0:00:02 > 0:00:05Do you dream of having your own special outdoor space?
0:00:05 > 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 > 0:00:18Over the past year,
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Monty Don has travelled up and down the country
0:00:21 > 0:00:23visiting amateur gardeners
0:00:23 > 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 > 0:00:32- Don't be too horrified, OK, Monty? - Everything's possible.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34I know it seems unusual.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36It's just profoundly unusual.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38- ..and given advice. - Just pinch that off.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40But they took so long to grow.
0:00:40 > 0:00:41He's got stuck in...
0:00:41 > 0:00:43- Monty Don in my garden! - Oh, my goodness.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48..and everybody has worked incredibly hard.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Look at the size of that!
0:00:50 > 0:00:53The results are truly exciting.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- It's really nice.- Ooh! - ALL CHEER
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 > 0:01:11This time, Monty's meeting two sets of gardeners
0:01:11 > 0:01:15who want to turn their outside space into a paradise for others.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18At least the woodchip's a result.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23This is the Sunnyside pick your own veg patch.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26From a much-needed family retreat...
0:01:26 > 0:01:27- Flower.- Behind the tree.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29- That's it.- BOTH:- Tree!
0:01:29 > 0:01:32..to a community project for the whole street...
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Would you like a salad?
0:01:34 > 0:01:37There you go. So, you can have that for your tea.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41..it's certainly going to be a challenge to build these big dreams.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44It's going to be vegetables for free.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46- Wow! - HE LAUGHS
0:01:46 > 0:01:47That's very brave.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50We've only got two logs, so it's got to go right.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00Emma and Josh moved into their house in Findon, Worthing, one year ago.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02The house was a state.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04We've just slowly been doing things to it
0:02:04 > 0:02:09- and then, one of the last things left is the back garden.- Yeah.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12But the garden is in a pretty bad way.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14It's totally overgrown.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18- It's embarrassing.- You can't even go out there...- No.- ..basically.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Yeah, it's encroaching on the house.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23The couple need to create a family garden
0:02:23 > 0:02:25for their two-year-old son Noah,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28who was diagnosed with Down's syndrome at birth.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31We want to create a garden for our whole family,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34but specifically a garden for him.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36- He's a little pickle, isn't he?- Yeah.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39He's just a lovely, little, charming boy.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41He's our little champ, isn't he?
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Josh taught himself to garden.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48He works within the local community,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51but has never undertaken a project on this scale before
0:02:51 > 0:02:53and is desperate for Monty's guidance.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56Josh is good at putting a plant in the ground,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59but he hasn't had any experience in designing a garden.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02But it's going to be a team effort all round.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04I wouldn't put anything in the garden
0:03:04 > 0:03:07without running it past the boss first.
0:03:07 > 0:03:08You get final say,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12but I think you like to make me feel like I had the final say.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- You're quite clever like that. - Thank you.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- HE LAUGHS - I feel like we should high-five now.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- No.- OK. - THEY LAUGH
0:03:24 > 0:03:26Originally from Zimbabwe,
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Aletheia has lived in Hitchin for the past eight years.
0:03:30 > 0:03:31Passionate about gardening,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34she recently started working in this field.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38I am working with children with special needs
0:03:38 > 0:03:42doing horticulture therapy and teaching them how to grow things.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46And determined to plant up every inch of outside space,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49she's now moved on to the uninspiring patch of earth
0:03:49 > 0:03:51at the front of her house.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56My big dream is to turn it into a vegetable garden,
0:03:56 > 0:03:57and because it's the front garden,
0:03:57 > 0:04:02to share what we have with our neighbours.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Aletheia wants the whole neighbourhood to get involved...
0:04:05 > 0:04:08People can see how vegetables are grown.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12It's something we can all enjoy and share with each other.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14..and she's determined to succeed.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17I'm not somebody that can sit around just being frustrated.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22When there is actually things you can do at a small level,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26then you should just get on and do them.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34First up, Monty is on his way to Findon
0:04:34 > 0:04:36to meet Emma, Josh and Noah.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38They say never meet your heroes, so...
0:04:38 > 0:04:40He could be a real diva.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42In my dad's wedding speech, he said,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45"I'm so happy that the man that Emma's marrying
0:04:45 > 0:04:48"carries a picture of Monty Don in his wallet with him."
0:04:48 > 0:04:50- I don't.- (He did.)
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- Hi.- Hello.- Josh.- Monty.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- Hello, I'm Emma.- Emma. Very nice to meet you.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- And this is Noah. - Noah. Hello.- Say hello.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- Hello, how are you? - THEY LAUGH
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- So, here it is. - It is a bit overgrown, isn't it?
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- Just a bit.- Yeah. - Why do you want to change it?
0:05:15 > 0:05:19We want a garden that is safe for Noah to play in.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23Noah spends his whole life with me standing behind him, guiding him.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26It would just be so nice to have somewhere outside
0:05:26 > 0:05:29where he can just grow in confidence.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Are there any specific things that you think he needs?
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Noah's got hearing loss,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36so we were hoping to make an area where...
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Some grasses where, when you brush through it,
0:05:39 > 0:05:41it encourages him to listen to the sounds.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45We'd like him to have plants that he can feel and touch
0:05:45 > 0:05:48and even if that's, like, from a furry leaf to soft fruits,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51where it's something he can just pick and eat.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- Presumably, you want it to look nice and be nice for you too.- Yeah.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56We're not making, like, a garden for Noah.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59We're making a garden which he can embrace,
0:05:59 > 0:06:00but it's a family garden.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Do you have a budget for this?
0:06:02 > 0:06:05- Labour-wise, I can just crack on with it.- OK.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Plant-wise, you know, I reckon about two grand.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12I feel like, with the right guidance,
0:06:12 > 0:06:14- I can achieve what I want to achieve.- OK.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16The pressure is because Noah's young,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- I've got to get this garden right sort of now.- OK.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21With no time to lose,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Monty takes a look at Josh and Emma's plans.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28They want to create a sensory garden for Noah.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31They intend to clear the site and remove all trees,
0:06:31 > 0:06:33but keep the existing shed.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36They would like a central, circular lawn
0:06:36 > 0:06:39with six different trees planted round the edge
0:06:39 > 0:06:42with a textured path weaving round it.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45In the top left of the garden will be a sensory area
0:06:45 > 0:06:47full of cottage-style flowers.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51In the top right will be a living willow den
0:06:51 > 0:06:54surrounded by bamboo and jungle plants.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Back towards the house will be a mud kitchen
0:06:58 > 0:06:59next to a living wall.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04I mean, I would really now try and pin it down a bit.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07So, if you said the central bed is all edible,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10he can eat without harming himself at all,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13and then round the outside with your cottage-garden feel,
0:07:13 > 0:07:18you could focus on the plants on the edge having textures...
0:07:18 > 0:07:19- Right.- Yeah.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23..and then, as it goes back in, really concentrate on the fragrance.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- Yeah, that's brilliant. - Now, what's this planting here?
0:07:26 > 0:07:28What I imagined - there's a bench here
0:07:28 > 0:07:30and it changes almost as if you've gone into another country,
0:07:30 > 0:07:34whereas here, you're into bamboos, grasses...
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- Right.- ..maybe bananas.- Right. - Really almost like two worlds.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40You could combine them -
0:07:40 > 0:07:42your grasses and your sound here
0:07:42 > 0:07:44with an edible bed in the middle
0:07:44 > 0:07:45cos it would get sunshine.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48And here, another central bed,
0:07:48 > 0:07:51which could be touch.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54If you want to maximise all the senses,
0:07:54 > 0:07:59the sound of water is lovely and almost essential.
0:07:59 > 0:08:05Could we not introduce some kind of running water, dripping water,
0:08:05 > 0:08:09fountain that was completely child-friendly and safe?
0:08:09 > 0:08:11I can see somewhere where I think it might work well.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- Do tell. - THEY LAUGH
0:08:14 > 0:08:16I think on the back of that wall there.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- It'd be interesting cos you'd have to sort of discover it.- Exactly.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Monty believes Emma and Josh should keep the central circular lawn,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27but reduce the trees around the edge for more space
0:08:27 > 0:08:29and hold on to the bay tree.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35Keeping the shed will allow them to attach a water feature to the wall.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38He suggests simplifying the path
0:08:38 > 0:08:39so that it only leads
0:08:39 > 0:08:41to three defined sections.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46By combining the top areas, they will have one large sensory bed
0:08:46 > 0:08:49for touch, smell, sight, sound and taste.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Finally, he wants them to link the mud kitchen
0:08:51 > 0:08:54to the top area with a living willow tunnel.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58But before he heads off,
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Monty joins a team of friends and family to get the site clear.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06We should take this down, shouldn't we?
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Christ! It's already so much bigger, isn't it?
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Cutting it back has made it seem easier to do.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27This is great.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29What's Noah going to think when he comes home?
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- He's going to grab a rake. - THEY LAUGH
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Monty has made quite an impression on the gang.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- Very impressive.- Yeah, really good. Yeah.- With his saw.
0:09:40 > 0:09:41- Yeah.- Big hands.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43I thought he was going to give us instructions,
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- but he really got stuck in. - Didn't he?- Yeah, yeah.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51At the moment, I'm just a bit shocked about how much
0:09:51 > 0:09:53it's all been hacked back.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56And it looks a bit more daunting now.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59It's always good fun clearing a garden.
0:09:59 > 0:10:00There's a sense of actually getting to grips -
0:10:00 > 0:10:02literally getting to grips -
0:10:02 > 0:10:05and clearing away the old so you can bring in the new.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10But that is just the beginning and everything from now on in,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13right up until the planting, is going to be more tricky.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17It's not every day you get to garden with your gardening hero.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20I've had an absolutely brilliant day.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27A few days later, Monty is in Hitchin
0:10:27 > 0:10:31to see if he can help Aletheia tackle her big dream.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34I haven't been precious of my garden at all
0:10:34 > 0:10:38because now that I've got Monty Don coming to stay,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41if he wants to pull it all out, fine.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- Hello.- Hello. - Aletheia?- Aletheia, yes.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- Now, where's the space we're going to be doing?- The front garden.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- Oh, it's the front?- Yeah.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Aha!
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Well, I would like it to be fruit and veg
0:10:55 > 0:10:58for people in the community to help themselves to it.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00So, a food-is-free garden.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03Front gardens have a very particular place.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06They're all about appearance.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- A private space but a public face.- Yeah.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- What you're suggesting is inviting people in...- Yeah.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14..in a way that is quite unusual.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Being able to show people that you do have the choice,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20and if you just put a seed in the ground and water it,
0:11:20 > 0:11:21you can do that yourself.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24How are you planning to grow it?
0:11:24 > 0:11:26I'm going to need raised beds
0:11:26 > 0:11:28because the soil is really, really poor.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30I've actually seen a design -
0:11:30 > 0:11:33the system where they build a reservoir
0:11:33 > 0:11:38at the bottom of the bed and then they put the soil layer on top.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40What's your budget for this whole project?
0:11:40 > 0:11:44Overall, I intend to spend about £200.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46That's to make all the raised bed and the reservoirs
0:11:46 > 0:11:49and the compost and any plants and seeds?
0:11:49 > 0:11:52I'm planning on upcycling a lot of material
0:11:52 > 0:11:55and, in fact, I've already been offered timber
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- to put the raised beds together. - OK, all right.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Aletheia wants to retain the basic layout of the garden
0:12:03 > 0:12:04and keep the apple tree.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08The side path will have an arch and trellis.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13She intends to build seven raised beds to grow vegetables in.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16The outer edges of the garden
0:12:16 > 0:12:19will be dedicated to informal flowering plants.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25Aletheia's friend Carrie has been helping put plan to paper.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30My first reaction to this is that you've based it
0:12:30 > 0:12:32- on what is already there.- Mm-hm.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35I would suggest going back to the drawing board
0:12:35 > 0:12:37and saying, "If this was a virgin site
0:12:37 > 0:12:40"and if we wanted to grow as much as possible, what would we do?"
0:12:40 > 0:12:42I'm happy for everything to be changed.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46You don't need to separate the flowers and the vegetables.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49You can mix it up and it will look very pretty.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52In terms of maximising your harvest,
0:12:52 > 0:12:57our growing season is essentially April through till November.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01You want to have some beds ready by mid-April.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06- Yeah.- Your idea of reservoirs - I think it's probably not necessary.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08- Mm-hm.- Spend that money you save on two other things -
0:13:08 > 0:13:12one, more raised beds and two, an outside tap.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- Yeah.- It's very therapeutic going out and watering your garden.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Yeah, I think that's a really good point.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Cos it's at the front, you'll engage with the community.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- I would get rid of your fence. - I've never liked the fence.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25You know, if you want it to be an open garden, make it open.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- Maybe, like, a low picket fence. - Yes, that would be very nice.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32What you have is a lovely, big concept
0:13:32 > 0:13:33and it's exciting.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Monty believes Aletheia should start entirely from scratch
0:13:38 > 0:13:40and remove the apple tree.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46She should maximise the space and build even more raised beds.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50These can be interplanted with flowers and vegetables
0:13:50 > 0:13:53rather than keeping them separate.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57As well as her arch, she should install a low picket fence
0:13:57 > 0:13:59so the whole community will be encouraged
0:13:59 > 0:14:02to come in and enjoy the garden.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05I was slightly puzzled when I first saw this
0:14:05 > 0:14:08because the space is small,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11but fairly modest ambition to grow some vegetables in it.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15However, as Aletheia explained the community project,
0:14:15 > 0:14:17this is a really big idea.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21Because it's something that's been in my mind to do,
0:14:21 > 0:14:25I don't see that it's out of the ordinary.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26So, when I come back,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29I'm looking forward to seeing lots of raised beds
0:14:29 > 0:14:32and then we can look at a way of maximising the quality
0:14:32 > 0:14:34and the quantity of the plants that she grows.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37Where I'd actually given myself boundaries
0:14:37 > 0:14:42within this big dream, he sort of came along and went,
0:14:42 > 0:14:45"Or you could just get rid of those boundaries."
0:14:45 > 0:14:47That just allowed me to think bigger.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Aletheia wastes no time in getting cracking...
0:14:53 > 0:14:56I quite like this colour. It reminds me of holidays in Cornwall.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58SHE LAUGHS
0:14:58 > 0:15:00..and, inspired by Monty's visit,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03redesigns the garden to include more raised beds.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09Such a small garden. Capitalising on the space is the best bet.
0:15:09 > 0:15:10It's all a work in progress.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14Most importantly, the word is out on the street.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- Do you want to put me to work? - Yes, please.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20If somebody has a vision, has a dream,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23and they put their time and effort into it, they can make it happen.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Dreams can become reality.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29If it's going to be a community garden,
0:15:29 > 0:15:33getting people from the community involved from the beginning
0:15:33 > 0:15:35would make people feel it's more their garden.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Since Monty's last trip to Findon,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Josh and Emma have listened to his advice too.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53They have combined the top of the garden into one sensory area
0:15:53 > 0:15:57and intend to link this to the house with a willow tunnel.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00More than anything, we've simplified a lot of it
0:16:00 > 0:16:03and we've decluttered the plan to a certain degree.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05So, we've changed paths.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07They have now completely cleared the garden,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11laid the lawn and sown a wild flower section near the house.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15And they've made one change, which is particularly significant.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18We were going for six sensory trees,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22but we decided to go for just three apple trees.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Because of Noah's Down's syndrome, he has an extra chromosome
0:16:25 > 0:16:27and we found out that the Bramley apple tree
0:16:27 > 0:16:29has an extra chromosome as well.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32In order to have a Bramley apple tree grow successfully
0:16:32 > 0:16:36and produce fruit, you have to plant it with two other apple trees.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Cos unlike other apple trees, it's not self-fertile.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41So, the theory is that if you give it the right care and attention,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44a Bramley apple can thrive in your garden
0:16:44 > 0:16:46just like, given the right care and attention,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49a child with Down's syndrome can thrive just like anyone else.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- Let's plant them, team!- Yay! - HE CHUCKLES
0:16:53 > 0:16:55That James Grieve.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Does it need to go over that way a bit, though?
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Well, I would quite like them in line.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03- But, yeah. - HE LAUGHS
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- Whatever you say, darling. - Put it there.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13- Josh, this absolutely stinks. - Yeah, I know.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19So, the new theory is, I believe, that you have to stake...
0:17:20 > 0:17:25..at a diagonal towards the wind, but I haven't got a sledgehammer.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- If you hold it like that...- Yeah.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29..then I'm going to whack it with the spade.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- SHE LAUGHS - It's lucky I trust you.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- Yeah, if you hold it like that.- Oh, my God.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- Mind your... - SHE LAUGHS
0:17:36 > 0:17:38- Don't worry. - SHE SCREAMS
0:17:38 > 0:17:39Wait.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49Like that.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56Right. And then we water it in and that's our first tree in our garden.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- Yay!- Yay!- I think Noah will really like looking at it
0:17:59 > 0:18:01when it's this height
0:18:01 > 0:18:04cos he's going to like looking at all these little blossoms, isn't he?
0:18:04 > 0:18:06I know it's a very dad thing to say,
0:18:06 > 0:18:11but another reason I picked them is because they never grow too big,
0:18:11 > 0:18:13so they'd be perfect for climbing, I was thinking.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16Shall we have a look?
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Time to see if the main man likes it.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23- Ah.- That's it. Flower. - From the tree.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- That's it.- BOTH:- Tree!
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- Yeah!- Good signing.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31I feel like, today, just getting those three trees in
0:18:31 > 0:18:33has totally changed the outlook of the garden.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Once they're actually in the ground and they're staked...
0:18:36 > 0:18:39It's starting to feel more like a garden now, isn't it?
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Back in Hitchin, the raised beds are in,
0:18:46 > 0:18:48but before she can start planting,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Monty is keen for Aletheia to work out what's going where.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55So, she's off to Wimpole Estate,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58a National Trust property in Hertfordshire
0:18:58 > 0:19:01with a huge working kitchen garden.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Head gardener Philip Waites is ready to show her and Carrie around.
0:19:05 > 0:19:10It was built between 1790 and 1795, so it's been here a long time,
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- just like me. - THEY LAUGH
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Philip wants to show Aletheia their version of raised beds.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17If you've got limited space,
0:19:17 > 0:19:20I wouldn't be tempted to plant big things like cabbages.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- Brassicas take up an awful lot of space...- They do.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23..for a long, long time.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26So, think about smaller crops all round.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- Cut-and-come-again crops, maybe. - Yeah, exactly.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Maybe some cut-and-come-again lettuce.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33People tend to sow too many seeds at once,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36but if you hold it back and just do it at two or three-week intervals,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38you can get a succession of plants.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41- Do you then have to dig it over again?- No, no.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- We've got deep soil here.- Right, OK. - And the beauty of these raised beds
0:19:44 > 0:19:46is you don't have to do too much digging.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49You've got the option to plant chard in amongst the flowers.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53And Philip is keen for the visitors to pick some chard themselves.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56This is a really good crop to grow in a small space.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59It's just keep picking it and picking it and picking it.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01If you wanted the plant to keep growing,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04if you just cut down the flower, does that give it a bit more?
0:20:04 > 0:20:07That keeps the plant going for a little bit longer,
0:20:07 > 0:20:10but, eventually, it exhausts itself
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- and it just falls out of the ground.- Oh, OK.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17He is intrigued by the community purpose of Aletheia's garden.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19It's going to be to allow the neighbourhood
0:20:19 > 0:20:22to pick vegetables for free.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- Wow. - HE LAUGHS
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- That's very brave. - THEY LAUGH
0:20:26 > 0:20:28If they see it in my front garden,
0:20:28 > 0:20:32especially if they see it going all the way through the winter,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36they'll know you can actually feed yourself the whole way through.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40It is possible to produce vegetables all year round.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44Philip suggests sowing beetroot for spring colour,
0:20:44 > 0:20:47runner beans for summer harvest,
0:20:47 > 0:20:49red cabbage for autumn produce
0:20:49 > 0:20:53and parsnips, which will survive those winter frosts.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58Coming out here and seeing how there's so much going on,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01the vegetables and the flowers and all the colour,
0:21:01 > 0:21:05it just shows you that you can have a productive garden
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- all the way through the year. - A lot of advice was given.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- It was great.- Beautiful gardens. - Really good visit.- Yeah.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15But the real challenge for Aletheia isn't about growing vegetables.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17It's about encouraging the neighbourhood
0:21:17 > 0:21:20to treat her front garden as their own,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22which is why the pair are now
0:21:22 > 0:21:26at Cranbrook Community Food Garden in London.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Set up by estate residents, it is free to join
0:21:29 > 0:21:32and members grow and share crops with each other.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33Laura.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Coordinator Laura Buckley explains how the system works.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Nice to meet you, Aletheia.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- We have a start-up meeting at the beginning of the year.- Right.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45And we ask our members if there's any crops they'd like to grow.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48We have a to-do list that anyone can add to
0:21:48 > 0:21:51if there's a job that they would like to be done in the garden.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54And we ask people to work from that list
0:21:54 > 0:21:57before they do other chores in the garden.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01Aletheia is keen to find out how much everyone really joins in.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03How do you share the produce?
0:22:03 > 0:22:07Larger, longer-growing crops like the pumpkins,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09we would set a date when we were going to take them off the vines.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- Ah, yes.- And then,
0:22:11 > 0:22:14depending on how successful that crop is,
0:22:14 > 0:22:18we'll either have one each or share them round.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Certain vegetables, when it's ready, it's ready, like the kale.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26So, I ask people, once the leaf is at about five or six inches long,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29whether you want to eat it or not, you should take it off of the plant.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30That's a good idea.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32And Laura has some top tips
0:22:32 > 0:22:35on how to keep the locals coming back for more.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39For a specific task, advertise that near your garden.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42"We need help to do this specific task."
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- That's a good idea. - "We'll be doing it on this date.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48"There'll be tea and cakes. Please come and help us."
0:22:48 > 0:22:53We just try and keep it as many people invited into the garden.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- So, by having your events...- Yeah.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- ..and putting out requests for things.- Yeah.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03It's such a little oasis in the middle of the housing estate.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05Very good day. Seeing what's possible
0:23:05 > 0:23:08if communities and people put their minds to it,
0:23:08 > 0:23:10what you can achieve.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17In Findon, Emma and Josh have been motoring along
0:23:17 > 0:23:19with their sensory garden.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23The first element is a cobbled path for Noah to explore.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27The idea is to encourage him to walk on it. He can crawl on it.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Walking on this is a bit more difficult
0:23:29 > 0:23:32and he has to work a bit harder so it will strengthen everything.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36And then you've got the grass, woodchip and then gravel,
0:23:36 > 0:23:40so we've got a mix of different textures and feels.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Today, Josh's dad Bob is back
0:23:43 > 0:23:46to help with the next sensory element,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49a circle of woodchips complete with bench.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52But they've already come up against a problem.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57That's that Russian vine that was over the whole garden.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59- Will it grow, then? - Definitely.- Right.
0:24:01 > 0:24:02Look at that.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08This is just to keep the worst of the weeds
0:24:08 > 0:24:10from coming up through the woodchip.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14HE LAUGHS
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Oh. Don't lift it up, Noah.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Well, at least the woodchip's a result.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34- HE LAUGHS - Dad! Dad!- Yeah, woodchip.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Now to build the bench,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40but the boys aren't entirely sure how to go about it.
0:24:40 > 0:24:46This is uncharted territory for us. I mean, we've never done this.
0:24:46 > 0:24:47This is our centre stump,
0:24:47 > 0:24:49so we have two railway sleepers coming along
0:24:49 > 0:24:51and then they'll meet to this point.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54And then you have two more stumps at the end,
0:24:54 > 0:24:58but on their sides and sort of sunk in.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01And the vine keeps fighting back.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Time to get the chainsaw. No going back now.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14We've only got two logs, so it's got to go right.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Perfect. And now Emma adds the finishing touches.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26The idea is there are lots of little nooks and crannies
0:25:26 > 0:25:28for all little bugs to live in.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Noah hasn't had much experience of wildlife,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33so I'm hoping that this will encourage him
0:25:33 > 0:25:35to be a bit more excited about it.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45In Hitchin, the garden design now maximises the space
0:25:45 > 0:25:47and includes more raised beds.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Aletheia has been flooded with donations and help,
0:25:51 > 0:25:55but people are still wary of it becoming a proper public garden.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58It's not something that will happen overnight,
0:25:58 > 0:26:01but even if it's just people walking by
0:26:01 > 0:26:03and having a look and taking an interest...
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Today, Aletheia is building a structure
0:26:06 > 0:26:08for runner beans to grow up.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12I've chosen this bit because from the front,
0:26:12 > 0:26:14that bit won't be obscured.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Cos I'd like it to look attractive from the street as well.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Local gardener Paul is dropping off some soil for free.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24She put it on her website.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28She needed topsoil and some manure and some leaf mould,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30so I said, "I've got tons of it."
0:26:30 > 0:26:34Life isn't all about money. It's trying to help people along.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38But he is wary of how hard it will be to get the whole estate involved.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41It needs something like this in Hitchin, but more of it.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45They don't grow no veg. There are allotments empty.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47And Aletheia is starting to understand
0:26:47 > 0:26:51just how big a challenge this little front garden has become.
0:26:51 > 0:26:57I initially just had the feeling of it was a feel-good thing.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01I think actual management needs to happen.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05It's certainly attracting attention,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07but folks are sticking to their side of the fence.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10It's your garden as well. Don't be shy.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Come in with a watering can if you see something.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14This is a lovely garden.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16As Monty predicted, it seems the biggest challenge
0:27:16 > 0:27:20is persuading the neighbourhood to treat this garden as their own.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24Over in Findon,
0:27:24 > 0:27:26Emma and Josh are feeling the pressure too,
0:27:26 > 0:27:28but for different reasons.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30A certain gardener is on his way
0:27:30 > 0:27:33to find out how they've been getting on.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36It was carnage when Monty was last here.
0:27:36 > 0:27:37Trees almost fell on people.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39You could smell the testosterone
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- in the air that day. - THEY LAUGH
0:27:42 > 0:27:44When I left Josh and Emma last time,
0:27:44 > 0:27:47their garden was literally falling around them.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Absolute chaos. But, of course, that was the beginning.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Having Monty like the garden,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55for my own ego, is massively important
0:27:55 > 0:27:58just because to get his approval,
0:27:58 > 0:28:02being the king of horticulture, would be fantastic.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06But more than anything, it's if Noah likes the garden.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08What I really want to get on with today
0:28:08 > 0:28:09is making sure the planting is right
0:28:09 > 0:28:12cos what Noah needs is quite a subtle garden.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16- Lovely to see you again.- And you.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19- Hello, Noah. Hello.- Hello.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Bare soil ready for planting.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24How prepared is the soil? Have you dug it?
0:28:24 > 0:28:27I made a massive mistake because I dug a lot of weeds up
0:28:27 > 0:28:29and then I took a Rotavator to it
0:28:29 > 0:28:32and then I cultivated thousands of bindweed.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34It's the classic mistake.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38You shouldn't let a Rotavator near anywhere that's got any weeds in it.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42You do it when the ground is completely clear of weeds,
0:28:42 > 0:28:44dug over - doesn't do the digging for you -
0:28:44 > 0:28:46- and then it breaks the soil up.- Right.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49And Monty has spotted another mistake.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51I'm sure you're aware,
0:28:51 > 0:28:54actually, some herbs are incompatible with others.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57- Yeah.- So, for example, thyme and marjoram
0:28:57 > 0:29:00and rosemary are Mediterranean herbs.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03They like full sun, really good drainage
0:29:03 > 0:29:04- and quite poor soil.- Yeah.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08Mint, you would normally never plant
0:29:08 > 0:29:11- in amongst other herbs cos it'll take over the whole thing.- Yeah.
0:29:11 > 0:29:12You could always plant it in a pot.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14That's what we've done with this one.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17- This is just in its little... - Fine. That's a really good idea.
0:29:17 > 0:29:22- So, what's going on behind? - All here is just going to be plants.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Almost all of them have a sensory input.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26Time to get cracking,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29but Monty wants to make sure Emma and Josh understand
0:29:29 > 0:29:31the fundamental rules of garden design.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35You need to make a choice now how you want to approach it.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Do you want the final thing carefully planned out
0:29:37 > 0:29:39or do you want it to evolve?
0:29:39 > 0:29:41I think we want an evolving garden, don't we?
0:29:41 > 0:29:45Things like the cosmos that have grown from seed,
0:29:45 > 0:29:47they're going to all be gone next year
0:29:47 > 0:29:50- and then we can put something else there.- Yeah.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Personally, that's how I like to garden too.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Onto the next design rule.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58Do you plant in blocks or drifts?
0:29:58 > 0:30:00And the essential difference is
0:30:00 > 0:30:02we could create a screen of miscanthus.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04We could have a sort of hedge of miscanthus.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06We could have them in groups of four or five
0:30:06 > 0:30:10so they're really big, statement plants throughout the garden,
0:30:10 > 0:30:12or we could maybe have three here
0:30:12 > 0:30:15and then one over there and then another group of three,
0:30:15 > 0:30:17so you're picking it up like a ribbon.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21From a sensory garden point of view, drifts seem to work.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26With the design agreed, it's time to position the plants accordingly.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29But it's not long before Josh remembers something
0:30:29 > 0:30:31he should have mentioned earlier.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35What I forgot to mention is that we were planning
0:30:35 > 0:30:39on putting a pergola with posts sort of there and there
0:30:39 > 0:30:41up and over the...
0:30:41 > 0:30:44- Where the plants are?- Exactly. - HE LAUGHS
0:30:44 > 0:30:48- Why didn't you tell me? - Too much Monty pressure.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50This is one of Josh's mad ideas.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52What do you want a pergola for?
0:30:52 > 0:30:56- If it's just for climbers, you've got all these walls.- Yeah.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02- No, we'll just forget it. - HE LAUGHS
0:31:02 > 0:31:07- Is he like this all the time?- Yes. - Let's just get the plants.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Looks like Josh is happy to sacrifice the pergola
0:31:10 > 0:31:12if it means more help from his hero Monty.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16So, the verbena bonariensis have got purple flowers
0:31:16 > 0:31:18that come out in a floret. Butterflies love them.
0:31:18 > 0:31:23They will grow in a nice, open, sunny position.
0:31:23 > 0:31:24So, this is decision time.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28You either continue it to a path, which is a natural end,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31or you could have slightly different planting under the tree.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33So, could we, from these grasses,
0:31:33 > 0:31:35go into something that's not massively different,
0:31:35 > 0:31:39- but is different because...- Exactly. - ..I've got that crocosmia Lucifer.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Brilliant. Good. That's perfect.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46Monty is keen to make sure all the plants fit into the overall design.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48In terms of colour,
0:31:48 > 0:31:52what colour would you use to take us from ivory to red?
0:31:52 > 0:31:56- Looking at the plants...- Yes. - ..the pink poppies might go.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00What they don't have is the same leaf texture as any of these,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02where, basically, we've got upright leaves.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06I would suggest something that holds itself a little bit more delicately.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08- OK.- And the salvia would be nice on the path.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10Well, it might well work.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12Monty leaves Josh to finish placing the shrubs
0:32:12 > 0:32:16while he concentrates on one key sensory element with Emma.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18What is it that you like about scent?
0:32:18 > 0:32:21Certain smells bring up certain memories
0:32:21 > 0:32:25and I just love that Noah can make his own memories from it.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28Do you want to have very specific scents or just a mix?
0:32:28 > 0:32:33I quite like the idea of not too many overwhelming scents.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Monty is keen to help Emma choose
0:32:35 > 0:32:37the right place for the right scented plant.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- At different times of day, you can get different scents.- Yeah.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43Cos there are some plants that take up heat during the day.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45That heats up the oils and as it cools,
0:32:45 > 0:32:47the fragrance is released.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51That nemesia needs to go near where he's going to play,
0:32:51 > 0:32:56and it can grow in a little bit of shade, but not deep, deep shade.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01One of my favourite and most evocative scents for me
0:33:01 > 0:33:02are tobacco plants.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04Immediately, I go back to my childhood.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06- They do best in full sun.- OK.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09We could plant them over near the seat.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12And Monty has spotted a whole group of climbers
0:33:12 > 0:33:14which are perfect for a fragrant spot.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16This is clearly a honeysuckle.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20- Did you choose it for the flowers? - And the smell. Yeah, it's lovely.
0:33:20 > 0:33:21So, that's perfect.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24So, that will grow in some shade and in some sun.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26They're really good plants.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29And you can grow them up trees, you can grow them on trellises,
0:33:29 > 0:33:30you can grow them against a wall.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33You know, they're very, very variable.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36If I plant it right against the wall,
0:33:36 > 0:33:38two things are going to happen.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41One, the roots are going to be constricted by the wall itself
0:33:41 > 0:33:42and two, when the rain comes,
0:33:42 > 0:33:45the wall takes up an awful lot of the water.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47So, what you do is you angle it back.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48- Plant it...- OK.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51..put a cane or something up, tie it on to there.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54It will grow up that and then you can train it along this.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58Time to see how Josh has been getting on with the sensory border.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00Are you happy with the way this is going?
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Yeah, full of energy and just want to crack on with it now.
0:34:03 > 0:34:04What do you think?
0:34:04 > 0:34:07While you were having a rest, we were doing things.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11- If you can get these in the ground, the ones we laid out today...- Yeah.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14..and then continue this system of just building up colours,
0:34:14 > 0:34:15building up height, texture...
0:34:15 > 0:34:18- Thank you very much. - Bye-bye.- Bye-bye.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21I come away from this garden really feeling uplifted.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25It's been a real masterclass on just how to plant borders up.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28I kind of feel like I needed a notebook.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33If they keep the energy going, it will become a beautiful garden.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37I feel really inspired and educated.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39Yeah, it's got the ball rolling. Definitely.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47Back in Hitchin, Aletheia has been romping along with the veg,
0:34:47 > 0:34:50but it's not the community garden of her dreams just yet.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53There are two critical things at this point.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57The first is to make sure that the beds are made, seeds are sown
0:34:57 > 0:34:59and as much is planted as possible.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02And the second thing, which is equally important,
0:35:02 > 0:35:05is how she is sowing the seeds
0:35:05 > 0:35:07within her community and neighbourhood.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- Hello.- Hello there.- Oh, hello. - Show me the detail that you've done.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13- You've used scaffold boards, have you, for your raised beds?- Yes.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16- Scaffolding boards from a local scaffolding company.- Right.
0:35:16 > 0:35:22Those are somebody's rabbit or chicken hutch bits.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- And these are peas growing up them? - Those are peas growing up them.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Your beds are more or less made,
0:35:27 > 0:35:29so what about seeds, seedlings and plants?
0:35:29 > 0:35:32I've got all my seedlings over there.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34We've got some courgettes and tomatoes.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37- Dill.- Yeah.- Aubergine.- Yeah.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40Chillies from chilli seed from a local restaurant.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43So, we want to get this planted out today.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- As much as possible.- Right. Whereabouts are these going to go?
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Monty has got some top tips for raised beds.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51I like to plant right to the edge of them
0:35:51 > 0:35:53and then the roots go back inwards
0:35:53 > 0:35:58- because it just allows more space in between for your other plants.- OK.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00So, let's get the corn in place first.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03- Corn is wind-pollinated...- Yes.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05..so you never plant it in rows.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07Always plant it in blocks.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10Because if the wind always comes from this direction,
0:36:10 > 0:36:11it may just blow the pollen away.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Basically, always a grid, never in just a row
0:36:14 > 0:36:17- cos otherwise, there's a risk they won't pollinate.- Yeah.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21And he's also full of advice on how to pack it all in.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24On raised beds like this,
0:36:24 > 0:36:27I think intercropping, closer spacing than normal.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29If in doubt, squeeze an extra one in.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33I tend to have a basic unit of spacing,
0:36:33 > 0:36:37- which everything gets spaced at, which is the span of my hand.- Mm-hm.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40I think it's more productive to have more, smaller things
0:36:40 > 0:36:42than a few bigger things.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46When you're planting tomatoes of any size,
0:36:46 > 0:36:49- you want to bury it as deep as possible.- Yeah.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Bury it up to the first leaves.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54It'll grow roots from the stem
0:36:54 > 0:36:56and it'll anchor it more firmly in the ground.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00And Monty is keen to maximise all the space possible.
0:37:00 > 0:37:01So, what's coming in here?
0:37:01 > 0:37:04- Just simply that?- I was going to just leave it cos of that.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06- But you can't afford the luxury of that.- Yeah.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08I'd put some more bush tomatoes in there.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11I would pack it in and get two bush tomatoes in there,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14and then even underplant it with lettuce. One, two.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18But Monty is more concerned about the real dream for this garden.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Are people coming in to pick? I mean, are you having...?
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Not yet because it's still a work in progress.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25- But at what...?- Children, I have.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29Yeah, but how are you going to let people know
0:37:29 > 0:37:32that it's not work in progress? It's doors are open now?
0:37:32 > 0:37:35- I'm going to put a sign up. - Right.- A proper sign.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39And I did think I'm going to have to have an honesty box
0:37:39 > 0:37:43- and just say, "It's all free, but..."- "If you wish to make...
0:37:43 > 0:37:45"Any donations will go towards..."
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- Towards compost. - Why not do it to a charity?- Yes.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Whether it's the local school or a hospice.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53And then, if you let people know, if you said,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56"We raised £100 and that went to so-and-so"...
0:37:56 > 0:37:58That's where my signpost, my notice board will come in handy.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Yeah, your notice board will come in. Very good.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05With the plants in, Monty also has some tips on feed.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08I'm a great fan of comfrey and nettle feed,
0:38:08 > 0:38:11which, of course, has the great advantage of costing nothing,
0:38:11 > 0:38:15it's organic and incredibly effective.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Luckily, Aletheia knows just the place
0:38:17 > 0:38:19for a spot of comfrey and nettles.
0:38:19 > 0:38:20I tend to cut it...
0:38:22 > 0:38:25- ..right off at the base like that.- OK.
0:38:25 > 0:38:31Comfrey, more than any other plant, seems to absorb minerals,
0:38:31 > 0:38:33and also has a huge amount of protein.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37But because it stores elements so very well,
0:38:37 > 0:38:39it then transfers them,
0:38:39 > 0:38:41so it's very good to make a tea from,
0:38:41 > 0:38:44it's very good to add to a compost heap.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46You can just lay the leaves on the ground.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Just lay them as a mulch. I do that with tomatoes every year.
0:38:49 > 0:38:55Nettles have much more nitrogen, so they produce leaves and foliage.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59Feed nettles earlier in the year to get a nice, big plant.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01Then feed comfrey from about mid-June onwards
0:39:01 > 0:39:04and that develops the fruit and the flowers.
0:39:06 > 0:39:12- The way I do it is I cram them in and essentially, I infuse it.- OK.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15- So, I'm not pressing it, I'm not extracting it.- OK.
0:39:15 > 0:39:20Now, we just fill it up so we cover the foliage.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22- Leave that for three weeks.- OK.
0:39:22 > 0:39:29- And then strain off the liquid and that is your concentrate.- OK.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31And don't use it more than once a week.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Having the nation's favourite gardener helping out
0:39:35 > 0:39:37just might be beginning to draw in the locals.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40- Here's Mr Charles. - I've got some freebies for you.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42Oh, excellent. Thank you very much.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46- What are they? What type of tomato? - They're tomato Roma.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49- Will you be passing by and picking vegetables from here?- Oh, yeah.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52It's easy enough to do because I'm not far from here.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55So, if your allotment doesn't do very well, you can come here.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57- THEY LAUGH - I can always come back here.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01He was saying underplant stuff, cram things in.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04The closer, the better, which I think is a great idea.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07What Aletheia wants help and, I guess, support for
0:40:07 > 0:40:11is the big dream of including her community,
0:40:11 > 0:40:14of inviting and enticing her neighbours
0:40:14 > 0:40:17to come in and help themselves. Now, I think that's hard.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23Having somebody who's the gardening guru of Britain
0:40:23 > 0:40:26saying, "This is a fantastic idea.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28"Go ahead. Everybody, plant vegetables."
0:40:28 > 0:40:30I think is really good.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36In Findon, Josh has been working hard
0:40:36 > 0:40:39and the garden is starting to take shape.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43He is determined to create something really special for Noah.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46So, he's off to Wisley Gardens in Surrey.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49Founded in 1878,
0:40:49 > 0:40:52the gardens are celebrated for their experimental
0:40:52 > 0:40:54and diverse planting schemes,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57and Josh is keen to explore their dedicated sensory garden.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02Curator Colin Crosby is on hand to show him around.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07- Hello, Josh. How are you? - Not too bad.- Good to meet you.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10- Try some of those. - Looks fantastic.- It really is.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12It's a really dark mangetout.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15Really, really sweet, colourful, interesting in the garden.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17- Brilliant. - That is actually delicious.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Let me show you some other things that we've got
0:41:20 > 0:41:22that might just be interesting.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26- So, is this a type of phlomis? - It is a phlomis.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Feel the leaves on it because they're very soft.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33- It's almost like teddy bear's ears. - I'm really pleased to see this
0:41:33 > 0:41:35cos we've actually planted a few of these already.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39This plant, it loves hot, dry, sunny positions.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43- We are on really hot, sunny chalk. - Perfect.- Yeah.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46The garden is filled with plants
0:41:46 > 0:41:49which have been chosen because they stimulate a number of senses.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53And look at these lovely raised benches that we've got here.
0:41:53 > 0:41:59This one's got camomile in it. Just crush that and rub it.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Smell your hands there...
0:42:01 > 0:42:03- Oh, yeah, that's fantastic. - ..afterwards.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06And you could create a lawn of camomile at home
0:42:06 > 0:42:07or maybe even a bench
0:42:07 > 0:42:11so, when sitting on it, you've got that great scent.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14But look over there. In a garden, a common bedding plant.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16I don't know if you've ever crushed the leaf of a marigold...
0:42:16 > 0:42:19- No, I haven't. - ..but it's quite a different scent.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22And just crush it and smell it.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25- Quite different, isn't it? - Oh, I like that.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27- You like that?- I like that. - See, I don't like that.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30But beside it, here, we've got the sweet basil.
0:42:30 > 0:42:35You can pick it straightaway and that's so instant and so satisfying.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38- Yeah.- And just the dark colour. Most basil is green.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41- That just adds another dimension to it.- Yeah, that's fantastic.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44- That's quite easily available? - That's easy to grow.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48Start it off in a kitchen windowsill and then plant it outside
0:42:48 > 0:42:50and just keep harvesting it all summer.
0:42:50 > 0:42:51And keep planting fresh pots of it
0:42:51 > 0:42:54so when it goes over, you've got more coming on.
0:42:54 > 0:42:55Anyone can do it.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58I'll get Noah throwing some seeds in the seed tray.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00And Colin has got one more trick up his sleeve.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04Now, I'll show you some mints that actually don't smell of mint.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06Look in here now.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10Ginger mints, chocolate mints, grapefruit mint...
0:43:10 > 0:43:12- Blimey!- ..basil mint. Try that one.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18- I smell mint with that one. - Well, that's right. It's spearmint.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21Smell that one and see if you get a different scent with it
0:43:21 > 0:43:24- cos it should be slightly different. - Oh, yeah. Now, that... Yeah.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28- This one, they call apple mint. - Are these widely available?
0:43:28 > 0:43:30The best place to go to is a specialist nursery
0:43:30 > 0:43:33- cos the advice they give is just fantastic.- Yeah.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35This garden here, what we tend to find is
0:43:35 > 0:43:37it's children that get the most out of it
0:43:37 > 0:43:39cos they love interacting with the plants.
0:43:41 > 0:43:43To create a sensory garden,
0:43:43 > 0:43:48Colin recommends planting silver sage for touch,
0:43:48 > 0:43:51bright, bold sunflowers for sight,
0:43:51 > 0:43:54love-in-a-mist seed heads for sound...
0:43:55 > 0:43:59..chocolate cosmos for a rich, vanilla smell
0:43:59 > 0:44:02and edible flowers, like nasturtiums, for taste.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08The garden also contains a living willow arch,
0:44:08 > 0:44:11which is exactly what Josh hopes to create back home.
0:44:12 > 0:44:16Sculptor Tom Hare is happy to talk him through the technique.
0:44:16 > 0:44:18What we've done is made a steel frame.
0:44:18 > 0:44:21Just a very loose armature. Just a couple of lines.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23What I'd like you to help me with, to start with,
0:44:23 > 0:44:25- is put this base layer on...- OK.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27..with the material that I've actually soaked.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30So, this time of year, because we're working with a seasoned stick,
0:44:30 > 0:44:32it needs to be soaked.
0:44:32 > 0:44:34You kind of feel like it's just going to snap, don't you?
0:44:34 > 0:44:36- They have a fat end and a thin end.- Right.
0:44:36 > 0:44:38The fat end's referred to as the butt
0:44:38 > 0:44:40and that has a lot of tension in it,
0:44:40 > 0:44:42so it's really useful for kind of twisting
0:44:42 > 0:44:44- and locking into the structure.- OK.
0:44:44 > 0:44:46But the whippy end, the tip, is great for tying.
0:44:46 > 0:44:49- You know, so you can use it like a piece of string.- Right.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52We can put the fat end into the ground into there.
0:44:52 > 0:44:55That kind of locks it off so you can draw a line vertically.
0:44:55 > 0:44:57Oh, right. OK, yeah.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01- Use that to tie in.- Perfect.
0:45:01 > 0:45:04I think, visually, like arcs and S's,
0:45:04 > 0:45:06C shapes, they look the best.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09So, if I wanted to make a window,
0:45:09 > 0:45:13would I just sort of start by tying it in and bringing it round?
0:45:13 > 0:45:16One suggestion could be to make the window first.
0:45:16 > 0:45:18- So, make a portal, like a frame.- Right.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21What I'm going to do is work at this butt end and just draw a circle in,
0:45:21 > 0:45:25and then we can just thicken that up by adding another one in.
0:45:27 > 0:45:31Fits perfectly. So, what we need now is a few little tip ends.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34And you can use these like string.
0:45:36 > 0:45:40- This is a very basic way of creating some drama in your garden.- Yeah.
0:45:40 > 0:45:44And you can make structures and features quite quickly.
0:45:44 > 0:45:46So, do you feel like you have enough techniques
0:45:46 > 0:45:48to continue and finish this on your own?
0:45:48 > 0:45:50- Oh, definitely not. - THEY LAUGH
0:45:50 > 0:45:52No, yeah, I do. Yeah.
0:45:52 > 0:45:54With half the arch complete,
0:45:54 > 0:45:58the whole trip has left Josh with a lot to think about.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00It's given me a lot of inspiration.
0:46:00 > 0:46:04I like having a selection of the same plant,
0:46:04 > 0:46:06but each one having a different smell,
0:46:06 > 0:46:08a different element. It's been brilliant.
0:46:13 > 0:46:17Since Monty's visit, Aletheia has finished all the planting.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19And the comfrey and nettle concoction
0:46:19 > 0:46:21Monty picked with her is now ready.
0:46:21 > 0:46:24So, it's started to rot down.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27I've put a brick in just to weigh it all down.
0:46:28 > 0:46:32It is really smelly. I'll just drain that into there...
0:46:34 > 0:46:36..so that it doesn't block up the rows.
0:46:36 > 0:46:42And it's about one to six parts water.
0:46:44 > 0:46:46With the planting completed,
0:46:46 > 0:46:49she is determined to get people through that garden gate.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52Today will be a sort of mini launch.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56We'll be having our fence up, so that'll be a sort of new look
0:46:56 > 0:47:00so that the whole place just looks a bit more inviting.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03People can see it more like their space.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07The ladies from Cranbrook Community Garden
0:47:07 > 0:47:09are coming to ensure the day is a success.
0:47:10 > 0:47:12- You come to help me?- Yes.
0:47:12 > 0:47:14You come to help me pick some salads?
0:47:14 > 0:47:17You've got a lot more beds than I imagined you'd have
0:47:17 > 0:47:20in a front garden. It's looking really fantastic.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22What we do in our garden,
0:47:22 > 0:47:24we encourage them to pick the outer leaves.
0:47:24 > 0:47:25We leave the heart for a little while,
0:47:25 > 0:47:28so we use them as cut-and-come-again.
0:47:28 > 0:47:29- It is, isn't it?- Hello.
0:47:29 > 0:47:33Oh, hello. You are just in time for a salad.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36Oh, you are a star. My tea's not completely
0:47:36 > 0:47:38- sorted yet, so... - SHE LAUGHS
0:47:38 > 0:47:41- I've got some yellow chard.- Right.
0:47:42 > 0:47:46- Ah.- Calendula petals.- And these are your edible flowers as well.- Yeah.
0:47:46 > 0:47:48I now have a tenuous link to Monty Don,
0:47:48 > 0:47:50which I shall make sure
0:47:50 > 0:47:52- I tell everybody about. - THEY LAUGH
0:47:52 > 0:47:55But Laura is concerned that while people are enjoying the produce,
0:47:55 > 0:47:58they aren't yet brave enough to venture in themselves.
0:47:58 > 0:48:00Normally, we would encourage people
0:48:00 > 0:48:02to pick their own salads around the garden.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05How come you're bagging it up today?
0:48:05 > 0:48:08Well, people have been a bit shy about coming into the garden
0:48:08 > 0:48:11- because it's my front garden.- Right.
0:48:11 > 0:48:15But I think if we pick it proper,
0:48:15 > 0:48:18hand it to people, they might realise,
0:48:18 > 0:48:20"OK, it is for picking, it is for eating.
0:48:20 > 0:48:22"It's not just a show garden."
0:48:23 > 0:48:25Time to put Aletheia's plan into action.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28- Hey. Hello there. - Hello, Auntie Agnes.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31- They're ready for picking...- Yeah. - ..so, any time you want to,
0:48:31 > 0:48:33- just come and help yourself. - Yes, I will.
0:48:33 > 0:48:35Would you like a salad?
0:48:35 > 0:48:38There you go. So, you can have that for your tea.
0:48:38 > 0:48:40- Would you like a salad? - I would love a salad.
0:48:40 > 0:48:42- Thank you very much.- Here we go.
0:48:42 > 0:48:44Now you can see that they're ready for picking,
0:48:44 > 0:48:46just help yourself whenever you like.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48When I learn what's edible when,
0:48:48 > 0:48:53then I think I would be happy to go and pick my own.
0:48:53 > 0:48:57This is a beginning of my dream garden.
0:48:57 > 0:49:01And Aletheia is determined not to give up.
0:49:01 > 0:49:02We are the Sunnyside estate
0:49:02 > 0:49:07and this is the Sunnyside pick your own veg patch.
0:49:07 > 0:49:12We will be an official neighbourhood garden.
0:49:13 > 0:49:17It's been a real community effort and looking at it all,
0:49:17 > 0:49:21that's what the garden says to me as well - it's my community.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30In Findon, Josh has brought back the willow arch
0:49:30 > 0:49:33so Emma can help him finish it.
0:49:33 > 0:49:34But there's a problem.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37So, you hold it like that and then just start...
0:49:38 > 0:49:40- Ooh.- That actually looks quite difficult.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43Tom said that we have to use this willow within a couple of days,
0:49:43 > 0:49:47but I left it too long and they're all snapping,
0:49:47 > 0:49:50so that's why we're out in the pouring-down rain -
0:49:50 > 0:49:52cos I've kind of got to do it now.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56I can imagine it being a bit easier if it was a bit more flexible,
0:49:56 > 0:49:59but I think this is really good.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04Looks like Emma isn't entirely convinced.
0:50:04 > 0:50:06- It was nice and sunny and hot...- Yeah.
0:50:06 > 0:50:10- ..when you got a fun day out at Wisley to do it.- That's right.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12And now I'm here doing it in the rain.
0:50:12 > 0:50:16I came home to show you the art of willow.
0:50:16 > 0:50:18Maybe I should have soaked it again.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21I can't really remember what he said.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24Let's make this more our own creation
0:50:24 > 0:50:27and use that it keeps snapping to our advantage.
0:50:27 > 0:50:31Yeah, if you have a few coming up, it could look quite cool.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33- Yeah. Add more height to the garden, wouldn't it?- Yeah.
0:50:35 > 0:50:36That looks really cool.
0:50:38 > 0:50:41- Yeah, it works.- It does, doesn't it?
0:50:41 > 0:50:45Josh has bought some of the sensory plants he saw at Wisley as well.
0:50:45 > 0:50:46So, this is camomile,
0:50:46 > 0:50:50which I'm going to plant just at the front of the willow arch.
0:50:50 > 0:50:52It withstands a little bit of treading on.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54It can take a little bit of knocking.
0:50:54 > 0:50:55And it smells fantastic.
0:50:55 > 0:50:59We're planting the thyme so that when you walk onto the garden,
0:50:59 > 0:51:01it releases the thymey smell.
0:51:01 > 0:51:03And also, we chose this variety cos it's woolly,
0:51:03 > 0:51:06so it's like getting an added, extra texture.
0:51:11 > 0:51:12Back in Hitchin,
0:51:12 > 0:51:14the Sunnyside vegetable patch is complete,
0:51:14 > 0:51:18and people are finally starting to step inside.
0:51:18 > 0:51:23I, hopefully, have shown people that it's not so taboo
0:51:23 > 0:51:28to have vegetables and food in your front garden.
0:51:28 > 0:51:29- Does it jump?- It does jump.
0:51:29 > 0:51:33And you can have food out of the ground the whole year round.
0:51:34 > 0:51:39Time for Monty to come and formally declare this garden open.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42I'm excited and nervous at the same time,
0:51:42 > 0:51:44but I'm looking forward to it.
0:51:44 > 0:51:48Aletheia's garden is a puzzle
0:51:48 > 0:51:52and I am fascinated to see if she's had any success with this
0:51:52 > 0:51:55and what people's reaction has been.
0:51:56 > 0:51:58- Hello.- Hello.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01Lovely to see the garden so full.
0:52:03 > 0:52:05Just five months ago,
0:52:05 > 0:52:07Aletheia's front garden looked the same
0:52:07 > 0:52:09as everyone else's on the street.
0:52:11 > 0:52:14Now it has been utterly transformed.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20The garden has been carefully designed
0:52:20 > 0:52:22to include ten raised beds,
0:52:22 > 0:52:26separated by a path planted up with red clover and rye.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31Each bed is packed with an abundance of vegetables,
0:52:31 > 0:52:33such as runner beans and chard,
0:52:33 > 0:52:36which have been generously planted to maximise the space.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42Edible flowers, such as calendula and pansies,
0:52:42 > 0:52:44have been interplanted within the vegetables
0:52:44 > 0:52:46to create colour and interest.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51And each bed has been carefully labelled
0:52:51 > 0:52:55to entice people into this space to pick for themselves.
0:52:59 > 0:53:01I remember the first plans
0:53:01 > 0:53:05were not really aggressive enough on the use of space
0:53:05 > 0:53:07and I encouraged you to pack it in.
0:53:07 > 0:53:09- Do you think that was the right idea?- Oh, yes.
0:53:09 > 0:53:12That was a brilliant idea. I have kept that in mind -
0:53:12 > 0:53:14to just make sure that
0:53:14 > 0:53:17there's always something going in the spaces.
0:53:17 > 0:53:21- Remind me what your budget was. - My budget was £200.
0:53:21 > 0:53:25Thankfully, that's where the community involvement
0:53:25 > 0:53:27and community coming together helped.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30- How much have you spent? - I've spent £150.- Really?
0:53:30 > 0:53:32- So, you're in under budget. - Under budget.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35How have people reacted?
0:53:35 > 0:53:38That's been the best part of this garden.
0:53:38 > 0:53:41People are saying, "Are you continuing this, then?"
0:53:41 > 0:53:43Like, "Yes, it's an ongoing thing."
0:53:45 > 0:53:47It certainly is.
0:53:47 > 0:53:52The whole estate has arrived to pick their own veg for tea today.
0:53:52 > 0:53:53I would just like us all
0:53:53 > 0:53:57to just give Aletheia a really big hand.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03The strawberries are nice and close to the pavement,
0:54:03 > 0:54:05so my little daughter always sneaks through the fence
0:54:05 > 0:54:08and grabs a handful on our way into town.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11I'm really envious of her tomatoes
0:54:11 > 0:54:13because I can't grow them in my back garden.
0:54:13 > 0:54:17- Well, maybe you should grow them now in your front garden.- Yes, I know.
0:54:18 > 0:54:20I think Monty was impressed
0:54:20 > 0:54:23and happy to see how people have, in fact, got involved.
0:54:23 > 0:54:28It's been really good to see that people want it to continue.
0:54:30 > 0:54:34I was quite sceptical about Aletheia's dream,
0:54:34 > 0:54:38but if this garden sows the seed
0:54:38 > 0:54:42and persuades other people to grow vegetables
0:54:42 > 0:54:46and share them from their gardens, then that's a very big dream.
0:54:55 > 0:54:59Back in Findon, Emma and Josh are putting the finishing touches
0:54:59 > 0:55:00to their sensory garden.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03To be honest, I'll be quite pleased when Monty's been
0:55:03 > 0:55:06and then I can stop hearing, "Oh, I hope Monty likes it."
0:55:06 > 0:55:09To have the head gardener of England say,
0:55:09 > 0:55:12"You've done a good job," that's amazing.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14- If he says that. - THEY LAUGH
0:55:14 > 0:55:17He hasn't seen it yet. I'm nervous.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23The main purpose was to provide Noah with a safe place.
0:55:23 > 0:55:28It's got to be beautiful and inspiring for the adults,
0:55:28 > 0:55:32but at the same time, be a haven for Noah.
0:55:32 > 0:55:36- Now, judgment day. - THEY LAUGH
0:55:37 > 0:55:40- Hello.- Oh, hiya.
0:55:40 > 0:55:41It looks fantastic.
0:55:44 > 0:55:45In just five months,
0:55:45 > 0:55:50Emma and Josh have managed to turn this overgrown patch of earth
0:55:50 > 0:55:52into a stunning family garden.
0:55:56 > 0:56:01A cobbled path leads you from a willow arch to a rustic play den...
0:56:04 > 0:56:08..and round to a seating area complete with fountain.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14A circular lawn is surrounded by borders
0:56:14 > 0:56:16filled with colourful and fragrant plants...
0:56:18 > 0:56:21..which have been chosen to fit into the sensory theme.
0:56:22 > 0:56:26Grasses for touch, salvia and honeysuckle for scent,
0:56:26 > 0:56:28and an array of herbs,
0:56:28 > 0:56:31such as camomile and rosemary, for taste.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40Has it worked out for you? Are you getting pleasure from it?
0:56:40 > 0:56:41It's everything we want in a garden.
0:56:41 > 0:56:44It's a total fantasy, fun garden for Noah as well.
0:56:44 > 0:56:48He just loves it and he just goes off in his own little world.
0:56:48 > 0:56:50Are you going to show me the path?
0:56:50 > 0:56:53A real variety here, haven't you? Different types of touch.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55Soft, some harder, good scent.
0:56:55 > 0:56:57And it's all your sort of height too, isn't it?
0:56:57 > 0:57:00- JOSH CHUCKLES - How much did it cost?
0:57:00 > 0:57:02I reckon £3,000.
0:57:02 > 0:57:05It strikes me as not bad value for money, that.
0:57:05 > 0:57:06- Absolutely.- Yeah.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09Are you still pinching yourself that it's so different?
0:57:09 > 0:57:12Well, I pinch myself every morning when I look out the kitchen window.
0:57:12 > 0:57:16Before, it was just awful and now we've created this.
0:57:16 > 0:57:19At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how well
0:57:19 > 0:57:21we like the planting schemes of the borders.
0:57:21 > 0:57:24If he's running around and he's playing in it,
0:57:24 > 0:57:26we ticked the box we wanted to achieve, you know.
0:57:26 > 0:57:28I think that's clever planting on your behalf.
0:57:28 > 0:57:31Oh, that's made my day. Made my year.
0:57:31 > 0:57:33- Made my life. - THEY LAUGH
0:57:33 > 0:57:35Hi!
0:57:35 > 0:57:39And Noah isn't the only person who is enjoying the garden.
0:57:39 > 0:57:42To the garden and to Noah. To both of them.
0:57:42 > 0:57:43- ALL:- Cheers.
0:57:46 > 0:57:49Wouldn't have believed it could look like this.
0:57:49 > 0:57:51- It's fantastic.- Yeah.
0:57:51 > 0:57:52It's better than I expected.
0:57:55 > 0:57:57This is a real achievement
0:57:57 > 0:58:00and they will grow in themselves as Noah grows up with it too.
0:58:00 > 0:58:03I feel that he's grown so much
0:58:03 > 0:58:07from just the process of making the garden.
0:58:07 > 0:58:10What this garden shows, more than anything,
0:58:10 > 0:58:12is that gardens are for everybody.
0:58:12 > 0:58:15I got married, had a kid
0:58:15 > 0:58:17and then creating this garden over the space of a year
0:58:17 > 0:58:21- have been the best parts of my life to date easily.- Aw.
0:58:21 > 0:58:27I'd recommend anyone who has a big dream to just go for it.