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 > 0:00:19Monty Don has travelled up and down the country,
0:00:19 > 0:00:23visiting amateur gardeners with bold ambitions.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25He's scrutinised their plans
0:00:25 > 0:00:28and pushed them out of their comfort zones.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32Going out into deeper, darkest unknown territory, isn't it?
0:00:32 > 0:00:35It's not been easy... THUNDER
0:00:36 > 0:00:39- I hate it. - HE SCREAMS
0:00:39 > 0:00:42..but everyone's worked incredibly hard...
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Both of us want to sleep for a week, pretty much.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46You've had your tea break, come on.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49..and the transformations have been extraordinary.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52It's just incredible. It really is.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54I declare this garden open!
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 > 0:01:11This time, Monty meets two sets of gardeners
0:01:11 > 0:01:14who have unimaginable dreams for their outdoor spaces.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20The strength of this garden will be because it's so bonkers.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22We've gone from mad to possible.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Yeah.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26From an unloved back garden...
0:01:26 > 0:01:29If it was down to me, there'd be a gardener coming in once
0:01:29 > 0:01:32- or twice a month.- You'd rather do the ironing, wouldn't you?
0:01:32 > 0:01:33..to a wooded wasteland.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Call us idiots, but this is one of the most difficult sites
0:01:36 > 0:01:37you could come across.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40At least you'll make everybody laugh.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44Will they succeed in turning their dreams into reality?
0:01:44 > 0:01:46This is like my tribute to my childhood.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48If I get it right, that's what it will be.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50We're not very clever when it comes to plants.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52- We need help.- We need help.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58Our first garden is in Essex.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Civil servant Dave and primary school vice-principal Denise
0:02:01 > 0:02:05moved in 13 years ago, but have so far failed to make much of an impact
0:02:05 > 0:02:08on their outdoor space.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Our garden at the moment is very functional.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Dave only visits the shed when he's hanging out the washing,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18so we've not really used it to its full potential.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22But they've decided that now is the time to take the garden in hand.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Next year is a huge year for us.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28We've been married 25 years, we can celebrate that next year.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31And... We can celebrate that next year!
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Next year I'm 50. So that's a bit of a milestone.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Our son is 21,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39so having a garden for socialising is important.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43And Denise is keen to recreate a garden
0:02:43 > 0:02:46that played an important role in her childhood.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50But reluctant gardener Dave isn't quite as enthusiastic.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54I have a good work ethic and Dave tries to avoid a work ethic.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Denise is the one who's got the passion and the drive
0:02:58 > 0:02:59to get it done.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03I'm a reluctant passenger, shall we say, but I'm still on the bus.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05I'll manage Dave through the whole lot,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08and he'll be grateful that I did that.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Our second gardeners are in Ipswich.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20Ten years ago, Rob's wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23The former inventor then decided to set up a charity with the help
0:03:23 > 0:03:25of his daughter Jo.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Going through five months of living with an advanced form of lung cancer
0:03:29 > 0:03:34wasn't easy but it wasn't as difficult as some people have it
0:03:34 > 0:03:37and there and then I thought, "When I get through this,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40"I'd like to really do something for the cancer community."
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Rob purchased a derelict wood in Sudbury
0:03:42 > 0:03:47and over several years transformed it into a peaceful and usable space.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Our main aim was to convert a very poor woodland or land that had been
0:03:51 > 0:03:54unused into cancer retreats,
0:03:54 > 0:03:58so anybody going through a tough time of living with cancer,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01we wanted to build something that was absolutely
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- beautiful to visit.- Also, people with profound learning difficulties,
0:04:05 > 0:04:09mainly children, come and help us to maintain the site and adults
0:04:09 > 0:04:12with mental health challenges come and also help us.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16With the success of the first site,
0:04:16 > 0:04:20Rob decided to renovate another woodland here in Ipswich,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23and his daughter Jo, who had helped before on a volunteer basis,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26decided to take it on full-time.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28This is Jo's woodland.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30You are the manager of this.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32I will bite my tongue on certain areas.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35There may be a new chief dishing out the orders,
0:04:35 > 0:04:37but Rob and Jo agree on one thing -
0:04:37 > 0:04:39why make life easy?
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Call us idiots, but this is one of the most difficult sites you could
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- come across.- It's a particularly poor area of the woodland.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47The site is completely covered in ivy,
0:04:47 > 0:04:52on a massively steep slope, which makes it even more challenging.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56The entire woodland covers three acres, which will need a lot of time
0:04:56 > 0:04:59and generous donations to restore.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02For now, a 24 by 12-metre area has been earmarked
0:05:02 > 0:05:04for a very specific purpose.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09We like a challenge and we want to convert one of these slopes into
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- an allotment.- Whilst me and Jo know quite a bit about trees,
0:05:12 > 0:05:15we're not very clever when it comes to plants, so...
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- We're OK.- We need help. - We need help.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29It's May in Essex and Monty is on
0:05:29 > 0:05:32his way to meet Dave and an excitable Denise.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Having Monty on board is really important to me because we are
0:05:35 > 0:05:38amateur gardeners through and through,
0:05:38 > 0:05:40and Dave is not even a wannabe gardener, really.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43I respect his knowledge, I respect his skills
0:05:43 > 0:05:47and just the common sense that he will bring to my ideas.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51I think I've got completely different expectations to Denise
0:05:51 > 0:05:53in that I'm looking for him to rein her in.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58With that challenge, Britain's favourite gardener
0:05:58 > 0:06:00arrives to mediate.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03- Hello, Monty.- Hello. - I'm Denise. Nice to meet you.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- And this is Dave. - Hello, Dave.- Do come in.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- So here's our garden.- Here we are.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14And you might think, "Oh, this is a lovely garden."
0:06:14 > 0:06:16But, actually, for the last 13 years,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18we've only used the decking space.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20- Just this little bit here?- Yes.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Apart from putting the washing on the line or getting the bikes from
0:06:23 > 0:06:25the shed, we've never really ventured down there.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32I'm flabbergasted. So the extent of your horticultural universe has been
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- contained within the balustrade? - Absolutely.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40Do you want to transform this area and ignore that or do you want to
0:06:40 > 0:06:41include the whole garden?
0:06:41 > 0:06:45In my mind is to actually focus on beyond the decking.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50Well, this is going out into deeper, darkest unknown territory, isn't it?
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Beyond the decking. It's like a B-movie!
0:06:56 > 0:06:58So have you had any plans and thoughts?
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- Yes, ruins. Real ruins.- Really?
0:07:02 > 0:07:03That's interesting.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06When you say ruins... what sort of ruins?
0:07:06 > 0:07:09So I thought, I might want to go medieval
0:07:09 > 0:07:12but the memory and image that's in my head -
0:07:12 > 0:07:15it's an old brick mill that's fallen down.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17And so, just to be clear about this,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20you're thinking about putting an old brick mill out there
0:07:20 > 0:07:23and creating a garden round it, is that right?
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Yeah, that's basically it. Well done. I'm glad you see it.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29I was trying to exaggerate.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- I realise I haven't told the half of it.- No.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34With such an audacious dream,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Monty needs to see the plan for himself.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39I would love to see what you've put on paper.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49Denise's plan is to replace the balustrade with steps and a narrow
0:07:49 > 0:07:52path leading to the bottom of the garden.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57The shed will be demolished to accommodate a courtyard seating area
0:07:57 > 0:08:00and next to this, a six-foot tall brick folly will be erected.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07A set of ruins will take centre stage and wooden sleepers will form
0:08:07 > 0:08:09two planting beds filled with wild flowers.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13What will Monty think of her big ideas?
0:08:15 > 0:08:18There is a strong tradition,
0:08:18 > 0:08:21sort of the late 18th century, early 19th century,
0:08:21 > 0:08:23of doing this type of thing with follies,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26with things that look as though they're leading somewhere
0:08:26 > 0:08:27but in fact don't.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31So this is founded in good British gardening tradition,
0:08:31 > 0:08:33you know, hundreds of years old.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37It works, people have done it and it's exciting.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Monty is on board with Denise's concept,
0:08:40 > 0:08:42but he has some reservations.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Why do you need the sleepers?
0:08:44 > 0:08:48I was just mindful of how much brick I was putting in.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49As a contrasting material,
0:08:49 > 0:08:54I thought the sleepers might be an idea of modernising the ruins.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58I would say that you should go with the theme you've chosen
0:08:58 > 0:09:03and stick with it. So don't try to soften it or diminish it or...
0:09:03 > 0:09:08modernise it or in any way deviate from your chosen path.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13The strength of this garden will be because it's so bonkers.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16It's mad building a ruin in a back garden like that.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19You know, that's lovely.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21It's almost as though you're trying to sort of say,
0:09:21 > 0:09:23"Well, it's not that bad. It's bonkers,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25"but there is a proper garden there, too."
0:09:25 > 0:09:27- We don't want a proper garden. - No, we don't.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- We want your garden.- Our garden.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33So my instincts are, ditch the sleepers.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Personally, that's what I would do.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37With the sleepers ditched,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Monty thinks there's room in the garden for a water element.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44And you could have it spilling in a spout,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46you could have it just overlapping
0:09:46 > 0:09:48like a sort of infinity pool-type spilling.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- There are options. - I'm interested now.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58Monty's advice to Denise and Dave is to stick to their guns and embrace
0:09:58 > 0:10:02their bold design by getting rid of the wooden sleepers.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05He suggests they include a water feature within the ruins
0:10:05 > 0:10:10and instead of wild flowers, which will only last a couple of months,
0:10:10 > 0:10:12they should choose planting that will provide interest
0:10:12 > 0:10:13all year round.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Monty also advises them to make the path wider and easier to navigate.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22But with so much going on in the garden,
0:10:22 > 0:10:26there's an important question to consider...
0:10:26 > 0:10:28How much money have you got?
0:10:28 > 0:10:32- Well, the man from Del Monte... - Yeah?
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- ..says 8,000.- Right.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38And that's because we're mindful of the fact that we will need
0:10:38 > 0:10:40a bit of help building the folly.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41I think a lot people would think,
0:10:41 > 0:10:46- "Crikey, £8,000, that's a lot of money."- Bricks are not cheap.- No.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Anything with bricks and mortar, you've got a price tag to them
0:10:49 > 0:10:52and, you know, I want the wall not to become a ruin straightaway
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- and if I build it... - But you want a ruin!
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Well, a wall's a wall.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02So the folly has got to stand the test of time.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06To help Denise and Dave see how their design could look
0:11:06 > 0:11:08in their nine-by-eight-metre garden, Monty gets to work.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11You're a measurer, I'm a staker.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Although Denise may be happy to invest in a builder,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16if she doesn't get her measurements absolutely right,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19it'll be her budget that ends up in ruins.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- This is supposed to be in line with that, is it?- Yeah.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23OK, let's work off that. In which case, this is wrong.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25This is wrong? Yeah, you're right.
0:11:28 > 0:11:29My bad.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36Already, the cracks in the plan are beginning to show.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38It's just as well they're marking out the design
0:11:38 > 0:11:39with sticks and string.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43But there's nothing there...
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Shall we go up and look down on it?
0:11:46 > 0:11:47Let's have a look.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51Right, what's your immediate reaction?
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Well, it's a bit more squashed than I thought.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Do you feel that marking it out like this is a good exercise?
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Absolutely. It's more out than I thought it would be,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03but actually I'd rather know now than later on.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Yeah. My advice would be to not hurry this process,
0:12:06 > 0:12:11and if it takes an extra week, I promise you you'll save a week.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Yeah, and probably a heartache.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Yeah, this is a big thing you're doing.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17This is not something you do every week.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19- No.- You know, get it right.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Get it so you're happy. For today, my work is done here.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Get some walls up, then give me a call.
0:12:25 > 0:12:26Sounds like a plan.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Good. I've had fun. Thanks very much
0:12:28 > 0:12:30and I'll see you in a few weeks' time.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32All right. Bye-bye.
0:12:32 > 0:12:38Of course, Denise's plan is completely extreme and wacky.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41It's delightfully bonkers.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Monty worried me at the beginning because I felt like he was almost
0:12:44 > 0:12:49giving Denise license to take her vision even further
0:12:49 > 0:12:51than I had anticipated.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Although the details and marking it out are important,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57and it's always good to expose the virtues and flaws of a design,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00by simply laying string out where there are lines on paper,
0:13:00 > 0:13:04it's the ruins and the walls that count.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07So when I come back I hope they're already well underway
0:13:07 > 0:13:11and we can start to finesse it with some planting.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15When somebody sees your dream and gives you that encouragement
0:13:15 > 0:13:17and nudges you in the right direction,
0:13:17 > 0:13:21I sort of feel like we're in safe hands and that's a good place to be.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29A few weeks later in Ipswich,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Rob and Jo are nervously awaiting Monty's arrival.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35I'm really, really looking forward to Monty coming to see their plot.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39However, I am a little frightened that he's going to have a look at it
0:13:39 > 0:13:42and say, "There is nothing you can do with this."
0:13:42 > 0:13:45And the duo do a bit of housework to get ready
0:13:45 > 0:13:47for their important visitor.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49- Hello.- Monty!- Hi.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- Nice to see you.- Good to see you. - Nice to meet you.- Hello.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53This is going to be our terraced allotment site.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58- You want to have an allotment on this slope?- Yes.- OK.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00To terrace that
0:14:00 > 0:14:03is quite a big undertaking.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05I mean, it's quite dramatic.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06- We like big undertakings.- OK.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Why do you want to grow vegetables?
0:14:09 > 0:14:13A lot of the volunteers and a lot of the people that we support here at
0:14:13 > 0:14:16the woodlands, we quite often feed them at lunchtime
0:14:16 > 0:14:19and also it would be really good for them to be part of the whole process
0:14:19 > 0:14:22of growing the vegetables and then using it to do cookery.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- Especially the children.- Exactly. - Which is more important?
0:14:25 > 0:14:30Producing the food or the process and the educational?
0:14:30 > 0:14:32- I would say the educational. - Yeah, so would I.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- If it is a project, as part of a bigger picture...- Absolutely.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40..that will entertain and inform and inspire...
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- That's exactly what it is. - ..then it's great.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Fine. Then I'm with that the whole way.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- BOTH:- Good.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Though Monty approves of their plan, he is clear about the work ahead,
0:14:51 > 0:14:55not least cutting back the trees to bring in the light.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58I cannot stress the importance that the more you clear,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- the better chance you have. - Yeah, yeah.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03You could plant things like redcurrants
0:15:03 > 0:15:05and gooseberries which don't mind shade.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07White currants, you can grow those in shade.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11You can grow climbers, you know, things like climbing beans.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13They like warm, wet shade.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16So there's our other problem - we don't have running water yet.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18So we've got to do some sort of irrigation system.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- I know. - HE SCREAMS
0:15:23 > 0:15:27So you want to grow vegetables in a wood with no soil,
0:15:27 > 0:15:30no sun, no water...
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- But apart from that it's fine. - Apart from that it's fine. Good.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Well, I think...
0:15:37 > 0:15:39at least you'll make everybody laugh.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44And the difficulties just keep mounting up.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- What's your budget? - Maximum we would have is £1,000.
0:15:48 > 0:15:49What would that be spent on?
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Getting the flooring first, so it's wheelchair-friendly.
0:15:52 > 0:15:58So, essentially, for your terraced allotment
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- you have no money at all?- No. - OK.- At the moment.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05OK, OK, that...
0:16:05 > 0:16:07adds to the allure of the thing.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12You've got no money, you've got the worst site in the world and...
0:16:12 > 0:16:17- that's good in the sense that you know where you stand.- Yeah.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21Intrigued by the huge challenge Rob and Jo have set for themselves,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Monty is keen to look at their plan.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30The pair want to build a three-tiered allotment
0:16:30 > 0:16:31on their woodland slope
0:16:31 > 0:16:34packed with a range of fruit and vegetables.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39A decked floor space will enable wheelchair users
0:16:39 > 0:16:40to enjoy the lower beds,
0:16:40 > 0:16:44while two paths separate the upper tiers that can be accessed by steps.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Finally, Jo plans to make her own gabions,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53metal cages which will stabilise the slope.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00- Have you ever made a gabion? - No.- Do you know someone who has?
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- No.- Right.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04I suspect it may not be as easy as you think.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07It might be worth doing a little bit of research on that.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- OK, yeah.- One more obstacle to overcome, then.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13The steps want to be as narrow as possible
0:17:13 > 0:17:14to give yourself as much room,
0:17:14 > 0:17:18and maybe railings on the first one, just so anybody can get at them.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- Yeah, good idea.- To the first level? - Yeah, to the first level.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Then I would suggest that your first path is wider
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- than the second one. - Yep.- Yeah, OK.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29But the second one I would make really quite narrow.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- Just wide enough for somebody to walk single file.- Yeah.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35And that will buy you more bed space.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37- That's a good idea.- Yeah. - And that's the other point -
0:17:37 > 0:17:39you realise that everything that goes up there
0:17:39 > 0:17:40is going to have to go up
0:17:40 > 0:17:44these steps and you're going to have to take compost and manure up there,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- and they're going to be carried up in buckets?- Yeah.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48Strong steps.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- Strong steps, non-slippery steps. - Yeah.
0:17:51 > 0:17:52That's the key thing.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Monty wants Jo and Rob to maximise their bedding space
0:17:57 > 0:17:59to accommodate more planting.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05He suggests they make both the steps and the upper pass narrower
0:18:05 > 0:18:08and attach chicken wire to provide a nonslip surface.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Next, they should shrink the decking area
0:18:13 > 0:18:17so as to make the size of their beds bigger.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19And because of the heavy clay soil,
0:18:19 > 0:18:24he also thinks they should include a drainage system for excess water.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26Monty likes the idea of using gabions
0:18:26 > 0:18:29and suggests they become dual-purpose
0:18:29 > 0:18:30by filling them with herbs.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34But before Jo and Rob can do anything,
0:18:34 > 0:18:38they need to remove the overgrown ivy covering the ground.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Monty is happy to lend a hand and Jo has arranged for some volunteers
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- to come in and help out as well... - Hello.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45..and they all get stuck in.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55My own feeling is what you want is incompatible
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- with trees in the middle of it. - Yes, exactly.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59What you can't move has to be cut down.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01OK, I will go for it, then.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Well, that's let in loads more light already, hasn't it?
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Yeah, I think you'll be OK.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- You're a bit more optimistic about it now, Monty.- Well, I am. I am.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17I just thought you were crazy.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21Now I think it's going to be really difficult but possible.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- Good.- So if you're up for really difficult...
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- I'm up for it.- Good.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27Right...
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- Thank you.- I've done enough. - Yeah, thanks, Monty.
0:19:31 > 0:19:32It's been fun.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34It's been good and I'm really looking forward to coming back.
0:19:34 > 0:19:35- Bye-bye.- Bye-bye.- Bye.
0:19:38 > 0:19:44I have to be honest and admit that when Rob and Jo showed me the site
0:19:44 > 0:19:45and told me what they wanted to do with it,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48I just thought it was crazy,
0:19:48 > 0:19:52that it was a waste of time to even begin it and I was working out ways
0:19:52 > 0:19:54of letting them down gently.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58But having cleared it, having seen the plans
0:19:58 > 0:20:01and spent the day with them,
0:20:01 > 0:20:03I believe it could happen.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06I'm feeling exhausted but really excited
0:20:06 > 0:20:08about the next stage of it.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Our Essex dreamer, Denise, has brought Dave
0:20:16 > 0:20:17to Kearsney Abbey in Kent.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23She's hoping that by showing him the ruins of the Old River paper mill,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26they will come up with a final design for their ideal garden.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31'This was the place where we had the special times.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33'This is when we came together as a family.'
0:20:33 > 0:20:36And it's those memories I sort of want to hold on to and cherish.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38This is like my tribute to my childhood.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41If I get it right, that's what it will be.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43The spirit of that feature there,
0:20:43 > 0:20:44I don't think we could have the whole lot,
0:20:44 > 0:20:46it would be overwhelming in our little garden.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48We'll get a picture from the front of it.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Maybe that will add some height in the brickwork.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58Even reluctant Dave is entering into the spirit of it all now.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01When you come here, you get the sound of the water,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03and I think you lose yourself in it.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07Everything that's growing in the brick there, that's beautiful.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10It's the sound, isn't it? More than what you see, it's what you hear.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17I think if you're going to bring elements of Kearsney Abbey
0:21:17 > 0:21:20to the garden, it would be a shame if you don't actually bring
0:21:20 > 0:21:23at least the sound of water.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Dave really isn't letting go of Monty's suggestion
0:21:26 > 0:21:28of a water feature.
0:21:29 > 0:21:30Inspired?
0:21:30 > 0:21:32HE LAUGHS
0:21:39 > 0:21:40It's summertime in Ipswich.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44Not that you'd notice in the woodland.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Monty has told Rob and Jo they must get more light in.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51So there's nothing for it but to do some serious pruning,
0:21:51 > 0:21:53with the help of a local tree surgeon.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58What we want to achieve today is to clear the dangerous branches
0:21:58 > 0:21:59to let the sunlight in.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Some of Rob and Jo's regular volunteers who were taught forestry
0:22:07 > 0:22:10and conservation skills by the charity
0:22:10 > 0:22:13are also on hand to clear the fallen branches.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Jo is also having to take up another suggestion of Monty's rather more
0:22:23 > 0:22:26quickly than she'd thought.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29We've had so much rainfall recently, we've really seen how
0:22:29 > 0:22:32if we start using watering systems up there regularly,
0:22:32 > 0:22:34it's going to be a real issue.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37So under Monty's brilliant advice, we're building this French drain.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- Are we saying he was right? - I think so.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43No, definitely.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46With the help of a digger, they make a special drain
0:22:46 > 0:22:50which acts as a soakaway system, redirecting the water.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52He's going to dig a French drain here.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54We'll put in a big soakaway here.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02And while they have the digger,
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Rob has a plan for that treacherous slope.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08I think working with the plan, we can actually slightly reduce
0:23:08 > 0:23:10the slope as well.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14The pair seem to have completely remodelled the site,
0:23:14 > 0:23:16not bad for a day's work.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Everyone's worked so hard and we've definitely exceeded
0:23:20 > 0:23:22- all of our expectations.- Yeah.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32In Essex, while Denise and Dave are away at work...
0:23:32 > 0:23:34That looks good.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37..builder Pete is beginning to construct their dream garden.
0:23:40 > 0:23:46The challenge here is to build a ruin from her childhood.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48This is where she took the pictures of it,
0:23:48 > 0:23:51and we're trying to construct her childhood dream.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55The walls have got to look really, really old,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57which is harder than making it look good.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Although the costly construction work has begun,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Denise hasn't followed Monty's advice
0:24:03 > 0:24:05to get her final plan down on paper.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07It's not a problem, but if we had it on paper
0:24:07 > 0:24:08it would make it much easier.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Like, building a house, it's simple.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Building something in someone's head is not so simple.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27In Ipswich, Rob and Jo are preparing for Monty's return.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30It hasn't been long since Monty's been here
0:24:30 > 0:24:32but the change is phenomenal.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36We've opened up a lot more space, the gradient of the slope
0:24:36 > 0:24:38is not so steep, so I'm really hoping that Monty
0:24:38 > 0:24:40is going to kind of look at the site and think,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43"Yeah, we can actually do it this time."
0:24:44 > 0:24:47'I left last time really impressed by the energy
0:24:47 > 0:24:48'that was going into this project.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50'But energy alone is not going to be enough.'
0:24:50 > 0:24:54To even consider making this viable as a vegetable plot,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57a huge amount of preparatory work has to be done,
0:24:57 > 0:24:59so I suppose really what I want to see
0:24:59 > 0:25:01is just how far they've got on with that,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04because they've got to be realistic.
0:25:04 > 0:25:05This has got to be transformed.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Hello?
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- Hello.- Hey, Monty.- Oh, hi.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Well, somebody's been doing some work.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22- Well, it's us!- Nice to see. - Nice to see you, too.- How are you?
0:25:22 > 0:25:24I'm trying to remember what it was like.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27What was a really forbidding slope, you know,
0:25:27 > 0:25:30suddenly looks a little bit more accessible, doesn't it?
0:25:30 > 0:25:32- Yeah.- Yeah.- If I'd come initially and seen that
0:25:32 > 0:25:36and you'd said, "We'd like to grow something edible,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39"preferably wonderful vegetables on there,"
0:25:39 > 0:25:41I would have thought it was tricky but possible.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44And I think we've gone from mad to possible.
0:25:44 > 0:25:45- Yeah.- Excellent!
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Well, that's a relief.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51And now it's time for Monty to roll up his sleeves
0:25:51 > 0:25:53and help with the next task,
0:25:53 > 0:25:56building a gabion for terracing -
0:25:56 > 0:25:58something neither of them have done before.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- We're going to find out how to do it by doing it.- Yeah!
0:26:03 > 0:26:06The gabions will be instrumental in stabilising the slope
0:26:06 > 0:26:08and preventing subsidence.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16Jo has salvaged some old wire fencing from the woodland which,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18when cut to size, will be perfect.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23- One gabion.- Done!
0:26:24 > 0:26:27They attach the sides with a simple wire tie.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Right, how solid does that seem?
0:26:33 > 0:26:36- Well, it's not that bad, is it, for a first effort?- Yeah.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38We can't put the top on till we've filled it up
0:26:38 > 0:26:40but we can fill with anything.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Normally filled with stones, but it could be hard-core,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44it could be bricks, it could be tiles.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Should we try and put it in position to see if it does fit?
0:26:47 > 0:26:48OK.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51- OK, we're ready for you. - You are ready, are you?
0:26:51 > 0:26:53- Right.- So that has got to be flush with that
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- and it should be the same height, should it?- Well, yeah.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58It's only just out.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01- For some reason we're a bit proud. - Yeah.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04I can take that down a couple of millimetres, if you like.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08No, to be honest, I think when that's loaded up with stone,
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- it might even sink a bit. - Yeah, good point.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13- We're quibbling. It looks great! - It does!
0:27:13 > 0:27:15- It looks good.- I'm happy with it. Are you happy, Jo?
0:27:15 > 0:27:19- Yeah, really happy.- Happy. Done.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22To fill the gabion, Jo has decided to use house bricks
0:27:22 > 0:27:25which were found in and around the site.
0:27:25 > 0:27:26Let's say another like that.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28I mean, it doesn't have to be perfect, does it?
0:27:28 > 0:27:31It's not going to be perfect, don't worry.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34- Behind this you can just chuck in any old stuff.- Yeah.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37- How about that?- Look at that!
0:27:37 > 0:27:39See, I think when that's planted it will look nice.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41- That looks really nice.- Yeah.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Once the gabion is backfilled with rubble and topped with soil,
0:27:45 > 0:27:47it's time to get the herbs in.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50This is the...
0:27:50 > 0:27:51apple mint.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55So we'll just loosen that up a bit,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58- and I don't try to untangle it. - No, OK.- Just break it.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00- And what that will do is stimulate new growth.- Right.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Just rough it up
0:28:02 > 0:28:06and then we'll put that in there like that,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09and the advantage of that is it won't then spread
0:28:09 > 0:28:11- and fill the whole thing.- And take over.- Yeah, and take over.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- Let's have some lemon verbena. - OK.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17So we'll put that in there.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20- Three of these.- What the lavender and the lemon verbena
0:28:20 > 0:28:24- and Mediterranean herbs will like is the drainage.- Oh, right, OK.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28They will love that because with the rubble underneath,
0:28:28 > 0:28:30- this will drain really well.- Yeah.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32So it has got some goodness but it will also drain.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35It looks as though Jo's research has paid off.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38I tell you what, that's not bad,
0:28:38 > 0:28:41and if you have more like that I think they'll look great.
0:28:41 > 0:28:42I think so, too.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45Isn't that lovely?
0:28:45 > 0:28:47- Happy with that in principle? - More than principle.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50- I'm really pleased. - Thank you for your advice.
0:28:50 > 0:28:51Thank YOU for your advice.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55I now know how to make a gabion, which I didn't before.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57So that's brilliant. All right, I'm going to go.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59- Bye-bye. Thank you. - Bye-bye.- I'll see you.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02I learned so much today working with Monty
0:29:02 > 0:29:05making the gabions and we both learnt together
0:29:05 > 0:29:06about how to build them.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09I definitely think that Monty's starting to see the vision.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13I feel much more buoyed up now and if what we achieved today can be
0:29:13 > 0:29:16expanded out across the whole site,
0:29:16 > 0:29:20then I think the results will not only be effective,
0:29:20 > 0:29:22I think it will look spectacular.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33Monty has sent Dave and Denise to Capel Manor College in Middlesex,
0:29:33 > 0:29:36whose students specialise in horticulture.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39They're keen to make their ruins look as old as possible,
0:29:39 > 0:29:42and so are taking a tour of the folly,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44built here just six years ago.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48- It's amazing.- Gardener Tom explains the quickest way they can add age
0:29:48 > 0:29:51to their structure is by introducing climbers.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53This is actually an ornamental grapevine
0:29:53 > 0:29:55and it's got these fantastic leaves on it -
0:29:55 > 0:29:57really, really large leaves.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00You grow this for its autumn colour, so this goes pillar box red
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- in the autumn.- Oh, lovely. - It's really, really fantastic.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06What I really like is that some of the leaves will be one colour in one
0:30:06 > 0:30:09part of the year and then change later on in the year.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12When the walls first went in they almost looked
0:30:12 > 0:30:15a little bit too pristine and so one of the first things we did
0:30:15 > 0:30:19was get the climbers up them and I think they add a lot of interest,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21they age the walls and they just help it settle down
0:30:21 > 0:30:24a little bit more and I'd really recommend
0:30:24 > 0:30:26you include climbers in your planting.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32And Thomas shows Denise and Dave that they aren't limited to vines.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35Rambling roses are an excellent option for adding colour and drama
0:30:35 > 0:30:38to their garden and their vigorous growth will sprawl
0:30:38 > 0:30:42all over their brickwork, providing an aged appearance.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Climbing roses are another good option,
0:30:45 > 0:30:47although less vigorous than the rambler.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51Many varieties produce larger blooms and repeat flower throughout summer
0:30:51 > 0:30:53and early autumn.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Clematis can be used in conjunction with either rose
0:30:57 > 0:30:58and because it will bloom
0:30:58 > 0:31:00just as the rose is finishing,
0:31:00 > 0:31:03it can extend the flowering season well into September.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08And Tom has another suggestion for creating an aged appearance.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12What we've done is we've planted within the crevices one of my
0:31:12 > 0:31:15favourite plants, a really cute little daisy.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19It's a fleabane and it just flowers and flowers and flowers.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23And it seeds well so all those little cracks in your patio,
0:31:23 > 0:31:26if that's the look you want to go for, it will happily colonise those,
0:31:26 > 0:31:29or you could get your contractors to leave you little planting pockets
0:31:29 > 0:31:31in the walls and you could just pop it in there.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34It gives a sort of aged aesthetic.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39'It's hard to feel that this place has only been going for six years.'
0:31:39 > 0:31:41It was a field.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44That gives you a bit of hope that actually the desired look can come
0:31:44 > 0:31:47quicker than maybe we expected.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57In Ipswich, Rob and Jo have yet another group of volunteers in.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01One half of the team is working with Rob to build the terraces
0:32:01 > 0:32:02and raised beds...
0:32:02 > 0:32:05We're going to knock it on the ground about that much.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07- It's easy work.- Ah!
0:32:07 > 0:32:11..and the other half are assisting Jo in making more gabions.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14It's really simple.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20It seems the philosophy of many hands make light work is proving
0:32:20 > 0:32:22a good one, and in just one day,
0:32:22 > 0:32:26they've managed to build half the terraces needed for the allotment.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28- It looks amazing.- It's amazing.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30It's real now. I think Monty will love it.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32I hope he does.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35It really excites me to see all the plants in place now,
0:32:35 > 0:32:38and we've got the whole bottom layer done now.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41So that's brilliant and it really shows what we can do
0:32:41 > 0:32:44- with the upper layers.- Yeah.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55In Essex, our dreamer is still no closer to a final plan
0:32:55 > 0:32:56for her garden.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58Denise has a fantastic way of saying things.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03She... "I have changed my mind slightly," and we giggle.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07In terms of the plans, there have been a few.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11I actually don't count any more...
0:33:11 > 0:33:14but significantly more than ten.
0:33:14 > 0:33:15Oh, dear.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18- Good morning. - Morning, dear. How are you?
0:33:18 > 0:33:20All right.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Obviously, we've had a little change here. Plan number 32.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25SHE LAUGHS
0:33:25 > 0:33:28But Denise has an excuse for her indecision.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31'To have a plan and stick to it might seem like a sensible thing to do'
0:33:31 > 0:33:34but, actually, you've got to have a garden that you want to live with.
0:33:34 > 0:33:35'Some things haven't changed.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38'So the planters beyond the decking and the steps going down,'
0:33:38 > 0:33:41that hasn't changed, the folly hasn't changed,
0:33:41 > 0:33:43it's just on a different side of the garden.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47- At least this. - Minimum of that height?
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Yeah, just so, because then you've got the two tiers of the feature.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54- Right, OK.- Monty really challenged us to think about that central line
0:33:54 > 0:33:56and to think about that space and stay true to the ruins,
0:33:56 > 0:33:59not try to modernise it or put a twist on it.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01He said, "Keep it simple, keep it bold."
0:34:01 > 0:34:05So the middle part of the garden he won't recognise at all.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09'And I'm looking forward to see how he reacts to that.'
0:34:09 > 0:34:12It's his fault that he inspired us to do this.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15Really, Denise?
0:34:15 > 0:34:17But the door looks fantastic, doesn't it?
0:34:17 > 0:34:18The recycled door.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20They were going to use it as a spot board and I went,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23"No, that's the secret door!"
0:34:23 > 0:34:25- It's fantastic.- Isn't it?
0:34:25 > 0:34:28And Pete has brought along Bill,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31who has a novel idea for ageing the folly walls.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35'Basically, what we're trying to do here is'
0:34:35 > 0:34:40accelerate the growing of moss by using a natural yoghurt.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42It's quite a simple process, really.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46Just slap it on and just let nature take its place.
0:34:47 > 0:34:48I'll show you how natural it is.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50Here you are.
0:34:52 > 0:34:53- Can I have a go?- Of course.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00I am really fortunate that Pete's on my wavelength because he seems
0:35:00 > 0:35:03to have... Instinctively understands what I mean.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06Once we get the brickworks set up to the heights you want the rack backs,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- then you get the effect of it all then.- Brilliant.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13A builder and a mind-reader. Perhaps he should charge double.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17It's not your typical builder-client relationship.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21I'm really worried that your mind and my mind sort of harmonise.
0:35:21 > 0:35:22Yeah, we're both bonkers!
0:35:33 > 0:35:37As a reward for all the hard preparatory work,
0:35:37 > 0:35:41Monty has suggested Rob and Jo visit Hyde Hall in Chelmsford,
0:35:41 > 0:35:44which was formerly a working farm and was donated to the
0:35:44 > 0:35:48Royal Horticultural Society in 1993.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53Head gardener Matt is eager to show them what might work in their newly
0:35:53 > 0:35:56cleared space and its shady conditions.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59So one of the first things I want to show you is the redcurrants because
0:35:59 > 0:36:02I think you might be able to grow some of them in your garden.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06- Brilliant.- Partly because they will tolerate a bit of shade and partly
0:36:06 > 0:36:08because of the way that we grow them.
0:36:08 > 0:36:09Yeah, Monty said about white currants as well.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Yeah, so white currants, redcurrants,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13pretty much the same thing.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15The only difference is the colour of the fruit, effectively.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19The way we grow them... You can see we grow them as one upright stem,
0:36:19 > 0:36:21what we call a cordon,
0:36:21 > 0:36:24then we prune all the side shoots to encourage flowering and fruiting.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26- You can see with this one here that's covered in fruit.- Yeah.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30And the joy of doing it this way is that the fruit that you get
0:36:30 > 0:36:33is more exposed to the sun and therefore
0:36:33 > 0:36:36- it might ripen a bit quicker in shady conditions.- Yeah.
0:36:36 > 0:36:37Yeah, good idea.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40So it's worth considering growing them like that.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42- Rather than a bush? - Rather than as a bush.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44- Well, we can do that, can't we? - Yeah, definitely.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Would you have one whole bed down to this type of fruit?
0:36:47 > 0:36:49It depends how much you want, in terms of quantity.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52I mean, because you're growing them in a trained form and keeping
0:36:52 > 0:36:53the plant quite compact,
0:36:53 > 0:36:57you can fit a lot more varieties in the smaller amount of space.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59It doesn't have to be all red currants, does it?
0:36:59 > 0:37:02No, no. You could... I mean, we grow gooseberries the same way.
0:37:02 > 0:37:03Any of the cultivated blackberries,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06perhaps some of the thornless varieties are quite popular.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08Yeah, that would be good for the children.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10Or any of the blackberry/raspberry hybrids are quite good as well.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13So things like loganberries, boysenberries, tayberries,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16there's loads out there.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19While berries can be pruned to make the most of the sunlight,
0:37:19 > 0:37:23Matt also recommends vegetables that prefer shady spots.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27You can see we've got three quite young rows of summer lettuces here
0:37:27 > 0:37:30and a very established row of perpetual spinach
0:37:30 > 0:37:33and then we have a couple of rows of Swiss chard as well.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36- All crops we can come and pick loose leaves off.- Yeah.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40For you, if you've got more shaded conditions, you might be able to get
0:37:40 > 0:37:43away with growing some of the other varieties of spinach that,
0:37:43 > 0:37:45in the height of summer when it's very hot,
0:37:45 > 0:37:48in a more exposed situation they're just going to bulk to seed.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50You might be able to grow them all year round, as it were.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52- Perfect. - So it's worth giving that a go.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55Finally, Matt has a good tip for their plot,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58which has less direct sunlight than this garden.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02Better to go with leaves that have bright green or dark green foliage,
0:38:02 > 0:38:06because they'll be more efficient at photosynthesizing,
0:38:06 > 0:38:09- as opposed to purple-leaved crops. - Yeah.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13So anything red or purple-leafed won't grow as vigorously because
0:38:13 > 0:38:16they haven't got as much chlorophyll in the leaf.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Go for dark greens, and not purples.
0:38:20 > 0:38:21Thanks very much.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24'I found today really, really useful, actually.
0:38:24 > 0:38:25'Matt was a wealth of knowledge.'
0:38:25 > 0:38:29He reiterated a couple of Monty's points about the currants, which was fantastic.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31- I'm inspired from today.- Yeah. - I want to go back and get stuck in.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40The building work is finally finished in Essex
0:38:40 > 0:38:44and Monty is keen to see the result of Denise's ever-evolving plans.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49It's quite a long time since I was last here with Denise and Dave
0:38:49 > 0:38:51and I'm expecting great things.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54I love the idea of this folly
0:38:54 > 0:38:58built in the back garden that hasn't really been touched for years.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01I'm expecting something spectacular.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03I'm really excited that Monty's coming back today.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07It feels like a lifetime has passed since he's been,
0:39:07 > 0:39:11and it'll be interesting to see how he sees where we've got to.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15- Hello.- Good morning!- Morning.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18- You've been doing something! - Good to see you.- How are you?
0:39:20 > 0:39:22- Nice to see you. Hi, Dave.- Morning.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26- Yes.- Wow!- A little different to last time you came.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29It's more than a little different, it's transformed.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Because when I left you, you had to do some refinements
0:39:32 > 0:39:34- because things weren't fitting, were they?- That's right.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37They weren't working out. So what happened next?
0:39:37 > 0:39:40We decided to move the folly from the left-hand side
0:39:40 > 0:39:43of the garden to the right-hand side of the garden,
0:39:43 > 0:39:45so it was the main feature that came down from the path,
0:39:45 > 0:39:48- because we wanted to keep it simple. - Yeah.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50This is the bony structure, if you like,
0:39:50 > 0:39:52- but it will be fleshed out by plants...- Yeah.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56..and at certain times of the year, half hidden by plants.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59We're hoping that. We want to have the plants working all year.
0:39:59 > 0:40:00Yeah, I mean, that...
0:40:00 > 0:40:02You don't need to hope it, you make it happen.
0:40:02 > 0:40:03That's down to you.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07So has all the re-planning had any knock-on effects?
0:40:07 > 0:40:10In terms of budget, where are you now?
0:40:10 > 0:40:14This is the money man. We're laughing!
0:40:14 > 0:40:19- Genuinely?- Yeah. - I've no idea...
0:40:19 > 0:40:23- Right.- ..because the budget, in terms of the original 8,000
0:40:23 > 0:40:27that we said, we know that that's blown.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29So you're over budget, but you don't know how much...
0:40:29 > 0:40:32- Not yet.- ..but you seem remarkably unconcerned about that.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34They've delivered exactly what we wanted.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38Whatever the bill is, I feel that it is going to be a fair bill, so...
0:40:38 > 0:40:41I must come and work for you.
0:40:41 > 0:40:42I like your...
0:40:42 > 0:40:45your employment style.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47The one thing I would say in all honesty is,
0:40:47 > 0:40:51- my son has been warned that his ISA might be depleted.- OK.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55With the ruins up and the bank balance in tatters,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58they'd better get on with the planting.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Denise wants a bed of lavender, but worries about her soil,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04and needs Monty's advice to give her plants the best start.
0:41:04 > 0:41:09- Basically, we've got clay. - If I turn that over...- Yeah.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18If I squeeze it...
0:41:18 > 0:41:21it's a nice clay lump.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23OK. That isn't ideal for lavender.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27So what you need to do, as much as possible,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29- is lighten that up.- OK.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31There are two ways of doing that.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37One is to dig in organic matter, compost, manure,
0:41:37 > 0:41:42bark, leaf mould, anything like that will help a lot.
0:41:42 > 0:41:43The other, which is even more effective
0:41:43 > 0:41:47and probably more suitable for lavender, is grit and stone.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50- OK.- Have you got any grit and stone?- I have.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- Lavender likes poor soil... - OK.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55..if it's to thrive.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Well, I want it to thrive in the worst conditions, and...
0:41:58 > 0:42:01Well, what you call the worst conditions is best for lavender.
0:42:01 > 0:42:02Yeah.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Sprinkle this on like this...
0:42:10 > 0:42:12..and then fork that lightly in.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15- The idea is to dig it first... - Yeah.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18..then spread your gravel or grit, as much as you have got,
0:42:18 > 0:42:20- then fork that in.- Right.
0:42:20 > 0:42:21Then it's ready for planting.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26And already, you can see by the way the fork is going in the ground...
0:42:26 > 0:42:30- So much lighter, isn't it? - Yeah, it is.
0:42:30 > 0:42:35If you can plant easily like that, it does make life a lot easier.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37We don't want it too deep.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39You don't want any deeper than the height of the soil.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43- OK.- And if you really hit a clay bit,
0:42:43 > 0:42:47you'll do no harm by simply putting a bed of stones for it to sit on,
0:42:47 > 0:42:50and that means, when the roots go down, they don't sit in water.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52- OK.- They may well grow through it but there's a kind of barrier.
0:42:52 > 0:42:57If it's really heavy rain, if they sit in a puddle, they'll die.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00- Rot.- They will rot and die.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03With the lavender in, Denise is keen to try Tom's suggestion
0:43:03 > 0:43:07of planting into her brickwork, but there's a problem.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10The walls seem very finished. There doesn't seem to be many natural
0:43:10 > 0:43:14crevices and holes and nooks and crannies that we can plant into.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16So if we make our own nooks and crannies?
0:43:16 > 0:43:18- If you're happy.- Yeah.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20Get a hammer, get a chisel,
0:43:20 > 0:43:22and we'll nook and cranny to our hearts' content.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24OK, lovely. I'll do that.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31Undaunted by having spent a small fortune on her folly,
0:43:31 > 0:43:35Denise seems quite happy to watch Monty knock holes in it.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38Immediately, it makes the wall look more interesting, doesn't it?
0:43:38 > 0:43:40- Yeah.- A little bit of soil.
0:43:40 > 0:43:42We can section off, push that in there like that.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46I like that and I like the colours of that in with the brick.
0:43:46 > 0:43:48Yeah, I agree.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52She's chosen a selection of alpines and succulents,
0:43:52 > 0:43:54which are really easy to plant.
0:43:54 > 0:43:56All that's required is a hammer and chisel.
0:43:59 > 0:44:01Over time, these plants will self-seed
0:44:01 > 0:44:04and spread over the brickwork, creating the aged appearance
0:44:04 > 0:44:07and coverage that Denise is after.
0:44:07 > 0:44:10They're called house leaves because they grow on the roofs of houses,
0:44:10 > 0:44:16and they've evolved to grow with very, very poor soil.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19If we're lucky... it'll root in there.
0:44:19 > 0:44:21- OK?- Lovely.
0:44:24 > 0:44:26So I think that's it for today.
0:44:26 > 0:44:30When I come back, Dave will be too busy gardening to speak
0:44:30 > 0:44:33having found your true love, your true calling in life.
0:44:33 > 0:44:36We'll see, we'll see!
0:44:36 > 0:44:39Before he leaves, Monty has a last bit of advice.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42Don't make the mistake of under-planting
0:44:42 > 0:44:44to allow things to grow in a year or two.
0:44:44 > 0:44:47Over plant and take things out in a year or two.
0:44:47 > 0:44:50- Oh, OK.- It's a small garden. - You can afford to do it.
0:44:50 > 0:44:54- OK, I'm going. - Thank you so much. Cheers.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57'What you have there is the fascinating backbone
0:44:57 > 0:44:59'of a garden but not yet a garden.'
0:44:59 > 0:45:04They need to really put the same energy and attention
0:45:04 > 0:45:06into the planting that they have into the structure.
0:45:06 > 0:45:09Understanding what your soil is and how best to get your plants to work
0:45:09 > 0:45:14for you from that, that was really the magic of Monty, for me.
0:45:14 > 0:45:18When the planting is done, then there will be a garden.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21That is what I'm looking forward to celebrating when I return.
0:45:27 > 0:45:30It's only a few weeks until Monty returns to Ipswich,
0:45:30 > 0:45:32and the construction of the three-tiered allotment
0:45:32 > 0:45:34is finally nearing completion.
0:45:36 > 0:45:40Rob and volunteer Jamie are stepping up their efforts to get everything
0:45:40 > 0:45:42finished on time.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45With their clients counting on her,
0:45:45 > 0:45:49Jo is eager to get some vegetables into the ground.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51And not content with only planting in the beds,
0:45:51 > 0:45:55she is utilising all the space she's got.
0:45:55 > 0:45:58Because of our budget, we could only really have these six beds
0:45:58 > 0:46:00to grow our main crops.
0:46:00 > 0:46:04All alongside this bank is going to be a whole edible bank.
0:46:04 > 0:46:07I've dug up from my own front garden some chickweed
0:46:07 > 0:46:09and also we have got some hedge garlic as well,
0:46:09 > 0:46:11that we're going to be planting.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14So hopefully it's going to take and spread all along this bank.
0:46:15 > 0:46:16With the new crops in,
0:46:16 > 0:46:19it's time to check on some of the more established ones.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23One thing that is really done so well is all the herbs.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27They've come on so nicely in every single gabion that we've planted
0:46:27 > 0:46:29them in, especially this one that Monty and I planted
0:46:29 > 0:46:31right at the beginning.
0:46:31 > 0:46:34Jo is doing much better than I ever believed possible.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37She's grabbed it by both hands.
0:46:37 > 0:46:40And for what I've seen so far, I could actually step down tomorrow.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43I'm not going to, but I have that much confidence in her.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46High praise indeed, but it won't be long until Monty's back.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49So my intention at the beginning was to be able to feed
0:46:49 > 0:46:52Monty right at the end with the vegetables that we've got,
0:46:52 > 0:46:54and I will be able to do that within limits.
0:46:54 > 0:46:55I mean, nature's nature.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58I shouted at the cabbages but it hasn't made them grow any faster.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01And it's not just Monty they're eager to impress.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04The faster we get it done, the more people will enjoy it.
0:47:11 > 0:47:14In Essex, with the clock ticking to Monty's return,
0:47:14 > 0:47:17Dave's finally getting his hands dirty.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19Me and the people in the garden centre
0:47:19 > 0:47:22are on first-name terms now, so....
0:47:22 > 0:47:25Watering, I'm getting quite good at watering plants.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28Could the reluctant gardener finally have found his calling?
0:47:28 > 0:47:30If it was down to me, there'd be a gardener
0:47:30 > 0:47:31coming in once or twice a month.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34You'd rather do the ironing, wouldn't you?
0:47:34 > 0:47:36Yeah.
0:47:36 > 0:47:38Maybe not.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40It's started to feel like a garden now
0:47:40 > 0:47:44but there's still so many more plants to go in.
0:47:49 > 0:47:54In Ipswich, Rob and Jo are putting the last touches to the allotment.
0:47:54 > 0:47:56I am now going to plant the very last...
0:47:56 > 0:47:58- Do you want a clap?- ..plant. No!
0:47:58 > 0:48:01I'm really, really excited about showing
0:48:01 > 0:48:03our new allotment off to Monty.
0:48:03 > 0:48:05I think he's going to be relatively shocked
0:48:05 > 0:48:08and surprised by what we've done.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11'When I left Rob and Jo last time I was here,
0:48:11 > 0:48:14'I was very impressed by the amount of work they had done,
0:48:14 > 0:48:17'and it seemed to me that everything was possible.'
0:48:17 > 0:48:21I do hope, for their sakes, that they've managed to grow something
0:48:21 > 0:48:25because if they have, that will be some achievement.
0:48:27 > 0:48:29And before Monty arrives,
0:48:29 > 0:48:32there's just time for a final decorative flourish.
0:48:36 > 0:48:37Just a few months ago,
0:48:37 > 0:48:40this site was a dark, deserted wasteland
0:48:40 > 0:48:44with a sharp slope riddled with ivy...
0:48:44 > 0:48:47- Hi!- Hello, hello.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50Nice to see you. And good to see this.
0:48:53 > 0:48:55..now it has been totally transformed
0:48:55 > 0:48:58into a usable and valuable space.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05Nonslip decking enables wheelchair users
0:49:05 > 0:49:08access to the allotment and a sturdy set of stairs
0:49:08 > 0:49:11allows the more able-bodied to reach the upper tiers.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22The beds are packed with chard, brassicas and lettuce
0:49:22 > 0:49:25and the gabions are heaving with herbs.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31The charity's many clients will benefit from this extraordinary
0:49:31 > 0:49:33project for years to come.
0:49:37 > 0:49:39I'm on record as saying this is the stupidest thing
0:49:39 > 0:49:41- I've ever come across in my life. - Yeah.
0:49:41 > 0:49:43You know, nobody but a madman or a fool
0:49:43 > 0:49:46would want to make a vegetable garden here,
0:49:46 > 0:49:48and you've proved me completely wrong
0:49:48 > 0:49:49- and it's growing.- Yeah.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember there was
0:49:52 > 0:49:55a plan at some stage to have a second set of steps.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57- There was.- Right.
0:49:57 > 0:50:02Hands up, governor, after completing that one, that was enough.
0:50:02 > 0:50:04Blow that for a lark. Yeah.
0:50:04 > 0:50:06This decking transforms it, doesn't it?
0:50:06 > 0:50:08- Absolutely. Yeah.- It really does.
0:50:08 > 0:50:13So, in terms of growing, what have been the success stories?
0:50:13 > 0:50:17Chard, lettuces, the herbs overall, lemon verbena in particular.
0:50:17 > 0:50:18Celeriac...
0:50:18 > 0:50:21- Things that haven't gone well... - Right.
0:50:21 > 0:50:25..have been beetroot - that's been completely eaten overnight.
0:50:25 > 0:50:26Twice we've replanted it.
0:50:26 > 0:50:30The real difference is to me this feels like a place
0:50:30 > 0:50:32that you can come to.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34- You know, it is not just about the beds.- No.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37- It's about the whole feeling of the place.- Yeah.
0:50:37 > 0:50:41So in terms of budget, have you gone over?
0:50:41 > 0:50:43OK, yes, we've definitely gone over
0:50:43 > 0:50:46but we were really lucky to get a grant to help us
0:50:46 > 0:50:48with the wheelchair-friendly decking, so that was fantastic.
0:50:48 > 0:50:50How much did it cost?
0:50:50 > 0:50:53I'd say up to £3,000.
0:50:53 > 0:50:55- What were you intending to spend? - 1,000.
0:50:55 > 0:50:581,000. OK, so 300% over budget.
0:51:00 > 0:51:02But it looks great, it looks fantastic.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05- Thank you, we love it. - It's clearly working, it's growing.
0:51:05 > 0:51:07The transformation is incredible.
0:51:08 > 0:51:12With those words of praise, Rob and Jo are ready for Monty
0:51:12 > 0:51:16to taste the fruits, or rather the vegetables, of their labour.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22And as they're tucking in, friends and family arrive
0:51:22 > 0:51:24to show their support.
0:51:24 > 0:51:26Hello!
0:51:29 > 0:51:32CHEERING
0:51:33 > 0:51:37This is the last place in the world anybody would choose to set up
0:51:37 > 0:51:39a vegetable garden, except...
0:51:39 > 0:51:41LAUGHTER
0:51:41 > 0:51:42..and they've done it.
0:51:42 > 0:51:46They've done it against all advice, all odds, all good sense,
0:51:46 > 0:51:49and that's how interesting things happen.
0:51:49 > 0:51:53So to Jo and Rob and the future and more impossible dreams.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56- Thanks, Monty. - CHEERING
0:51:58 > 0:52:01I think they've done a great job. I think it looks amazing.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04They've definitely made the best of a very difficult site.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07It just looks absolutely fantastic.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09I think the whole community is really buzzed
0:52:09 > 0:52:13about what's been achieved here in a really short period of time.
0:52:13 > 0:52:16What they've managed to do on this site, it's just...
0:52:16 > 0:52:20Well, it's just incredible, it really is.
0:52:20 > 0:52:23- Good luck with the work. - Thank you.- Bye-bye.
0:52:24 > 0:52:30If this was just about making a vegetable garden,
0:52:30 > 0:52:35it would've been a triumph over every kind of good sense.
0:52:35 > 0:52:40- Having 50 to 60-odd people here today with Monty...- In that space.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43..in this space, enjoying the vegetable gardens
0:52:43 > 0:52:46that we've produced has been absolutely astounding.
0:52:46 > 0:52:50- So I'm pretty proud of us. - Well, I'm proud of us as well.- Yeah.
0:52:50 > 0:52:54The garden is only part of the dream
0:52:54 > 0:52:58and, like the plants, this big, big dream
0:52:58 > 0:53:02can now grow and thrive.
0:53:10 > 0:53:14In Essex, the big day has arrived and Monty is on his way to see
0:53:14 > 0:53:17the garden for one last time.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20Well, we had a patch of grass surrounded by shrubs,
0:53:20 > 0:53:23so it is a radical transformation from that.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28Last time I came they'd transformed the area
0:53:28 > 0:53:32and done all the hard landscaping, but it wasn't a garden.
0:53:32 > 0:53:37So what I'm hoping to see is that they've embraced it as a garden
0:53:37 > 0:53:40and they can step out into it and the whole area
0:53:40 > 0:53:44is something that they can enjoy and use.
0:53:46 > 0:53:48It's like the final hurdle, if you like,
0:53:48 > 0:53:50to get to a point where you actually think,
0:53:50 > 0:53:52"Yes, it's ready to show."
0:53:53 > 0:53:56Four months ago, this garden was nothing
0:53:56 > 0:53:59but an unused and unloved blank lawn.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03Hello. Hello. Look at that! Look at you.
0:54:03 > 0:54:06- Good to see you.- How are you?
0:54:06 > 0:54:08Now it is completely unrecognisable
0:54:08 > 0:54:11and looks as though it's been here for years.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16Climbers are already tangling their way over the brickwork...
0:54:19 > 0:54:21..and daisies are sprouting from the paving.
0:54:24 > 0:54:29The main path leads down to the magnificent folly
0:54:29 > 0:54:31where climbing roses and clematis will, in time,
0:54:31 > 0:54:33sprawl all over the structure.
0:54:35 > 0:54:40A shaded courtyard offers a peaceful retreat
0:54:40 > 0:54:43and a water feature provides the calm of a tumbling stream.
0:54:50 > 0:54:54I love the planting up the middle. That's worked, hasn't it?
0:54:54 > 0:54:58What you now have is somewhere that is alive
0:54:58 > 0:55:01and that is growing and out of these ruins, you know,
0:55:01 > 0:55:05there are plants tangling up and that's so much more interesting.
0:55:05 > 0:55:07- Absolutely.- How much have you spent?
0:55:07 > 0:55:10What's the total hurt?
0:55:10 > 0:55:16The original budget really has been spent on materials and...
0:55:16 > 0:55:19- And that was how much? - 8,000.- Right.
0:55:19 > 0:55:22There's the labour cost which at least doubles that.
0:55:22 > 0:55:25- Right. - And then some planting on top,
0:55:25 > 0:55:30so I would say the best part of about 18.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33Does that sound reasonable, the moneyman?
0:55:33 > 0:55:34You ain't got a clue.
0:55:38 > 0:55:40What's the true figure?
0:55:40 > 0:55:44In the region of three times what we originally budgeted.
0:55:44 > 0:55:46- 25?- There or thereabouts.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49I stopped counting after a certain period of time
0:55:49 > 0:55:51because we were beyond the point of no return.
0:55:51 > 0:55:54I think this conversation has to be put into the context of the fact
0:55:54 > 0:55:56that this is an amazing garden.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59You've something that is completely unique.
0:55:59 > 0:56:04I've never seen anything like this attempted in a garden of this
0:56:04 > 0:56:07sort of size and scale and standing.
0:56:07 > 0:56:09It can't be compared to anything else.
0:56:09 > 0:56:11- I like that.- Well, it's a fact.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14And Dave got his way, too, with a water feature.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17- It's neat, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23I like this vista.
0:56:23 > 0:56:27There's no question, it does have the sense this could be an old road,
0:56:27 > 0:56:30it could be a building, and you're just stepping over the plants.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32It's nice. It's really good.
0:56:35 > 0:56:36With Monty's approval,
0:56:36 > 0:56:40it's time to welcome family and friends to the party,
0:56:40 > 0:56:42including some who've had a helping hand
0:56:42 > 0:56:45turning a dream into a reality.
0:56:45 > 0:56:48Well, I think we should raise a toast
0:56:48 > 0:56:54first of all to a fantastically bonkers garden,
0:56:54 > 0:56:56and celebrate the eccentricity
0:56:56 > 0:56:59and also to the hard work that's made it happen -
0:56:59 > 0:57:03for bonkers and grafting has made a lovely garden.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06- Cheers.- Bonkers and grafting! - CHEERING
0:57:06 > 0:57:11Now, horticultural happiness is out there - that's where the garden is.
0:57:11 > 0:57:14So let's remove the barriers.
0:57:14 > 0:57:16Right, these will never go back up again.
0:57:16 > 0:57:17Never ever.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19It's open, please go in and enjoy it.
0:57:22 > 0:57:26We've had a lot of satisfaction doing this and seeing the finished
0:57:26 > 0:57:28product with all the planting, yeah.
0:57:28 > 0:57:30I think it's one of our best, to be fair.
0:57:30 > 0:57:33- I don't know what it is... - LAUGHTER
0:57:33 > 0:57:37..but it's one of our best. It does look fantastic.
0:57:37 > 0:57:39We're really proud of Denise for what she's achieved here,
0:57:39 > 0:57:43she has spent many hours in this garden trying to perfect it
0:57:43 > 0:57:46- and so, yeah, we're really proud of her, aren't we?- Absolutely.
0:57:47 > 0:57:49I think it just sums up my mum.
0:57:49 > 0:57:52It is a bonkers project and she is bonkers.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56OK, bye-bye.
0:57:56 > 0:57:58This really is extraordinary.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02It's an amazing thing to have done
0:58:02 > 0:58:08and it is absolutely in the hundreds-of-years-old tradition
0:58:08 > 0:58:12of eccentric landscape British gardens,
0:58:12 > 0:58:15here in a small back garden in a corner of Essex.
0:58:17 > 0:58:20Monty thought it was delightful and I'm just so happy that we've got
0:58:20 > 0:58:22the garden that we have.
0:58:22 > 0:58:25All said and done, I think it was worth every penny.
0:58:25 > 0:58:28I feel proud for Denise and Dave.
0:58:28 > 0:58:31I'm really, really pleased to have been a tiny part of it.