, then we've got problems.- Yes.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33We've got a few rough sketches and some books and things together.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- Yeah.- I'd love to see them. - OK, brilliant.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39This is some of the ideas that we had about what we'd like to do.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- Obviously, there you've got green roof idea.- Yeah.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46And then we were thinking of almost a ladder system
0:11:46 > 0:11:48to get access to the green roof.
0:11:48 > 0:11:49Yeah, it might be a bit...
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- fanciful.- But you could make that? - It could be something I could make.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54I mean, I like that. I really like it.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Then, this along the back wall there,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59could we make this entire wall green?
0:11:59 > 0:12:02You could get really lovely clematis.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Anna and Andy want to make a green roof, accessed by a system
0:12:07 > 0:12:11of ladders and shelves which will also house plants and artworks.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18Along the narrow passage, they are planning a living wall.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22And in the back corner, they'll build a herbaceous border.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25But Monty has different ideas.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27The living wall should be relocated
0:12:27 > 0:12:30to the more manageable surface at the back.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33And only use ferns, which are perfect in the shade
0:12:33 > 0:12:35and give an exotic look.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38They should do away with the herbaceous border.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42And finally, along the passageway, they should stick to soft clematis,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45that can be kept pruned back.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47It seems to me that you have a series of projects.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Don't start any of them
0:12:49 > 0:12:52until you've absolutely nailed the technical side of it.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57It's a very small space. So you've got absolutely no room for error.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02- Yeah.- Everything is going to be on show, isn't it?- Yeah. Absolutely.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04I tell you what, I want to see it.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- You are now duty-bound to do it because I want to see it.- Oh, good.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- Great. - THEY LAUGH
0:13:10 > 0:13:14It was quite exciting to have Monty back here in our yard.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19I confess that when I first saw that tiny yard...
0:13:19 > 0:13:20I felt a bit daunted.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23There was really not a lot that you could do with it.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- I think he was a bit shocked at how tiny it is.- Yeah.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29He is quite tall, isn't he?
0:13:29 > 0:13:34But having seen the plan, I feel very confident
0:13:34 > 0:13:36that they will do something extraordinary with it.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39The critical thing is that they have to get the details right.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44In a small space like that, there is no forgiveness at all.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49In Bromley, Mei An and Gerard's elaborate plans
0:13:49 > 0:13:52for their Japanese garden have gone full steam ahead
0:13:52 > 0:13:55and they've completely cleared the space.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57The old steps are history.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59And to construct the new ones,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Gerard's rustled up some Victorian cobblestones.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09I like the fact that they are old and it's been a road and it's had
0:14:09 > 0:14:13horses and carts and stuff like that driven over it.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Back in the 21st-century, it's dawning on Gerard that Monty
0:14:17 > 0:14:20has left him quite a bit of work to do.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Monty left and I was like,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25"Oh, my God, what have we got ourselves into?"
0:14:29 > 0:14:32There is just more to do than I really thought,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35to shape the banks of the stream all the way down the garden,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38to put the pump in, to put the water in, to run the power.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- Nightmare. - HE CHUCKLES
0:14:42 > 0:14:46But the amount of work isn't Gerard's only concern.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48He's got a tough foreman to impress.
0:14:48 > 0:14:49Mei An will come home tonight
0:14:49 > 0:14:51and she will probably get the spirit level out
0:14:51 > 0:14:54and the first thing she'll do is she will put it on the steps
0:14:54 > 0:14:55and go, "Oh, the steps aren't straight."
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Yeah, she's the perfectionist. I'm not. I just sort of do it.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Yep, not level.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03HE LAUGHS
0:15:05 > 0:15:06Nowhere near level.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11Right on cue, Mei An's back from work and it's inspection time.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12Wow!
0:15:12 > 0:15:14THEY LAUGH
0:15:14 > 0:15:15You've been busy.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Wow. Cool.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19- No. Not really. - You've got some steps.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Yeah, do you like them?
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- They look pretty neat. - Yeah.- By your standards.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27Obviously I've got to tidy them up.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30We hadn't actually carved the proper steps, had we?
0:15:30 > 0:15:31So...
0:15:33 > 0:15:35- Maybe it wasn't the right... - No, we hadn't.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Gerard seems to know what's coming.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- OK, perhaps I can help you do that. - Yeah, perhaps you can.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46Yeah, they are supposed to do that as well.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50- They what?- They are supposed to sort of shift that way.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- You've got to get down and look at it.- Oh, really?
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- Yeah, they do.- Yeah.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59I was so excited about you coming home, perhaps I rushed them.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01When it's not right, it's not right.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Oh, no. All that hard work and it's back to the drawing board.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09It's just a really higgledy-piggledy rock.
0:16:11 > 0:16:12It's May,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15and time for Anna and Andy to work out the details for their
0:16:15 > 0:16:17small space in Stoke.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Monty has arranged a visit to the most famous horticultural
0:16:24 > 0:16:27event of the year. The Chelsea Flower Show.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Garden enthusiasts flock here to celebrate
0:16:34 > 0:16:37and be inspired by the world's very best gardeners,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40who have taken their craft to an art form.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46I've invited Anna and Andrew to Chelsea Flower Show
0:16:46 > 0:16:49because I'm hoping it will inspire them
0:16:49 > 0:16:53to let their artistic side really have full rein.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01- You've found your way through. How are you?- Hello.- Well done.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03I've brought you here
0:17:03 > 0:17:07because it is an opportunity to see different styles of work.
0:17:07 > 0:17:08On little gardens.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11So we'll start in a very modern garden and then we will go
0:17:11 > 0:17:13and see something more conventional later.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14- Come with me.- OK, great.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20The first garden is called Dark Matter and is
0:17:20 > 0:17:24a lesson in taking a complicated concept and bringing it to life.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29I think what I like about it is
0:17:29 > 0:17:32it shows that a garden, and it is a garden,
0:17:32 > 0:17:36can be an installation, it can be whatever you want it to be.
0:17:38 > 0:17:43There's a lot of elements in here that I can see are sort of my thing.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46In particular, this. The large bowl, the planter.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49If you put your hand in, look, it recesses inside, do you see?
0:17:49 > 0:17:50- It's concrete.- Is it?
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- Painted to look rustic. - I was wondering.- Yeah.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56We've already started thinking about using corrugated iron
0:17:56 > 0:17:58but leaving it quite raw.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- Yeah.- So this feels really, really right.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07This is very different.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Stylistically, it could hardly be more different.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11I've brought you here for two reasons.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15One thing is the use of colour. The planting is very vibrant.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19And doing all kinds of things with colour.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21The second thing is the structure.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23I know you were saying you wanted to build this unit.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26This is not at all what I imagine to be the same style or the same
0:18:26 > 0:18:29materials, but to show the height.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31And you can build something that works.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36I feel like the last garden was exactly your sort of style.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40And this one is everything that I like in terms of the planting.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43And it just feels really warm and inviting.
0:18:43 > 0:18:48Use of kind of recycled tins, tools, I can imagine that's something...
0:18:48 > 0:18:53- Lots of found objects. - Right. So found material?
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Yeah, I was noticing the sempervivums.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- Is that what they're called? Over there.- Yes. In the trunk.
0:18:58 > 0:18:59Yeah, and that's really lovely.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Just to think that even something which you wouldn't
0:19:02 > 0:19:04think of as a pot can become a pot.
0:19:04 > 0:19:10Any container, as long as it can hold soil and has got some drainage,
0:19:10 > 0:19:12anything, I've potted plants up in old pairs of boots, you know?
0:19:12 > 0:19:15It's really difficult what you're trying to do.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Really not easy to make a small garden.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21I think you've really got to look at yourselves as artists
0:19:21 > 0:19:24and craftspeople, not as gardeners.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- That's the way you'll make a good garden.- Yeah.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- It's great. Thank you.- Good.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Well, the important thing is now, wander around,
0:19:31 > 0:19:35- absorb as much as you can. And enjoy it.- Thank you.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38I think Monty seems to have really understood what
0:19:38 > 0:19:42we were trying to achieve through the two gardens that he took us to.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- We could incorporate the mesh as well, couldn't we?- Yeah.
0:19:50 > 0:19:51Today has been perfect.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Really good in terms of, you know, giving us more ideas.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57You really can smell it, yeah. Sniff.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59'My head's a bit too full at the moment.'
0:19:59 > 0:20:02I can't quite work out what to do now.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05I feel a bit like, "Wow, there are so many things we could do."
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- But I think just giving it a little bit of time...- Yeah.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10..we'll filter those now
0:20:10 > 0:20:13and then incorporate a few of the elements that we've seen today.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26It's June, but in Bromley,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29there's no time to stop and enjoy the sunshine.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33Mei An and Gerard decided on a Japanese theme.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37They are following Monty's ambitious suggestion to build a stream.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40But it's still looking a long way off.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44I'm just burying the final pipe...
0:20:45 > 0:20:49..for the water that will return back up to the top of the garden.
0:20:49 > 0:20:50It's been pretty full-on.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52Today, I really ache.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Before, the garden sloped the wrong way,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00so I had to move a lot of soil from that end to this end.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03It is relentless.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10The thing I'm worried about is that we do all the stuff
0:21:10 > 0:21:14and the stream won't work. It's just going to be a trickle.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17When is Monty coming to dig his bit of the stream?
0:21:19 > 0:21:21All right?
0:21:21 > 0:21:23HE CHUCKLES
0:21:23 > 0:21:27At this point, most people would bring in some muscle to help out.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30But Gerard has gone for a slightly different solution.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32Adam is helping us. He has done quite a lot, actually.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34He's my young garden apprentice.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40And the project has caught his mum's attention too.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42It's very exciting.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46I was quite surprised when he said it was a Japanese garden,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49but I understand that they are going to do a little stream.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53So, yeah, that will be interesting to see what actually does happen.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Good man. I'll pay you later.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00What did we say? Five stones?
0:22:00 > 0:22:02No, £5.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04- LAUGHING:- £5.
0:22:04 > 0:22:0550p.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Thank you. Thank your mum.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13In Stoke, it's been a few weeks
0:22:13 > 0:22:16since Anna and Andy's trip to Chelsea.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20They've had a chance to reflect on their experience.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Being with Monty at the Chelsea Flower Show
0:22:23 > 0:22:28there seemed to be like this wake of hushed voices of,
0:22:28 > 0:22:31"Oh, he's Monty Don. It's Monty Don."
0:22:32 > 0:22:36Don't have a great amount of experience horticulturally.
0:22:36 > 0:22:42So Monty stressed the importance of us approaching our ideas as artists.
0:22:42 > 0:22:48It's probably the best way for us to work with our space.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53It's a little space and they've got little time.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56So Andy gets going in the garden.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00We've made these planters out of industrial materials
0:23:00 > 0:23:03and reclaimed corrugated tin sheets.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06They will eventually have three planters across the wall.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16These planters down here, they are all going to have a mixture of
0:23:16 > 0:23:18climbers and bedding plants in.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21What I'm planning on doing with the tops is,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23I've got some hazel, which are quite flexible,
0:23:23 > 0:23:25and we're going to bend them along the top
0:23:25 > 0:23:28and we're just going to form a quite nice, smooth surface.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31These are from a coppiced hazel
0:23:31 > 0:23:33that grows each year.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36And it's free to a good home.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40Andy cuts the hazel and fastens into place.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44Next, the planters need to be lined with landscaping fabric.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49It's the perfect material for planting in unusual places.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Once it's got compost up to that level,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55we'll be able to fold that over and it forms a bit of a weed barrier.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Wow! Look at that!
0:23:59 > 0:24:01That's nice, isn't it?
0:24:01 > 0:24:02I think it looks really good.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06- It's quite shallow. Actually... - We haven't got space.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10Yeah, it means that we can get by still quite easily.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13With a little help from Rowan, they are nearly done.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17Now come round this side and put this straight back in, OK?
0:24:17 > 0:24:20The only thing to do now is to introduce the plants
0:24:20 > 0:24:21to their new home.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23One there.
0:24:23 > 0:24:24That's if Anna can find them.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Um, and then...
0:24:26 > 0:24:29It's...
0:24:29 > 0:24:31that one there.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Can I pass this to you, Anna?
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Give that to Rowan.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44I think that's a pretty good start, that.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51Mei An and Gerard are well on their way
0:24:51 > 0:24:54with their Eastern-inspired space in Bromley.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57But they are keen to learn more about Japanese gardens.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00So Monty has sent them to Compton Acres in Bournemouth.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Charlie, the head gardener, is here to help them.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05- Lovely to meet you.- You too.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07If you'd like to follow me, we'll have a look around.
0:25:07 > 0:25:12This garden dates back to the 1920s and is formed around a central pond.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Water is a key element in Japanese gardens.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19And it's certainly going to play a big part in Mei An
0:25:19 > 0:25:21and Gerard's design.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25But it's not just about the water. It's how you cross it.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30These bridges here are important because they are staggered.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35Folklore would have it that spirits could only travel in straight lines.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39So pathways are often staggered or curved to prevent
0:25:39 > 0:25:41spirits from crossing gardens.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46And the frog just behind us is sat in water, laughing at the spirits
0:25:46 > 0:25:50- because they are frustrated that they can't cross the water.- OK.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Our miniature river is quite narrow. It's a foot wide.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56I think we've got enough space for one stepping stone.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01Can we, you know, use this idea in the path maybe, or...?
0:26:01 > 0:26:02Yeah, of course.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06The staggered pathways can be used either over water
0:26:06 > 0:26:08- or just through the garden.- OK.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Charlie is also keen to find out what plants they are thinking of.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Do you have differing opinions as to what should go in there?
0:26:22 > 0:26:24I think we agree on what is pretty,
0:26:24 > 0:26:29but then I'm maybe more...practical, I suppose.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33- Yeah, I'm perhaps a bit more extravagant with my spending.- Yes.
0:26:33 > 0:26:34THEY LAUGH
0:26:34 > 0:26:38No Japanese garden is complete without a pine tree.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43The main element is the very twisty, gnarled trunk.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47They've got symbolism for longevity in the garden.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51So they've got a lot of importance.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55Charlie explains that in smaller gardens, slow-growing miniature
0:26:55 > 0:26:59pines can give the Japanese look but on a more manageable scale.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02We haven't really talked about the pine, have we?
0:27:02 > 0:27:04- No.- I think I'd like to have a pine.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- Yeah, I agree, because... - They smell nice as well.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09- Fragrant.- It's beautiful.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13It seems like Compton Acres has definitely worked its magic
0:27:13 > 0:27:15and enchanted Mei An and Gerard.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22- 'It's amazing.- The smell.- It's nice and tranquil.- The smell, the sound.'
0:27:22 > 0:27:24- It's just like being in a dream. - It's just quite lovely.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27My only fear is that we can't take this sort of magic
0:27:27 > 0:27:29and take it back to Bromley.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31I thought I was on top of it until I came here.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37It's July, and in one tiny
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Stoke yard, big changes are afoot.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Anna and Andy's garden is
0:27:42 > 0:27:45so small they're having to go up rather than out.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Starting with the green roof.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Task one - build a strong wooden base.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54He is amazing the way he approaches projects like this.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57It doesn't seem to faze him at all when actually, I think,
0:27:57 > 0:27:59"God, that's quite a big deal."
0:28:01 > 0:28:05Once the wood is up, Andy covers it in a waterproof layer of plastic.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08This is a little bit like wrapping a giant present.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Except on a roof.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13On a slope. In the wind.
0:28:15 > 0:28:20Despite the tricky conditions, Andy gets through the prep work.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Now all they need is the nation's favourite gardener to pop by
0:28:23 > 0:28:27and lend a hand getting the job finished.
0:28:27 > 0:28:32There is no way around this. This is a truly tiny garden.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34But it can take big ideas.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36And what I'm hoping is that Andrew
0:28:36 > 0:28:40and Anna will unleash their creativity into it
0:28:40 > 0:28:44and will create a garden where they can relax and enjoy it.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49- Hello. How are you? - Hello. Nice to see you.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Well, you've been busy.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54To make their green roof, Anna and Andy have ordered some
0:28:54 > 0:28:58material impregnated with thousands of sedum plants.
0:28:58 > 0:28:59I must be clear.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01There is going to be an element of the blind leading the blind here.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03I've helped plant up a couple.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06I've never made one from scratch. I don't have one at home.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09Well, you had better learn quickly, Monty, because the roof has arrived.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13- It's here. Wow. Look at that. - That's great.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- It's a real mass, isn't it? - It is, yeah.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18OK, let's get practical.
0:29:18 > 0:29:23If we get a length of it up and get one,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26- we'll find out how to do it.- OK.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29- All right.- Ooh.- Oh.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Are you going in first?
0:29:31 > 0:29:32It looks very heavy.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Very good.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Getting it to the roof was one thing,
0:29:37 > 0:29:41but it seems that the matting might not measure up to the task.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45We are 5cm short.
0:29:48 > 0:29:53So what I suggest is we put it up and then see what we are left with.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02OK, if you can go up the ladder...
0:30:02 > 0:30:04I will push it up to you.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15I tell you what, I think it looks just wonderful. I love it.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Good. That's... Come on, this is good.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22MONTY GRUNTS
0:30:22 > 0:30:23Careful, Monty.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25I just got a face full of dirt.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30THEY LAUGH
0:30:32 > 0:30:33That's it.
0:30:33 > 0:30:38Of course, sedums are succulents, they'll last for weeks
0:30:38 > 0:30:40if not months without any moisture at all.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44They need practically no nutrition. So this layer of soil is plenty.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47- Right.- The felt will hold enough water for them.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51It's a beautifully simple and effective set-up.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Lovely. Let's get the next one up.
0:30:56 > 0:30:57Up a bit.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01It looks like it's going to be a nail-biting finish.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03I think we might have enough.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07I think it's just going to be slightly under.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09I can see it's going to be frustrating.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14With the final piece of the jigsaw in place,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17they are so near and yet so far.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19- That's not bad.- That's not bad.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21And it looks just wonderful.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25I'm...really happy with it.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27I think you should be.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28Aw, it looks lovely.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33I don't see how it could be better.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35- Do you?- No.- No.- Not at all.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42With one job ticked off, there is no time to rest on their laurels.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46Andy is also making a structure to support Anna's living wall.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49The way we want this to look is that it sort of feels
0:31:49 > 0:31:51a bit like a dry stone wall.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53So basically, we are just taking the pieces
0:31:53 > 0:31:56and putting them to the front.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59Then we are going to pack the back with soil.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02- Then put plants where we think they might go?- Yeah.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05- I think so. Yeah.- Come on then.
0:32:05 > 0:32:06I like it.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10The living wall is in a rather shady spot in the garden.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14So Anna has chosen to fill it with ferns and something a bit fruitier.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17- That's a wild strawberry. We will put one in here.- OK.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21- If that's like that... - Yeah.- That will grow fine.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23- And then we'll put more soil over the top of it.- OK.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27Wild strawberries will grow in quite a lot of shade.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- Will they?- Yeah. No, I use them underneath hedges.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33And they grow and the spread and they are delicious.
0:32:33 > 0:32:34Those little jewel-like fruits.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37If we put one in there, in that gap, is that going to fit? OK.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39I think it will.
0:32:40 > 0:32:41There we are.
0:32:41 > 0:32:42That's there.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Other plants that do well in the shade include periwinkles,
0:32:46 > 0:32:48St John's wort and lily of the valley.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55- That's all right.- I think that's OK.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57We'll put a bit more of that in. There we are.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00As the plants go in, the wall is coming to life.
0:33:02 > 0:33:03Next, the ferns.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09- Into a wall or crevice, those are good-sized plants.- Yeah.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12They are really good because you can squidge them in.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15- They're small, they'll grow fast, and they're cheap.- Yeah.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18- I love those. I think they're really pretty.- Yeah. So let's...
0:33:18 > 0:33:21When we first saw the house, it was completely derelict.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24And there were ferns growing on the inside of the house.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26- So, in fact, it connects very directly.- Yeah.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28- It's meaningful to you.- Yeah.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- And it's going to make an interesting, beautiful garden.- Yeah.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33- Not many people can say that about their garden.- Yeah.- Oh, wow.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36That's... Yeah, that's perfect, isn't it?
0:33:36 > 0:33:37It's been a pleasure.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40And when I come back, this is a small space but I'm
0:33:40 > 0:33:42looking for a big transformation, which I know is there.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45I can feel it. Thank you for a really enjoyable day.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47- Thanks so much for your help. - I've had a nice time.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49- Thanks so much for your help.- Good.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51What really matters is that Anna
0:33:51 > 0:33:54and Andrew have taken possession of the garden.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59Because they are giving themselves to it and are doing things
0:33:59 > 0:34:04exactly as they want to, their garden has now come alive.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09Today's been really, really good. It's been a really fantastic day.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14I think both myself and Monty have learned stuff today.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Doing the green roof job,
0:34:16 > 0:34:20that was really...quite impressive how well, that worked out.
0:34:20 > 0:34:21So I'm really happy with that.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25Whilst Monty has been in Stoke helping Anna and Andy,
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Gerard has been hard at work on his Japanese garden.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32He's been preparing his stream and now it's time to see
0:34:32 > 0:34:34if he can make it work.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37His father, Gerry, has come to lend a hand.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39But there's already a problem with the rubber liner.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44OK. Should've got more rubber.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46HE CHUCKLES
0:34:46 > 0:34:51The problem is, this thing is almost twice the width we need.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53We're not quite sure whether it's fully twice the width and
0:34:53 > 0:34:57we can cut it in half, or whether that would leave us a bit skimped.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01As always, Gerard wants to solve the problem as quickly as possible.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03All right?
0:35:04 > 0:35:07- Good.- That's... - That's for better or worse now.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Look at that. Anyone would have thought I'd have measured it.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16THEY LAUGH
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Get the impression with Gerard that he doesn't really plan things,
0:35:19 > 0:35:21he just gets on and does them.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24But he seems to work so long and hard that he gets them
0:35:24 > 0:35:27done anyway, so, yeah. It's his way of working, not mine, but...
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Yeah, having Monty Don come next week to have a look at your
0:35:30 > 0:35:34garden does kind of get you out of bed and get you working on it.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36There is one final test.
0:35:37 > 0:35:38We're at a turning point.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41So now it's kind of downhill, hopefully.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44- Literally. - HE LAUGHS
0:35:44 > 0:35:47Baby nephew, Johnny, is here to check over proceedings.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50We're going to test the water now, just to make sure it flows down.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54Turn the water on.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59Come on.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Here comes the water.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04JOHNNY SQUEALS AND GIGGLES
0:36:04 > 0:36:05It's coming. It's coming.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09- Very good so far. - I'm happy it's flowing.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12There's the first puncture in the rubber.
0:36:12 > 0:36:13HE LAUGHS
0:36:15 > 0:36:20Up in Stoke, Anna and Andy haven't got as far as they'd hoped.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24Ever the artists, they are trying to create a special, paved floor.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28These are quite traditional. Especially in Stoke-on-Trent.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32So we've been to a reclamation yard.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36They've come from somebody's back yard.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39And now they are going back into someone's back yard.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43I think we are under a little bit of pressure at the moment.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48There is still one of the biggest features of the design
0:36:48 > 0:36:50to be done, which is the shelving.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52Yeah. Yeah, a fair bit of pressure, I think,
0:36:52 > 0:36:56to get it done in time. But we will crack on with it.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Monty never said it was going to be easy.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01- Oh!- You OK?- Yeah.
0:37:01 > 0:37:02What do you think so far?
0:37:02 > 0:37:05Oh, it looks really good. I love it.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Just makes it completely different, doesn't it?
0:37:07 > 0:37:12- Great.- Well done. So we've just got about another 700 to lay.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14- Yeah. Around that.- Yeah. - THEY LAUGH
0:37:21 > 0:37:24It's August, and Monty is returning to Bromley to see
0:37:24 > 0:37:27if he can give Mei An and Gerard a bit of help.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30But there is a hint of apprehension in the air.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33The stream looks particularly disappointing today.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36What with all the rain, it kind of looks like a...
0:37:38 > 0:37:40..a drain.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Gerard may be feeling nervous, but with a lot of hard graft,
0:37:45 > 0:37:49they've already totally transformed this space.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50When we first spoke to him it was like,
0:37:50 > 0:37:52"Oh, we are going to have a little pond."
0:37:52 > 0:37:54Then by the end of the day, it was like,
0:37:54 > 0:37:55"Oh, we're going to have a stream."
0:37:55 > 0:37:58I'm worried that he'll think the stream is too big.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00I think when we laid it out with a hosepipe that day it
0:38:00 > 0:38:05- was like this big.- I forgot about that.- Now it's like this big.
0:38:09 > 0:38:14I know that Gerard and Mei An have gone to a lot of trouble to
0:38:14 > 0:38:15be authentic to Japanese gardens.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18The important thing is that they make a garden
0:38:18 > 0:38:20that is true to themselves.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23What I really want to achieve is to give them
0:38:23 > 0:38:25the confidence to do their own thing.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36This is completely transformed.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39Yeah.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41You've changed the angle, it seems to me.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Yeah, the garden actually sloped the wrong way.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45- So you've changed the slope? - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49- Simply by digging out and shifting the soil down?- Yeah.- Crikey.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51- So, a lot of work.- Yeah.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55And the stream is a pretty sort of major event, isn't it?
0:38:55 > 0:38:59Yes, it is. I don't think we really envisaged it being this big, but...
0:38:59 > 0:39:01- It grew.- It grew.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02Always with ponds and streams,
0:39:02 > 0:39:05they look much bigger before you finish them.
0:39:05 > 0:39:06- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08To me, that's not a problem.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10The challenge with this garden is that there are
0:39:10 > 0:39:12so many elements to consider.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15So Monty is going to take it piece by piece.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Starting with the positioning of their stones.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- This stone here...- Mm-hm.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25..to be true to the whole Japanese idea, should be in the water,
0:39:25 > 0:39:29because if you think the water has rounded it and worn it away...
0:39:29 > 0:39:32So the rougher the stone, the further away from the water it is.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35The smoother the stone, the more in the middle it is.
0:39:35 > 0:39:36That's a basic principle.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39What you could do at this stage is start getting your larger stones
0:39:39 > 0:39:41- and putting them at key points. - Mm.- Sure, yeah.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Then from that, you do the smaller ones. And so it builds up.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Let's get going. It'll be good.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50This is the perfect opportunity for Mei An and Gerard to get a picture
0:39:50 > 0:39:54of how their stream might look before they set anything in stone.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56Quite literally.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00Now, that is perfect for going in the water.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02That...yeah.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06See, that's the spirit. That's exactly right, yeah.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Just see how that goes.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15I really like this mossy one.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18But, as a Japanese thing, it would be significant.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20So what is its significance?
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Is it marking a turning point, a bridge?
0:40:23 > 0:40:27Yeah, you see, that's doing a good job.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29If you want the water to be calmer, you have small stones.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32And that just makes the whole thing much smoother.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34If you could put a bucket of small stones where you want
0:40:34 > 0:40:37the bridge to be, let's see what it looks like.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39Strongman. Just tip them in.
0:40:45 > 0:40:46Slowly but surely,
0:40:46 > 0:40:49the stream is starting to show a bit of Eastern promise.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55- You are going to have to get more stones.- Yeah.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58I think what this has begun is, it's giving it
0:40:58 > 0:41:02a kind of dynamism of its own, rather than a bit of building work.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Yeah, yeah.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06Next, Monty turns his attention to shaping
0:41:06 > 0:41:11the hedge in a Japanese style, using a technique called cloud pruning.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14Cloud pruning is simply taking a hedge and instead of cutting
0:41:14 > 0:41:17it nice and square and straight, you follow the lines.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20It's called cloud pruning because it looks like a cloud.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22There are certain key things to point out.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26Do you see how here the growth on the top is much longer than
0:41:26 > 0:41:27the growth at the bottom?
0:41:27 > 0:41:29- That's because it's shading it out.- OK.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32So, in principle, it doesn't have to be every bulge,
0:41:32 > 0:41:36- but in principle, the bottom wants to be wider than the top.- OK.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38But if you want it to be nice and healthy and strong
0:41:38 > 0:41:42and thick at the bottom, you need to make it shallower.
0:41:42 > 0:41:47- The final thing is that when you prune in summer...- Mm-hm.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49- ..you tend to restrict growth.- OK.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53- When you prune in winter, you tend to promote growth.- OK.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56So in winter, you cut the weakest bits hard.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- And in summer, you cut the strongest bits hard.- OK.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02- Can I do some? Or do you want to do it?- Of course.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04So, when we're cutting, we're just clipping in that.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07We are following the line of the curve.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11Cutting that back a little bit harder.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13We are going down into there.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15- Do you want to grab another period of shears?- Sure. Yeah.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19- And just...- Start going. - Yeah, just start going.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21And why not?
0:42:21 > 0:42:23This head is shrubby honeysuckle.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27Its tiny leaves make it perfect for cloud pruning.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29And with practice,
0:42:29 > 0:42:32some extraordinary results can be achieved.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39You are going to have to cut this at least three times.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42I would cut this in May,
0:42:42 > 0:42:44July, early August,
0:42:44 > 0:42:46and then again in September or October.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51Wow, you guys have been busy.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Well, it's really easy and really good fun.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58- It looks like a caterpillar. - That's fine. It's... Yeah.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01If it's a caterpillar, then maybe that's what it is.
0:43:01 > 0:43:02Have fun. Enjoy it.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06I like the way he works.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09You know, he just kind of gets stuck in, which is
0:43:09 > 0:43:11kind of how I like to work.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13- Bye-bye.- Thanks, Monty. - Bye.- See you soon.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17I'm very impressed by the amount of work that Mei An
0:43:17 > 0:43:18and Gerard have done.
0:43:20 > 0:43:25They don't really trust their own judgment, I think, some of the time.
0:43:25 > 0:43:29I think Monty seems more confident in our abilities
0:43:29 > 0:43:31than we perhaps are.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35They must do what they want to do, whether it's right or it's wrong.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38And my hunch is that when I come back
0:43:38 > 0:43:41and see the finished thing, it will be transformed.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44If Monty believes in us, we can do it.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51It's early September,
0:43:51 > 0:43:54and Monty is on his way to see if Anna and Andrew
0:43:54 > 0:43:56have managed to create the art-inspired garden
0:43:56 > 0:43:57they were dreaming of.
0:43:59 > 0:44:00There-ish.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03The last few days have been quite frantic.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06And there have been moments when I was a bit doubtful
0:44:06 > 0:44:08about whether or not we could get everything done.
0:44:08 > 0:44:10- Me too.- Yeah.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13We finished everything about 1.30 last night.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16So we are a bit tired this morning.
0:44:17 > 0:44:21I feel quite relieved that we've got everything in.
0:44:21 > 0:44:22Built everything.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25- I feel quite happy, really. - Yeah. Me too.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30I feel like we've got a better space now than
0:44:30 > 0:44:32- we imagined in the beginning. - Yeah, yeah.
0:44:32 > 0:44:37And I'm really looking forward to just being able to sit here and...
0:44:37 > 0:44:38Relax a bit.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41I think we've worked quite well together, haven't we?
0:44:41 > 0:44:45- Yeah. Yeah. We've had a bit of a laugh doing it, haven't we?- Yeah.
0:44:45 > 0:44:50- Yeah.- A few disagreements maybe. Not too many, actually.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53We sometimes disagree on timeframe, don't we?
0:44:53 > 0:44:55- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:44:55 > 0:45:00It's been clear from very early on that the key for Anna
0:45:00 > 0:45:04and Andy has got to be to treat the garden as a work of art.
0:45:04 > 0:45:06That's their route to success.
0:45:06 > 0:45:10And actually, this is a garden that I've really wanted to see
0:45:10 > 0:45:13almost more than any other, because it seemed to me that
0:45:13 > 0:45:16if they could transform this space...
0:45:16 > 0:45:18then you can make a garden anywhere.
0:45:20 > 0:45:24This tiny yard, only 15 metres square, was once just
0:45:24 > 0:45:29a concrete shell with a few sparse plants and nowhere to sit.
0:45:29 > 0:45:33But it's been transformed into a work of art.
0:45:33 > 0:45:35It's looking great!
0:45:36 > 0:45:40Anna and Andy have lovingly curated the space,
0:45:40 > 0:45:43packing it with things to admire in every corner.
0:45:47 > 0:45:50The green roof is flourishing.
0:45:50 > 0:45:53And their narrow passageway is now an oasis of colour.
0:45:56 > 0:46:01The living wall has become just that, thanks to the leafy ferns.
0:46:02 > 0:46:06It's a horticultural and artistic masterpiece.
0:46:07 > 0:46:09I've been looking forward to this. I really have.
0:46:09 > 0:46:13I'm just sort of eyes popping around, rushing everywhere.
0:46:13 > 0:46:14It is looking fantastic!
0:46:14 > 0:46:16- Oh, good.- Taking in the changes.
0:46:16 > 0:46:18- And the structure...- Yeah.
0:46:18 > 0:46:21- ..which you talked about. You did it.- I did.
0:46:21 > 0:46:22Was that OK? Was that a problem?
0:46:22 > 0:46:25It's taken a while.
0:46:25 > 0:46:28It's slightly different to what I imagined,
0:46:28 > 0:46:29but that doesn't matter at all.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31And I love the hoist.
0:46:31 > 0:46:36- With the hanging basket on it. - Yeah.- Did you make that?
0:46:36 > 0:46:39- It's made up of bits and pieces. - Assembled it.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41That counts as made in my book.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44And walking down, I saw that the roof is still alive.
0:46:44 > 0:46:48- Yes.- Which is the least we'd expect. But looking good.
0:46:48 > 0:46:51It is. It's definitely grown very well.
0:46:51 > 0:46:53And your wall.
0:46:53 > 0:46:56- It's done OK. - That, to me, looks really good.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59- Yeah.- Because it doesn't look like it's been bought off the shelf.
0:46:59 > 0:47:02- It feels completely comfortable and natural in that space.- Yeah.
0:47:02 > 0:47:06- And this wall is alive with plants, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08It went really well.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11The only thing I'm not pleased with is the clematis seems to have
0:47:11 > 0:47:14really died off and hasn't done very well at all.
0:47:14 > 0:47:16- I don't think it does look bad.- OK.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18If you look around, if you look in my garden,
0:47:18 > 0:47:22- a lot of clematis is looking pretty threadbare by this time of year.- OK.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24So don't worry about that.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27You are growing a clematis, which is a hungry plant,
0:47:27 > 0:47:30- and a thirsty plant, in a container.- Yeah.
0:47:30 > 0:47:32Sharing it with other plants.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35So you do need to maybe water it a bit more than you otherwise would,
0:47:35 > 0:47:37- and feed it a bit.- OK.
0:47:42 > 0:47:44What I love about this garden in particular is it's
0:47:44 > 0:47:48- so small that everywhere you look, there is something to see.- Yeah.
0:47:48 > 0:47:49The detail is fantastic.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51And you've got your little miniature gardens here.
0:47:51 > 0:47:54We saw obviously the trug garden at Chelsea,
0:47:54 > 0:47:55which was really beautiful,
0:47:55 > 0:47:58and I liked the idea of using the old tins.
0:47:58 > 0:48:02I get a chance to sneak in a few extra plants, so yeah.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05I've been trying to not buy millions of different things,
0:48:05 > 0:48:09- but I think with these tiny ones... - Cos they're small.- Yeah.
0:48:11 > 0:48:15- Let's see. Can I christen it? Can we all sit on that seat?- Yeah, we can.
0:48:15 > 0:48:18- Everybody squeeze in.- Have to cuddle up quite a lot, I think.
0:48:18 > 0:48:20- Yeah.- Yeah, it's nice.- Yeah.
0:48:20 > 0:48:25This is somewhere you can look at it, just watch and see what happens.
0:48:25 > 0:48:26Mm.
0:48:26 > 0:48:30- And I feel this is a good place to do that.- Yeah.- It's nice.
0:48:30 > 0:48:34Anna and Andy's original budget was £1,000,
0:48:34 > 0:48:37but the brick floor came at a price and they spent almost double.
0:48:37 > 0:48:40Still, it's clearly been worth it.
0:48:42 > 0:48:44CHEERING
0:48:44 > 0:48:48They've invited a few friends to a viewing of the garden.
0:48:50 > 0:48:52And as with any good gallery opening,
0:48:52 > 0:48:54they've thought of everything.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57Monty, can I give you one of these?
0:48:57 > 0:48:58What is it?
0:48:58 > 0:49:02- This is a little hand-out that we've put together.- It's the catalogue.
0:49:02 > 0:49:06- It's the catalogue, yeah. - Right. A Tiny Urban Yarden.
0:49:06 > 0:49:07- Yeah.- Fantastic.
0:49:07 > 0:49:11And it ties in, this idea of it being a piece of artwork,
0:49:11 > 0:49:13that's great.
0:49:13 > 0:49:18Just really happy to be sharing this moment with all of you.
0:49:18 > 0:49:19So...
0:49:19 > 0:49:20let's declare the garden open.
0:49:20 > 0:49:22- ALL:- Cheers!
0:49:22 > 0:49:24Come on in.
0:49:26 > 0:49:30I just think the garden is such a credit to Anna and Andy, you know.
0:49:30 > 0:49:32There is lots of materials here that I would never have thought
0:49:32 > 0:49:36could be used in a garden. It's crammed full.
0:49:37 > 0:49:39They seem to have expanded the garden.
0:49:39 > 0:49:43It seems to be double the size that it should be.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46- It's really nice. Fantastic. - Thanks so much for your help.
0:49:46 > 0:49:51- It's been really amazing.- Well, it's fantastic to have seen it grow.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54- Enjoy it. OK. - Thanks, Monty.- Bye.- Bye.
0:49:54 > 0:49:57I've enjoyed every stage of this garden.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59They have quietly and without fuss,
0:49:59 > 0:50:03very quickly latched on to what they wanted to do.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06And very calmly executed it.
0:50:06 > 0:50:11Because this isn't just an artwork. This is a lovely family garden.
0:50:11 > 0:50:15But the two can and almost invariably will come together
0:50:15 > 0:50:16and we should celebrate that.
0:50:16 > 0:50:21Having not seen it since quite late last night...
0:50:24 > 0:50:28..I think we were really happy with how everything looked today.
0:50:28 > 0:50:31Our tiny yard was just suddenly a throng of people.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33Yeah, it's been really quite exciting.
0:50:39 > 0:50:44In Bromley, Mei An and Gerard's Japanese garden is almost complete.
0:50:44 > 0:50:49But ever the perfectionist, Mei An still isn't happy.
0:50:49 > 0:50:53When I first saw the steps, I wasn't quite sure about them.
0:50:53 > 0:50:55It was more the side section
0:50:55 > 0:50:59which I think made it feel a bit more kind of Gothic castle.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02It's just this little extra bit I'm chipping away.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06I can't imagine they are that easy to take apart
0:51:06 > 0:51:09- cos they were pretty well made, you know?- I know.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12- I'm going to do it. - SHE LAUGHS
0:51:14 > 0:51:15Do you want a hand there?
0:51:15 > 0:51:17- GROANING:- I want to do it myself.
0:51:19 > 0:51:21Can I just whack the whole thing with a sledgehammer?
0:51:21 > 0:51:24LOUD BANGS
0:51:25 > 0:51:26SHE LAUGHS
0:51:26 > 0:51:28I'll get rid of that.
0:51:28 > 0:51:30- There we go.- Thank you, ma'am.
0:51:31 > 0:51:35Generally, we've been working together OK.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39We've been...I think...
0:51:39 > 0:51:42- We've had our moments. - THEY LAUGH
0:51:42 > 0:51:43It's been a nightmare.
0:51:43 > 0:51:45THEY LAUGH
0:51:45 > 0:51:48- Can I talk now?- Yeah.
0:51:48 > 0:51:49Absolute nightmare.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54Disagreements behind them, the garden is done.
0:51:54 > 0:51:58And Monty is due back to Bromley to see the results.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01But the typical British summer weather is threatening to
0:52:01 > 0:52:02ruin their big day.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05Absolutely hammering down since yesterday.
0:52:05 > 0:52:09We got up today and thought it was fine. But then it just...
0:52:09 > 0:52:11The heavens opened.
0:52:11 > 0:52:14To make matters worse, there is a problem with the stream's pump.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17And the rain is making the water flow hard to control.
0:52:17 > 0:52:19Don't turn the pump off, Gerard.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21Just keep it all going and then it will fill up.
0:52:21 > 0:52:23The pump is too powerful, really.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26I don't know why on earth we agreed to do a stream.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28HE LAUGHS
0:52:28 > 0:52:29Everything was wet.
0:52:29 > 0:52:33And you're trying to tweak a river. It's just a nightmare.
0:52:33 > 0:52:35You know, these things happen in life.
0:52:35 > 0:52:37You've just got to go with the flow.
0:52:37 > 0:52:39THEY LAUGH
0:52:39 > 0:52:44Just in time for Monty's arrival, the rain stops altogether.
0:52:44 > 0:52:47I hope Monty is happy with what he sees.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50What would be really nice is if he actually does enjoy it.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52You know, the journey.
0:52:52 > 0:52:57Cos it is all about that kind of...discovery along the way.
0:52:59 > 0:53:04I would be amazed if Gerard and Mei An haven't created
0:53:04 > 0:53:08a finished, highly competent garden.
0:53:08 > 0:53:09But that's not the point.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13It's not about what I think or how impressed you are
0:53:13 > 0:53:15or anyone else at all.
0:53:15 > 0:53:20It's all about whether they have made a garden that they love.
0:53:22 > 0:53:28Just six months ago, this garden was bland, featureless and uninspiring.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31But now it's a Japanese paradise
0:53:31 > 0:53:34that Monty can't fail to be impressed by.
0:53:34 > 0:53:36It's a complete transformation.
0:53:36 > 0:53:39It's done. It's finished.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41The whole garden has been changed.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44Even down to the direction it slopes.
0:53:44 > 0:53:48A gentle stream intertwines with a path of traditional granite
0:53:48 > 0:53:52stepping stones, taking you on an exotic journey.
0:53:52 > 0:53:56Beautiful landmarks, from benches to lanterns and bridges,
0:53:56 > 0:53:58wait around every corner.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01Striking bamboo and delicate acers
0:54:01 > 0:54:04bring the spirit of a dewy mountaintop.
0:54:04 > 0:54:07Every little detail is perfect.
0:54:09 > 0:54:12I love the tank. The stream going into it.
0:54:12 > 0:54:17- We have a few issues with the pump. - Yeah.- It's just too powerful.
0:54:17 > 0:54:19So what will you do? Get another pump, change it?
0:54:19 > 0:54:22I've put two pairs of tights on the filter to try
0:54:22 > 0:54:26and slow it down a bit. I might put a T-shirt on. See if that will work.
0:54:26 > 0:54:30Dress it in a full suit and set of clothes.
0:54:30 > 0:54:33Any pump always need some kind of adjustment.
0:54:33 > 0:54:34I want to ask you about the tank.
0:54:34 > 0:54:37That looks very stylish. Any problems with that?
0:54:37 > 0:54:40- Or was that exactly as you planned? - Only with the budget.- Yeah.
0:54:40 > 0:54:43The tank was probably twice as much as I'd have liked to have paid.
0:54:43 > 0:54:45Just remind me, what was your budget?
0:54:45 > 0:54:47- 5,000.- And what have you spent?
0:54:47 > 0:54:49We are probably up to more like seven.
0:54:49 > 0:54:51- Right, so quite substantially over budget?- Yeah.
0:54:51 > 0:54:53The stream looks incredibly natural.
0:54:53 > 0:54:57It's always interesting how the gardens absorb features.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00What looks like this great, big stream crashing through
0:55:00 > 0:55:02like a zigzag just gently disappears.
0:55:02 > 0:55:05- But it's there.- Yeah. - Are you happy with that?
0:55:05 > 0:55:08- Yeah, I'm really happy with the stream.- Absolutely.
0:55:08 > 0:55:09I think that makes it.
0:55:10 > 0:55:12I like these round stepping stones.
0:55:13 > 0:55:15They look very authentic.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18Yeah, we sort of wanted to go for granite in the end.
0:55:18 > 0:55:21That's actually one of the ways we overspent. But...
0:55:21 > 0:55:24- SHE LAUGHS - Well, you know.
0:55:25 > 0:55:29It's amazing how quickly water will attract frogs.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32I see you've already got a large frog in your water.
0:55:32 > 0:55:35We do, yes. That's something that we kind of picked up
0:55:35 > 0:55:36from our visit to Compton Acres.
0:55:36 > 0:55:39So this is all in the spirit of a Japanese promenade garden.
0:55:39 > 0:55:42I like the seat. So you are meant to stop here and sit?
0:55:42 > 0:55:44Absolutely.
0:55:44 > 0:55:45Here you are, this is it.
0:55:45 > 0:55:50Have you had a chance to treat the garden as a place of rest and peace?
0:55:50 > 0:55:52Or is it still a place of work?
0:55:52 > 0:55:54It's still a place of work.
0:55:54 > 0:55:59I think up until even this morning, yeah, we've been mad at it.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02There's been a lot of investment. Not just of money. But of you.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05There's been days where it's been horrendous but, you know,
0:56:05 > 0:56:08you forget them. I think if you are going to do something, then you
0:56:08 > 0:56:10may as well try and make it as amazing as you can.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12We've got a few key plants.
0:56:12 > 0:56:15We've got the pine, we've got a number of acers.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18- Absolutely key Japanese garden plants.- Yeah.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21And you say, already it does feel like there's a journey
0:56:21 > 0:56:23and we've come somewhere else.
0:56:23 > 0:56:27This is a very tranquil place to kind of enjoy a cup of tea or
0:56:27 > 0:56:29just be able to have some time out.
0:56:29 > 0:56:32- It's become a place to go. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:56:32 > 0:56:35- A destination.- Yes.- Yeah.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38It's time to throw open the garden to family and friends.
0:56:40 > 0:56:42In particular, one surprise guest.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44- Hello!- Hello there.
0:56:51 > 0:56:55I don't want to embarrass you but I think you've done heroically.
0:56:55 > 0:56:59I'd like to say thank you to Monty, just for the idea. It was...
0:56:59 > 0:57:01- Well, you can blame me. - THEY LAUGH
0:57:01 > 0:57:03Really big cheers to everybody involved.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06- Thank you so much.- Cheers. - Cheers.- Cheers.
0:57:09 > 0:57:11Time for the grand tour.
0:57:11 > 0:57:14- I did mention the frog there. - Yeah, I like that. Definitely.
0:57:14 > 0:57:16I love it. It's beautiful.
0:57:16 > 0:57:19Has Mei An always shown an interest in gardening?
0:57:19 > 0:57:24- No, she knows nothing. Gerard thinks he's Superman.- Uh-huh.
0:57:24 > 0:57:26Because he tries to do everything on his own.
0:57:26 > 0:57:30- And Mei An loves bullying him... - SHE LAUGHS
0:57:30 > 0:57:32So she...
0:57:32 > 0:57:33MONTY LAUGHS
0:57:33 > 0:57:35So that's ideal for this type of project.
0:57:35 > 0:57:40- Enjoy.- It was a pleasure.- Thank you so much.- And good luck.- Thank you.
0:57:40 > 0:57:42- Bye-bye.- Bye, Monty.
0:57:42 > 0:57:43It's been great today
0:57:43 > 0:57:46because we've already got some lovely memories here.
0:57:46 > 0:57:50Like, with Monty coming to see it and Charlie surprising us.
0:57:50 > 0:57:51I'm really happy with what we've done
0:57:51 > 0:57:54and I think it's amazing we've done it in this timescale.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56And I'm so happy there is no more digging.
0:57:56 > 0:58:01We are definitely going to have a few drinks out here and celebrate.
0:58:01 > 0:58:06I'm sure now that when Gerard and Mei An began this whole adventure
0:58:06 > 0:58:09they didn't know what they were letting themselves in for.
0:58:09 > 0:58:11And now they've finished it.
0:58:13 > 0:58:15But you don't ever finish a garden.
0:58:15 > 0:58:18Gardens are not a place, they are a journey.
0:58:18 > 0:58:22So I think the best thing I can wish them is bon voyage.